Would December be better than visiting in May? And is it better to head there on Sunday or Monday? What is the best visiting time of Taj Mahal? Find your answers in this guide to the best time to visit Taj Mahal Agra. The article covers the best seasons, days and times to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Agra.
One of the most common queries that I get from a lot of my readers visiting Agra is – What is the best time to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra? Many of them specifically ask me for the best month to visit Taj Mahal while others are looking for the right day time for photography or to avoid crowds. It is natural to have these questions about the Taj Mahal timings as it isn’t every day that you are visiting one of the wonders of the world. Obviously, you do want to make the most of your visit here.
Over my multiple visits, I have gathered enough experience to help answer all these queries. In this article, I will cover the best month to visit Taj Mahal and the pros and cons of every season. Along with that, you will get information on the visiting time of Taj Mahal and my recommendation of the best day to visit Taj Mahal to avoid crowds. There are also, tips on the right time of the day for photography.
Planning a visit to the Taj Mahal?
In case you are looking for some quick links to tours, places to stay and travel accessories for your Agra Taj Mahal trip, you can consider using these online options.
- Booking.com has several good Agra hotels listed on its site. You could use this link to browse and book the same.
- Viator.com offers several tours to the Taj Mahal as well as other attractions in Agra. You will even book skip-the-line tickets to the Taj Mahal and a Taj Mahal day trip from Delhi . Use the link to discover more like the private tour of Agra attractions, a combination of Taj Mahal with Fatehpur Sikri, transfers between Delhi and Agra etc.
- GetYourGuide has various local tours and car bookings available that you can use to explore Agra. Here too, you can book your skip-the-line tickets for the Taj Mahal using the link given.
- For any of your travel needs or general shopping, consider using Amazon through this link.
Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. This means that at no cost to you, I will receive a small commission if you purchase through my link. Thank you for supporting me with this.
Contents
The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal in the 17th century. The marble mausoleum is known for its symmetrical architectural splendor. One of the most mesmerizing features of this monument is how it changes colors throughout the day. It begins by turning rosy pink in the early hours of the morning and then turns white. It finally gives out a golden-orange glow at sunset before it appears light blue at night. It is this kaleidoscope of colors along with its history that attracts over 7 million visitors to this monument of love.
Which is the best month to visit Taj Mahal?
India has three main seasons that determine the best time to visit Agra Taj Mahal. You have the summers from April to June, the monsoons that occur between July to September and the winter months from October to the end of February or early March.
The winter months of October to February
The best season to visit the Taj Mahal is during the winter months – from October to February. During this time, the weather is generally pleasant with cooler temperatures. ranging from around 8 to 25 degrees Celsius (46 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). This makes it more enjoyable to explore the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and the other attractions without the extreme heat and humidity that can be experienced during other seasons.
On most days of this season, you will have clear and sunny skies. During December and January, there might be fog or mist in the morning but it generally clears out during the day. These months are filled with festivals like Diwali that add a different flavor to Agra. You can get a richer cultural experience if you choose to visit during these festivals.
If you are planning to visit Taj Mahal in February, you should plan to get there during the Taj Mahotsav festival. It is a 14-day festival that takes place near one of the gates of Taj Mahal. Numerous artists from varied fields – music, dance and art showcase their talents here. The celebrations allow you to experience the Indian culture in a very different manner.
Summer months from April to June
March is when the onset of summer begins. The heat might still be tolerable and it might still be a good idea to get to the Taj Mahal in this month. However, beginning in April, the temperatures soar to over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The heat can make the visit uncomfortable and exhausting.
If you do happen to be in India or Agra around these months, you can plan to get to the Taj Mahal early in the morning or just after 4 pm to get some respite from the heat. The good part about summer is that it attracts lesser crowd.
The monsoons months from July to September
Monsoon season in Agra brings heavy rainfall and high humidity. While the crowds are thinner during this time, the rain and muddy conditions tend to dampen the overall experience. The skies too, are not so clear. You may not get to experience the full display of colors that the Taj Mahal exhibits throughout the day.
Visiting time of Taj Mahal
Before I get into the recommended days or time of the day to get to Taj, let me share the opening and closing time of Taj Mahal, Agra. The Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes at sunset. The Taj Mahal timings for visitors can be booked in two slots – forenoon and afternoon.
