ASI Imposes Restrictions on Carrying Water Bottle at Taj Mahal’s Marble Platform Amid Concerns Over Ritual Practices
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has restricted carrying water bottles onto the white marble platform of the Taj Mahal
The repeated instances of carrying out ‘Jal Abhishek’ rituals by the people in the monument during the month of Sawan have prompted ASI to take measures to safeguard the monument.
RK Patel, Superintending Archaeologist, Agra Circle of Archaeological Survey of India said, “There have been recurring incidents with videos going viral about individuals entering Taj Mahal posing as tourists and pouring water from their bottles, claiming it as ‘jalabhishek’. The videos were raising question marks, so it was decided to ask tourists to leave their water bottles before climbing the white marble platform.”
Further he added, “Although no formal order has been passed in this regard, we have begun to prohibit carrying of water bottles while tourists climbed the white marble platform around the main mausoleum at Taj Mahal. The tourists will be asked to leave their water bottle at a place on Chameli platform before heading for the main platform. We understand the tourists may need water and so it will be available at certain points of the main white marble platform around the main mausoleum. This restriction on carrying water bottle is on a trial basis and will be reviewed from time to time.”
