This time I was there to see The Taj Mahal for the fourth time I guess. I had fond memories of The Taj Mahal. As part of IRCTC FAM trip. This time we reached The Taj around 3 pm. As we moved across the gate , lush green gardens welcomed us.

Viharin.com- Gate at The Taj Mahal

Viharin.com- Lush green garden

Lush green garden

The whole area was full of smog that let us have a very dim and hazy view of The Taj. I wondered how this wonder monument is facing atrocities of the smog. Yet it a stood bold and beautiful. What I saw next was unbelievable to my eyes. The Taj Mahal was getting repaired. Two of its minarets were getting repaired by Archaeological Society of India. 

Viharin.com- Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

I couldn’t believe the sight, The Taj that I have been visiting since my childhood, needs attention, but suddenly wisdom struck and I recalled the practical reasons of the needs to protect The Taj from the pollution, weather and more. Thank God someone is there to protect my Taj, the Pride of India I thought.

Viharin.com- Minaret of The Taj Mahal getting repaired

Minaret of The Taj Mahal getting repaired

Thankfully, I got a chance to meet officials of the Archaeological Society of India who told us that thus time the repair was very evident to the public whereas there are ingoing maintenance procedures that keep happening to ensure The Taj Mahal stands sturdy and strong as usual. Feeling relieved that my Taj is in safe hands, I headed further to see its beauty from close.

Viharin.com- Close up of The Taj

Close up of The Taj

Viharin.com- Intricate carvings

Intricate carvings

Viharin.com- Top of the tomb

Top of the tomb

Although I got closeups but they were so hazy because of pollution that guilt creeped in again to see how pollution was shivering clearly around Taj. It was a sad scene for me. I am told and I could also see that various methods were being deployed to curb the pollution. For example only battery operated vehicles were allowed under a certain area to reduce pollution levels.

Inspire of all these odds, The Taj Mahal remains mesmerizing.

Nidhi KM

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Viharin.com- Leaves and flowers designed with stones

Leaves and flowers designed with stones

Viharin.com- Roof of the Gate

Roof of the Gate