No celebration in Taj Mahal for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Here’s why

Taj Mahal will be the only historical monument in the country that will not be lit up in tricolour as a part of the Independence Day celebrations, as per Supreme Court orders in the wake of preserving the 17th-century World Heritage Site. The last time the Taj Mahal was lit at night was on the night of March 20, 1997, when the renowned pianist Yanni performed his famous show at the monument.
No celebration in Taj Mahal for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Heres why
As a part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' the Centre has announced that it will light up the historical monuments in the country with tricolour lights. This includes over 3,600 monuments preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. However, Taj Mahal will be the only historical monument in the country that will not be lit up in tricolour as a part of the Independence Day celebrations. And there is a reason why.
Why Taj Mahal will not be in tricolours
All the monuments are being lit up in tricolours except the Taj Mahal. This is because of a Supreme Court directive that comes in the wake of preserving the monument. As per the directive, there can be no artificial lighting in the Taj Mahal at night. The last time the Taj Mahal was lit at night was on the night of March 20, 1997, when the renowned pianist Yanni performed his famous show at the Taj Mahal. The next morning, the authorities found insects, attracted to the artificial lights, dead all around the 17th-century World Heritage Site. The Chemical Wing of the Archaeological Survey of India had said that this led to the imbalance in the composition of the monument’s marble.
According to a 2015 PTI report, Bhuvan Vikram, Superintending Archaeologist of Agra Circle (ASI) was quoted as saying “There were departmental studies done around the mid-2000s and these explored the impact of illumination, saying the insects attracted by the light, drop excreta on the surface, which leads to pigment deposition on the marble. Unless there is no conclusive study on this subject, the Taj Mahal should definitely not be illuminated.” The ban on lighting at the Taj Mahal has not been lifted since then.
Free entry to ASI-protected monuments
The ASI has also announced it is waiving entry fees to all these monuments under its aegis between August 5 and August 15, 2022, as a part of the 75th Independence Day celebrations.
“As part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and 75th I-Day celebrations, @ASIGoI has made entry free for visitors/ tourists to all its protected monuments/sites across the country, from 5th-15th August 2022,” Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy tweeted. As per the ASI communique, the free entry has been facilitated for Indian nationals as well as foreigner visitors to the ASI-protected monuments.
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