Mehtab Bagh
Agra, Uttar Pradesh · garden
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry Fee₹200
Mehtab Bagh, the Moonlight Garden, is Agra's best-kept secret for photographers and unhurried travellers: a 25-acre char-bagh (four-quadrant garden) on the north bank of the Yamuna, aligned precisely on the central axis of the Taj Mahal dome, offering an unobstructed north-facing view of the monument that cannot be replicated from any other publicly accessible point in Agra. Originally laid out in the 16th century as the north garden of the Taj complex, it fell into disrepair and was partially buried under centuries of Yamuna floodplain silt. Archaeological Survey of India excavations in the 1990s uncovered the original geometric garden layout, a large octagonal pool that once perfectly reflected the Taj dome, and a terrace walkway running along the riverbank.
Where to Eat Nearby
The Local Flavor Pillar
Pinch of Spice
Casual DiningTravellers' Choice — Agra's best value Mughlai veg thali
Agra's most reliable sit-down address for Mughlai vegetarian thali — paneer, dal makhani, saffron pulao, and tandoori bread in copper katoris.
Mughlai Veg Thali · ₹390
Avg. for two ₹700 · ★★★★★
Panchi Petha
Heritage InstitutionSince 1955 — Agra's most trusted petha institution
Agra's most trusted petha institution since 1955 — the definitive source for original, kesar, anguri, and pan petha varieties.
Original Plain Petha · ₹100
Avg. for two ₹300 · ★★★★★
Deviram Sweets
Casual DiningLocals' Choice — Agra's definitive bedai breakfast
Agra's definitive address for bedai and jalebi — the classic city breakfast that locals have eaten for generations before monument visits.
Bedai with Aloo Sabzi · ₹45
Avg. for two ₹150 · ★★★★
- ✦Joney's Place – rooftop vegetarian restaurant near Taj East Gate; the natural dinner choice after a Mehtab Bagh sunset session.
- ✦Pinch of Spice – Agra's best sit-down Mughlai veg thali restaurant, 15 minutes by auto from Mehtab Bagh toward the Taj South Gate.
- ✦Hotel rooftop chai stops on Taj East Gate Road – several hotels offer chai and light snacks to non-guests; good for post-garden recovery.
About
Mehtab Bagh, the Moonlight Garden, is Agra's best-kept secret for photographers and unhurried travellers: a 25-acre char-bagh (four-quadrant garden) on the north bank of the Yamuna, aligned precisely on the central axis of the Taj Mahal dome, offering an unobstructed north-facing view of the monument that cannot be replicated from any other publicly accessible point in Agra.
- Originally laid out in the 16th century as the north garden of the Taj complex, it fell into disrepair and was partially buried under centuries of Yamuna floodplain silt.
- Archaeological Survey of India excavations in the 1990s uncovered the original geometric garden layout, a large octagonal pool that once perfectly reflected the Taj dome, and a terrace walkway running along the riverbank.
- From the northern terrace, the Taj Mahal's white marble dome and four minarets rise against the sky in their most dramatic framing — the Yamuna's reflective surface in the foreground, cypress trees flanking the composition.
- At golden hour (one to two hours before sunset), the marble shifts from white to amber to rose-gold, a colour transformation that painters and poets have described for centuries.
- Visit 60–90 minutes before closing (sunset hour varies by season) to witness this effect and leave while light remains.
- The site is far less crowded than the Taj south gardens, making it a deeply peaceful experience.
- For vegetarian travellers, Mehtab Bagh is a tranquil counterpoint to the Taj's crowded ticket queues.
- No food or drink is available inside the garden — bring a full water bottle.
- The nearest vegetarian restaurants are a 10-minute auto-rickshaw ride back across the Yamuna bridge toward Taj East Gate.
- Many visitors combine Mehtab Bagh with Itmad-ud-Daula for a complete east-bank half-day, ending with the sunset view here before crossing back into Agra for dinner at Pinch of Spice or one of the hotel rooftop restaurants near the Taj.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: June 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Nagla Devjit, Yamuna Kinara (opposite the Taj Mahal), Agra, Uttar Pradesh, 282006
How to Reach: Cross the Yamuna via the Agra bypass road bridge. From Taj East Gate, auto-rickshaw costs ₹80–100 (12 minutes). From Agra Cantonment Station, taxi costs ₹250–350 (25 minutes). Cycle-rickshaws from Taj East Gate area for a scenic, slower approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the timings of Mehtab Bagh?
Mehtab Bagh is open daily from 6:00 AM to sunset (roughly 6:00–7:30 PM depending on season). Unlike the Taj Mahal it is not closed on Fridays, so it stays open all week. Last entry is about 30 minutes before sunset, and the closing time tracks dusk, so check the ASI board at the entrance for the exact cut-off on the day you visit.
What is the entry fee for Mehtab Bagh?
Mehtab Bagh is a ticketed ASI monument with a tiered fee. Indian visitors pay roughly ₹25 at the gate (about ₹20 online); foreign nationals pay around ₹300 at the gate (about ₹250 online); SAARC/BIMSTEC citizens pay the Indian rate, and children under 15 enter free. Tickets are bought at the gate (no advance booking needed) — please confirm current fees on the ASI board, as rates change periodically.
How do I reach Mehtab Bagh from the Taj Mahal?
Cross the Yamuna via the Agra bypass road bridge to the river's north bank. From Taj East Gate an auto-rickshaw costs about ₹80–100 and takes around 12 minutes; from Agra Cantonment Station a taxi is roughly ₹250–350 (about 25 minutes). Cycle-rickshaws from the Taj East Gate area offer a slower, scenic approach.
What is there to see and do at Mehtab Bagh?
Mehtab Bagh is the 'Moonlight Garden' — a 25-acre four-quadrant char-bagh on the Yamuna's north bank that lines up exactly on the central axis of the Taj Mahal, giving the finest unobstructed rear view of the monument in Agra. From the northern terrace you photograph the white dome and four minarets framed by cypress trees, with the river in the foreground. It is far quieter than the Taj's south gardens, making it a peaceful, photographer-friendly stop.
What is the best time to visit Mehtab Bagh?
Come 60–90 minutes before sunset for golden hour, when the Taj's marble shifts from white to amber to rose-gold — the garden's signature spectacle. Seasonally, October to February is ideal for cooler temperatures and the clearest air quality. Arriving in that pre-sunset window lets you enjoy the colour change and still leave while light remains.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Mehtab Bagh?
No food or drink is sold inside the garden, so carry a full water bottle and plan to eat back across the river. Joney's Place, a rooftop vegetarian restaurant near Taj East Gate, is the natural dinner choice after a sunset session here. Pinch of Spice, about 15 minutes away by auto toward the Taj South Gate, serves an excellent sit-down vegetarian Mughlai thali, and several hotel rooftops on Taj East Gate Road offer chai and light snacks to non-guests.
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