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Feb 2005
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350th anniversary of Taj Mahal observed with gusto

On the occasion of the 350th anniversary of Taj Mahal, thousands of people watching the pigeon- flying competition known as Kul Kul at the time of Mugals, in the back side of the monument of love.

     Agra: Hundreds of tourists thronged the 350th anniversary celebrations of the majestic Taj Mahal in northern Agra that concluded on Sunday. "The best part ofthe fair is that we can get so many rare and beautiful things at one place. We are here with our family and enjoying ourselves thoroughly," said Sonu Mohour, a visitor at the fair. "This is my fifth year in a row at the Taj Mahotsav (festival) but the glamour and craze for this festival has not dimmed a bit. We always look forward to all the festivities and enjoyment," Shivani, Chaturvedi, another visitor said. Though the fair proved to be a hit with the visitors, artisans said the sales were low. The fair is very lovely, there are so many people here. It feels nice when people come here but the only problem right now is that our sales are very low," said Pratima, an artisan. The Taj Mahal stands on a marble platform surrounded by ornamental gardens. White minarets grace each corner and two smaller red sandstone buildings balance the postcard-perfect image on the banks of the Yamuna River.

     Historians say that the Mughal emperor Shahjahan consulted experts from the Middle East and Europe while planning his legacy, which took over 22 years to build with the help of 20,000 people. Although there is some dispute about when it was actually completed, the government and the Archaeological Survey of India say it was completed in 1654. The surface of the onion-domed monument has turned yellow over the years because of its exposure to automobile fumes, factory and oil refinery smoke, besides smoke emanating from funeral pyres at a nearby cremation ground. Two years ago, authorities used a pack made of brown clay to restore the original whiteness of the mausoleum.
- Feb 28, 2005

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