Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal in Agra India is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. However, five times a month, the Taj Mahal opens its doors at night to a select few, the 400 people who have pre-booked one of the eight available “Moonlight Tours”, so called because they occur solely on the night of full moonlight and the two preceding as well as the two following nights. Fifty people are randomly assigned to each of the eight half-hour tours, which can only be purchased the day before on a first come first serve basis.
It just happens this year (2014) that Valentines’s Day, February 14th, falls on a day of full moonlight in Agra so we were able to plan our India trip in such a way as to be in Agra on that day. I could not think of a better activity on Valentine’s day than a full moonlight tour of the Taj Mahal, can you?
Our guide had purchased our tickets for the Moonlight tour on our behalf, and we found out upon arrival that we had been assigned the 9:30pm to 10pm slot. We might otherwise have been concerned about going out at night in the darkness of Agra but our hotel, the Oberoi Amarvilas, offers the very unique feature of providing drivers with golf carts for door to door service to and from the Taj Mahal. Knowing that the cart and the driver will be waiting at the exit is reassuring.
By the way, another unbeatable reason to stay at the Oberoi Amarvilas is that every room has a direct view of the Taj Mahal, and that is why we had booked a room with a balcony so that we could enjoy this Wonder of the World throughout the day.
A further benefit you might enjoy by staying at the Oberoi Amarvilas would be to wake up to the sight of a large monkey quietly sitting on the railing of your room balcony, as happened to us this morning.
There is a very high level of security around the Taj Mahal. From the moment we entered the grounds of the Taj Mahal until we left, our group of 50 people was at all times escorted front and back by heavily armed soldiers. We had to go through four different security checks before we were allowed to proceed. At the first checkpoint, we found out that nothing (only a slight exaggeration) that we were carrying was allowed for the moonlight tour, no electronics of any kind, no cable or cord, no dangerous pointed objects such as pens or umbrellas, no threatening items like lipstick or cream. Thankfully, our tour guide who was escorting us to and from the tour offered to hold everything we owned until our return. PS In fairness to the security people, we were able to see some of the damage which people had tone to the Taj Mahal with their pointed objects or their markers, so we really did not mind the precautions.
The Moonlight tour is really a viewing tour, as it essentially consists in being allowed to view the Taj Mahal from just inside the Royal Gate for thirty minutes or so. It is one of those times when I wish that I had better photography skills. The mausoleum is not lit at night, except for the one spot of light coming from the bronze lamp, inlaid with silver and gold, which hangs above the tomb of Muntaz Mahal.
The full moon was only visible at times because of the passing clouds. Nevertheless, the thirty minutes flew by too quickly, and we exited just as the next group of 50 lucky people was preparing to enter.
So next time you plan a trip to Agra, check the full moonlight day for your month of travel! Another savvy tip from BonVoyageurs.
Stay tuned to BonVoyageurs.com for more Countries of the World as we share our joie de vivre from around the world. Luxury escapes and city breaks to Quebec City, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires. In Europe, places like Paris France, Nice France, Provence and the Cote d’Azur (French Riviera), Tuscany and Florence in Italy, Rome, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast. In Asia, countries like China, India, Nepal and so much more!
backpackingwithchad says
The Taj mahal in moonlight? I would have liked to see it in daylight: http://backpackingwithchad.com/2013/10/07/my-disastrous-trip-to-see-the-taj-mahal/
orangefish26 says
Happy Full Moon Valentine’s Day … ours hasn’t happened yet in the U.S.!! What a wonderful way to mark the event…. sounds lovely. And thanks for the tip!!!!
Hugs, Nancy
orangefish26 says
What a wonderful place to be for the Full Moon Valentine’s Day — we haven’t had it yet in the U.S.!!! Sounds so lovely… the Taj Mahal moonlit. Thanks for this tip!!! And was the monkey on your balcony friendly? Hugs, Nancy
Tina says
Such great planning. You have brilliantly thought of everything! What a marvelous experience!
Rita Fagan says
Your photo of the Taj at “moonlight” was very lovely, sans the security chaperones. Happy Valentine’s Day and thank you for starting our own with views of this romantic place. You two look very happy yourselves.
Pauline Tremblay Caffrey says
Takes a great planner to see and enjoy this marvelous site.
travelscapism says
Oh how wonderful – I wish I had known this when I visited. What a beautiful experience that must be.
Robert says
We are traveling to India for the time this November. Looking forward to visiting Agra and the Taj Mahal. Your hotel sounds fabulous! 🙂