Stand Agape at the Taj Mahal in Agra

Home of the Only Modern Architecture World Wonder

Agra was once the capital of the Mughul Empire and the foremost city of India. Nowadays, it is largely an industrial city that is most famous for being the home of India’s prized treasure: The Taj Mahal - a mausoleum built for the favorite empress of Shah Jahan.

When I left the United States, I only had five places on my must-go list - and the Taj Mahal was one of them. I’ve long looked at its stunning symmetry and white granite as a beacon of romantic architecture - something truly spectacular. I was even worried I might be disappointed in person because I had my hopes up - but I was more overwhelmed by the site than I could have imagined.

I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that the Taj Mahal is, in my opinion, the most stunning building I have ever seen. Every single person I was with had their breath taken away and were in complete awe - with many being moved to tears. While there are other attractions in Agra, I recommend giving a whole day to just savor the Taj Mahal. You can go right at opening when the sun rises for the best lighting, spend the day on a rooftop with a view of the building, and even finish the day across the river for a sunset perspective.

 

Other Things to Do

If you’re spending more than one day in Agra, there are other things to do:

  • Explore the Red Fort: The other UNESCO world heritage site in Agra, the Red Fort of Agra is often considered a more impressive version of the Red Fort in New Delhi. An enormous example of Mughul architecture built of red granite, the fort even boasts some views of the Taj Mahal.

  • View the Baby Taj Mahal: Within Agra, there is also a second small mausoleum that was an inspiration for the Taj Mahal: I’timad-ud-Daulah. The empress it was built for was even the grandmother of the empress for whom the Taj Mahal was built.

  • Catch a sunset at Metabh Bagh: The most famous place to observe the Taj Mahal at sunset is across the Yamuna River - the Moonlight Garden (Metabh Bagh).

  • Take a Stroll Around Agra: Outside of Taj Mahal and Red Fort, Agra is not a tourist city, so the minute you leave those sites, everything will feel hyperlocal. I enjoyed walking through the markets and just experiencing the energy of the city, which was incredibly friendly.

I wouldn’t second guess yourself at all if the only thing you do in Agra is splendor at the Taj Mahal. It’s all I did (beyond walking around the city a bit) and I don’t regret it at all. I was amazed by the building my entire two days in Agra - not needing to do anything else to have my stores of awe and wonder completely full.

 
Devin Scott