The Majestic Taj Mahal

When visiting India, there’s nothing more incredible than seeing Taj Mahal right before your eyes. If seeing this magnificent structure in postcard put you in awe, what more if you’d be in the actual site. Certainly, you’ll get mesmerised how marvellous it is. It was just like what we’ve felt when we had the chance to visit it.

Holding the spot for being the most famous site in a country of diverse culture and heritage, Taj Mahal is truly a sight to behold. Yes, the site is touristy but going to see this celebrated site is rightly a remarkable life event. It’s like a fulfilment or something that you can brag about, right?

The great Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum that was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is widely recognised as ‘the jewel of Muslim art in India’ and one of the universally acclaimed masterpieces of the world’s heritage.

Visiting Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal can be visited from sunrise to sunset except on Fridays. Entry fee costs Rs 750 for foreign tourist, Rs 510 for Citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC Countries and Rs 20 for domestic and Indians. Guide can also be hired inside the ticketing booth for a fee. In our case, we didn’t hire one anymore as we would like to see the complex on our own, no pressure, no discussion, nothing but us taking photographs.

We woke up still not feeling completely well on the day of our visit but as the clock get closer to our planned time in seeing the marvellous site of Taj Mahal, it had made us forget about the uneasiness and all that we’ve been feeling since yesterday. I guess the cure that we’ve been looking for to get us back to our excitement is only Taj Mahal.

We went out of our guesthouse groomed with our favourite travel get up (so that means with headwear scarf) as for sure we will be taking a lot of pictures of ourselves with Taj Mahal on the background. I don’t want to have my picture with Taj Mahal just wearing random shirt that I brought during the trip. This is once in a lifetime event and so I have to wear a fine-looking shirt that I have, photoshoot lang? Lol. But seriously, I think I just had the simplest and plain looking shirt for this day. If you’re about to ask about dress code when visiting the site, I guess there’s none. According to Chyng who also paid a visit, there’s no dress code to follow. Girls can even wear sleeveless shirt. Well for the sake of properness and respect, wear something that you feel comfortable and suitable.

Food are not allowed inside the complex. Even the smallest candy that you have will be confiscated. Eating and smoking is strictly prohibited inside. Other things like arms, ammunitions, fire, smoking items, tobacco products, liquor, eatables (Toffees), head phones, knives, wire, mobile charger, electric goods (except camera), tripods are also prohibited.

Inside the Complex of Taj Mahal

The main mausoleum of Taj Mahal is surrounded by outlying buildings adding glamour to its impressive figure. The main mausoleum is flanked by almost similar two buildings on either side of the platform. The mosque on the west and the Mihman Khana (assembly hall) on the east are the complementary elements of the riverfront ensemble.

Gardens can also be seen surrounding the magnificent mausoleum.

The large square garden is divided by two main pathways into four quadrants wherein each quadrant is in turn subdivided by narrower cross-axial pathways, so that sixteen sub-quadrants are formed. The garden as a whole is surrounded by a pathway which connects with all the sub-pathways.

Not in a Postcard Anymore

Not as big as Chittorgarh Fort in Udaipur, one can easily see the main mausoleum of Taj Mahal when entering the complex. As soon as we passed the security check, we walked towards the gateway entrance with our heart pounding. We then walked through the hall and finally had a glimpse of the beautiful structure. My friend and I couldn’t believe we were finally there and the glorious monument was right in front of us.

We traveled about a week in India before we finally set our foot in this important destination – and everything was worth it. Photoholics as we were, we spent almost half an hour per area taking photos before we get to move on.

A different angle of Taj Mahal… I was impressed with how it remains charming even if you look at it in different angles and sides.

People Visiting Taj Mahal

Tourists paying a visit on this fabulous touristy site are tolerable, I must say. The flow of people is organised but yet you have to be quick and patient when getting to a spot to have a great profile picture with the main mausoleum. Mostly, tourist hires a photographer to take their pictures. These photographers think they own every spot inside the complex asking others to move out to give way to their customers. I had one experience of such situation, well… I’m a paying visitor and they shouldn’t do that to me! I had blared out, “we’re still taking pictures, right?” and they walked away afterwards. Sorry to behave like that.

A Closer Look of the Main Mausoleum

Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is regarded by many as the superb example of Mughal architecture, a style that integrates elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles.

Taking pictures inside the main mausoleum is prohibited but one can take photos of its exterior.

We spent almost 4 hours getting around the Taj Mahal complex. There are still few mosque and structures surrounding the main mausoleum that we weren’t able to visit. It was because we were already good with the main mausoleum.

Our visit in Taj Mahal opened us into different thoughts about seeing things, places, people and culture. It gave us more insights about how spectacular the heritage in India is.

It was said that the existence of this structure is nearing to its end. But I hope the country can still do something to conserve and preserve its statue. Taj Mahal is as majestic as the history and heritage of India. It is a superb masterpiece combined from architecture, people, culture and history.