Going to the Taj? This is all you can carry

WATCH YOUR STUFF: Only five items are allowed inside the Taj Mahal.

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Keywords: Agra, Carry

Agra: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has asked hotels in the city of the Taj to circulate a list of things that tourists are allowed to carry to the Mughal era monument so that their guests are not inconvenienced, an official said Monday.

Only five items - water in transparent bottles, small video camera, still camera, switched off mobile phone and small ladies purse - are allowed inside the Taj Mahal.

However, since there are no advance instructions most tourists turn up with things like books, newspapers, match boxes, bags, eatables and liquor bottles.

"When they are searched they are told to deposit these items in the cloak room which is too small. A lot of time is wasted and tourists feels irritated and angry," CISF commandant R.K. Singh told IANS.

He said hotels in the city were Sunday sent a request to circulate a list of dos and don'ts for tourists and to advise them to take to the monument only the things that are permitted.

"If the tourists are told beforehand what they should be carrying with them, it would be helpful both for them and the security personnel at the gates who have to be extra cautious while frisking and searching," Singh said.