New Delhi: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday banned visitors and guides from carrying water bottles into the Taj Mahal’s main mausoleum after repeated incidents of ‘jalabhishek’ (religious water ritual) by members of various right-wing groups. Carrying water bottles has been prohibited from the Taj’s Chameli Farsh to the main dome area, The Times of India reported.
Two members of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha were arrested on Saturday for offering Ganga water at the mausoleum, claiming the
monument was a Shiva temple before being converted to a mausoleum by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the report added.
Additionally, on the third Monday of Sawan, Meera Rathore, the district president of the Mahasabha’s women’s wing, performed ‘jalabhishek’ and hoisted a saffron flag at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the report added.
The move to ban water inside the Taj has come in for criticism from some quarters.
To the criticism of the move adversely affecting tourism, ASI superintending archaeologist Rajkumar Patel assured that visitors would not face inconvenience as staff stationed at the main mausoleum have been provided with small water bottles, the report said.
Mumbai: After beau Arjun Kapoor declared publicly that he is not dating anyone right now,…
Mumbai: Even though Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan have maintained a dignified silence over their…
Bhubaneswar: Siddhant Das has sought to step down as Chairman of Odisha Real Estate Regulatory…
Hyderabad: Odisha FC went on a scoring spree at the Gachibowli Stadium as they humbled hosts…
Mumbai: Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s directorial debut ‘Paanch’ is finally going to see the light of…
Mumbai: Actress Taapsee Pannu, who has shared screen space with very few A-listers, has now…
Bhubaneswar: Vigilance has arrested a Forester and a Gaon Sathi (village mate) for alleged misappropriation…
Mumbai: Ten days ago, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines after becoming the youngest cricketer to make…