In a news that has roused some tourists around the world, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has announced the Taj Mahal entry will be totally free three days this month. The ruling follows the 371st Urs (death anniversary) of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the father of this "portrait of everlasting love."
And So Mark Your Calendar:
Free Entry Schedule: According to an official notification dated Tuesday, 6th January 2026, visitors can visit the white marble mausoleum without buying tickets—either for online or offline—on or during the following dates and times:
- January 15 (Thursday) - complimentary entry, 2:00 PM: dusk.
- January 16 (Friday) - Entry is free from 2:00 PM until sunset.
- January 17 (Saturday) - Free entry the whole day, sunrise through sunset.
For these three days, the ticket counters will be closed and visitors will be able to walk directly into the complex to watch the unique ceremonies which come along with the Urs. A rare view into the royal tombs. The yearly Urs is the only occasion in the complete year that the actual tombs of Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, which are all contained within the basement of the monument, are available to the public. On “normal” days, visitors can only see replicas (cenotaphs) in the upper hall. The three-day event will include traditional Sufi rites, such as:
- Ghusl: The ritual washing of the tombs.
- Sandal: The ritual of applying sandalwood paste.
- Chadar Poshi: The ceremonial offering of multi-colored, huge cloth (chadar), which goes up to hundreds of meters sometimes representing communal harmony.
Security and Tourism Boost
The local police, in collaboration with the ASI, have developed a multi-tier security plan which includes an unprecedented influx of footfall the movement of thousands from India and abroad. They will be accompanied by personnel from the CISF and local police to help manage crowds at site entrances to safeguard this important public heritage site. Agra would soon have a huge influx into its tourism sector from this announcement. And nearby hotels, tour guides, and hauls will be overwhelmed by visitors eager to savour the spirit of the Taj Mahal as its people go for their Sufi qawwali rites and the historic opening of the basement vaults.
