Taj Mahal is definitely on the list of everyone who wants to see seven wonders of the world or for one who wants to see the world itself, Taj Mahal is simply a must. You probably know the story of the Taj Mahal, thus they say it is great spot for lovers. However, what not many may know, is that the Taj Mahal has a mosque inside and is closed on every Friday for local Muslims to pray there.
If you visit the Taj Mahal you will be part of a huge crowd who, like you, want to see the wonder of the world. That said, if you want to capture the great shot without crowd you may consider waking up before sunrise to nab the first spot in line! It’ll be worth the early rise, trust me.
After a security check, you will then have to then run quickly to try to capture your perfect shot without the crowds. Okay so even if you’re not the very first you still have a few options, which will allow you to take great shots even in the middle of the day (lighting may not be that good in the morning sun, and may be quite foggy!).
It was our second time in Taj Mahal. The first time we came for a day trip from Delhi and due to our bus having had some troubles, we got there really late having less time to do proper sightseeing and take a decent picture.
This year we just got to the hotel, checked our Facebook status which reminded us: ‘exactly four years ago you visited Taj Mahal’! How time flies – we hadn’t realized that until now and it was something exciting and surprising at the same time: four years passed so fast. Do you also feel that you learn so much in these years but you don’t feel older at all?
We had all day the next day as it was Friday and the Taj Mahal was closed. We hired a rickshaw to go find a boat by the river to take pictures of Taj from the boat. The rickshaw driver informed us that the boat ride is banned for a few years now and thus offered to take us to park on the other side of the river to have a look instead. We were reluctant when we got there as we couldn’t find any good spots to take a picture. But, as we were leaving, we took our last shot, which came out pretty good in our opinion.
On our way to the hotel, our rickshaw driver took us to a man living by the river who offered to take us for a boat ride and quoted the price of 5000 rupees. He wasn’t even aware the ride is prohibited. The price was definitely too high and we refused.
It’s Saturday finally, and time to visit Taj from the inside! I wore my lehenga which I kept from my brother in law’s wedding. I was obsessed with that outfit to that point I dragged it all the way back to India just to wear it inside Taj Mahal. Pretty insane?
We were one of the first there but the line was forming longer and longer even though it was still half an hour till the opening. My husband, as he is Indian, got inside as a one of the first and it took me a while before proceeding through security.
Finally inside, we looked for the best spot to take a picture. We tried from inside the arches overlooking Taj but one side was in shade and the other overlooked some construction going on there. Then we took this shot. We liked it a lot.
We weren’t ready to leave Agra without one more shot…a shot from the river. So we went to the back of Taj and looked for fisherman with a boat. There were few soldiers responsible for security. This area is actually open to everyone and the fisherman, who lives there and is the only one who can take you by boat and give you ride to see the Taj Mahal. He can’t take a boat really close to the Taj but he will take you nearby so you can capture a great shot.
If you are tired of the crowds inside Taj Mahal, I really encourage you to take this boat ride as its an amazing experience and being on the water is so tranquil in opposite to what happens inside the Taj! The ride cost only 600 rupees and we didn’t even bargain as it was so cheap. Remember he is the only guy who can take you by boat on the river and nobody else is allowed to do so. If you want to find him just go to the riverside next to walls of Taj and he lives in the building by the river.
Enjoy this once in a lifetime experience and enjoy Agra!
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit the Taj Mahal. If you have any questions about this destination please leave them in the comments below.
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We Are Travel Girls Contributor Nina Gohar of Cosmopolitanqa.com
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