Is Taj Mahal open on Friday Night?

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The Taj Mahal is one of the places that you definitely cannot miss if you are going to India. This stunning white marble mausoleum is located in the northern Indian city Agra. In 1632, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the building of this spectacular tomb for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal took 21 years and about 52.8 billion Indian rupees to achieve its massive complex, including the domed marble tomb, a garden and two red-sandstone buildings. The impressive artisan skills and massive plan make the Taj Mahal is the best example the beauty of Mughal architecture. It is described as “the jewel of Muslim art in India”, and is one of the most celebrated buildings in the world and is the most recognisable symbol of India. In 1983, the Taj Mahal is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts over million tourist to visit every year.

To visit the Taj Mahal on Friday night sounds like an interesting idea. Unfortunately, according to the Taj Mahal official website, normal opening hours is from sunrise to sunset. On Friday, the Taj Mahal is closed and only opens for the traditional prayers in the mosque between midday to 2pm. It seems it is impossible to chill out in the Taj Mahal on Friday night. However, all is not lost, for those who are desperate to see the Taj Mahal in a different light, there is the option of a night time viewing of the incredible sight. The night viewing entry of the Taj Mahal is offered five days to the public every month except Friday and the month of Ramadan. The chance to see the Taj Mahal at night is offered during the period of the full moon (including 2 days preceding and after), the Taj Mahal is open from 8.30pm to 12.30pm and tourists will be separated in eight batches of 50 persons for half an hour duration. Visitors must report at Shilpagram complex half hour advanced before entry, after the security check nearby the Easter gate, you can experience the breath-taking scene - when the moonlight shine the white marble complex, all of the Taj Mahal is covered in a blue luminary light. Compared to the yellow glory in the morning or the shining white in the midday, the light of the Indian moon speaks an indiscernible tone of light. Tickets are required to be purchased on the day before your visit. Tickets can be purchased from 10am to 6pm in the office of Archaeological Survey of India, Agra Circle, 22 The Mall, Agra.

No matter if you visit the Taj Mahal at any time of the day, the magnificent site will impress you with how prosperous the old Mughal Empire was, the exquisite craft, the inlaid jewels and the elaborately designed details - the four minarets surrounding the domed tomb are leaning slightly outward to avoid if the collapse occurred in earthquake, the other reason is to correct the optical illusion to let the four tower looks straight when people overlook it. The eternal love of Emperor Shah Jahan to Mumtaz Mahal will also impress visitors. The beautiful art of the architecture, the love story behind it and the glory of the Taj Mahal will leave a beautiful picture in your mind.

For more information about traveling to the Taj Mahal and India please call one our experienced travel advisors on 020 3750 1655 for FREE advice or send us a quick email on cts@ctsuk.com. Alternatively check out our incredible, handpicked escorted group tour to India by visiting our website www.ctshorizons.com

For those who prefer a more independent travel experience, rather than travelling as part of a group, we are able to tailor bespoke arrangements to your requirements.  If you would like to explore the capital of Delhi, see the Golden Temple of Amritsar, admire the beautiful Taj Mahal up close, stay in a former palace or fort, discover fascinating Rajasthan, or delve into Southern India, we can help. Please email us at cts@ctsuk.com