Taj Mahal Visitors, Guides Banned From Carrying Water Bottles Inside Monument, Here’s Why
The Archaeological Survey of India on Tuesday, August 6, put a ban on tourists and guides from carrying water bottles inside Agra's Taj Mahal after repeated incidents of 'Jalabhishek' by right-wing groups.
Agra, August 7: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday, August 6, placed a prohibition on visitors and guides from carrying water bottles inside the Taj Mahal, from the Taj's Chameli Farsh to the main mausoleum dome area. The ban on carrying water bottles has been imposed after repeated Ganga "Jalabhishek" incidents by alleged right-wing group members inside the Taj Mahal premises.
This ban comes days after two members of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha carried bottles filled with Ganga water inside Taj Mahal and performed "Jalabhishek", a religious water ritual, by pouring the water on the tomb. After videos of the incident surfaced online, the CISF arrested the two accused. Similarly this week, a woman was arrested after she poured "Gangajal" on the Taj Mahal tomb and hoisted saffron flag inside the monument. Right-wing group claim Taj Mahal was a Shiva temple before being converted to a mausoleum by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. 2 Workers of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha Pour 'Gangajal' on Tomb Inside Taj Mahal, Arrested After Video Goes Viral.
2 Hindu Mahasabha Members Perform ‘Jalabhishek’ Inside Taj Mahal
Reacting to the ban, the Tourist Guides Welfare Association expressed concern that the decision will present a bad image among foreign tourists. "Tourists cannot remain in the Taj Mahal without water during hot and humid weather. Instead of being vigilant, authorities are imposing restrictions on water bottles. The association opposes this move," Deepak Dan, who heads the Tourist Guides Welfare Association, was quoted by Times of India as saying. ABHM Activist Meera Rathod Performs Rituals, Hoists Saffron Flag at Taj Mahal; Arrested After Video Surfaces.
However, Rajkumar Patel, the ASI superintending archaeologist, assured that visitors won't face any inconvenience due to this ban. He said: "Staff stationed at the main mausoleum have been provided with small water bottles."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2024 12:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).