World heritage taj mahal. History of the construction of the Taj Mahal mausoleum

Taj Mahal (India): architecture, construction, myths

Taj Mahal- This is a mosque, combined with a mausoleum, located in Agra on the banks of the local river Jamna. It is not known for certain who exactly is the architect of this building. This structure was built by order of Shah Janakh, who is a direct descendant of the famous Tamerlane. The Padishah of the Mughal Empire erected the Taj Mahal for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to 14 children. Subsequently, Shah Jahan himself was buried here.

The Taj Mahal (also called simply "Taj") is the most famous example of the style of architecture that originated in Mongolia. It has incorporated elements of the Islamic, Indian and Persian styles of architecture, since there are many borrowings in the culture of the Mongols. Taj Mahal received object status World heritage UNESCO in the 83rd year of the twentieth century. It is considered a universally recognized masterpiece and pearl of Muslim culture, admired by people from different countries planets.

Taj Mahal is a structurally integrated complex. Its construction began in 1632, and the work was completed only by 1653, that is, it lasted more than two decades. About twenty thousand foremen and ordinary workers worked on the construction of the facility. The construction was also supervised by the leading architects of that time, but it is not known for certain who made the main contribution to the final result. Lahauri is usually considered the creator of this famous building, but some information suggests that the chief architect was a native of Turkey, Muhammad Efendi. In any case, it is unlikely that it will be possible to get an answer to this question.

Inside the mausoleum, you can see the tombs of the Shah and his wife. But in fact, they are not buried under tombs, but a little lower, underground.

The Taj Mahal is a five-domed building with a height of 74 meters. It was built on a platform with four minarets at the corners. The minarets have a slight slope to the side of the tombs, so as not to damage it in the event of a collapse.

There is a garden with fountains nearby. The walls are lined with translucent marble, which had to be brought here from afar. The masonry is made with inlaid gems. Thanks to this, the walls look snow-white in daylight, appear pink at dawn, and have a silvery tint on a moonlit night.

The construction of this building took place over a long time and more than twenty thousand people from different parts of the country, as well as from other states of Asia and the Middle East, managed to work at the facility. Each of them contributed to the final result.

Taj Mahal was erected just south of Agra, which was surrounded by a high wall that guarded the city. Shah Jahan was personally involved in the selection of the site and exchanged for it a huge palace, which is located in the very center of Agra. As a result, construction began on an area of ​​approximately 1.2 hectares. To begin with, they dug up the earth and replaced the soil, and then they built a platform that rose five meters above the level of the bank of the local river. Later, the construction of the foundation began, which was supposed to become the basis of a massive building and the most modern technologies at that time were used during its construction. Even scaffolding was built thoroughly, which was not bamboo, as usual, but brick. They turned out to be so massive that the craftsmen were afraid that after the completion of construction they would have to be disassembled within several years. But everything turned out a little differently. The lend suggests that Shah Jahan announced that anyone can take as many bricks as they want and the forests were dismantled almost overnight, since in those days it was a demanded building material.

The marble was transported using a special ramp built from compressed earth. On it, thirty bulls dragged each block to the construction site. The blocks were raised to the required level using specially designed mechanisms. The proximity of the river also made it possible to quickly extract water. A special rope system made it possible to fill the tanks as quickly as possible, after which water from the tanks was transported through specially laid pipes directly to the construction site. An enormous amount of work has been done in this sense.

The tomb and platform were completed in 12 years, and all other parts of the complex were under construction for another ten. The construction was divided into stages, and largely thanks to this, it was possible to achieve the timely delivery of all objects. Forces were not diffused, but accumulated on a specific type of work.

Taj Mahal in 1865

Building materials were brought here from all over India and even from neighboring Asian powers, so more than one thousand elephants were used to transport them. The Taj Mahal was really built by the whole country, and it took a huge amount of effort, time and money to build it.

Taj Mahal in 1890

From the very beginning of its existence, the Taj Mahal was not only a source of universal admiration, but also an excellent occasion for the creation of myths and legends based on it. As you know, any beautiful story is surrounded by many accompanying narratives, some of which are true, and the other is complete nonsense and fiction. Sometimes it is impossible to figure out where the truth is and where the fiction is. What exactly is true, and the number of legends themselves is incalculable, we will focus on the most remarkable.

