Taj Mahal's minarets, gates damaged as storm with ferocious winds leave trail of destruction

Winds with the velocity of over 130 km per hour that swept Agra on Wednesday night caused considerable damage to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri. 

Besides the damages caused to the two minarets at royal and south gates of the Taj, other buildings within the 17th-century mausoleum were also hit. 

The pinnacle of a canopy at Shahi Masjid, a red sandstone flower vase at the tomb of Sirhindi Begum and a portion of the wall of Rewti ka Bada were damaged in the storm.

A ramp for handicapped people at Taj’s royal gate, too, was damaged after minarets fell on it.

The 17th century Taj Mahal attracts between 7 million and 8 million visitors a year. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is in Agra, 210 kilometers (130 miles) south of New Delhi.

Authorities said that work has begun to restore the damaged structures. The monument is made of white marble and features semi-precious stones and carvings. It is considered the finest example of Mughal art in India.

Talking to Times of India, superintendent archaeologist, ASI (Agra circle), Bhuvan Vikram Singh said that the area where the damage occurred has been barricaded. He said the assessment work is going on and restoration work will be undertaken after a report is received.

Refusing to disclose the estimated time needed for the restoration work and the cost involved in it, Singh said, “Once it begins, it will be done on a war footing.”

He, however, said the public access to these areas will not be restricted during the restoration work. “The damage is confined only to the decorative parts and the structure has not be impacted in any manner,” he said.