Viral clip shows Polish tourists gagging at trash behind Taj Mahal: 'It stinks terribly'

As of now, local authorities have not issued any statement in response to the viral video.

A video posted by a group of Polish tourists showing heaps of garbage and sewage near the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra has triggered widespread outrage online. The footage, which captures the tourists’ visible discomfort and sarcastic remarks about the conditions, has gone viral on social media, drawing criticism and reflection from viewers around the world.

The video was originally shared on Instagram by content creator @podroznikdowynajecia. It shows the group navigating through piles of rubbish and stagnant sewage near structures adjoining the Yamuna River, situated directly behind the Taj Mahal. In one clip, a female tourist is seen covering her nose and gagging at the overpowering stench.

“What do we have here? The real India. It stinks terribly. It stinks worse than Chennai. Here we have a carcass and a beautiful sunset bouncing off the garbage,” the creator says while panning across a trash-strewn landscape, contrasting it sharply with the grandeur of the monument in the background.

The post, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views, drew immediate reactions for its candid portrayal of the lesser-seen side of the popular tourist destination. Responding to accusations of insensitivity, the tourists issued a clarification in the video’s caption.

“We would like to say that India is a great country. We would never think to hate this great part of the world. There are many clean and beautiful places. We are planning to return here again in the near future. Videos from this better side of India will be released anytime soon,” they wrote.

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Online reactions to the video were mixed. Some Indian users echoed the tourists' sentiments, acknowledging the state of the surroundings. “Taj Mahal is fantastic, but the surrounding... as an Indian myself, I know the condition,” one person wrote.

Others, however, criticised the video’s intent, accusing the creators of deliberately showcasing India’s worst corners. “I get it, some places are filthy. But why seek out filth? Why go where there are no roads? Why follow the stench?” one viewer asked.

Another added, “Imagine having so little respect for your country, the biggest man-made attraction for it is surrounded with waste and stinks.”

Despite the polarised reactions, the video has reignited conversations around civic responsibility, tourism infrastructure, and the upkeep of one of India’s most treasured heritage sites. The Taj Mahal, visited by millions of domestic and international tourists each year, has long faced scrutiny over the state of the Yamuna riverfront and the cleanliness of surrounding areas.

As of now, local authorities have not issued any statement in response to the viral video.