The most common myth is that the Taj Mahal was not meant to be the only mausoleum. According to legend, another mausoleum was supposed to appear opposite it, but this time from black marble. The new building was supposed to grow on the other side of the river, but certain circumstances prevented this. So, they say that Shah Jahan simply did not have time to complete the construction due to the fact that he was overthrown from the throne by his own son and legitimate heir Aurangzeb. This legend was reinforced by the fact that, over time, ruins of black marble were discovered on the opposite bank of the river. But everything fell into place at the end of the twentieth century, when excavations and research made it clear that black marble is actually just white marble blackened from time to time. At the same time, the pond in the Lunar Garden (there should have been a second mausoleum, according to the legend) was reconstructed, it turned out that the reflection of the Taj Mahal in the water of the pond looks black and can be seen without problems. Perhaps the pond was built just for this purpose.

There is also no evidence that after the completion of the construction, the architect's hands were cut off so that he could not recreate such beauty. According to another version, the builders signed a special contract that they will never build anything like the Taj Mahal. Such legends accompany almost any known structure and are pure fantasy.

Another legend concerns the fact that in the middle of the nineteenth century, William Bentinck planned to completely destroy the mausoleum and sell its marble at a major auction. Most likely, this myth arose after Bentinck sold marble from the construction of one of the forts in the city of Agra, but he did not have such plans for a tomb.

Reality is often embellished with guidebooks according to which Shah Jahan, after being overthrown by his son, admired the Taj Mahal straight from behind the bars of his dungeon. In fact, there was nothing of the kind, since Shah Jahan was kept in more than comfortable conditions in the Red Forest located in Delhi. From there, the Taj Mahal is of course impossible to see. Here the storytellers deliberately replace the Red Fort of Delhi with the one located in Agra. The Taj is indeed visible from the Red Fort in Agra. It turns out that most of the myths and stories about the famous mausoleum are nothing more than the most common inventions, albeit very beautiful.

The magnificent Taj Mahal mausoleum, built in the second half of the 17th century by Shah Jihan, is considered the top architectural structures Muslim type. The style in which the Taj Mahal is built is a mixture of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture. The complex includes five main elements: a gate, a garden, a mosque, a javab and the mausoleum itself. It is believed that Shah Jahan carefully selected and corrected the project of the mausoleum, and the best architects of the East at that time worked on the project. The main idea of ​​the whole complex was worked out by Ustad Mohammed Isa Effendi, a Byzantine Turk. Shah Jahan personally chose the site for the construction of the mausoleum, below Agra on the right bank of the Jamuna River. The construction lasted from 1631 to 1647, more than 20 thousand workers were constantly working on it.

The Taj Mahal was built on a plot of land south of the walled Agra. Shah Jahan exchanged a piece of land he liked, which belonged at that time to Maharaja Jai ​​Singh, for a palace in the very center of Agra.

A plot of approximately three acres (1.2 hectares) has been dug up and replaced to reduce water intrusion from a nearby flowing river. The level of the construction site was raised 50 meters above the level of the river bank. In the place where the mausoleum is located today, wells were dug, which were filled with rubble stone, forming the foundation of the structure.

Instead of scaffolding of tied bamboo (the standard used in India today), large-scale scaffolding of bricks was erected that surrounded the perimeter of the tomb. Interesting fact lies in the fact that the scaffolding was so impressive in size that the foremen in charge of the construction feared that dismantling them could take years. But according to legend, Shah Jahan voiced that anyone can take and leave as many bricks as they want, and the forests were dismantled by the peasants practically overnight.

The building of the Taj Mahal mausoleum, together with the surrounding park and other buildings, occupies an area of ​​17 hectares. The access to the mausoleum is open from the south side of the garden, there are two entrance portals on the same line. After passing the second gate, you enter the territory of a well-planned garden, which is divided into squares by four canals, and the crossing point is a pool in the center of the park.

The Taj Mahal mausoleum stands on an artificial platform near the banks of the Jamna River. The author of the mausoleum is the Indian architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori. The Taj Mahal is a compact white marble building with cut corners, traditional for Indian architecture, topped with a dome and four chattri at the corners of the roof. The building is entirely made of white marble, and the artificial platform is only lined with marble, but together they perfectly reflect the sun's rays, flooding everything around with sunlight.

