By Admin 
Taj Mahal, included among the seven wonders of the world, is famous all over the world for its beauty and immaculate white marble. Almost all the historical monuments of India are illuminated with colorful lights at night, but the Taj Mahal remains covered in darkness at night. This is not a coincidence but a very thoughtful scientific and legal decision. There are very serious reasons behind why this building standing on the banks of Yamuna in Agra is not bathed in lights at night.
Deadly attraction of white marble insects
The main and scientific reason for not lighting the Taj Mahal at night is its white stone. White marble reflects light very brightly. If bright lights are lit on the Taj at night, the insects nearby will be attracted towards the light. Due to its location on the banks of river Yamuna, there is abundance of insects like Goldichillee. These insects sit on the walls of Taj Mahal and leave their acidic waste (feces and urine) there. Due to this, green and black spots appear on the white stone, which can destroy its beauty forever.
That historic decision of 1997
It is not that the Taj Mahal was never lit at night. History is witness to the fact that in 1997, the Taj Mahal was illuminated with lights during the concert of the famous pianist Yanni. But what happened that night opened the eyes of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Next morning, lakhs of insects were found stuck on the walls of the Taj and stains started appearing on the stone. After this, on the advice of experts, ASI decided that artificial lights would never be installed on the Taj in future. This rule is strictly enforced even today.
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Security perspective and history of war
Apart from insects, security is also a major reason for the absence of lights in the Taj Mahal. During World War II and the India-Pakistan war of 1971, the Taj Mahal was covered with black cloth to protect it from the sight of enemy fighter planes. Experts believe that bright lights at night can make the Taj an obvious target from miles away. Even from a strategic point of view, it is considered better to keep the Taj in darkness so that air strikes or any unwanted activity cannot be easily identified during night time.
Pollution and the natural shine of the crown
Another aspect of keeping the Taj Mahal in darkness is related to light pollution and environmental protection. The Taj Mahal has been built in such a way that it shines naturally on moonlit nights. Artificial light not only affects the environmental cycle but also dulls the natural luster of the stone. As per the orders of the Supreme Court, every possible effort is made to keep the pollution levels low in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), and maintaining darkness at night is also an essential part of this conservation process.
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