How to Photograph the Taj Mahal – Best Instagram Locations India, Jaipur

For those of you who have visited Rajasthan in India, you will know that literally everywhere you look you get a beautiful snapshot; I think it is simply the most colorful and photogenic place in the world.

But if you’re traveling around India on a tight schedule, that’s not very helpful, so I’ve compiled a list of my favorites, including the most iconic places to visit, especially if you’re looking for those pretty, perfect Instagram shots. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but just my personal favorites. It is more of a wish list or checklist of the most targeted installation locations in Rajasthan.

Pictured above: Me at the Taj Mahal and below the Blue Room at the City Palace, Jaipur.

If you have limited time in India, have a strict itinerary and want to use those trending hashtags to the fullest, here are TheStyleTraveller’s recommendations for the 10 best Instagram locations in Rajasthan and on the Golden Triangle route.

I haven’t even considered Delhi here because I didn’t have time on my last trip. But if you want to add your own locations, think I’ve missed some, or want to share your tips too, let me know in the comments below; I would love to hear from you.

1 The Taj Mahal

Simply one of the most spectacular wonders in the world. It is the most famous symbol of love on the planet, a mausoleum of the eternal love of a king for his queen. It is the most loved and photographed building in the world. Which in turn means that it’s very difficult to get a decent photo without a large crowd in the shot.

Tip 1 – Buy a ticket online to avoid the lines. Check the opening days, it is currently closed every Friday for conservation reasons (article written in April 2019).

Tip 2 – Gates open at dawn (normally around 6:30 am depending on season). That’s when I arrived and the crowds were minimal compared to an hour or two later.

Tip 3 – Upon arrival, don’t get lost in the gardens, heading straight for the Taj Mahal and either of the two burnt sienna mosques that sit on either side of the main white mausoleum building. From inside the arches of the mosque you get a beautiful arch-framed shot of the Taj Mahal like in the opening shot of this blog.

– For the photo above taken from the water gardens, we waited in a small line of people (about 5 minutes), let everyone take their photo and then had our time. It’s pretty easy if you have patience.

– The photo below is taken inside the mosque next to the Taj Mahal.

– I would also recommend going on a weekday, not a weekend or holiday if possible, it is much quieter.

Jaipur Old Town: The Pink City

Set aside a few good hours to discover the old town of Jaipur, also known as the pink city. In this area you will find Hawa Mahal (the wind palace pictured below), the City Palace and Jantar Mantar (the Royal Observatory), all very close by, but they are different buildings, each with separate (but minimal) entrance fees.

We loved it here so much that we stayed all day and I packed a few different outfits to photograph. Afterwards we went shopping in the magnificent craft shops, the markets also make a fabulous backdrop for taking photographs.

2. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Tip 1: To take the photo with the full front façade of the iconic building, reach the main gate, cross the street in the opposite direction and head to the rooftop cafes across the street.

It is good manners to buy a drink or snack and if you ask nicely they will let you go up to the roof to take a photo. But be careful, this is India so there are no rails, you are basically on private property, if you get hurt or act stupid there is no one to sue or blame here.

3 City Palace: The Blue Room, the Rooftop Overlooking Jaipur, and the Peacock Gate

The city palace is full of treasures. From the spectacular Peacock Gate (below) to the incredible Blue Room (above) and also hundreds of other unnamed filming locations. I highly recommend a guidebook, it’s big and it’s not so obvious where to go.

To get to the king’s private chambers (where the blue room is and also the rooftop view) you have to pay an extra fee. It is expensive by Indian standards, around £35 GBP per person. But it’s very worth it. If you get a good guide, ours was called Vijay (in-house guide at Jai Mahal Palace), he will show you the best instant spots, give you a history lesson and also politely ask other tourists in Hindi to wait until you get your chance. That’s priceless!!

Above: Peacock Gate, Below: Rooftop view from the King’s private chambers in the City Palace.

4 Patricka Gate, Jaipur

About 15-25 minutes drive from the city (depending on traffic), away from the pink city lies the instant paradise of Patrika Gate. Entry is free, there is literally nothing else here apart from the gate itself in the middle of a large rotunda. Take a taxi or private car, get the vaccine and return home. Job done!

5 Amer Stepwell, Jaipur

There are several stepwells in Rajasthan, I know this because we drove to many. But not everyone allows you to go upstairs to take a photo. At the moment, the Amer Stepwell, which is a 20-minute drive north of Jaipur, allows you to stand on the steps, but it’s worth checking with your hotel if they allow photography at the time of your visit.Amer stepwell: hadynyah/Getty Images

6 Jantar Mantar, Royal Observatory, Jaipur

This place is just amazing. Filled with huge astrological instruments, such as huge graphic architectural statues, it is one of the most incredible installation sites I have ever seen. Get your tour guide to guide you through the astrological charts and discover more about what the future holds for you!

7 Jodhpur and Mehrangarh Fort

The immense castle-like structure overlooking Jodphur and the Blue City is the Mehrangarh Fort (pictured below). Not only for the views of the incredible sea of sky blue houses below, but also for the structure and intricate architecture inside, it is a must-see.

Then head into town and stroll past the beautiful blue buildings. It is such a peaceful and visually stunning city. (pictured above)

8 Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

The Umaid Bhawan Palace is the residence of the king of Jodhpur, but it is also one of the best hotels in the world. If you’re not lucky enough to be able to stay there, head to the museum there. It is totally worth a visit just to see its impressive façade, where the film The Viceroy’s House was filmed and also the spectacular venue for Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’s wedding. Here is a link to my YouTube video on how to stay there!

Me posing outside the incredible architecture with my Avis India Chauffeur Hire Car.

9 Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

The filming location of the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy. If you’re not staying at the Lake Palace, fear not, Udaipur is full of beautiful marble buildings and the views over the lake from the City Palace Museum are stunning too.

Hide in the numerous arches and niches that frame the lake and try to capture the peace and tranquility of this beautiful city. See my full blog on the Taj Lake Palace here and my youtube video here.

10 Monkey Temple, between Jaipur and Agra

This was Charlie’s favorite place on our Rajasthan tour. I loved the ghostly disused and discarded architecture of the town and Charlie loved the monkeys! Watch them bathe and play in the old uninhabited streets. The monkeys colonized the city when the monks moved in, they are free, happy and have enough food and their new home is a fabulous playground!For more information on Bonnie’s road trip to India, click here for the ultimate luxury itinerary and here for the Taj Lake Palace.