On the east and west sides of the Taj Mahal mausoleum, strictly along the transverse axis, there are two buildings of red sandstone with three white domes. The building on the right is "Javab" - a shelter for pilgrims, and on the left is a mosque where memorial services were held, the buildings are symmetrical and fit perfectly into the complex.

In the center of the artificial platform there is a tomb, viewed from above, it is a square with beveled corners. Inside, the walls are skirted by a bypass corridor with octagonal cameras at every corner. In the very center there is a burial chamber, above which two domes are raised - one in the other. The outer dome is crowned with a spire, and the inner (smaller) one serves to maintain proportions. Portals lead inside the burial chamber, one on each side.

Entering the interior of the burial chamber, you will see cenotaphs surrounded by an openwork marble fence, the original burials are located directly under the burial chamber.

Outside, the structure is crowned with an onion dome raised high above the sloping roof of the burial chamber. Simple proportions determine the ratio of the verticals: the width of the building is equal to its total height of 75 meters, and the distance from the floor level to the parapet above the arched portals is half of the entire height.

The interior surfaces of the Taj Mahal are made with such grace that you can look at the flower ornaments made in stone for hours. Gems and multi-colored marble were used in the decoration of the Taj Mahal, supplies of materials were carried out from all over the world.

A mosaic of multi-colored pieces of agate, carnelian, onyx, turquoise, amber, jasper and coral reproduces flower garlands and bouquets that adorn the walls of the burial hall. The epigraphic decor reproduces the suras of the Koran in black marble.

Taj Mahal- this is mausoleum-mosque which is in India in the town Agra... Elements of both Indian and Persian styles can be seen in the mosque. The Indian Taj Mahal has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

The most famous component of the mosque is by far the white dome. Twenty thousand craftsmen and artisans worked on it. Construction lasted from 1632 to 1953. The Taj Mahal is a five-domed structure with a height of 74 meters, on the platform, in the corners of the mosque there are four minarets. The surrounding area also has swimming pools, fountains and a garden. The walls of the Taj Mahal are made of translucent polished marble inlaid with gems. During the construction, stones such as agate, malachite, turquoise, carnelian and others were used. In bright sunlight, marble appears white, at dawn - pink, and on a moonlit night - silvery.

History of the creation of the Taj Mahal romantic and sad, she tells about the love story of the padishah and his wife. The mosque became the last refuge of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of the padishah Shah Jahan, who died at the age of thirty-eight during childbirth, giving birth to the fourteenth child. At the age of nineteen she was given in marriage, and she became the third and most beloved wife of the padishah. The Taj Mahal is a symbol of their eternal love. The grief of loss was very great for Jahan. He turned gray, lost the meaning of life and even thought about suicide. Before the death of his beloved wife, he promised to build a monument that would convey all the tenderness and beauty of Mumtaz. It was in honor of Mumtaz Mahal that the Taj Mahal was built.

The exterior of the Taj Mahal is no less amazing. Carvings, various paints, stone inlays and plaster were used as decorative elements. An important decorative element is the fact that passages from the Koran are used throughout the complex. Abstract shapes are used in the plinth, gates, grave surfaces, minarets and mosque. There are also images of vines and flowers.

Inside the Taj Mahal, there are two tombs: the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal and her husband. But they are not buried in them, but deep under the tombs. The cenotaph of Shah Jahan is located next to the Mumtaz Mahal, it is higher and larger only because it was completed much later. But it is decorated in the same way as the coffin of Mumtaz. The bodies of the spouses were not buried in them, since it is forbidden to decorate the graves. Their bodies lie in ordinary crypts, and their faces are turned towards Mecca. On the lid of Mumtaz's tomb is a triangular diamond that was created to write on it. Calligraphic inscriptions on the tombstone praise the padishah's late wife. Despite the considerable harem, all Jahan's love and tenderness belonged only to her.

Shah Jahan had six wives and several concubines. The rest of the wives are buried in separate mausoleums outside the walls of the central room. Also, in one of these mausoleums, the beloved servant Mumtaz Mahal is buried.

Over time and due to pollution environment the white walls of this magical building began to turn yellow. And because of the movement of the soil, cracks were even noticed on the walls. Despite all this, the Taj Mahal mosque-mausoleum in the city of Agra was and remains one of the most beloved tourist places in India and is rightfully considered one of the 7 wonders of the world!

