The viral video of Vidushi Lakshmi singing songs at the Taj Mahal has raised serious questions about site security and the spread of communal narratives
AGRA – Security concerns have emerged at the Taj Mahal after a video surfaced showing Hindu storyteller Vidushi Lakshmi performing songs from the Shiva Tandava at the iconic monument. In the video, Lakshmi refers to the monument of love built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan as the Tejomahalaya Temple, reigniting long-standing claims promoted by right-wing groups.
The Taj Mahal, one of the world’s seven wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been at the centre of a decades-long narrative propagated by some organisations that it was originally a Hindu temple known as Tejomahalaya, demolished by the Mughals to build the mausoleum.
In the viral video, Lakshmi, described as a minor narrator, claims that the Taj Mahal is “not really the Taj Mahal but the Tejomahalaya Temple.” She recites songs praising Lord Shiva and speaks about her visit as a spiritual blessing. She also mentions the forthcoming film Taj, starring Paresh Rawal, which she claims will reveal the “truth” about the monument.
“This is my first visit to the Tejomahalaya Temple. It is a blessing from Lord Shiva,” Lakshmi says in the video, before performing the Shiva Tandava Stotram.
The film she references, The Taj Story, was set for release on October 31st. However, the movie has faced legal challenges in the high court and has not yet been released. Observers note parallels with films like The Kerala Story, suggesting it may be intended to reinforce communal narratives promoted by certain ideological groups over recent years.
The date of the video is unclear, but indications suggest it was recorded recently, coinciding with Lakshmi’s reference to the upcoming film.
The viral nature of the video has prompted public debate over how the storyteller was able to bypass security at a monument heavily guarded by police and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
“If this is genuine, it raises serious questions about the effectiveness of security at a world heritage site,” said Ravi Kumar, a historian based in Agra. “Unauthorised entry and religious performances could encourage communal tensions and compromise heritage protection.”
Social media users have speculated whether authorities were aware of her presence or whether lapses allowed her entry. As of now, no official statement has been issued by the Agra Police or the ASI.
Some viewers question the authenticity of the video itself. “It may be fake,” said one online commentator. “But even if it isn’t, how did a minor get past security to perform a ritual at such a protected site?”
Reactions to the video have been mixed. While some right-wing supporters praised the performance as reclaiming cultural heritage, others criticised it as disrespectful to India’s secular values and the monument’s historical significance.
“The Taj Mahal is a symbol of India and love, not a site for political or religious agendas,” said Anjali Sharma, a citizen and heritage activist. “Such acts, whether real or staged, risk communalising our heritage and damaging the country’s image.”
The viral video of Vidushi Lakshmi performing Shiva Tandava at the Taj Mahal has highlighted both security vulnerabilities and the persistence of contested historical narratives in India. Authorities face pressure to clarify how such incidents occur and to safeguard heritage sites from similar disruptions in the future.
Until an official statement is issued, questions linger about the monument’s protection and the implications of allowing unauthorised religious or ideological performances in one of India’s most treasured landmarks.
