Jan 30, 2016 04:08 PM
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The Taj Mahal is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the week apart from Fridays. On that day both tomb and grounds are closed, with the exception that the latter are open to Muslims going to pray at the mosque on the site.
As with so many tourist sights in India, there is a two tier system for ticketing, with foreign visitors paying considerably more than locals. In return for that higher fee however you get a number of extras, including a free ride on the electric vehicles that transport you from visitor centre and parking lot to the main entrance(no other vehicles are allowed within a 500 metre radius of the Taj in order to limit damage by pollution). You also get a bottle of water and once inside are able to bypass the long queue to enter the tomb. You also don’t have to pay for the paper slippers that can be worn over your shoes when you enter, rather than having to remove them(apparently these were introduced after some tourists’ shoes “disappeared” while they were inside).
There is a long list of prohibited items which is displayed at the visitor centre and in the electric buses. These include all food and drink apart from water(but including sweets), cigarettes and tobacco, knives, phone chargers, tripods and more(see photo five). Your bag will be searched on entry so don’t try to smuggle in anything prohibited. While separate video cameras are on the banned list, a digital camera or phone that can film video is OK. I noted that flags are also banned, but the VT flag buried in my bag was either not spotted or not considered a threat!
