Agra, Jan. 15 -- Taj Mahal, which otherwise remains closed every Friday, will allow free entry for visitors after 2 pm on the day.

This exception is due to Friday being the second day of three-day 'Urs' of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal after her death in the seventeenth century.

Another added feature will be the opportunity to view original graves of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal located in the basement which otherwise remains closed round the year barring these three days of Urs, a traditional activity continuing since time immemorial.

The Urs will begin with traditional rituals at 2pm on Thursday. The entry to the monument will be free from 2pm on Thursday and from 2pm on ...