Night viewing of Taj Mahal still a distant dream

AGRA: Night viewing of the Taj Mahal from the ancient Mughal garden, Mehtab Bagh, across the river Yamuna, still remains a distant dream for tourists visiting the monument.

Though, a platform constructed at a cost of Rs 5 lakh, has been erected near the Mughal garden for viewing the Taj, tourists are yet to be allowed to use it.

ASI's superintending archeologist (Agra circle), Vasant Kumar Swarankar said, “this area is outside the protected monument so they have nothing to do with it. The platform was constructed on the directions of the ministry. Now the ADA has to give permission for night viewing.”

In fact, ASI officials have written several letters to the Agra Development Authority (ADA) in the past to make night viewing facility operational, nothing has been done so far. Last year, the then Agra DM also wrote to the ADA VC to start the facility of Taj viewing at night from the newly-built platform, but the latter failed to do so.

At present, only 400 tourists in 8 groups of 50 each are allowed to view the Taj Mahal at night, for five nights in a month and that too, from a distance of over 200m, making clear moonlight views of the Taj very rare, especially winters.

Tourism industry has been demanding this facility for the past four years to boost night tourism in Agra. According to the industry association members, there are several advantages of commencing this facility including that more number of tourists will get an opportunity to see the Taj at night on other days too.

Talking to TOI, KC Jain, secretary of Agra Development foundation, said that allowing night viewing of the Taj from Mehtab Bagh will be an added attraction for visitors. He said, “We hope that this facility will start soon”.

“Mehtab Bagh was originally meant for viewing Taj in moonlight from across the Yamuna and this is a different experience”, said Rajiv Saxena, secretary of Tourism Guild Association, adding that this facility should be operational at the earliest. He said this will draw more tourists to Agra and they will not leave the city after viewing the Taj only and will stay overnight.

ADA’s chief engineer Ajay Singh told TOI that the facility of night viewing from Mehtab Bagh will be started in a couple of months. He said that ASI had constructed a platform only, but proper arrangements like benches, pathway leading to the platform and maintenance of the garden is needed there. “For this work, ASI asked for a written approval from the commissioner as the area falls in 500 meter range of the Taj and formalities regarding there are under process,” said Singh.

In December 1999, the Supreme Court had banned visitors’ entry into the monument after 7pm on grounds of security. However, after repeated demands from the tourism industry, the apex court in November 2004 made some amends in its earlier order and allowed ASI to start the facility at the Taj for five days in a month. However, it is not allowed on Fridays and during the month of Ramzan in accordance with the Supreme Court directive.