Rabindranath Tagore described the Taj Mahal as "a tear on the cheek of immortality," Rudyard Kipling as "the personification of all that is immaculate," and its creator, Emperor Shah Jahan, said that "the sun and moon have dropped tears from their eyes." Every year, tourists, numbering twice the population of Agra, pass through the gates of the city to see the building, rightly called by many the most beautiful in the world, at least once in their lives. Few leave disappointed.

It is truly a monument, beautiful in all seasons. There are those who love the sight of the Taj Mahal at Sharad Purnima, the first full moon after the monsoons, on a cloudless evening in October, when the light is clearest and most romantic. Others love to look at it in the midst of the heaviest rains, when the marble becomes translucent and its reflection in the canals of the gardens surrounding the mausoleum is washed out in the rippling water. But he makes a mesmerizing impression at any time of the year and at any moment of the day. At dawn, its color changes from milky to silver and pink, and at dusk it looks like it is made of gold. See it also in the glow of midday when it's blinding white.

Dawn over the Taj Mahal

History

Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan

The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to his 14th child in 1631. Mumtaz's death broke the emperor's heart. They say he turned gray overnight. Construction of the Taj Mahal began the following year. It is believed that the main building was completed in 8 years, but the entire complex was completed only in 1653. Shortly before the completion of construction, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and imprisoned in the Agra fort, where he spent the remaining days looking at his creation through the prison window. After his death, in 1666, Shah Jahan was buried here, near Mumtaz.

In total, the construction employed about 20,000 people from India and Central Asia. Experts were brought from Europe to make beautifully carved marble panels and decorate them in the pietra dura style. (inlaid using thousands of semi-precious stones).

In 1983, the Taj Mahal was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and today looks as immaculate as it did after the completion of construction, although a large-scale restoration was carried out at the beginning of the 20th century. In 2002, due to the fact that the building gradually lost color due to the severe pollution of the city, it was refreshed using an ancient recipe for a cosmetic face mask used by Indian women to preserve the beauty of their skin. This mask is called multani mitti - a mixture of earth, cereal, milk and lemon. Now, within a few hundred meters around the building, only environmentally friendly vehicles are allowed.

Panorama of Taj Mahal

Architecture

Persian calligraphy

It is not known exactly who was the architect of the Taj Mahal, but the honor of its creation is often attributed to an Indian architect of Persian origin named Ustad Ahmad Lahori. Construction began in 1630. The best masons, artisans, sculptors and calligraphers were invited from Persia, the Ottoman Empire and European countries. The complex, located on the southwestern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, consists of five main buildings: this is the Darwaza, or main gate; bageyecha, or garden; masjid or mosque; nakkar zana, or rest house, and rauza, the mausoleum itself, where the tomb is located.

Flowers carved in marble

The unique style of the Taj Mahal combines elements of the Persian, Central Asian and Islamic character of architecture. The complex's attractions include a black and white checkerboard marble floor, four 40-meter minarets at the corners of the mausoleum and a majestic dome in the center.

Arched vault

Surahs from the Koran written around the arched openings appear to be the same size, no matter how far from the floor they are - this optical illusion is created using the larger font and the distance between the letters as the height of the inscription increases. There are others in the Taj Mahal mausoleum optical illusions... The imposing decorations from the pietra dura include geometric elements, as well as images of plants and flowers, typical of Islamic architecture. The level of skill and complexity of work on the monument becomes clear when you start looking at small details: for example, in some places, more than 50 precious inlays are used on one decorative element measuring 3 cm.

The gateway to the mausoleum gardens can be admired as a separate masterpiece, with graceful marble arches, domed chambers on four corner towers and two rows of 11 small chattries (umbrella-domes) just above the entrance. They provide the perfect setting for a first glimpse of the entire ensemble.

Char-Bagh (four gardens)- an integral part of the Taj Mahal, in the spiritual sense, symbolizing the paradise where Mumtaz Mahal ascended, and in the artistic sense, emphasizing the color and texture of the mausoleum. Dark cypress trees enhance the shine of the marble, and the channels (on those rare occasions when they are full) converging on a wide central viewing platform, not only provide an excellent second image of the monument, but, since they reflect the sky, add soft illumination from below at sunrise and sunset.

Unfortunately, the vandals stole all the treasures of the tomb, but still the delicate beauty of roses and poppies has been preserved in richly inlaid slabs of onyx, green chrysolite, carnelian and agate of various colors.

