'The most beautiful building in all the world': Visiting the Taj Mahal via internet footage
The ASI recently proposed that visiting hours at the world wonder should be restricted.
Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Taj Mahal every year, and for good reason. The stunning tomb is considered a world wonder and it can truly be a sight to behold. As are the crowds coming to see it. Which is why the Archaeological Survey of India has proposed cutting down visited hours to the historical site to 3-4 hours and only allowing a fixed number of visitors in batches.
Last year, reports had surfaced that the famous white marble, that lent the Taj Mahal its brilliance, especially on moonlit nights, was turning yellow because of pollution. In 2009, it was reported that the multani mitti facelift, to the tune of 28 lakh, that the monument had received from the ASI had damaged it further.
But if you're worried you won't get enough time in front of the Taj, or you're worried you'll be greeted with a yellow tomb, there's always the internet.
The videos below depict the Queen's visit to the site and let you enjoy the glory of Shah Jahan's memorial to his beloved in the glory of technicolour. There's also the footage from 1921 — the earliest available of the site from British Pathe's archives.
But, if these images aren't enough, there are plenty of replicas around the world that allow unrestricted access. Last year, an 80-year-old retired postmaster built one in the Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh.
Then there's the replica made from 2,80,000 lego bricks made in Legoland Dubai, which was unveiled last week to celebrate India's Independence Day.