Full Moon at Taj
Sep 28th, 2008 | 03:00 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2008
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Full Moon at Taj
him I have heard that there is a full moon tour at the Taj? It will be a full moon when we are there on the 14th. Is it worth going on the tour. Or, is there an outdoor restaurant that we can go to that over looks it from a rooftop?
Sep 28th, 2008 | 03:17 PM
#2
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I'd go. Only alternative for a great view I think is Amarvilas from your room but it wouldn't be the same as being up close. Don't know of any restaurants - there are a couple of other hotels that have a view from somewhere on their properties - Taj View, Sheraton (I think)...
Sep 28th, 2008 | 06:09 PM
#3
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Whether the Taj will be open on the evening/overnight of a full moon will very much depend on security issues at the time of your visit. IMO you do not need to take a “tour” to do this, just pay the admission price and go see it yourself. In my several trips to the Taj, two of which have been during full moons, the Taj has not been open, but you may have better luck.
Neither the Sheraton nor the Taj have restaurants with views. Even the Amarvilas restaurants does not have views as they are on the ground level (although their bar has a good view). The only restaurant I am aware of which would have view over the rooftops is Clarks Shiraz (see http://www.hotelclarks.com/clarks-shiraz/index.htm). I have not eaten there in about 8 years, and it was OK then, nothing really special, although the view is nice.
If you are staying at the Amrvilas, then order room service one night. The balconies are a little small for full service, but you can make do.
Neither the Sheraton nor the Taj have restaurants with views. Even the Amarvilas restaurants does not have views as they are on the ground level (although their bar has a good view). The only restaurant I am aware of which would have view over the rooftops is Clarks Shiraz (see http://www.hotelclarks.com/clarks-shiraz/index.htm). I have not eaten there in about 8 years, and it was OK then, nothing really special, although the view is nice.
If you are staying at the Amrvilas, then order room service one night. The balconies are a little small for full service, but you can make do.
Sep 29th, 2008 | 01:15 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
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Just a bit more on this topic (and I'm glad for you that you're staying at Amarvilas and can therefore see the Taj!):
When I was there in July, the process was that you had to buy your ticket the day before the full moon tour (which doesn't work for most people who do just one overnight in Agra, if that) plus, according to a number of people, you really didn't get to go very far into the Taj complex. It was quite overcast on that night, so I didn't persue this further, but I'm assuming from all that I read and saw at that time that it's probably pretty limited and your hotel would definitely be a good place.
When I was there in July, the process was that you had to buy your ticket the day before the full moon tour (which doesn't work for most people who do just one overnight in Agra, if that) plus, according to a number of people, you really didn't get to go very far into the Taj complex. It was quite overcast on that night, so I didn't persue this further, but I'm assuming from all that I read and saw at that time that it's probably pretty limited and your hotel would definitely be a good place.
Sep 29th, 2008 | 07:19 PM
#6
Joined: Feb 2003
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I did some basic research on the tour, which I know nothing about really (see http://www.minartravels.net/taj-mahal-moon-tour.html, and have some further thoughts on the full moon thing:
It does not seem to be a tour (my mistake), you are simply escorted by police to a viewing platform in groups of 50. You get 30 minutes of viewing. Video cameras are not permitted, neither are handbags (I don’t think they are kidding about that, so leave them at home.)
You are only permitted to go to the first entrance gate, which I know from having been to the Taj is actually is several hundred yards from the Taj. (A couple of football fields.) The view is still quite pretty, but you will not get very close (the poster above seems to think the same too). IMO in a group of 50 you will be pretty crowded, and there will be lots of flashbulbs going off, which may not make this as serene and beautiful an experience as you are expecting….
There is no tour on Fridays or during Ramadan, which this year began about a week ago and ends on October 1.
Tours on full moon nights and 2 days before and 2 days after. Between 8:30 and midnight and it appears you wait between that time and go whenever your group of 50 goes, but perhaps the tickets are timed for a certain entry.
If you are really interested in the tour, you should be able to have the hotel buy your ticket for you if you won’t be in Agra the day before. It may be overcast or rainy (unlikely from late Oct through April to be rainy, but in Dec and Jan fog is usual) so you may spend money you don’t end up using, but hey, it’s the Taj and in the scope of things in your life that you will spend money on, its really not expensive (US$12 or so).
As an alternative, if you wanted to do this in a different way, AND if you get a clear night, then you might consider getting a car and driver or a rickshaw and going to the <i>opposite</i> side of the river from the monument, where I think on a full moon night you might get some interesting views of the Taj and possible water reflections of the moon. (Deepening on water level in the river but they have had a very good monsoon this year in India). The Taj Mahal faces south, and so moonrise is to the east and up and over the building, so you may get good views of the moon over the Taj from the opposite side of the river if you get a clear night. This would take some doing, and timing with moon rise but should be feasible. Also wear sturdy shoes as you may be in mud at some point if you really want to get down near the river for good views. See sunrisesunset.com for approximate moonrise and moonset times (You will have to use New Delhi but should be very similar timings.) I would get the hotel to help you with this.
It does not seem to be a tour (my mistake), you are simply escorted by police to a viewing platform in groups of 50. You get 30 minutes of viewing. Video cameras are not permitted, neither are handbags (I don’t think they are kidding about that, so leave them at home.)
You are only permitted to go to the first entrance gate, which I know from having been to the Taj is actually is several hundred yards from the Taj. (A couple of football fields.) The view is still quite pretty, but you will not get very close (the poster above seems to think the same too). IMO in a group of 50 you will be pretty crowded, and there will be lots of flashbulbs going off, which may not make this as serene and beautiful an experience as you are expecting….
There is no tour on Fridays or during Ramadan, which this year began about a week ago and ends on October 1.
Tours on full moon nights and 2 days before and 2 days after. Between 8:30 and midnight and it appears you wait between that time and go whenever your group of 50 goes, but perhaps the tickets are timed for a certain entry.
If you are really interested in the tour, you should be able to have the hotel buy your ticket for you if you won’t be in Agra the day before. It may be overcast or rainy (unlikely from late Oct through April to be rainy, but in Dec and Jan fog is usual) so you may spend money you don’t end up using, but hey, it’s the Taj and in the scope of things in your life that you will spend money on, its really not expensive (US$12 or so).
As an alternative, if you wanted to do this in a different way, AND if you get a clear night, then you might consider getting a car and driver or a rickshaw and going to the <i>opposite</i> side of the river from the monument, where I think on a full moon night you might get some interesting views of the Taj and possible water reflections of the moon. (Deepening on water level in the river but they have had a very good monsoon this year in India). The Taj Mahal faces south, and so moonrise is to the east and up and over the building, so you may get good views of the moon over the Taj from the opposite side of the river if you get a clear night. This would take some doing, and timing with moon rise but should be feasible. Also wear sturdy shoes as you may be in mud at some point if you really want to get down near the river for good views. See sunrisesunset.com for approximate moonrise and moonset times (You will have to use New Delhi but should be very similar timings.) I would get the hotel to help you with this.
