Shahjahan’s tomb under threat as water leaks from Taj Mahal dome after heavy rain

Agra: Incessant rainfall over 48 hours in Agra has caused significant damage to the city's historical monuments, including the iconic Taj Mahal, according to a report by TOI. On Thursday, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) placed its staff on "surveillance" after water began seeping from the main dome of the Taj Mahal, while its adjacent garden remained waterlogged.

Rajkumar Patel, Superintending Archaeologist, informed TOI on Friday that an investigation is underway to determine the source of the water seeping from the dome. "We observed moisture inside the main mausoleum, and there might be a hairline crack in the dome’s stones, causing the leakage," Patel said. He also noted that they are monitoring the spot to see whether the water is falling continuously or intermittently. "Necessary repairs will be conducted, and the garden will be restored after the rain subsides," he added.

A government-approved tourist guide, speaking anonymously to TOI, confirmed that the downpour had submerged the garden near the central tank in front of the mausoleum and noted that the water leakage had reached the chamber where the tombs of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal are housed.


A video showing the inundated garden has been circulated on social media, sparking curiosity among both locals and tourists visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to the Meteorological Department, Agra recorded 151 mm of rain on Thursday, marking the highest amount of rainfall in 24 hours over the past 80 years. Other historical sites, such as Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Jhunjhun Ka Katora, Rambagh, Mehtab Bagh, Chini Ka Rauza, Akbar's tomb in Sikandra, and the Roman Catholic Cemetery, also suffered minor damage due to the heavy rain.

Inputs from TOI