Water bottles banned at Taj Mahal after several ‘jalabhishek’ bids

AGRA: 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.
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 Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.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 move to ban water inside the Taj has come in for criticism from some quarters.
Deepak Dan, president of the Tourist Guides Welfare Association, said: “Tourists cannot remain in the Taj Mahal without water during hot and humid weather. Instead of being vigilant, authorities are imposing restrictions on water bottles. The association opposes this move.” He added, “Multiple cases of tourists passing out due to adverse weather conditions have surfaced in the last three months. Without water, visitors, especially children and the elderly, will suffer. The decision will also present a bad image among foreign tourists.”
ASI superintending archaeologist Rajkumar Patel assured that visitors would not face inconvenience. He said, “Staff stationed at the main mausoleum have been provided with small water bottles.”