When you book your Taj Mahal tickets, you will need to select one of these slots for your visit. The forenoon tickets to the Taj Mahal are valid from sunrise to 12 pm while the afternoon tickets can be used from 12 pm to the closing time of the Taj Mahal (6 pm).
~ If you are looking at skip-the-line tickets along with a guide, you can book one here ~
The best day to visit Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is open for 6 days a week. It is closed on Fridays. I would highly recommend that you avoid the weekends. There are definitely more people on Saturdays and Sundays inside Taj Mahal. My first visit was on a weekend and it was packed! My other visits were on weekdays and they were definitely better than the first one. I believe Mondays are usually the quietest day for a visit to the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is free to enter on the death anniversary of Emperor Shah Jahan. This is usually between the 17th to 19th of February. During those days, you can definitely expect a lot of crowds. Sometimes, even on Indian Independence Day (15th August), the Taj Mahal has free entry.
The other occasion that I recommend you consider is the full moon nights. On the five days around the full moon, you can get a special ticket for the night viewing of the Taj Mahal. I believe this is when the Taj Mahal glows white and it is a sight to behold. Of course, you will need to book these tickets in advance (and there are very limited numbers) and maybe, someday, I will get to it too!
P.S: The access to Taj Mahal on full moon night is not available during the month of Ramazan
What is the best time to visit Taj Mahal – morning or evening?
As I mentioned earlier, the Taj Mahal does change color throughout the day. It is not possible to see all three colors of the Taj – pink in the morning, white later and golden yellow in the evening with just one visit. At the most, you can only see two colors. I am sure that with that you are in a dilemma of whether you should plan a visit in the morning or evening.
I highly recommend visiting the Taj Mahal in the morning – particularly at sunrise. Dawn is also, the best time to visit Taj Mahal Agra to avoid crowd. More than anything else, you will witness the most majestic change of colors at sunrise. The Taj Mahal actually turns pink with the first ray of light and slowly turns white by around 8 am. Trust me – I witnessed it over my last two visits and still am fascinated by the sight.
The sunrise tour of Taj Mahal does require a little bit of planning. You should book your Taj Mahal tickets a day earlier or possibly get to the ticket counter 30 minutes before sunrise. There are other considerations like early morning transport, what to bring with you and what to expect that I have explained in this detailed guide on getting to the Taj at sunrise. In my opinion, those waking hours let you have the best light for photography, lesser crowd and pleasant weather to enjoy the mausoleum of love.
Sunset is also, a great time to check out the Taj Mahal. Witnessing the orange glow of the setting sun on the Taj makes it worth a visit. However, I personally would like to avoid this time as you do encounter more crowds as compared to sunrise. While the light is great, I found my photos at the Taj Mahal filled with people in the background.
A tip here though – instead of getting inside Taj Mahal, you can experience the sunset over it from Mehtab Bagh – the Mughal gardens right across the Taj Mahal. Check my post on how you can plan this viewing experience at Mehtab Bagh.
I trust that you have all your questions on the best time to visit the Taj Mahal answered. If I have missed anything, do feel free to drop a comment in the box below, and I shall try and help you. And yes, please do share the post around 😀
Common FAQs about the timings of Taj Mahal, Agra
Which day Taj Mahal is closed?
The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
What is the best time to visit Taj Mahal for photography?
The best time to see Taj Mahal is at sunrise. This is when you have lesser crowds and generally, get clear skies. You can witness the pink hues of the first rays of the sun on the Taj Mahal as well as get the monument in white around 8 am.
How many hours is enough for the Taj Mahal?
While the recommended duration for a visit to the Taj Mahal is typically 2 to 3 hours, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and interests. During this time, you can explore the main areas of the monument, admire its architectural splendor, and soak in its rich history. However, keep in mind that if you’re a history enthusiast or a photography lover, you may want to allocate additional time to fully immerse yourself in the intricate details and capture the essence of this timeless masterpiece. Remember, the Taj Mahal is a place to be savored, so take your time to truly appreciate its beauty and significance
Is it worth visiting the Taj Mahal at night?
Visiting the Taj Mahal at night is definitely worth it. This unique experience offers a tranquil ambiance that adds a magical touch to your visit. The night viewing is available for 5 days each lunar month, typically around the time of the full moon. Make sure to plan your trip accordingly to witness the Taj Mahal’s ethereal beauty in the moonlight.
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Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.
I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.
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