On Wednesday, the Supreme Court modified its 2004 order and ordered authorities to start online ticketing 24 hours earlier than the physical collection of tickets for tourists who want to watch the Taj Mahal lit up by the moon. A bench of justices modified an order by the top court, which specified that tickets had to be collected 24 hours before a scheduled visit.
According to senior advocate ADN Rao, who serves as an amicus curiae to the court, tourists face difficulties. To see the Taj Mahal in the moonlight, one must buy the ticket 24 hours in advance, and as a consequence, one must stay overnight in Agra.
“In 2004, there was no such facility for online ticket purchases, but now it is available. It will save the time and resources of people visiting the Taj Mahal at night and observing its view in moonlight,” Rao said.
Due to the rush during the daytime, tickets were ordered to be sold 24 hours earlier for the night viewing of the monuments. This is because of the rush during the day.
There has been a directive from the bench to the authorities to make the necessary technological changes to ensure that tourist ticket purchase facilities are available. This will allow tourists to visit the monument at night.
Tourists often get to view the Taj Mahal at night, especially on full moon nights. This is because the marble of the monument glows as moonlight strikes it from different angles, creating a stunning spectacle.
The Archaeological Survey of India manages the ticketing facility of the monument, which was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz in the 17th century.
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