A pinnacle of one of the four minarets of the Taj Mahal fell off during repair work according to witnesses, though officials claimed it was taken out because of its weak condition.
The pinnacle of the south western minaret was found lying on the platform erected around the structure for cleaning on Monday afternoon. ASI officials later placed a piece of cloth on the top of minaret from where the pinnacle was missing.
Agra: One of the minars of Taj Mahal reportedly suffers damage while beautification for the minars was underway. pic.twitter.com/smM6JeOjD0— ANI (@ANI_news) March 29, 2016
"It is the first time that the pinnacle of Taj Mahal has fallen down," Syed Munawer Ali a Taj Mahal's trustee told ANI.
ASI officials said the pinnacle was removed for cleaning because monkeys had weakened it.
“The pinnacle did not fall off and is lying on the platform erected around the minaret for chemical cleaning. It would be repaired and replaced soon,” superintending archaeologist Bhuvan Vikram of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said.
Senior conservation assistant Ram Ratan was quoted by India Today as saying that the iron rod which held up the uppar part of the minaret was corroded and hence the crest was removed to install a new rod.
Chemical cleaning of the white marble Taj Mahal has been going on for the past few months. he ASI is using the mud-cap therapy to save the monument from discoloring, where they cover the monument with mud and wash it off.
The covers and scaffoldings around the minarets have marred the beautiful view of the 17th century monument, visited by thousands each day.
Comments
0 comment