Mehtab Bagh, Agra: The Moonlight Garden Across the Taj

While the Taj Mahal draws millions of eyes with its iconic beauty, few visitors realize that one of the best places to admire it is not within its complex — but across the Yamuna River at a serene and historic garden called Mehtab Bagh, or “Moonlight Garden.”

Peaceful, romantic, and filled with history, Mehtab Bagh offers a perfect frame to view the Taj Mahal, especially during sunrise or moonlit nights. But this garden is much more than just a photo spot — it holds stories of Mughal vision, abandoned plans, and timeless beauty.

🏞️ The Mughal Vision: A Garden in Harmony

Mehtab Bagh was built by Mughal Emperor Babur in the early 1500s as part of a series of charbagh-style gardens (Persian-influenced quadrilateral garden layouts) along the Yamuna’s banks. Later, during Shah Jahan’s reign in the 17th century, it was carefully aligned with the Taj Mahal to serve as a moonlit viewing point.

Its name literally translates to “Moonlight Garden” – and it was designed to complement the Taj Mahal visually and spiritually, especially under the shimmering light of a full moon.

🕌 Was This the Site of the “Black Taj”?

One of the most intriguing legends surrounding Mehtab Bagh is the idea that Shah Jahan planned to build a Black Taj Mahal here as a mausoleum for himself, in perfect symmetry with the white Taj across the river.

Though this theory remains speculative, the perfect alignment of Mehtab Bagh with the Taj Mahal, and the remains of a foundation found during excavations, continue to fuel this romantic myth. Whether fact or folklore, it adds a sense of mystery to the garden’s charm.

🌺 Restoration and Revival

For centuries, Mehtab Bagh lay in ruins, buried under layers of sand and forgotten by history. But in the 1990s, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began a major restoration project to bring the garden back to life.

Today, it’s been revived into a lush, symmetrical Mughal-style garden, with:

Walkways and water channels
Ponds and reflecting pools
Floral beds and fruit trees, including guava, lemon, and hibiscus
A central viewing platform that perfectly aligns with the Taj Mahal

This restoration has transformed Mehtab Bagh into not just a historical site, but also a tranquil ecological zone.

📍 Visiting Mehtab Bagh

Location: Across the Yamuna River, directly opposite the Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Open daily)
Entry Fee:
- ₹25 for Indian citizens
- ₹300 for foreign tourists
Best Time to Visit:
- Sunrise for the calm and golden glow
- Full moon nights for a romantic silhouette of the Taj
- Winter months (November to February) for cool, pleasant weather

📝 Tip: Carry a camera or binoculars! This is one of the best spots to photograph the Taj Mahal without crowds.

📸 Why You Should Visit Mehtab Bagh

Iconic Views: Arguably the best photo point for the Taj Mahal.
Peaceful Atmosphere: Far less crowded than other tourist spots in Agra.
Historical Importance: A restored example of Mughal landscaping and alignment planning.
Great for Nature Lovers: Abundant greenery, chirping birds, and blooming flowers.

💬 Final Thoughts

Mehtab Bagh is one of Agra’s most underrated gems. While most visitors focus solely on the Taj Mahal, those who cross the river to Mehtab Bagh are rewarded with unmatched views, serenity, and stories of Mughal imagination.

Whether you’re a photographer, history enthusiast, or simply a romantic at heart, Mehtab Bagh invites you to pause, breathe, and see the Taj from a different lens — one bathed in moonlight, mystery, and beauty.

MEHTAB BAGH-AGRA