Ruined by mismanagement...Really disappointing and sad. (Taj Mahal)

Member Name: Pablo_Sevilla

Product:	Taj Mahal
Date:	28/05/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Has some appeal at sunset...

Disadvantages: Ruined by air pollution, hordes of tourists, mismanagement by Indian authorities, awful touts etc.

I saw the Taj Mahal on the third day of my first solo backpacking trip abroad. I was 19 and severely culture-shocked and still quite jet lagged! Probably not in the best mindset to see the Taj Mahal but still I soldiered on through the manic streets of Agra and the fought off the extremely pushy touts towards the entrance and eventually managed to get to the ticket booth.

And I must say it was quite impressive despite the hordes of tourists, it being sunset and the red glow of the sun was reflecting rather majestically off the white marble, though ultimately it did really feel like a circus and spoil the experience somewhat.

But this is the way it goes with big attractions like this, more often than not they eventually succumb to the negative effects of mass tourism.

I was also really saddened by the condition of the marble structure that was clearly degrading due to the surrounding cities horrible air pollution. Although there is a traffic exclusion zone around the Taj Mahal a lot of the marble is yellowing due to the acrid smog that hangs around the city.

Very dissapointing to be honest.

Summary: Massively disappointing...Really sad