Tourists visiting the world heritage monument Taj Mahal at Agra on the Valentine’s Day on Saturday were surprised to witness a sand-sculpted black Taj Mahal by internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik near the original structure. The black Taj Mahal at the Taj Nature Walk, 500 metres from the original monument, was built with 18 trucks of sand of the Yamuna river. Sudarshan and his team took four days to complete the project, sources said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his wife unveiled the model and also felicitated Patnaik on the occasion. According to historical records, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan wanted to build a black replica of the Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna to house his tomb but it was not materialised. Patnaik was specially invited by the Uttar Pradesh Government for the purpose, said sources.