IN THE past 350 years the Taj Mahal has successfully contended with attacks, robberies and neglect. But the stunning marble mausoleum in Agra, northern India, is struggling to cope with its modern-day enemies: toxic air and filthy water. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj once had a pearly white exterior. This has changed, in part if not in whole, […]
Ban Friday namaz at Taj Mahal or allow Hindus to pray there too: RSS affiliate Amid an ongoing row over the Taj Mahal a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-linked organisation has now demanded that Friday prayers at the historic monument located in Agra be banned. Media reports said on Friday that the demand to ban Friday Prayers has come from Akhil Bhartiya Itihaas Sankalan Samiti – the history wing of the RSS. Dr […]
The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department recently released a 32-page booklet titled ‘Uttar Pradesh Paryatan – Apaar Sambhavnaayein‘ (Uttar Pradesh Tourism – Limitless Possibilities), featuring most of the cultural and heritage sites in the state. However, it has no mention of Taj Mahal, one of the seven ‘wonders of the world’. The move has not gone unnoticed as it comes a few months after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said […]
A 60-kg British-era copper chandelier at the main entrance of 17th century Taj Mahal crashed down recently, prompting the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to initiate a probe into the matter. The six-feet high and four-feet wide chandelier, gifted by Lord Curzon and installed at the Royal Gate of Taj Mahal in 1905, fell down on Wednesday, sources said. A probe under ASI’s superintending […]
“In Agra and Mathura, vehicular traffic has increased manifold. The cities have not invested in public transport and even though compressed natural gas (CNG) is available, they have not made optimum use of this clean fuel,” says Narain. Narain says there are two serious issues. “One, we will not be able to fix the problem unless we know the underlying cause. Two, we will not be able to convince people […]
