Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal Location
City: Agra, On the Banks of River Yamuna
State: Uttar Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: 204 km (approximately)
The location of the Taj Mahal is such that the monument is easily accessible from almost all parts of India. The Taj is situated in the city of Agra in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. This is the basic answer to the question "Where is the Taj Mahal, in India". To know about the location of the Taj Mahal in Agra, read the following lines:
In the city of Agra, the Taj Mahal is sited inside a formal garden on the embankment of the river Yamuna. The entire Taj Mahal complex consists of several buildings comprising a mosque, a guesthouse, and the mausoleum, housing both the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. A long and beautiful walkway leads to the main mausoleum, which is built of pure white marble. Four waterways divide the gardens that stand in front of the Taj into four parts and then, meet in a pool at the center. It is said that half of the beauty of the Taj Mahal comes from the strategic location where it stands.
History of the Taj Mahal
The history of the Taj Mahal tells us "Why was the Taj Mahal built" and many other myths and facts associated with this wonderful structure. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan erected the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan (then Prince Khurram) met Mumtaz Mahal (then Arjumand Banu Begum) at the age of fourteen and fell in love at first sight. She was a Muslim Persian princess and Shah Jahan was the son of the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir. Five years later, in 1612, they got married. As you read further you will come to know more about the history of the Taj Mahal at Agra
Mumtaz Mahal, an inseparable companion of Shah Jahan, died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14th child. It is believed that during her last moments, Mumtaz Mahal obtained a promise from Shah Jahan that he will build the world's most beautiful monument in her memory. But this has not been proven to be true, to date.
However, Shah Jahan did indeed build a magnificent monument as a tribute to her wife, which we today know as the "Taj Mahal". Shah Jahan also lies entombed in this mausoleum along with his wife.
The construction of the Taj Mahal started in the year 1631 and it took approximately 22 years to build it. An epitome of love, it made use of the services of 22,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants. It was built entirely out of white marble, which was brought in from all over India and central Asia. After an expenditure of approximately 32 million rupees (approx. US $68000), the Taj Mahal was finally completed in the year 1653. However, the history of the Taj Mahal of India still has some gaps. For example, there are many theories regarding the architect of this magnificent monument.
Best Time to Visit the Taj Mahal
The best time to visit the Taj Mahal revolves around the weather of Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal. As per the climate of Agra, the peak season for the Taj Mahal visit is the winter season i.e., from October to March. Otherwise,
there is no such thing as "the best time" to visit this magnificent monument. You may see the Taj Mahal in any month of the year, and it will come forward as breathtaking as it has always been. In fact, different seasons as well as different hours of the day lend a different aura to it.
Visit the Taj in the morning and it will come up with a pinkish glow to it. As the day passes, the pinkish glow turns into milky white by the evening. However, the radiance of the Taj under the moonlight is beyond any explanation. The white marble adorned with semi-precious stones stands sparkling like a jewel. By now, we have answered your question of "when to visit the Taj Mahal of Agra". The remaining is, how much time to spend there. We will suggest that spend at least a day at the Taj Mahal to capture its beauty fully.
When visiting India, browse through this beautiful list of places to see in India to make your trip memorable.