Minaret

On either side of the mausoleum there are two almost identical buildings: to the west is a mosque, to the east is a building that may have served as a pavilion for guests, although its main purpose was to provide complete symmetry to the entire architectural ensemble. Each one looks great - try watching the pavilion at sunrise and the mosque at sunset. Exit also to the back of the Taj Mahal, to the terrace overlooking the Jamna River all the way to Agra Fort. The best at dawn (and cheap) the viewpoint is located on the opposite bank of the river, where, according to the popular (but probably unreliable) Legend has it that Shah Jahan planned to install a completely black marble mirror reflecting the Taj Mahal. A row of boats lined up along the shore, ready to transport tourists across the river.

Top of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal itself stands on a raised marble platform at the northern end of the ornamental gardens, with its back facing the Yamuna River. The elevated position means that "only the sky is higher" - this is an elegant move by the designers. Decorative 40-meter white minarets adorn the building from all four corners of the platform. After more than three centuries, they leaned slightly, but perhaps this was deliberately conceived. (installation at a slight angle from the building) so that in the event of an earthquake, they would fall not on the Taj Mahal, but away from it. The red sandstone mosque on the west side - important temple for Muslims of Agra.

Cenotaph Mumtaz Mahal

The Taj Mahal is built of translucent white marble blocks with carved flowers and a mosaic of thousands of semi-precious stones. It is an excellent example of symmetry - four identical sides of the Taj, with magnificent arches adorned with carved pietra dura curls and quotes from the Koran, carved in calligraphy and decorated with jasper. The entire structure is crowned with four small domes surrounding the famous central bulbous dome.

Immediately under the main dome is the Mumtaz Mahal cenotaph, a tombstone (false) fine workmanship, surrounded by perforated marble slabs adorned with dozens of different semi-precious stones. Here, breaking the symmetry, the cenotaph of Shah Jahan, who was buried by his son Aurangzeb, who overthrew him in 1666, was installed. Light enters the central room through carved marble screens. The real graves of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are in a closed room on the basement floor below the main hall. You can't see them.

Requiem in marble

Mahal means "palace", but in this case Taj Mahal is a diminutive name of Mumtaz Mahal (« precious stone palace "), which was given to Shah Jahan's cousin when she married him. The daughter of his mother's brother, she was his constant companion long before he received the throne, and later she was the first lady among hundreds of others in his harem. For 19 years of marriage, she bore him 14 children and died giving birth to her last child in 1631.

Legend has it that Shah Jahan's beard - he was 39 years old, only a year older than his wife - turned white almost one night after her death, and he continued to mourn for several years, dressing in white on each anniversary of her death. The Taj Mahal took twelve years of tireless work with a Persian architect and craftsmen brought in from Baghdad, Italy and France to build the Taj Mahal, a time that can be considered the supreme expression of his grief. “The empire has no sweetness for me now,” he wrote. "Life itself has lost all taste for me."

Taj Mahal myths

Taj - Hindu temple

The popular theory is that the Taj was actually a 12th century Shiva temple. and later it was transformed into the well-known mausoleum of Mumtaz Mahal, owned by Purushottam Nagesh Oak. He asked for Taj's sealed basement rooms to be opened to prove his theory, but in 2000 the Indian Supreme Court rejected his request. Purushottam Nagesh also states that the Kaaba, Stonehenge and the papacy are also of Hindu origin.

Black Taj Mahal

This is the story of how Shah Jahan planned to build a twin of the Taj Mahal in black marble on the opposite side of the river as his own mausoleum, and this work was started by his son Aurangzeb after he imprisoned his father in the Agra fortress. Intensive excavations in the Mehtab Bagh area have not confirmed this assumption. No trace of construction was found.

Dismemberment of the Masters

Legend says that after the completion of the construction, Tajj Shah Jahan ordered the craftsmen to cut off their hands and gouge out their eyes so that they could never repeat it again. Fortunately, this story has not found any historical confirmation.

The sinking Taj Mahal

Some experts argue that, according to some reports, the Taj Mahal is slowly tilting towards the river bed due to changes in the soil due to the gradual drying up of the Yamuna River. The Archaeological Survey of India declared the changes in the height of the building to be minor, adding that no structural changes or damage had been found in 70 years since the first scientific study of the Taj Mahal in 1941.

