Taj Mahal means Crown Palace which is located at Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of Yamuna River. It is the best tourist place for ever in India and also one of the best sites in the world. Its lovely architectural design and the superb site scene around it will give you a feeling of heaven. It was selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Tajmahal attracts about 3 million average annual visitors across the world.

This great architecture was created by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in 1648 who was very romantic in character. When his most beloved wife Mumtaj died (in 1631 ad) during the birth of her 14th child then he was very sorrowful. After the next year in 1632 he started to make Tajahal honor to his beloved wife. The creation of this world wonder site was impossible by Sah Jahan if there had no love in his mind to his wife, Mumtaj.

(Agra Taj Mahal, the great sign of love created by Sah Jahan)

Before Indian independent during the battle of Sipoy Bidroho in 1857 Taj Mahal was defaced by British, who chiseled out expensive stones and lapis lazuli from its walls. After few years this Mahal went under the British viceroy Lord Curzon who took some necessary steps to restore of ruined parts which were done by earlier British. The present looks of garden in front the Taj Mahal was designed during his rule in 1908.

Taj Mahal is a combine creation of Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural style. Several world-class architects jointly created the design of this palace. Some major of them are Abd ul Karim Mamur Khan, Makramat Khan and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Among them, Ustad Lahauri was the main designer of Tajmahal. The base length of the Mahal is about 970 ft and width 365 ft.

It took around 17 years to complete the plinth and tomb of Taj Mahal and the adjoining small buildings & garden was finished five years later. More over five thousand labors constantly worked to construct this building and about 1001 elephants were used to transport materials from Rajasthan, Punjab and China. Major elements like Bricks, red sand stones were used after polished plaster on the surface.

The Taj Mahal complex is bounded on three sides by red sandstone walls, with the river-facing side left open. Besides of the main building of Taj Mahal there have also several small monuments around it. You will find here four superb minarets, a large gateway, mosque, Jawab and many more.

Main building of Taj Mahal Complex
The platform of the lower portion of Tazmahal is almost without any decoration. But, the upper surface is decorated with the inscriptions of Koran and the Ninety-Nine names of Allah. The outer dome surrounded by four Chhatris on the corners dominates the roof terrace.

The main Tomb of Taj Mahal
The tomb is the main attraction of Taj Mahal. This large, white marble structure stands on a square base and consists of an arch-shaped doorway topped by a large dome. The tomb is about 36 meters which is same with the length of the base, and is accentuated as it sits on a cylindrical drum which is roughly 23 ft high.

Four Minarets of Tajmahal
You will find four similar minarets on four corners of it with 140 ft height. The four minarets standing on the corners of the platform of the Mausoleum expressed as the stairs to the foot of the sky. The minarets are finished by a Chhatris with on the top. The three balconies are reached by the rectangular doors.

The garden in front the Palace
The garden covers an area above 301 meter sq and divided into 16 flower beds by watercourses. These flower beds also divided into a total of 64 small parts. There were about 400 plants in each part. A raised marble water tank called as al Hawd al-Kawthar is located at the center of the garden, halfway between the tomb and gateway with a reflecting pool on a north-south axis, reflects the image of Taj Mahal.

Beside of these you will find a Mosque and a Mihman Khana in side the garden which standing like mirror-symmetry. If you planned to visit here then you should reach here between 6 am to 7 pm.

Travel by Airways
If you travel for Taj Mahal by Airways then the airport of Agra will be suitable for you. The airport is located just 6 km away from Agra city center. Indian Airlines operates flights from other major cities of India to Agra on a daily basis. You can also catch a flight to Delhi international Airport which is about 203 km away from Taj Mahal.

Travel by Railways
Agra is very well connected to Delhi by daily basis trains and also rest major parts of India. There is a good network of trains connecting Agra with the rest of the country. The main railway stations of Agra are the Agra Cantonment, Raja-ki-Mundi and Agra Fort. And the available best trains to the city are Palace on Wheels, Shatabdi, Rajdhani and Taj Express.

Travel by Roadways
You will get lots of government and private regular bus services from Agra to major Indian cities. Main bus stand of Agra, Idgah operate lots of buses between the city to Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc.

You have to make some sort local journey after reaching to the Agra city from airport or railway station to this Mahal. You will get lots of local bus, taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw and cycle rickshaw in the city that will take you to Taj Mahal.

Agra Hotel Carriappa Road, Agra-282003 Phone: 0562-2463331	The Gateway Hotel Fatehabad Rd, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-6602000
Hotel Bhóomi Residency Taj Ganj, Taj Link Rd, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562 -2232101	Hotel Host Taj Ganj, West Gate, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-2331010
Taj Khema Hotel Taj Ganj, near Taj Mahal, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-2330140	Hotel Taj Plaza Vip Rd, Taj Mahal, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-2232515
HOTEL RASHMI Taj Ganj, Rajiv Nagar, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-2234080	Amarv¡las Hotel Taj East Gate Rd, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-2231515
Shyám Palace Hotel Taj Ganj, Central Bank, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-2331599	Hotel Sidhartha Western Gate, Taj Mahal, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562- 3215067
Radisson Hotel Taj East Gate Rd, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-4055555	Rajrani Residency Purani Mandi Rd, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-4062909
Jeét Hotel Station Rd, Agra Cantt, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-2269436	Saniya Palace Inn Tajganj, Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-3270199

Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
STD Code	0562
ISD Code	0091562
Landmark	Agra city on the bank of Yamuna River.
Languages	Hindi (main language), Urdu, English, etc.
Best season to visit	October to March
Founder	Saha Jahan
Built in	1648 ad.
Open Days	Every Day except Friday
Entry fees	20 Rs.for Indian, 750 Rs. for foreigners.
Timing	6:00 am to 7:00 pm..
Restrictions in Taj	Taj Mahal is very restricted tourist place where only five items allowable for security reason namely - water bottles, small video cameras, still cameras, mobile phones and small purses.
Nearest Railway Station	Agra Fort Railway Station.