Arnold's dream of visiting Taj Mahal dashed

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

comments

Join our Whatsapp Channel

Add Dawn as a trusted source

Arnold Schwarzenegger rides in a golf cart as he visits the area near the historic Taj Mahal, in Agra.—AP

NEW DELHI: Arnold Schwarzenegger's dream of visiting the Taj Mahal has been dashed.

The former California governor traveled to the Indian city of Agra on Friday, the one day each week the monument is closed to tourists because of Muslim prayers at a nearby mosque.

His tour guide Nitin Singh said the movie star was disappointed and had to view the Taj Mahal from a nearby road.

Schwarzenegger took pictures with his cellphone and posed for photos with the Taj as the backdrop.

He is in India for an environmental conference.

He told a TV channel he would consider acting in Bollywood if offered an interesting script with a good director.

''I'll be back,'' he told the cheering studio audience.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Satyendra

Feb 03, 2012 06:39pm

Sorry Arnold!! Better luck next time.. Check Taj Mahal's Calendar and plan your trip next time :)

Recommend 0

Zia R Qureshi

Feb 03, 2012 07:41pm

awww...everyone knows for a fact that "you will be back". Besides this, of course prayers are more important then your visit as its not Califorinia... You are most welcome to visit Taj Mahal next time and we would do a poll to understand if Bollywood fans would like to see you in movies and then decide. Best Wishes.... Zi@

Recommend 0

JAMIL

Feb 03, 2012 08:41pm

Prayer prayers finish in 30 min. , why he did nt wait

Recommend 0

Pro Bono Publico

Feb 03, 2012 09:38pm

Mr Body should sue the tour operator for not telling him about the closure day.

Recommend 0

Feb 03, 2012 11:29pm

Good to know authorities didn't change rules to appease a celebrity! Take note Pakistani authorities who shamed themselves at Angelina Jolie's visit when it was purely humanitarian. Good to know India is progressing. I hope our country also follows suit and get rid of the current useless and corrupt govt.

Recommend 0

TKhan

Feb 04, 2012 05:01am

What Taj Mahal got to do with the Muslim prayers? Taj Mahal is not a Masjid? Or is it? Seriously.

Recommend 0

Vikas Ravindran

Feb 04, 2012 06:09am

Nice tour guide...:D

Recommend 0

Javed Aslam

Feb 04, 2012 01:05pm

Arnold's tour guide should have known that the Taj which is an Islamic structure situated next to a mosque would be closed on a Friday, a holy day for Muslims.

Recommend 0

Malay

Feb 04, 2012 05:02pm

On Friday Muslims do not leave any open space and unfortunately there is a mosque in the Taj complex.

Recommend 0

rajnicant

Feb 04, 2012 05:40pm

I suppose Friday is also the day when cleaning and grounds maintenance work goes on at the Taj.

Recommend 0

Rahat

Feb 05, 2012 03:59am

Who cares!!

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.