Taj Mahal

The most famous monument to love and, according to some, the most stunning building in the world, the Taj Mahal was built in the 17^th century by Moghul emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Muhal. The towering palace is a symbol of Indian ingenuity and appreciation of beauty and love. Rudyard Kipling called it “the embodiment of all things pure,” so harmonious is its architecture and purpose, and Shah Jahan is said to have declared that its creation made “the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.”

The Taj Mahal is such a perfectly proportioned marble palace that one of our preferred guides likes to say it is one of the few world famous sights that cannot disappoint, for it is exactly as you expect it to be. But while it is as beautiful in its layout and intricate delicacy as you expect, the crowds who converge each day do make it hard to enjoy it in a peaceful way. We recommend going first thing in the morning to enjoy the building at sunrise (the grounds open at 6 a.m.) and to avoid crowds and midday heat.

Indagare Tip: Tickets must be bought in advance of a visit and on Fridays the grounds are closed to those not attending prayers at the mosque.

Two great books to read before a visit are Beneath a Marble Sky, a fictional account of life during the building of the Taj, and In the Shadow of the Taj, a fascinating exploration of modern Agra and the complexities its famous monument faces today.

Guests of Amarvilas can be escorted to the East Gate by hotel golf cart.