Inside The Taj Mahal: How To Avoid The Queue?

When I first stepped inside the Taj Mahal, one of the most spectacular sites on our planet, I truly understood the meaning of the phrase “words can do little justice to”. It’s a place that always made me wonder how anyone could feel a love so deep that their devotion will one day be turned into one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Like you may or may not know, the famous Taj was built in 1652 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan after the death of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years, 20,000 skilled workers, and more than 1,000 elephants (for transporting materials) in order to finally complete this jewel of Islamic and Indian architecture.

A Quick Intro

Today, Taj Mahal is one of the most visited places on the planet, attracting millions of tourists every year. In fact, an average of 12,000 people visit this spectacular site every day. You might think that like many other places on Earth, the Taj must have lost its charm after having so many visitors every day.

However, you couldn’t be farther away from the truth. The Taj is one of the best-maintained monuments in India despite being surrounded by the trash and chaos of Agra and is certainly worth visiting despite hosting thousands of tourists every day.  Wherever there are so many people, you can expect to find a lot of long queues. And no one likes waiting in the queue and we all want to find a way to skip it, right? Well, that’s completely possible if you know the Taj Mahal ticket hacks I’ll share with you in this article.

Before we start, you should also check out this article to see what’s the most convenient ways to reach Agra from Delhi (most travelers come to Agra from Delhi). Alternatively, if you’re looking for a cheap flight to Agra, check out Qatar Airways’s Oh-la-la deals to save up to 20% on your flight.

Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our list of hidden gems in Delhi.

Taj Mahal’s History

Okay, okay, history lesson time. The Taj is, yeah, a monument to Shah Jahan’s undying love for his wife, Mumtaz. But let’s be honest, it’s also the king flexing his imperial muscles. Think soaring arches straight outta Persian mosques, geometric patterns from Timurid gardens, and delicate inlay work that’d make Ottoman artisans green with envy. It’s like a global design party thrown by Mughals on steroids.

Every curve, every motif, is a story waiting to be told. Those eight sides of the mausoleum? They’re the eight faces of paradise, welcoming Mumtaz home. The lotus flowers blooming on the walls? Purity and rebirth, my friend. Even the water channels in the gardens whisper a double rhyme – reflecting the sky above and echoing the tears Shah Jahan shed for his queen.

Getting Inside The Taj Mahal

One thing you can always do is to get there before everyone else. The Taj Mahal opens at 6 AM and if you can be there at 5:30, you’ll probably avoid the crowds. Plus, you could also catch the marvelous view of the sunrise over the legendary Taj Mahal. I would recommend you get there early in the morning because of the view. But you can still skip the long queues without getting there early in the morning!

You will find multiple tourist agencies in Agra that sell “skip-the-line tours” but they cost $45 or more. Additionally, tickets for foreign citizens cost 1,000 rupees (around $20), while Indians only need to pay 20 rupees for entrance. The alternative that I’m talking about will not cost you more than 800 rupees ($12 USD), including the ticket.

So, How Did I Do It?

I actually discovered this method during my second visit to Agra. Having visited once already, I had some friends in Agra and they introduced me to Amit. Amit was a local guide that not only managed to buy a ticket for me for 20 rupees (the price Indians pay) but he also guided me through the crowd and through the security check without losing a second waiting in the queue. Additionally, he knew the best spots to take some amazing pictures of the Taj from and even made sure that there weren’t any people in the frame when I was taking the pictures.

Of course, there was a small fee I had to pay to Amit but it was completely worth it. At first, he asked for 1,500 rupees but I managed to bargain the price down to 750. It was a win-win for the both of us! I paid only 20 rupees for entrance instead of 1,000 and didn’t have to wait in the queue. Amit got a nice tip for an hours work. You will be able to find guides like Amit roaming around the ticket section. However, they are being careful and they don’t approach everyone. I found Amit because, as I said, I had friends in Agra.

Even if you don’t have a common friend you can still approach them and offer them a big tip if they can get you an Indian ticket and help you go through security. Most of these guys can do that because they are friends with the security stuff and I believe they give them a share of the tip. Finally, don’t forget to bargain! The starting price these guides will ask for is always much higher than what they would accept.

