foot cover in Taj Mahal ???

philip007

Hi folks,

Just read on IM some info which I dont understand.

A warning about taking foot cover when going into Taj.

What does this mean ?

Many thanks for any info.

Philip

machadinha

I don't know about the Taj, but in many religious buildings, whether Hindu or Muslim or etc., you are required to take off your shoes or sandals or any footwear (as well as in most people's homes, and in many shops, btw. Note the Taj is a mausoleum btw, and not a mosque, as many seem to think -- well, there is a mosque there. Although Islamic mausoleums can well be as religious as it comes.)

Now in the heat, the floors or ground if exposed to the sun can really heat up, so it's handy to have some socks with you, which you are normally allowed to wear (I think?)

Those shoes you can normally just leave by the entrance; there may be a watchman to guard over them for a few Rupees. Some people worry about them going missing (perhaps a real concern at a major attraction like the Taj, I wouldn't know), in which case said paid facility will come in handy for your peace of mind; but I've otherwise never found it a problem to leave them outside just like that. All around will normally be respectful, and it wouldn't be a very religious thing to do to run off with someone's shoes, would it.

(It also follows that footwear which you can easily slip in & out of comes in very handy, btw. When unsure, just ask; where little English is spoken, this would normally translate to something like me pointing at my feet/shoes and asking "Problem? No problem?" or something like that, people will know what you're asking and will gladly let you know if it is or isn't a problem. It certainly does beat barging in somewhere that looks or feels remotely sacred or private with your shoes on, or so I feel.)

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NYTim

They will give you a bottle of water and plastic sleeves to put over your shoes. You do not need to wear them until you walk up to the Taj platform.

sfrausher

The foot-covers come with the foreigner's admission fee. Natives had the choice to remove their shoes instead, when I was there.

palerider

We took our sandals off and walked QUICKLY to the inside of the building. A few tourists wore the plastic bags on their feet.
It wasn't THAT hot, there were carpet things almost everywhere.
Just left of the main building, there is a square pool of water. This ISN'T for washing hot feet in!!
A guy from germany was doing this when we went, he was escorted out by some large people in uniforms.
Personally I don't think you need to cover your feet, but socks looks a lot better than the plastic bags.

You have an image to keep, surely?.

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machadinha

Should certainly think so, yes.

...

namaste_cat

My kids and I pay the foreigner fees, but don't remember ever being offered the sleeves for shoes.
In any case, I prefer to wear really thin socks in the summer rather than going barefoot or those covers.
Crazy innit that this needs to be said!? But it does. I've seen it too.

Also one time there was a group of foreign tourists who decided they'd sit on the edge with their feet immersed in the water like they were at a pool party or something. Gave the security people a WTF look when they showed up and told them to cut it out.

Kayde

That is true you get covers for your shoes at the Taj. They look like covers that doctors and nurses wear during surgery. You are entering a holy place---respect there customs!!!!

Haylo

Not only natives, anyone can remove their shoes instead of using the foot covers! The "foreigners" admission price also includes a bottle of water.

Presumably they're fed up with having to deal with stupid westerners who burn their feet and pass out through lack of water.

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Wildhorse

palerider

And God's truth, there were a couple there who were overheard by a few of us saying" you think they'd open up a drinks counter or something, it's so hot here"

I thought maybe a laundry, and a day spa, maybe a tanning salon?

You could see that in St. Pauls cathedral couldn't you?
I know!!, a roller rink!!

Boston123

That's funny !!But honestly,many Indian families also wish there were refreshment stands..perhaps some peanut vendors,gol gappa stalls, hot chai in winter!!

dzibead

I didn't get foot covers or bottled water! I want my money back! (And, no, there's not the slightest possibility that I was mistaken for a "local," notwithstanding the fact that I was wearing a rather nice salwar kameez outfit).

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Hal

Is the foot covers/shoe removal requirement for religious reasons, or to protect the marble floor? I think it may be the latter since if it was for religious reasons you wouldn't be allowed to bring your shoes in, covered or not, would you?

machadinha

That is correct yes Hal.

Like I'd indicated above, the Taj as such isn't a religious building as far as I know. Although there is a mosque on the premises; and like I said a shrine devoted to a saint may be supremely sacred indeed.

But I don't think the people buried here are saints. (Note that isn't a statement of my personal appreciation, they're simply not known as such I don't think.)

Again, I've never visited Agra, so I wouldn't know; I'd readily oblige with any requirements to show some respect though.