Mehtab Bagh, Agra

The Garden complex, situated on the opposite bank of the Taj Mahal, is known as Mehtab Bagh, or “The Moonlight Garden”.

A View of Mehtab Bagh facing Taj Mahal

Recent excavations revealed a huge octagonal tank furnished with 25 fountains, a small central tank and a baradari on the east. The site is also associated with the myth of black Taj, but the excavations have provided ample evidence for a garden complex. This is also corroborated by a letter of Aurangzeb, addressed to Emperor Shah Jehan stating the condition of this garden after a flood in 1652 AD.

History :

The Mehtab Bagh garden was the last of eleven Mughal-built gardens along the Yamuna opposite the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. It is mentioned that this garden was built by Emperor Babur (1530). It is also noted that Emperor Shah Jahan had identified a site from the crescent-shaped, grass-covered floodplain across the Yamuna River as an ideal location for viewing the Taj Mahal. It was then created as "a moonlit pleasure garden called Mehtab Bagh." White plaster walkways, airy pavilions, pools and fountains were also created as part of the garden, with fruit trees and narcissus. 

This site is also associate with the myth of black Taj, Shah Jahan's wish to build a black marble mausoleum for himself, as a twin to the Taj Mahal.

Bird's  Eye View of  Taj Complex with Mehtab Bagh  (18th cuntury)

Mehtab Bagh

Open from Sunrise to Sunset


Entrance Fee:

Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - Rs. 5 per head.

Others:
US $ 2 or Indian Rs. 100/- per head
(Free entry to children up to 15 years)