Mehtab bagh

Excavations carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have uncovered the remains of a summer palace in the Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) opposite the Taj Mahal, according to a report in The newly discovered site displays the remains of a baradari-like structure. A baradari is a building or pavilion with twelve doors designed to allow the free flow of air. The structure has three doorways on every side of the square shaped structure. They are known for their outstanding acoustic features and for hosting performances by dancers, the noble courtesans of India and other artistes. They were also used for their fresh air during hot summers. A traditional baradari in India. Photo source: Wikipedia The remains of the pavilion uncovered in Mehtab Bagh. Credit: PTI The Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden), within which the finding was made, is a Mughal-era garden of Persian style. The garden complex, square in shape, measures about 300 by 300 metres and is perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank. It is noted that Emperor Shah Jahan had identified a site from the crescent-shaped, grass covered floodplain across the Yamuna River as an ideal location for viewing the Taj. It was then created as "a moonlit pleasure garden" with white plaster walkways, airy pavilions, pools, fountains and fruit trees. The garden was designed as an integral part of the Taj complex in the riverfront terrace pattern. Portrait of Emperor Shah Jahan. Image source: Wikipedia The Taj M...

When to visit Taj Mahal at night Visitors can see the Taj Mahal at night on five nights every month. These include the full moon night, two nights preceding the full moon and two nights after it. The monument remains closed on Fridays and during Ramzan. The latter is when only muslims are allowed to enter the mosque—by way of a unique ID card—to offer namaz. Otherwise, if the full moon falls around a Friday, the viewing schedule is adjusted to open for four days by excluding the date falling on Friday. These are the Taj Mahal full moon dates dates announced by ASI as of now: Slots and duration Gates to the monument open for four hours from 8.30pm to 12.30am. The viewing is divided into eight half-an-hour slots. The slots are allotted to you at the ticketing office, with each session being capped at a capacity of 50 people. The entry happens from the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal, and visitors have to report at Shilpgram complex (some 500m from the Taj) half-an-hour before the viewing time. The viewing happens from the Royal Gate of the monument. Entry to the main mausoleum remains closed at night. How to book a slot to visit the Taj Mahal at night There was a time when you could spend the entire night at the Taj, for its gates used to remain open even during the dark. But the night viewing was banned in 1984, only to open back in 2004—this time in limited capacity with prior booking. Tickets to night viewing of the Taj cannot be booked online ( Archaeological Survey of Ind...

He sat in the moonlight gardens and wistfully gazed at her tomb His memories were refreshed as he inhaled the fragrance of those blooms. He recounted her smile with affection As he pictured her by him - in the pool's reflection. Such must have been the experience of Shah Jahan gazing at the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh. Discover all about these mughal gardens on the east bank of Yamuna with this ultimate guide to Mehtab Bagh Agra. Mehtab Bagh – the Mughal Gardens on the east bank of the Yamuna River is one of the most popular viewpoints for the Taj Mahal. It is also, the site connected to the story of the fabled Black Taj Mahal. However, what generally is not known is that these epic m oonlight gardens of Agra existed even before the Taj Mahal was built. It was during my recent visit to Mehtab Bagh that I could dig deeper into the history of the place . The story unearthed and the unobstructed view of the Taj Mahal are reasons enough for me to recommend adding this place to your sightseeing list in Agra. Sunset at Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, Agra In this guide, I will be sharing the complete history of Mehtab Bagh which includes the mystery of the black Taj Mahal, how these gardens were lost and finally recovered. Along with the best things to do in these Mughal gardens, I have also included helpful information on Mehtab Bagh timings, ticket prices and how to get here. Planning to visit Agra and the famous Taj Mahal? In case you are looking for some quick links to tours, pla...

• AFAR Advisor • Art + Culture • Beaches • Cities We Love • Cruise • Destination Spotlight • Epic Trips • Family Travel • Food + Drink • Health + Wellness • Holiday Travel • In the Magazine • LGBTQ Travel • Longreads • Outdoor Adventure • Road Trips • Travel for Good • Weekend Getaways • Where to Go Next • The Taj Mahal is a breathtaking site. It’s beauty and scale can not be depicted in photographs. It’s majestic - and can only be fully realized in person. I, like many other tourists of India, spent hours wandering around the grounds of the Taj Mahal. Upon leaving the grounds, I happened to meet a very determined rickshaw driver who promised he could show me an amazing view of the Taj Mahal. So, he took my friends and I to the Mehtab Bagh. Nicknamed the Moonlight Gardens, it is right across the Yumana River that the Taj Mahal sits on. It truly was an amazing view, but also a unique perspective. The hour that we spent there, we only came across one other tourist couple. It was fascinating to watch local women and men working so hard in the garden, while a short distance away, tourists wandered around one of the Wonders of the World. Every time I look at this photo, I offer a silent thank you to that cab driver! The opposite side of the Yamuna River is a good place to view the Taj Mahal in peace and quiet. My visit was only disturbed by a persistent postcard seller who chased me across the muddy flats at the side of the river for quite some time before abandoning his pursui...

A court's Hall of Private Audience, smaller than the Dīwān-e-Ām. Here envoys and other honoured guests were granted a personal audience with the ruler. At Agra, the Dīwān-i-Khās is a small marble structure near the Dīwān-e-Ām. It is inside a red fort. It was the most ornamental building built by Shahjahan. It was decorated by gems and gold silver linings. A channel built by marble in ... A fort in the Indian town Agra, also known as the Red Fort (although there is another fort in Delhi which is also called “red”) is a fortress with a glorious history of almost five centuries long, a place designated not only for military leaders, but also for the great statesmen of the Great Mogul era, the majestic rulers who ... The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". The Mahtab Bagh (The Moon Garden) (1631-1635 A.D.) [Not a valid template]Babur (Reign, 1526-30 A.D.) came to Agra soon after the battle of Panipat (20 April 1526). Here, he was much tortured by heat, hot winds and dust. He was also complained, in his memoirs, of the lack of running water (through canals and cascades) and gardens with which he was accustomed and had seen a large number of them at Samarqand, such as Bagh-I-Dilkusha, Bagh-I-Chenar and Bagh-I-Bi...