Enjoying this post? Then you may also like the most unusual religious festivals in India and our guide to what is life like in India.

What’s Inside The Taj Mahal?

Now, that we covered some basics and gave you some helpful tips about getting to the Taj Mahal, let’s cover the most important part of this article and probably the main reason why you’re here- to see what’s inside the Taj Mahal. We’ll cover all pieces of this majestic monument’s interior, starting with…

Central Chamber

Eight arches soar overhead, their curves mimicking the domes outside, whispered prayers etched into their edges. Look closer, and you’ll see stories blooming in every corner: delicate marble screens carved with flowers more real than reality, their veins tracing invisible rivers of light. And then, there they are. Center stage, bathed in that pearly glow, stand the cenotaphs; imagine jewels trapped in stone, semi-precious gems whispering tales of lost kings and eternal love.

Octagonal Halls

The Taj Mahal halls with their vibrant color provide an exquisite contrast to Taj Mahal’s marble white color. The signature item of the halls are the intricate inlay art adorns the interior walls. The cool, smooth marble surface is as pretty as the day it was built. Use the chance to feel the intricate carvings etched into the stone, but try not to take too much time; time is precious and the next visitors are probably already behind you.

Crypts

The crypt is the most peaceful spot in the complex and my favorite part of the complex. The walls are adorned with intricate pietra dura inlay work with floral motifs and geometric patterns that look like they’re moving under the dim light light in this part of the Taj (you know that a place is special when even the tiny holes have been carefully design to portray the light under a perfect angle over the patterns to create this illusion).. In the center of the crypt, beneath a canopy of intricate marblework, lie the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal crafted from white marble and adorned with precious stones.

Decorative Marvels

The decorative Marvels” sprinkled throughout the tomb like fairy dust are one of the highlights inside the Taj Mahal. Imagine tiny, colorful gemstones dancing across the marble walls, forming intricate floral tapestries and mesmerizing mosaics that makes you wonder what exactly did the Mughals use in this era to priduce such fascinating microscopic tile art.

Calligraphy

The tour inside the Taj Mahal can’t be complete without a couple of lines for the impressive calligraphy which is (in my honest opinion) one of the most impressive yet often overlooked features of the Taj Mahal. Look closer, and you’ll see verses from the Quran swirling everywhere- across arches, doorways, and even around the cenotaphs. I try to find words to describe it and the closest I get to it is as spiritual poetry etched in stone, adding a layer of depth and meaning to the whole show.

Mihrab

Last but certainly not least, we can’t forget about the mihrab; a pearly white arch framing a deep recess, that somewhat resembles a portal to another world. This doorway is adorned with intricate tilework that shimmers like jewels in the sunlight. The niche points straight to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, reminding everyone within that even amidst this architectural gem, faith is the compass.

Do You Still Think That The Taj Mahal Is Overrated?

I normally don’t get very excited about historic monuments, especially ones that are visited by thousands of people every day. So, if you’re thinking that the Taj Mahal is overrated and you are planning to skip it during your trip to India, I understand where you come from. However, I would still strongly suggest you reconsider that. To put it simply, the Taj Mahal isn’t one of the Seven Wonders of the World for no reason. Clearly, it has an amazing history but it’s also one of the most fascinating pieces of architecture in the world, even today 400 years after its construction.

Take a moment to think about the 20,000 workers who built this marvelous site by using relatively primitive tools while transporting marble from destinations 100 of miles away using elephants to finally build a building made of the whitest marble you could ever find. A marble so clear that it changes the mausoleum’s colors from pinkish in the morning to milky white during the day and golden during sunsets.

So, no I really couldn’t say the majestic Taj Mahal is over-rated.

Liked this article? For more travel hacks, check out my ultimate guide to travel hacking.

Useful Tips For Visiting The Taj Mahal

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Have you ever heard about these Taj Mahal ticket hacks? Did you like our virtual tour inside the Taj Mahal? Do you have any other useful tips for visiting the Taj Mahal? Share your experience in the comments!