Taj Mahal Facts

The Taj Architecture
White Marble (Makrana Marble from Rajasthan) was the main building material to build this only edifice of exceptional craftsmanship. About 28 kind of rare, semi precious and precious stones were used for inlay work in the Taj Mahal, which adds more elegance to the brilliance of Taj. With extensive uses of precious stones on its white delicate body, the Taj becomes the most wonderful and peerless monument built in the world.

Architect	Ustad Ahmad Lahauri
The Chief Building Material	White marble brought from the quarries of Makrana, in district Nagaur of Rajasthan.
Sandstone Brought from	Fatehpur Sikri
Diamonds from	Panna
Coal & Comelian from	Arabia
Jasper from	Punjab
Jade & Crystal from	China
Turquoise from	Tibet
Lapis Lazuli & Sapphire from	Sri Lanka
Calligrapher	Amanat Khan Shirazi
Verses on the Tomb was Designed by	Poet Ghiyasuddin

Dome Maker - Ismail Khan Afridi of Turkey


Superintendent of Masons - Muhammad Hanif


Dome Height: 187ft at the centre
Standing on a plinth, surrounded by graceful gardens in Persian Charbagh (four-garden) style, Taj exudes charm like no other. The entire area of the Taj complex is 580-m (1,902-ft) by300 m (984 ft), while the garden alone spans to an area of 300-m (984 ft) by 300 m (984 ft).

The garden around the Taj has canals and well-laid waterworks. The dramatic watercourse neatly divides the garden (dotted with fruit bearing trees) into four equal parts and epitomises the spotless beauty of the entire complex.


Where is this Peerless Beauty?
Agra prides in housing this most precious monument of love, built by any man on this earth. Agra was the most developed city of India during the Mughal period, and even today it continues to be one of the most fast growing cities in Uttar Pradesh India with plentitude of industrial sectors. It is Taj, because of which Agra is known as the City of Taj.

Attractions Near Taj	Agra Fort (nearest), Itmad ud Daulah's Tomb, Sikandara, Fatehpur Sikri, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
Entry Fee	750Rs (foreigners), 20Rs, (nationals).
Open	6 am to 7:30 pm. Closed on Fridays
Festival	Taj Mahotsav (February 18th to 27th)
Excursions	Mathura (58kms), Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (60kms), Delhi (204kms).

How to Reach Taj Mahal
Agra, the city housing the Taj is well connected to rest of India by all the means of transport - air, rail & road.
Air - Indian Airlines (Domestic Airline in India) runs daily flights from Delhi to Agra. Kheria Airport (Airport of Agra) is about 6 km from the Agra City centre and is easily accessible by taxis and auto-rickshaws at nominal rates.

Rail - Agra has three Railway Stations: Agra Cantt Rly Station, Raja-ki-Mundi Rly Station, and Agra Fort Rly Station, which are connected to several parts of the country. There are several excellent train services to Delhi such as The Shatabdi Express (2 hrs), Taj Express (2.5 hrs), Intercity Express (3 hrs).

Road - Express bus services, both AC and non-AC are available from Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Gwalior, and Jhansi.