Tourists who stay too long at the iconic Taj Mahal will be charged

Holidaymakers who spend more than three hours at the iconic Taj Mahal in India will now have to pay a fine.

According to The Times of India, visitors who overstay their welcome will be charged an extra amount equivalent to the ticket price. Tourists who don’t arrive at the slotted time specified on their ticket will also not be granted access to the complex.

“If tourists exceed their time limit of three hours, they will be charged an extra amount equivalent to the ticket, which will have to be paid at the exit gate,” Vasant Swarankar, the superintending archaeologist, told the news outlet.

“Entry time will also be enforced and if tourists don’t arrive at the slotted time, they will not be allowed entry and will have to buy a new ticket.”

A ticket to the Taj Mahal currently costs 1,110 rupees (AU$23) for international tourists plus an additional 200 rupees to step inside the site’s main mausoleum. According to The Times of India, there have been 14 turnstile gates installed at the site.

The iconic landmark attracts about 50,000 visitors per day on the weekend, and currently draws roughly seven million visitors every year.

 

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The world-famous mausoleum was built as a declaration of love from the son of the emperor of India, Shah Jahan, to Persian princess, Mumtaz Mahal. After the princess died during childbirth, the Shah promised to build the world’s most opulent mausoleum in her honour.

It took more than 20,000 workers over 20 years to finish the building and it remains a testament to everlasting love.

Have you visited the Taj Mahal before? Would you like to?