Taj Mahal

IndiaboundIndiabound
in General Discussion
Just heard that Taj Mahal is under massive renovation face lift. Scaffolding and mudling... section by section. Any one know if this will inhibit our Taj experience of view from the hotel or noise or excursion itself.
Can’t wait to arrive in early 1/30/20. Friend and I are available for dinner on Tuesday if any one is interested. Maybe drinks and dinner.

Comments

  • BritishBritish
    If it is misty, you can’t see the Taj from your hotel room anyway and that is often th case.
  • Ken from VegasKen from Vegas
    The Taj Mahal restoration is scheduled to be completed in late 2018. Even give possible delays, it should be complete by the time you arrive in 2020 (that is what you meant isn't it?). Noise should not be a problem at the hotel. While it has a great view of the Taj it is about a mile away. Prior to the completion, expect portions of the building to be covered in scaffolding and the mud being used to clean the marble.
  • IndiaboundIndiabound
    Thanks for the reply. I did mean January 30, 2018. We arrive at 1:30 AM and then on to Agra 5or 6 days later.
  • joyceswjoycesw
    When we were there, two of the minarets were covered in scaffolding, but it did not hinder the experience at all. I see that they are now working on the main building, but, again, that should not hinder your experience ( might not get the perfect photo, but there is someone there to take your photo, and if you buy the package, there are some great photos of the Taj in there). This work is necessary to try to restore the whiteness to the marble that is being yellowed by the pollution. We had a beautiful view from our room, and if you go out on the patio off the lobby at sunset, there is a dancer and musicians are performing on the top of the building across the pool with the Taj in the background. While it was foggy in the early morning ( we passed on the 6 AM photo shoot figuring the views would not be great), the sky was a beautiful blue when we arrived a few hours later. I do not recall any noise except from the nine gazillion people who were there with us!
  • AlanSAlanS
    joycesw wrote:
    When we were there, two of the minarets were covered in scaffolding, but it did not hinder the experience at all. I see that they are now working on the main building, but, again, that should not hinder your experience ( might not get the perfect photo, but there is someone there to take your photo, and if you buy the package, there are some great photos of the Taj in there).

    Of course, you know and your friends and family will know you went there- so download a high-res photo of the un-draped Taj from the web, take a shot of the two of you, then perform a little Photoshop Magic when you get home- Voila! : )
  • Rmm6Rmm6
    Indiabound wrote:
    Thanks for the reply. I did mean January 30, 2018. We arrive at 1:30 AM and then on to Agra 5or 6 days later.
    I found the following:
    If you’re planning a visit to the Taj over the next 12 months, here’s what you can expect to find being worked on:

    Western facade – October to December 2017

    Wall of the periphery – November 2017 to January 2018

    Four chhatris on the roof of the main mausoleum – January to April 2018

    Pinnacle and dome – May to November 2018

    Other sources on Google say that the 4 chhatris on the roof of the mausoleum will be started in February, the south side (front) of the dome and pinnacle in April and the north side (river side) in August. Now, however, they’re wondering about the metal scaffolding hurting the marble on the dome. They used bamboo scaffolding the last time they cleaned it. Not sure why they don’t use bamboo again.

    Melanie
  • joyceswjoycesw
    Melanie...they probably aren’t using the bamboo scaffolding because it “appears” to be the most unsafe structure we have ever seen! I really don’t have any solid research on this, but I took lots of shots of the bamboo scaffolding on various buildings as it was so unbelievable! We couldn’t believe these rickety things actually supported workers! am convinced my 5-year-old grandson could build a sturdier structure with his LEGO’s! I also have photos of workers sitting around near the structures, but no one is working on them...then again, most of the new buildings in India are using the bamboo scaffolding...oh, my!


  • travelingteachertravelingteacher
    Renovations are not a problem at all and will not obstruct your beautiful photos. I returned last month....view from the room is spectacular, view of the Taj will not be a problem. Don't forget to take your picture sitting on the Princess Diana bench after you see the tomb. You will have a WONDERFUL TIME in Agra, and the hotel is incredible. Try not to gasp when you walk in and see the view...and you will see it! I had to contain myself as it is just the best.
  • Rmm6Rmm6
    joycesw wrote:
    Melanie...they probably aren’t using the bamboo scaffolding because it “appears” to be the most unsafe structure we have ever seen! I really don’t have any solid research on this, but I took lots of shots of the bamboo scaffolding on various buildings as it was so unbelievable! We couldn’t believe these rickety things actually supported workers! am convinced my 5-year-old grandson could build a sturdier structure with his LEGO’s! I also have photos of workers sitting around near the structures, but no one is working on them...then again, most of the new buildings in India are using the bamboo scaffolding...oh, my!

    Joyce...we saw them in China too and were amazed. They looked really sturdily built. I wonder if the
    Chinese method is different. We’d never hear of this before. Isn’t travel wonderful!
  • BritishBritish
    Bamboo is a very strong plant. And is used in numerous countries for scaffolding.
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