SAVE  TAJ MAHAL

BRAJ MANDAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Goverdhan Hotel, Delhi Gate, Agra-2

 

 

Protests and regrets that commercial organisations are without authority and morality using the pride of India, the UNESCO recognised Heritage brand TAJ MAHAL for crass commercial gains, building replicas or hotels, or selling chai ki patti,  without paying royalty to AGRA or compensating in any other way the expenses incurred on the upkeep and maintenance of the 17th century white marble marvel.

 

These organisations in pursuit of their commercial objectives are desecrating a holy mausoleum revered by millions of people who visit and offer prayers at the Taj Mahal along the bank of holy Yamuna river in Agra. To give you a perspective, the original layout and design of the Taj follows the details of the main features of Jannat (Heaven) and the "Aayats" from the Holy Quran are inscribed at the main entrance. The mosque on the eastern flank attracts thousands of faithfuls to offer prayers. A large number of people offer prayers and seek favours and mannats.

 

The hyped romantic love story is for consumption of the tourists, but historically the whole area around the Taj Mahal has been a site of religious significance. Emperor Shah Jahan himself is now looked as a friend of the Almighty and treated as a celebrated saint.

 

It is our concern that  a huge hotel is now being built in Dubai. This will be a copy of the Taj Mahal in Agra and offer all kinds of opportunities for carnal pleasures of the body from gambling zones to bars and related activities.

 

Can we permit holy places being desecrated like this?  If we do not arrest this trend tomorrow someone will  come up with fake Muslim shrines visited by the devouts for the Haj yatra or replicas of shrines of other faiths. Would that be tolerated?

 

Remember, the Taj Mahal is no ordinary monument. Its a spiritual and divine destination whose original design came from the Farishtas. Now every year we have the Urs of emperor Shah Jahan who has been recognised as a saint.

 

The Taj Mahal is Agra's pride and pehchaan. The Agra Municipal Corporation should be paid a royalty, if some commercial gain is made out of using the Taj as a brand name. The money thus collected could be spent on cleaning up the Yamuna river which is dying unfortunately.

 

We appeal to all sensible people to raise their voice and prevent mis-use of the brand Taj Mahal for petty commercial gains.

 

The UNESCO and the government of India should intervene and approach the international bodies for stopping this practice.