Why light up the Taj Mahal?

HERITAGE experts have raised objections to the illumination of the Taj Mahal in India, saying it’s ‘not a monument to experiment with’. Officials at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) believe illuminating the 17^th century mausoleum jeopardizes its marble surface.  

Sources at the ASI said that there was ‘pressure’ from the tourism ministry to install the lights, even though previous studies have argued against it.

Low-level security lighting posts have been installed at the World Heritage Site, says the ASI, with the aim of lighting it up at night and making it more attractive for tourists.

‘However, the direct illumination of the marble monument has brought with it a big problem – insects,’ says archaeologist M. K. Bhatnagar. ‘These are grass-sapping insects sit on the floors and walls of the illuminated part and discharge their excreta on the surface, leaving a coloured pigment on it, thus spoiling the flawless beauty of the architectural icon.’

 
Says a former ASI director-general, Mr B. R. Mani: ‘The Taj Mahal does not need lighting at all. It is a marble structure and can be seen in all its glory in natural light. On full moon night, one can see it in all of its splendor.’

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Picture Credit: "TajMahalbyAmalMongia" by amaldla from san francisco - taj mahal. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

India cleans up to attract more tourists

#INDIA has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at improving the cleanliness and hygiene of its tourism sites. The ‘Campaign Clean India’, which is being driven by the Ministry of Tourism, aims to ‘sensitize all sections of society on the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in public places, particularly monuments and tourist destinations’.

As part of the campaign, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Archaeological Survey of India, the Oil & Natural Gas Corporation and the Ministry of Tourism for undertaking a programme of clean-up work at the #TajMahal.

The ministry said the campaign is a voluntary scheme, with no government funds being used. But it will provide financial support for infrastructure development, including hygiene facilities such as rubbish bins and sewerage.

Improving the cleanliness of India is part of a broader government initiative aimed at attracting more tourists to the country. The government has also embarked on a programme to improve the safety of tourists, especially female travellers.

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Picture Credit: A litter-strewn landscape in Kolkata (photo by Hung Chung Chih)india.jpg,, http://www.flickr.com/photos/31175208@N03/5694974614">Julian Balboa the Sequel...</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/80355976@N06/19150840322">IMG_0955</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)