One of seven wonders of the world!

I visited the Taj Mahal last month. It was my second time, the first time being 12 years ago. I had always imagined that I would have the expression of complete awe when I saw it. Something like the scene in the movie “Namesake” where the character Gogol decides to be an architect after being inspired by the beauty of the Taj Mahal. The first time i saw it, it felt magical… The second time I saw it, I only felt sad.

The lawns were not maintained at all. And the once beautiful fountain infront of the Taj was almost dry and dirty. The Taj Mahal had turned a nice shade of brown, and the inside walls of the Taj were dirty with dark brown stains. The chandelier on the inside of the Mausoleum was dusty, and the place was crowded with so many people you could hardly walk straight.

Some people might say, big deal, this is India and its always difficult with the number of people we have here. But then this is one of “The wonders of the World” voted for by almost 30 crore people! I can’t even imagine the amount of money that was spent in advertising for the Taj Mahal to be voted as one of the seven wonders of the world. I think it would’ve made more sense to use that money to maintain this monument.

I hope that the Government does something to retain its past glory and make every Indian feel proud of the Taj Mahal.

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Published:: 3.7.08 / 11am

Category:: Taj Mahal, trip

Sheila 3.7.08 / 2pm

Also it wasn’t so great this time cause I wasn’t there with you!

Atul 3.9.08 / 1pm

Heh. I guess there is a certain element of nostalgia colours the memories.

I was at the Taj exactly 30 years earlier to tis trip, and nothing much has changed since then, except that when I was there in 1976, the lawns were brown and dusty, and the walls covered with graffiti, and there was a lot of litter all over the place. Compared to what I saw then, the place is much better maintained now.

Also, the general perception that the Taj is pure white marble is a wrong one, because it isn’t. Marble is never “pure white”. And there is a lot of sandstone involved as well. The inside wasn’t “dirty” (except the floor) - just aged. I have photos of the walls, including closeups - I should upload them.

But all that doesn’t change the fact that it is something that was built so long ago and that has lasted till today, and it still stands as the symbol it was designed to be.

Shilpa 3.11.08 / 10am

@Atul Didn’t mean to ruin your experience Atul, but when something is voted as a wonder of the world, the least we can do is treat it as one. Maintaining a lawn is the least the government could do. In 30 years all they’ve done is removed the garbage and graphiti. I’d say that was a minor improvement.

Atul 3.11.08 / 8pm

If you would see the mess the place was in 30 years ago, you wouldn’t call it “minor”

IAC, I don’t know why you felt that that lawns weren’t well maintained - from my perspective, they were! Have another look at my photos!

http://flickr.com/photos/achitnis/sets/72157604020388651/

Shilpa 3.11.08 / 8pm

@Atul - I must say they look great on camera!!!!

One of seven wonders of the world!

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