Fodor’s Travel Guide has included the Taj Mahal in its list of places not to visit in 2018, as the monument will be under restoration.
ThePrint asks:
Has construction made Taj Mahal lose its photo-op potential?
We have to look at the problem in two ways – one is air pollution. This is a problem for everybody: the tourists, the people of India, and therefore, the government.
The government is taking steps for better air quality. It is an ongoing process, to fix a problem that has manifested over the span of a few decades. It requires not only legislation and strict implementation of laws, but also citizen participation. This can be achieved through awareness campaigns.
The other part is the restoration of the Taj Mahal. One must account for the fact that it is a medieval building. Like all other monuments, it also needs to be restored. Modern cement, iron beams, and reinforced concrete cannot be used for its restoration. That would compromise the technology used during Mughal times. It requires time and patience to retain the ingenuity and brilliance of such a magnificent structure.
Read more on the issue:
Santosh Desai, columnist and author
While photographs are an integral part of the tourist experience, they can’t supersede the restoration of the Taj Mahal.
Agra offers other attractions for tourists as well. The Agra Fort and the Radhaswami Temple are some of the most architecturally intricate structures. Fatehpur Sikri represents the Mughal empire at its peak. Bordering the town is a very interesting man-made swamp: the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary. There’s so much history in and around this area.
This does not in any way undermine the importance of the Taj Mahal, which is a grandiose work of art. We have to respect that it takes time to restore structures of historical relevance. We also can’t trample on emotions to get things done quickly.
When visiting the Taj, it is not just the central dome that is important, but the entire architectural wonder, including the overwhelming feeling of walking around the structure, with its symmetrically-laid lawns and canals.
The passion of Emperor Shah Jahan to build a grand structure with delicate inlay work led to the diminishing of the coffers of the Mughal Empire. Shah Jahan was jailed by his son to put an end to this self-destructive, extravagant obsession. It’s unfair and biased to include it on Fodor’s list of places to not visit.
Bhartendra Singh is an MP from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh.