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When people think of India, an image of its most famous iconic monument certainly comes to mind: The Taj Mahal. It's been photographed hundreds of thousands of times while being featured on magazine covers, uploaded on social media feeds and headlined in travel guides. When planning my trip to India, visiting the Taj Mahal was at the top of my list. I couldn't not go - I mean, it's the Taj Mahal!
I was really excited to finally set eyes on one of the most famous icons in the world. But, I, myself, was surprised that I didn't fall in love with the Taj Mahal. After all, the story behind the construction of the Taj Mahal is one of epic love.
I was really excited to finally set eyes on one of the most famous icons in the world. But, I, myself, was surprised that I didn't fall in love with the Taj Mahal. After all, the story behind the construction of the Taj Mahal is one of epic love. The story goes like this:
When Mughal Emporer Shah Jahan lost his beloved (and favorite) wife, Mumtaz, to a sudden death giving birth to their 14th child, he was in so much grief that he ordered the construction of the most elaborate and beautiful tomb ever built as an ode to his eternal love. Romantic, isn't it?
Located in the city of Agra, the Taj Mahal consists of a main centerpiece mausoleum which houses Mumtaz's tomb (Emporer Shah Jahan's tomb is next to hers), a red sandstone mosque and an elaborately designed guest house. Four minarets strategically placed at each corner stand tall seemingly guarding the tomb (they were actually built to facilitate the call to prayer).
The expansive complex is set on verdant gardens with a pristine water channel in the middle. With the main mausoleum made of white marble and decorated throughout with intricate lattice work, detailed floral inlays, finely-executed carvings, delicate bas-reliefs and elegant Arabic calligraphy, no one can argue that the Taj Mahal is a work of architectural genius.
I was fascinated by the fact that the Taj Mahal is of Muslim (about 14%) origin while India is mostly Hindu (80% of its population) and yet it's the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions India. Just another odd realization that's part of the wonderful complexity and history of Mother India.
I was impressed by the magnificent design, the exquisitely rich materials, the endless details on every wall and the history attached to this beautiful complex. The sheer beauty of it all was incredible. It was breath-taking. It was extravagant. It was grandiose. But it also felt shallow.
As I mentioned earlier, the Taj Mahal is India's most prominent site with millions of people from all over the world (including India) visiting every year. Fortunately, the grounds are expansive enough to accommodate lots of people every day without feeling crowded. That is, except for when you enter the main mausoleum complex where speaking and taking photos are not allowed.
I kept thinking that this was essentially a tomb, a place of rest. I felt like I was trespassing. I was getting annoyed at so many people trying to get that perfect picture. I admit I also wanted my photo in front of the Taj Mahal but my patience was wearing thin.
I didn't get a sense of serenity or calmness I (foolishly) thought I would. Quite the opposite, I felt uneasy at the overt opulence of the Taj Mahal (and the crazy amount of water used) whilst just outside its gates was a city filled with poverty, desperation and pollution. It looked totally out of place.
The whole place felt very commercialized (spoiler alert: it is). This was a tourist attraction with a hefty entrance fee, plain and simple. It felt like the essence of the Taj Mahal had been lost.
Don't get me wrong, the beautiful architecture as well as the surroundings of the Taj Mahal are amazing! I'm grateful I was able to visit one of the most iconic monuments in the world but it left me feeling underwhelmed.
READ MORE ON INDIA:
- A Celebration at the Border of India and Pakistan
- Introducing the Great Rann of Kutch of Gujarat
- The Slums of Dharavai: A Highlight of my Trip in India
- Cruising Along the Backwaters of Alleppey in Kerala
- The Holy City of Varanasi: Where Life Returns to Ashes
- Visiting Shri Karni Mata: The Rat Temple of Deshnoke
TRAVEL RESOURCES:
- Verify visa requirements for India on the official website
- Book flights to India via Skyscanner
- Compare hotel prices in India on Booking.com & Agoda
- Check hostel prices on HostelWorld
- Stay connected using an Airalo E-sim for India
- Search for tours & excursions in India
- Shop for affordable travel insurance with SafetWing
- Save on conversion fees while traveling with Wise
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I’m the founder and creator of Life Untraveled. I quit my corporate job, sold everything I owned and have been traveling full-time since 2018. I hope to inspire you to travel differently on a budget.
