The Taj Mahal: Operating Hours and Accessibility
The Taj Mahal: Operating Hours and Accessibility
The Taj Mahal is one of the world's most iconic monuments, attracting millions of visitors every year. Visitors often wonder about the operating hours and any closures. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the operating schedule of the Taj Mahal, the various ticketing options, and any exceptions to its regular opening hours.
Regular Operating Hours
For normal operating days, the Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset. This means the monument is operational throughout much of the day.
The monument is open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day except on Fridays, when it remains closed for prayers. During the full moon, the monument allows night viewing from 8:30 PM to 12:30 AM for two days before and two days after the full moon, totaling five nights a month. Tickets for night viewing can be booked one day in advance, 24 hours before the desired date.
Ticketing Options
The Archaeological Survey of India sets the timings for visits to the Taj Mahal. Tickets are available throughout the day at the western and eastern gates, and at the southern gate from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitors can spend as much time as they like within the Taj complex, starting from dawn to dusk.
Entry Gates and Ticket Availability
The Taj Mahal has three main entry gates:
Taj Mahal Western Gate: Tickets are available one hour before sunrise up to 45 minutes before sunset near the Saheli Burj.
Taj Mahal Eastern Gate: Tickets are available at the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal, also one hour before sunrise up to 45 minutes before sunset.
Taj Mahal Southern Gate: Currently, this gate only offers exit and no entry.
Historical Context and Closures
It is important to note that the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, undergoes these regular opening hours while the Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is a completely unrelated entity. The Trump Taj Mahal Casino closed its doors permanently on October 10, 2016, and has not reopened. However, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai, India, which is also sometimes referred to as 'Taj Mahal,' is operational and has had temporary closures due to events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and terrorist attacks, but it has always reopened once the situations were resolved.
This article provides a clear understanding of the Taj Mahal's operating hours and accessibility to help visitors plan their visits and enjoy this architectural marvel.