Vansh TiwariEverybody desires to click photographs at the Taj Mahal in the best, unique, and most attractive way possible.
However, the world of A.I. is not hidden from anyone anymore. Therefore, working hard and getting a satisfying picture on the camera sounds more inspiring, at least to me.
Hence, recently, I visited the gorgeous Taj Mahal in Agra after more than 10-12 years. The memories from the last visit were undoubtedly faded.
Honestly, I have been to the Taj Mahal twice before the recent visit.
1st time – When I was around 2-3 years old approx.
However, Dadi reminded me:
When you went to see the Taj Mahal, you jumped in the fountain, and all your clothes got wet. So, we had to make you roam without clothes, and the passersby were laughing!
Ha-Ha! I can imagine—feel embarrassed.
2nd time – When I was around 14-15 years old.
The motive remains to show my viewpoint, which has evolved.
Table of Contents
Most suitable season to visit?
From my viewpoint, the winter season, from November to March, is the best time to see the Taj Mahal.
However, avoid the starting and peak winters because winter brings fog that will eventually cover the Taj Mahal entirely. So, your purpose of taking a photo with the Taj will vanish. But, if you have any creative plans then proceed going in this weather.
Sooner, as the winter season comes to an end. You can see the Taj Mahal clearly in the early morning before sunrise, and the climate is also suited to roaming for a longer period in Feb and March.
Hence, Feb and March are the most suitable seasons to visit according to me in terms of photography and weather simultaneously.
Though, I visited the Taj Mahal at the march end.
How to reach the Taj Mahal?
Reaching Agra from anywhere should never be a problem.
There are flights, trains, and buses to reach Agra.
If you have pre-planned your trip, you must reserve train tickets earlier. Otherwise, the last option would be the bus when you instantly plan.
I choose a Nuego electric bus at Rs. 549 from Delhi with a departure time of 11:00 a.m., near RK Ashram metro station. They have an office near the metro station. So, if you arrive early, you can go inside and relax from the outdoor heat. The inside is indeed comforting!
When the bus arrived on time, I was surprisingly happy to see the look of the bus. It seemed like a high-premium bus with an ordinary bus price.
Nevertheless, I was a little disappointed with the time consumed to reach. It took almost 4 hrs 30 mins to reach Red Fort Agra, the last stop.
However, while booking online, it was mentioned approx. 3:30 hrs – 4:00 hrs. But, the bus took a more extended time to reach the location.
Thus, I enjoyed my short journey with the new electric bus experience.
From where to book online Taj Mahal tickets?
You can visit the website to book online Taj Mahal tickets: http://www.asiagracircle.in.
Note – Once you open the website, on the top right corner, you can click on the online ticket booking and then proceed.
In addition, you can also book your tickets to visit different monuments in different states from that website.
For Indians:
- The entry ticket to see the Taj Mahal is Rs. 45.
- The entry ticket to see the Taj Mahal with Mausoleum is Rs. 245.
For foreigners:
- The entry ticket to see the Taj Mahal is Rs. 1050.
- The entry ticket to see the Taj Mahal with Mausoleum is Rs. 1250.
Check and book carefully online.
How long can you stay at the Taj Mahal?
You can stay a maximum of 3 hrs from the time you enter.
What are the timings?
The Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise. Accordingly, the Taj Mahal closes 30 min before sunset.
Enterance
I woke up at 4:30 a.m., got ready, and reached the Taj Mahal. It was within walking distance of 800 meters approximately from the Hosteller Agra.
At 5:15 a.m., I stood at the Taj Mahal queue.
The gates opened at 5:40 a.m., and the sunrise time at that period was 6:10 a.m., so 30 minutes before the monument opened for the visitors.
Hence, now, you might have guessed the right time to visit the Taj Mahal.
Indeed, I was the first person to start the line for the Indians, and the foreigner’s lines were pretty long.
A funny moment happened –
I stood at the first position in a queue for the Indian line, and the foreign lady standing next to me in the other line told me:
Please stand in a queue.
I expressed I was already in a queue as there was a separate line for Indians!
As the entry opened, I showed my online ticket.
Then, I passed the security check. Make sure not to carry a heavy bag with you. A small bag with essential items like water you can keep.
How to avoid the crowd at the Taj Mahal?
Time, Time, Time!—The most significant factor in clicking the best pictures.
Straightforwardly, the sunrise time.
Sunrise Time
You must stay dedicated to waking up pretty before sunrise time and standing in the queue.
Everybody wants a fascinating photo with the Taj Mahal without a crowd. Unfortunately, not everyone is dedicated to waking up at that time to click photographs.
But, the sunrise time is safe until the first 30 minutes as the entrances open.
After that, you can’t imagine the large gatherings till 7:30 a.m. People from all over the world come to see this masterpiece.
A few things you can do when entering the Taj Mahal at sunrise:
1. Find spots yourself
Finding spots yourself would be the most suitable option to explore, as you’ll identify the areas according to your viewpoint.
Hence, this works pretty best!
On my 1st day, I stood in line, entered, explored the areas, and marked the spots I wanted to come before the crowd.
The next day, I went to the same spots and clicked photos of the beautiful Taj Mahal with no crowd.
Indeed, I felt content!
Moreover, you have a time-slot of 30 minutes to execute your plans before the crowd arrives.
2. Hire a tour guide
At the entry and after the entry, you’ll see numerous tourist guides. They’ll know every corner and will take you to spots that are very famous for photography. Indeed, every guide takes the people to the same spot. However, it depends on how you want to take it.
Undoubtedly, they’ll charge for it.
I remembered one of the guide’s tricks—throwing the water on the ground and suggesting to click photographs considering the reflection.
I admire the guide’s ideation!
Sunset Time
I feel sunset time is not suitable. In addition, it would be more packed evidently.
However, you can still go during this time as the weather remains a lot more comforting than afternoon.
You can plan according to your needs.
Reel
I have also made a reel, I believe you’ll admire my perspective.
Taj Mahal Photography Ideas
You can’t carry Tripod or any other professional shooting equipment inside. Therefore, you have to execute your ideas through your hand-held camera.
1. Candid Shots
I prefer to create candid shots—more appealing!
Therefore, I have used human elements in some of my shots to give the picture a sense of scale.
Honestly, I loved the picture with the single human element.
2. Grandeur Architecture
I photographed the Taj Mahal to show its extraordinary magnificence with the sunrise colours in the sky.
3. Creative Perspective
You can use your creative viewpoint to create things. I believe your innovation stands out from the crowd when you execute it well.
I have tried slow shutter shots to show the people’s motion and stationary Taj Mahal in the background.
4. Black and White Vibes
I felt black and white suited perfectly!
When I see a large object or the majority of the frame has a white color, it turns out to be a pleasing black-and-white image.
Hence, I executed and was satisfied with the output.
Also read, Safdarjung Tomb Delhi – A Morning Visit for Photography
Recommendations
I recommend you visit the first day, make a plan, explore by yourself, and observe the area that seems ideal to you for photography.
Then, the next day, execute your plans.