Man enters Taj Mahal's restricted area, shares video of Shah Jahan, Mumtaz's tombs. Watch

The Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, is not just a tourist magnet but also a top revenue generator for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). (Right) Shah Jahan's tomb in the inner chamber of the monument. (Image credit: AFP, Dinbhar Bharat/Instagram)

A video showing the exclusive inner chamber of the Taj Mahal, including the actual tombs of mughal emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, has gone viral online, raising serious questions about monument security and public access.

The clip, posted by a popular social media account on Instagram, reveals the secretive pathway leading to the tombs, which have long been closed to the general public to preserve the sanctity and structural integrity of the 17th-century mausoleum. The footage has attracted thousands of views and a flood of comments, with many users expressing disbelief over how the individual gained access to the restricted zone.

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A post shared by Dinbhar bharat (@dinbhar_bharat_)

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“I visited Taj Mahal around 1994-95 and this area was open to the public at that time,” wrote Instagram user Dipika PS (@lifewithdipika06). Another user, Twinkle Sawant (@twinkle_savant), echoed, “I have seen this too back in the day.” But for years now, the inner sanctum housing the real tombs has been off-limits, with visitors only allowed to view the cenotaphs—the symbolic replicas placed above the actual graves.

Viral clip raises eyebrows
The video’s circulation has, however, sparked concern among heritage experts and officials, who fear that such breaches could compromise the monument’s preservation. While the identity of the person behind the video remains unclear, the incident has reignited debate over tourism ethics, digital boundaries, and the balance between access and conservation. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

A monument under watch
The Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, is not just a tourist magnet but also a top revenue generator for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), earning Rs 297 crore in ticket sales over five years, according to government data. In FY23-24 alone, it outperformed Delhi’s Qutub Minar and Red Fort by a wide margin.

To counter growing security concerns, authorities recently announced the installation of an anti-drone system at the monument. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Taj Security) Syed Arib Ahmad confirmed that the system will jam drone signals within a 200-meter radius of the main dome, adding a new layer of protection to the site already guarded by the CISF and Uttar Pradesh Police.