NEW DELHI, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Indian officials have made plans to open the Taj Mahal for night viewing as part of the mega celebrations to mark the 350th anniversary of world's most famous monument of love.
The government of Uttar Pradesh state, home to Taj Mahal, has sought the permission of the Supreme Court to open the mausoleum at night. The night viewing of the Taj Mahal was discontinued nearly two decades ago due to security reasons.
Currently, the monument is open during daylight, and it attracted nearly 9 million tourists last year.
The court, which has in the past declined to open the monument at night, would rule on Monday if the Taj Mahal could be opened for night viewing.
Last month, government officials had sent a proposal to the archaeological authorities seeking permission to keep the Taj open for visitors at night for five nights a month - the night of the full moon and two nights before and after it.
"We are positive about the proposal," R.K. Sharma, joint director-general of the Archaeological Survey of India told the Hindustan Times.
"The police have already been asked to prepare a plan for internal security at the monument," he said.
The white marble Taj looks magnificent on a clear, full-moon night.
"Nighttime visitors will be allowed to view the Taj only from the platform at the entry from the southern gate," a top government official said, adding, "The pathway with the fountains and the gardens around it will be out of bounds."
The Supreme Court of India had banned the night viewing of Taj Mahal for the public in 1984. It was believed that Sikh rebels might attack the mausoleum as part of their hit-and-run attacks to set up an independent homeland in Punjab state.
Even after the Sikh rebellion was crushed, night viewing continued to be banned because of threats by other insurgent groups, especially Islamic rebels in Kashmir.
The hotel industry in Agra - city of the Taj Mahal -- was severely hit, since most travelers would come by day to see the Taj Mahal and then travel at night to Delhi or Jaipur. Agra was one of the most preferred destinations of honeymooners, but since the night viewing ban, night stays there have fallen sharply.
Police officials say that special screening of night visitors to the Taj could be conducted and the 17th century monument can be viewed from a distance. And from a distance, the Taj is remarkable enough - it dominates the landscape.
"I have only read in books that the Taj looks beautiful at night and would love it to be opened for night viewing," office executive Sunaina Khullar said.
Many others interviewed echoed Khullar's desire to see the Taj by the night.
The Taj was built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth after bearing 14 children.
Heartbroken by her death, Shah Jahan spent 20 years and used 20,000 men to create the ultimate testament to their love. But he ended up locked up in Agra's fort by his own son, and spent the rest of his days only able to gaze across at his wife's tomb.
To people the world over, the Taj Mahal is synonymous with India. Its curving, gently swelling dome and the square base upon which its rests so lightly is a familiar image from hundreds of brochures and travel books.
The Taj continues to be regarded as one of the most spectacular buildings of the world and is renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty.
Officials in Agra city have planned mega celebrations to mark the 350th anniversary of the construction of world's most celebrated monument of love. The celebrations, which begin on Monday, the world Tourism Day, would last for six months and attract millions of tourists.
