Taj Mahal gets mudpack facial, courtesy rumoured visits by Obama, Sarkozy

AGRA - India’s fabled monument of love, the Taj Mahal, is once again getting beautified.

Efforts are on to remove the yellow tinge from its glistening exteriors.

The monument, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife, Arjumand Bano, better known by her title of Mumtaz Mahal, will be placed in the hands of a hundred workers, who under the guidance of the Archaeological Survey of India, will apply mudpacks and re-plaster stones to enhance the gleam of the architectural wonder.

The work has gained momentum after local media reported an expected visit by U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy during their forthcoming tours to India.

However, there are no official confirmation by the either the US, French or Indian officials about these visits.

“Two country heads are visiting our country in the coming months. We wanted to show the real beauty of the Taj Mahal to them. That is why we have undertaken this cleaning initiative. All black spots on the gold top of the Taj would be cleaned and the tourists coming to this world famous monument would be able to witness the real beauty of the Taj,” said Munbbar Ali, President of National Structure Safety Organization.

The mudpack will remain on the marble for about two or three days and then peeled off. The monument would be given a wash with distilled water to give it a new look, officials said.

Tourists coming to the monument are quite happy with the beautification and renovation drive of the Taj.

“I think it’s good. It seems like a relatively harmless operation using natural muds and making it look better,” said Danielle, a Canadian tourist.

The Taj Mahal received a similar treatment in 2002 and 2008.

An army of 20,000 stonemasons, gem cutters, marble fitters and labourers toiled for 22 years to build the Taj Mahal. The monument attracts millions of tourists every year. (ANI)