Taj Mahal Museum

The Taj Mahal complex includes a small but wonderful Taj Museum (entrance 5 rupees; 10: 00-17: 00 Saturday-Thursday)... It is located in the western part of the gardens. The museum contains the originals of Mughal miniatures, a pair of portraits of Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal from ivory (XVII century)... There are also several well-preserved gold and silver coins from the same period, Taj's architectural drawings, and several exquisite celadon plates that are rumored to fly to pieces or change color if poison is found on the plate.

The best views of the Taj Mahal

On the territory of Taj

You will have to pay 750 rupees for pleasure, but only inside the complex around the Taj Mahal can you fully experience all the beauty and power of the most beautiful building on earth. Be sure to pay attention to the mosaic (pietra fool) inside niches with arches (pishtakov) at four outer walls... Be sure to take a flashlight with you to get a better look at the similar ornaments inside the dark central hall of the mausoleum. Note the white marble and semi-precious stones interspersed with it.

The main thing is to "get"

From Mehtab Bagh

Tourists are no longer allowed to freely walk along the promenade on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River, but you can still admire the Taj Mahal from behind, from Mehtaba Bagha Park (XVI century) on the other side of the river. The trail down to the river will take you to a place where the same views can be enjoyed for free, albeit from a limited perspective.

View from the south bank of the river

it perfect place to watch the sunset. Follow the trail that runs along the eastern wall of the Taj Mahal, down to a small temple by the river. There you will find boats that you can ride along the river and enjoy even more romantic views. Prepare to pay approximately Rs 100 per boat. For safety reasons, it is best not to go here alone at sunset.

From the rooftop cafe in Taj Ganj

A great option for photographing at dawn is the rooftops of the cafe in Taj Ganj. The pictures are very beautiful. We think the rooftop cafe at Saniya Palace is the best place. The location is great, there is a lot of greenery around. But in principle such good places many, and they all offer as a bonus a view of the Taj Mahal, which can be admired over a cup of morning coffee.

Territory of the Taj Mahal

From Agra Fort

Carrying a camera with a decent lens, it is possible to take luxurious photos of the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort, especially if you are ready to get up at dawn and catch the moment when the sun rises from behind its walls. Perhaps, best places for shooting - this is Musamman Burj and Khas Mahal, the octagonal tower and the palace where Shah Jahan was put and where he spent the last eight years of his life.

Information for visitors

Taj Mahal opening hours

The mausoleum is open daily from 6 am to 7 pm, except Friday (On this day, it is open only for those who come to Friday services at the mosque in the Taj Mahal).

You can also admire the Taj Mahal in the moonlight - two days before and two days after the full moon, the mausoleum is open in the evening hours - from 20.30 to midnight.

entrance

Entrance to the Taj Mahal costs 750 INR (about $ 12), children under 15 years old - admission is free.

Best time to visit Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is gorgeous at dawn. This is definitely the best time for visiting, and there are fewer people during these hours. Sunset is another magical time to enjoy the wonderful views. You can view the Taj for five nights during the full moon. The number of entries is limited. Tickets must be purchased the day before visiting at the Indian Archaeological Exploration Office (12227263; www.asi.nic.in; 22 Mall; Indians / Foreigners 510/750 INR)... Read more on their website. Please note that this office is known as the Taj Mahal Office among rickshaw drivers.

Photo and video filming

Photo and video filming with professional equipment is prohibited (DSLR cameras, due to their great popularity among tourists, are usually not considered professional equipment, but there can be problems if you have a very large lens)... Permission to shoot with a conventional camera will cost an additional 25 INR.

Sun-drenched Taj Mahal

How to get there

Taj Mahal is located in Indian state Uttar Pradesh in the city of Agra is about 200 km. from Delhi.

The following trains run from Delhi to Agra:

• Shatabdi Express - departs from New Delhi Station at 6:00 am, back at 20:40 (travel time 2 hours).
• Taj-Express departs from Nizamuddin Station at 7:15, back at 18:50 (travel time 3 hours).
• In addition to them, all trains go through Agra to Calcutta, Mumbai and Gwalior.

In addition, you can get to Agra by bus (express from 3 hours), taxi (2000 INR) or by ordering group tour(from 1500 INR, including entrance fees).

From Agra itself, you can get to the Taj Mahal by rickshaw or taxi.