Storm damages Taj Mahal gate minarets

Lucknow: In a freak storm that lashed Agra on Wednesday night, stone minarets of the south and royal gates of the Taj Mahal were damaged. One of the minarets at the south gate fell off and one of the small domes were also hit.

There was no official comment from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)  that is responsible for the maintenance of the Taj Mahal.

According to reports, a 12-foot minaret with a metal finial, which is part of the main gate, also called Darwaza-e-Rauza, was blown away by high-speed winds.

It is from this royal gate that tourists get their first view of the 17th century monument of love.

Darwaza-a-Rauza, the main gateway, is a structure built of marble and strongly reminiscent of Mughal architecture. Its arches are marked by calligraphy.

Earlier in 2016, when one of the minarets of Taj Mahal was reportedly damaged, the ASI had blamed monkeys. Meanwhile, Wednesday’s storm caused considerable damage to the city.

Several electricity poles and trees were uprooted in the storm which killed four persons in Mathura and one in Bijnore. The rain was accompanied by high-speed winds and hailstones.