Taj Mahal: closed Mondays? Closed Fridays?
 

My guide book -- and an internet site -- mentions that the Taj Mahal is closed Mondays, but another poster thinks this may be out-of-date, and that the actual "closed" day is now Friday. Does anyone have the definitive answer -- someone who's been there in the last few months? Thanks!

I just called the Rajvilas hotel in Agra, figuring they would be the best source. of correct information. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. (The clerk confirmed that it used to be closed on Mondays, and there used to be free admission for Indian nationals on Fridays, both were changed a few years ago.)

Admission for non-Indian nationals is about $17.

To correct myself, I called the Amarvilas in Agra for the above info. The Rajvilas is in Jaipur. Can't keep my Oberois straight. . .

Reconfirmation

Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

Cicerone - our February itinerary calls for us to arrive in Agra directly from the airport on a Friday. We are staying at the Amarvilas for two nights so we will have all day Saturday to tour. Do you think it would be a disappointment for us if the Taj Mahal is closed when we get to the hotel on Friday at mid-day?

Not at all. You will see it from the hotel public areas, restaurants and hopefuly your room. I would spend Friday recovering from the flight by getting a treatment at the spa. . .if you feel up to it, you could also go to the Red Fort in the afternoon for a few hours. Get up on Saturday for sunrise, it may even be good from the Amarvilas.

Have a great trip!

Thanks, Cicerone! I just reorganised my schedule around a Monday closing -- now I'll un-reorganise it!

I searched the forum because I had the same question and found this thread from 2004.

I know that the Taj is currently (April 2010) closed on Fridays. However, I'm reading a guidebook from the library, the 2008 edition of Globetrotter Travel Guide Delhi Jaipur and Agra, and it says the Taj is closed on Mondays. Then I found this thread that back in 2004 it was previously closed on Mondays, then changed to Fridays. I'm concluding from this that the closed day has flipped back and forth over the years.

So my question is - Does anyone know if the closing day changes regularly, for example once a year on a certain anniversary date? I know nothing is certain when planning ahead, but I'm trying to plan for November and my whole itinerary is built around being at the Taj when it's open. Or maybe I should avoid both Mondays and Fridays just to be safe? :)

We were there in Feb. Definately Friday because there is functioning Mosque in there & that is prayer day. J

I know the closing date has been Friday since 2005 at least. As Jules mentioned this is an Islamic holy day.