Inside the Taj Grounds
You may have to pay for the privilege, but it’s only when you’re inside the grounds
themselves that you can really get up close and personal with the world’s most beautiful
building. Don’t miss inspecting the marble inlay work (pietra dura) inside the pishtaqs
(large arched recesses) on the four outer walls. And don’t forget to bring a small torch
with you so that you can shine it on similar pietra dura work inside the dark central
chamber of the mausoleum. Note the translucency of both the white marble and the
semi-precious stones inlaid into it.
From Mehtab Bagh
Tourists are no longer allowed to wander freely along the riverbank on the opposite side
of the Yamuna River, but you can still enjoy a view of the back of the Taj Mahal from the 16thcentury
Mughal park Mehtab Bagh, with the river fl owing between you and the mausoleum.
A path leading down to the river beside the park off ers the same view for free, albeit
from a more restricted angle.
Looking Up from the South Sank of the River
This is a great place to be for sunset. Take the path that hugs the outside of the Taj’s
eastern wall and walk all the way down to the small temple beside the river. You should be
able to fi nd boat hands down here willing to row you out onto the water for an even more
romantic view. Expect to pay them around ₹100 per boat. For safety reasons, it’s best not
to wander down here on your own for sunset.
On a Rooftop Cafe in Taj Ganj
Perfect for sunrise shots, there are some wonderful photos to be had from the numerous
rooftop cafes in Taj Ganj. We think the cafe on Saniya Palace Hotel is the pick of the
bunch, with its plant-fi lled design and great position, but many of them are good. And all
off er the bonus of being able to view the Taj with the added comfort of an early-morning
cup of coffee.
From Agra Fort
With a decent zoom lens you can capture some fabulous images of the Taj from Agra
Fort, especially if you’re willing to get up at the crack of dawn to see the sun rising up
from behind it. The best places to picture it from are probably Musamman Burj and Khas
Mahal, the octagonal tower and palace where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for eight years
until his death.
See also: 5 Top Places to Visit in India