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38 Responses
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
I certainly don’t want to discourage anyone from visiting the Taj Mahal. It’s a beautiful iconic monument and as an Interior Designer I can certainly be inspired by its architecture (hence the close-ups I took). I just didn’t like how it seemed to have lost its soul. 🙁
Janine Good
I feel the same about the Taj Mahal in some ways. I say to myself that if I knew then what I know now, I would have invested more time in the South of India and skipped Agra completely. I went and it was very foggy so I didn’t nearly as wonderful photographs as you have and I too was underwhelmed that it was a giant demanded tomb. I did connect with your piece as my thoughts were definitely on par with yours.
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Hi Janine! Thanks for your honest opinion. You’re the first person to reiterate my feelings about the Taj Mahal though I’m sure others feel the same way. I’m glad I went but it certainly didn’t hold that special place I thought it would.
Cori Carl
I’ve felt similarly at other grand memorials. It feels wrong for throngs of shrieking, selfie-ing tour groups to be traipsing through sacred sites. I’m also a little turned off by opulence. I’m glad you could see both sides of this, even if it’s less fun than just falling in love with a site.
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Hi Cori! Unfortunately most popular sites around the world have lost a lot of their luster in terms of authenticity. But it’s a vicious circle, everybody (including us) wants to go but that’s what makes them so underwhelming also. :
Brooke
Every single place that people want to see most on the planet, it touristy. You will never get pictures alone or feel at peace at any major touristic monument or building or town unless you go in the absolute worst season of the year. Or… unless you stay away from the Top 100 sites in the world. I’m pretty sure this is on the Top 10… so it’s one of the absolute worst for trying to have an actual meaningful experience. That is extremely normal and everyone expects that when going to a destinatino like this.
My suggestion if you don’t like crowds is don’t go to places like the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower or the Pyramids, or Rome Coliseum. Or go in the dead of winter when you won’t see crowds. It takes effort to avoid crowds at beautiful places everyone wants to see. The world will not become less populated anytime soon!
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Yes you’re right about all the touristy places being over-crowded but for me it was more the overall atmosphere at the Taj Mahal that disappointed me. I don’t care if there are people in (some of) my pics but often peoples’ attitudes just gets on my nerves. 😉
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Hi Kassie! The Taj Mahal is beautiful, I just felt like it was way too commercialized. I hope you get to visit one day – it still remains one of the most iconic monuments in the world. We arrived on a day trip from New Delhi so we got to the Taj Mahal at around mid-morning. It must be a totally different experience if you get there very early and there’s hardly anyone.
Natalie Tanner
It is definitely on my bucket list and it has moved up higher with the news it will be closing to visitors within 5 years. Thanks for your honest opinion. Did you stay the night in the town there or was it a day trip?
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
I didn’t know it might be closing for visitors?? We only had 2 days left before our departure so we did an (awful) day trip from New Delhi.
Sasha
What time of day did you visit? I got there at sunrise and so it wasn’t too busy until around midday or so. I do love the romantic story behind it and the stunning architecture but understand your frustration with the richness of it all. I felt the same visiting the vatican, too much opulence going to waste.
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
We went on a day trip from New Delhi (which took forever) so we got there at mid-morning. It wasn’t crowded just walking around but as soon as we crossed the main gate and saw the first view of the Taj Mahal, people were pushing to get a picture (it was just too much for me….lol).
Abby Grajewski
Thank you for your honest opinion. I can definitely see why you would feel that way. I also loved learning about the history from your post. I really appreciate your sharing!
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Thanks for your comment – it’s nice to know my post was helpful in some way. 🙂
Abby
I love that you were so candid about your thoughts – truly from an honest and personal point of view and that is so fresh from travel blogs! It is undeniable that the architecture is awe-inspiring,but sadly the fact that these attractions are being cashed in on their tourist appeal is the very same thing that make it lose its novelty.
Abby of Life in the Fash Lane
Lydia
Hi Abby! It’s definitely an architectural wonder but, unfortunately for me, it lacked a lot of soul. Thanks for sharing your thoughts – much appreciated! 🙂
Becky
Really interesting alternative view. Personally I was incredible moved when I went to the Taj Mahal, I think probably because I had zero expectations and it wasn’t on my bucketlist so on arrival and entering the complex I was totally overwhelmed by its beauty. Great article – thanks for sharing
Lydia
Hi Becky! Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I guess my suggestion on not having any expectations can be useful…lol.