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This morning at 6:30am we arrived at the Taj Mahal. Security is tight so travel light, I just took my phone. There are separate lines for the men and women as everyone is patted down after you go through a security arch which beeps at everyone which all security seem to ignore?! LADIES if you really must take your handbag then be aware that you will be ages getting through as your bag will be searched!! The walk to the Taj is lovely through formally laid out gardens and alongside the pretty water feature. There are photo opportunities galore of the outside but not inside, it's not allowed. Shoe covers must be worn in the mausoleum. We did wonder if this was a way of polishing the floor without having to pay someone to do it? Makes sense to me. Once inside you have a view of the tombs of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz. The whole structure and architecture is breathtaking both outside and inside. This is a once in a lifetime visit that I have no reservation in wholeheartedly recommending. To make the most of it get there as early as you can and enjoy the experience.

I had wanted to see the Taj Mahal for many years, but it wasn't until the November of 2015 that I was finally fortunate enough to see and experience it...It was well worth the wait. My guide in Agra took me to experience sunrise at the Taj Mahal and it was just unbelievable. Glancing upon the Taj Mahal at sunrise for the first time from a distance from the arched gate, you see its true beauty. It was incredibly breath-taking and left me speechless. In front of me was one of the most beautiful and amazing wonders which I have ever seen. It was way better than how I ever imagined it and it truly surpassed my expectations. Truly a sight to behold. The Taj Mahal looked like a scene and story from an Arabian Nights Tale, such was its splendour. The sunrise gave the Taj Mahal a lovely light pink hue. And it was like a beautiful and mesmerising dream, an absolute marvel. The colours of the Taj Mahal change throughout the different times of the day. After taking its beauty in and after some excellent photo opportunities to capture its beauty, we walked closer to it, with a view to go inside. As you get closer, it becomes even more magnificent. The Taj Mahal, which means Crown Palace, is not a Palace, which is very hard to believe when you see the incredible craftsmanship and architecture. But it is actually a Mausoleum which was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan, Emperor of the Mughal Empire, for his most beloved and favoured wife Mumtaz. The Taj Mahal was built as testament of his promise of love for her. As you get closer, you begin to see the amazing detail, craftsmanship and passion that went into creating this timeless masterpiece. You see absolutely gorgeous calligraphy with verses from the Koran carved on all four entrances and other Indo Islamic influenced artistic work decorated and carved into the white marble with different coloured and inlaid precious stones. I was truly captivated by its beauty from each angle. And when we went inside the Taj Mahal and saw its amazingly decorated interior and the final resting place for Mumtaz and Shah Jahan, it was an experience. The Taj Mahal was created to such perfection that it is perfectly symmetrical in each way. It was in fact the position of the Tomb of Shah Jahan that stopped the interior of being perfectly symmetrical, as Mumtaz's Mausoleum is in the middle and Shah Jahan's Mausoleum was placed next to hers at a much later time, thus breaking the symmetry. Visiting the Taj Mahal was an absolutely amazing and a once in a lifetime experience and I could see why it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The photos will never do it justice and it must be seen to be believed. I am very fortunate and grateful to have been able to experience this wonder.

Taj Mahal is a mix of grandeur & essence..Being based in Agra, Its an exclusive piece of attraction for foreigners as well as for indians....Taj is in the list of seven wonders of the world. I visited Taj Mahal last year . Its a piece of attraction for foreigners and indians also. Taj Mahal was being created by mughal emperor shah jahan for his wife mumtaj as a symbol of love. Shah jahan and mumtaj maqbra is established inside taj. Although the Security is very tight inside it, the price of ticket comes under everyone's affordability. There is also green grass all front of taj . The internal atmosphere is very calm out there.. . Everyone should visit this historical place once in his/her lifetime..

First sight of the Taj Mahal is at the main entrance, where it is framed in the arch. This is the WOW moment. It's said to be a monument of love of Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal and it certainly is impressive. But for some reason, I got the impression it's more a visible show of the wealth and power of Jahan. (See his pavilion at the Red Fort in Delhi to compare). He's also interred here, next to Mumtaz. The throngs of visitors somehow detract from but also add to the experience, especially if you want to get that Diana shot on the bench. It seems be the place newly weds go for their wedding photos, including bride and groom, friends of bride, friends of groom, mother of groom etc. and when it's your turn, they can't keep out of your picture. The marble fascia was being cleaned, with one minaret under scaffolding. Strangely, the cleaned areas were greyer than the untouched marble. Nevertheless, the building is blinding and it's symmetry perfect. The gardens and water features are immaculate with added features of the colourful Saris worn by the ladies wandering about. Overall - a must see once in a lifetime experience.

A group of four of us toured at sunrise on a Sunday with Gupta -- a fantastic guide-historian, and his knowledge added many levels of understanding to the experience! We could not believe our eyes upon seeing the craftsmanship and symmetry that was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Be sure to see the interior as well as every side of the exterior. The pool in front had been drained, and some restoration work was being done, but it didn't affect our experience. Truly a wonder and a must-see once in a lifetime!