Taj Mahal deserves to be admired from afar from the riverside as well as from the inside. Sunset would be the perfect time to do this.
There is a little-known viewpoint behind a sandy area on the eastern side of the Taj Mahal. It is a perfect place to admire the monument during the sunset. It can be reached by heading towards the east gate and taking the right at the next crossroads.
Access to the viewpoint costs 50 rupees.
The Taj Khema Hotel run by the state government of Uttar Pradesh also offers remarkable views of the Taj Mahal from its gardens. A marble bench was installed on a mound for use by visitors. There you can sip tea and admire the sunset. The hotel is approximately 200 meters from the monument, on the east side of it. However this hotel is a government tourist establishment, so don’t expect great service.
In the area facing the Taj Mahal, on the other tour to Taj Mahal side of the river, there is a complex of Mughal gardens covering an area of 25 hectares, which remains open until sunset. Entrance to these gardens costs 250 rupees for foreigners and 20 rupees for nationals. However, an unsightly barbed wire fence has been erected on the river side to prevent tourists from walking there.
It is also possible to take a boat along the river when it is not dry. To do this you have to go down the path along the eastern wall of the Taj Mahal to the temple on the banks of the river, where you will find boatmen. The water flow of the river changes seasonally, it is abundant during the monsoon and the rest of the time the river is dry.
View of the Taj Mahal from the Yamuna Riv
Taj Mahotsav is a festival that takes place at Shilpgram in Agra, right next to the Taj Mahal, from February 18 to 27 every year. This festival showcases Indian arts, crafts and culture. The reconstruction of the Mughal era is the main activity. The festival kicks off with a spectacular parade that includes elephants, camels and drummers. Camel rides are offered, in addition to a variety of games for children and a culinary exhibition. The location where the festival takes place has special significance, apparently being located on the site where the artisans who built the Taj Mahal lived.
Dangers and inconveniences
Visiting Taj Mahal can be overwhelming when encountering certain inconveniences or dangers. To challenge them, be prepared to handle them. On site, you will encounter many beggars and touts. Once the tourists reach Agra, the touts start harassing them pretending that they are guides or taxi drivers. They often use schemes such as free taxi rides or promising deep discounts. Some touts operate in sophisticated gangs that have counterparts in other cities that identify potential targets at train stations.
Note: It is highly recommended to avail the services of a reputed travel agency to arrange your trip to Agra, so your trip would be a pleasant memory. Write to us and we assure you to make your visit to Taj Mahal a memorable experience!
There are approximately 50 to 60 official guides at Taj Mahal. However, more than 3,000 touts pose as photographers, guides or intermediaries, who openly solicit customers at the three gates of the monument (particularly at the West gate, which receives between 60 and 70% of visitors).
Although it is officially prohibited, hundreds of peddlers, who are at the gates of Taj Mahal, can disturb you with their canvassing.
Additionally, strangers are frequently asked to pose for photos, or even be photographed without permission; this can be intrusive and uncomfortable.