Taj Mahal is an awe-inspiring creation of mankind. Such marvels of beauty have never been created thereafter and look impossible in centuries to come. It is no wonder then that this architectural spectacle that shimmers in white is flocked by millions of domestic and international tourists all year long.
When people come to get a glimpse of the Taj Mahal located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, they want to know everything about it, obviously. The Taj is listed among the world’s seven wonders and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monument deserves complete justice in terms of the undivided attention of its admirer and full details on its history.
This is where you need the help of a guide – a professional who’s well-versed with the Taj Mahal up and down, front and back. In fact, a tour of the Taj is literally incomplete without partnering with a local guide on board. Here are some top reasons why you need a guide to accompany you on the Taj Mahal tour.
Why hiring a guide is important while visiting Taj Mahal
1) Even though you’d have already read up about the Taj in books or online, a guide can present a never-seen-before and never-heard-of perspective on the monument. This is because guides are familiar with the complete history of each monument and can also share some interesting anecdotes which may not have been included elsewhere.
2) A guide can help you figure out the best way to get around the Taj Mahal. There are several gateways to the monument and the guide would know which one to take in order to enjoy the best view of the Taj. Besides, they’ll also be able to tell you the ideal time to enjoy the Taj viewing – the structure looks different in both day and night times! (Try out for yourself by asking your guide.)
3) Speaking of views, you may not be aware that there are at least nine views of the Taj which are best for capturing this beauty in your camera. Your guide would know of these views and can help decide which one would be the best for you, depending on the time availability and other factors.
The guide will tell you which one of the 9 views would be ideal for you to experience the magnificent beauty of this marvel at its best – (a) from inside the Taj grounds (b) from Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) (c) from Agra Fort (d) Full moonlight view (e) from hotel room (f) 360-degree view (g) night view (h) from the Yamuna River (i) from the top of the Taj Mahal Dome.
4) Sometimes timings, fees and other such details of popular tourist attractions such as the Taj Mahal may not be updated online. As such, you may be misguided and end up wasting time and money both. However, by hiring a guide, you can be at ease on this account because they’d know the updated visitor timings for the monument as well as the fee for adults and children alike.
5) Taj Mahal, like other popular historic monuments, have certain do’s and don’ts which a local guide would best know because he’d be acquainted with the local culture of Agra City as well. He’d be able to inform you on what you should take care of during your visit to the Taj so you can be safe and enjoy your trip better too.
For instance, drone camera is prohibited inside the monument, eating and smoking isn’t allowed, mobile phones need to be switched off or on the silent mode – your guide can let you know these small but important pointers well in advance, so you needn’t undergo inconvenience during the tour.
To Sum Up
Taj Mahal is truly a wondrous creation and speaks galore of the rich heritage of our Mughal era. Simply looking at the monument on your visit to the Taj may not be enough; you need much more to explore when, how and why this creation came into place. A tour guide can be your best choice in this regard. Partner with one to enjoy your trip even more.
