Taj Mahal saw a certain pillar collapse Wednesday night due to thunderstorm. The wind speed was more than 100 kmph and the region received about 40 minutes of rainfall too.
According to news report the 12-foot metal pillar at the Darwaza-e-Rauza gate, which is the royal gate and offers visitors first glimpse of Taj Mahal, couldn’t resist the wind speed and collapsed.
The storm hit Agra as well as several other parts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday night, uprooting many trees and damaging power poles.
Tourists and travelers from across the world come to Agre to see the Taj, one of the Seven Wonders. It is a ivory-white marble mausoleum situated on the banks of River Yamuna. It is a symbol of love and was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
UNESCO listed the Taj in its World Heritage list in 1983 for being the jewel of Muslim art in the country.
Taj Mahal receives about 8 million visitors per year. It is one of the universally admired masterpieces of world’s heritage.
Meanwhile, authorities said restoration work has begun.
In recent years the monument is suffering damage due to pollution and construction work in the area.
Earlier this year the Archaeological Survey of India said the monument of Shah Jahan is at risk of losing sheen due to increase in levels of pollution in Agra.
The post Pillar Inside Taj Mahal Complex Destroyed Due To Thunderstorm appeared first on Newspack by India Press Agency.