Taj Mahal to reopen for night viewing from today

The Taj Mahal is set to reopen for night viewing from August 21, after remaining closed for almost a year due to COVID crises. As per the officials, visitors who want to explore the marble monument under the moonlight, can do so from today.

As per the reports, night viewing of the monument had closed on March 17, 2020, during the first lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Referring to this, ASI Superintending Archaeologist (Agra Circle) Vasant Kumar Swarnkar stated that night viewing will be allowed on August 21, 23 and 24 as the monument is closed every week on Friday, while lockdown remains in effect on Sunday.

Here’s all that you need to know about the night viewing timings:

• There are three time slots available for visitors, i.e., from 8:30 to 9 PM, 9 to 9:30 PM, and from 9:30 to10 PM.
• In every slot, only 50 tourists will be allowed to visit, which is in line with the guidelines of the Supreme Court, the ASI stated.

Regarding the ticket booking for night booking, tickets can be booked a day in advance from the ASI office’s counter on 22 Mall Road in Agra, Kumar added.

Vice President of the Tourism Guild of Agra Rajeev Saxena lauded the step, but added that it will not attract weekend travellers until the restriction of lockdown on Sunday and curfew after 10 pm were still in place. He added that tourists who want to enjoy the nightlife of the city, won’t want to be packed in their hotels after 10 PM.