358-yr-old Taj Mahal 'in the danger of collapsing within 5 years

Economic Times ^ | 10/05/11

[TigerLikesRooster]

5 Oct, 2011, 10.49AM IST, ANI

358-yr-old Taj Mahal 'in the danger of collapsing within 5 years

LONDON: The Taj Mahal will collapse within five years unless urgent action is taken to fix its rotting foundations, campaigners warn.

The 358-year-old marble mausoleum is India's most famous tourist attraction, bringing four million visitors a year to the northern city of Agra.

But the river crucial to its survival is being blighted by pollution, industry and deforestation.

Campaigners believe the foundations have become brittle and are disintegrating.

Cracks appeared last year in parts of the tomb, and the four minarets, which surround the monument, are showing signs of tilting.

The Taj Mahal was built by Mogul emperor Shah Jahan, who was grief-stricken by the death of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in childbirth.

[Never on my watch]

Not. Our. Problem.

+1

[shibumi]

I dunno - looks like their urinals are in good shape .....

[50mm]

It's Looney Bun time!

OOOOOoooooOOOOOooooo

[dfwgator]

Classic!

[Bellflower]

I do not like “Muslim inspired” architecture which is generally a mixture of several different cultures. It is often way too busy with details and many colors that that do not work well with each other. The curved lines seem to express heaviness and bondage rather than freedom and beauty. I do not find their buildings beautiful at all but unkind to my eyes and thought processes.

[ravager]

I don’t know where you get the idea that its Islamic. Its not.Its got nothing to do with Islam except for the fact that the King who build it was a Muslim. And all talks of slaves dying in the construction is plain BS.

[ravager]

“There are a lot better ‘love stories’ to remember.”

I know. Like Romeo and Juliet where they all finally kill, stab and drink poison. Yes much better.

[cerberus]

I was there in the mid 1970’s.......it’s magnificent!

[ravager]

Have you seen it under full-moon light? Its magical!!! Unlike anything you have ever seen in your life. Sadly they don't allow you inside at night anymore.