Taj Mahal reopens for night viewing

Dhaka: Taj Mahal has been reopened from August 21 for visitors who wish to enjoy the sight of the iconic marble monument under the moonlight after remaining closed for night viewing for over a year.

Night viewing of the monument had closed on March 17, 2020, during the first lockdown in India following the coronavirus spread.

ASI Superintending Archaeologist (Agra Circle) Vasant Kumar Swarnkar said that night viewing will be allowed on August 21, 23 and 24 as the monument is closed every week on Friday and the lockdown is in effect from Sunday.

He said there are three time slots for visitors: from 8:30-9:00 pm, 9:00-9:30 pm and from 9:30-10:00 pm.

“In every slot, 50 tourists would be allowed as per guidelines of the Supreme Court,” he added. “The tickets can be booked a day in advance from ASI office’s counter on 22 Mall Road in Agra,” Kumar said.

Rajeev Saxena, Vice President of the Tourism Guild of Agra, appreciated the move, but it would not attract weekend travellers until the restriction of lockdown on Sunday and curfew after 10 pm was not lifted.

“Tourists want to enjoy the nightlife of the city, they don’t want to be packed in their hotels after 10:00 pm,” he claimed.

Government-approved tour guides also praised the move hoping it would revive Agra’s tourism sector.