After a gap of 20 years, enthusiasts can now once again admire the Taj Mahal's beauty on moonlit nights, thanks to the Supreme Court, which granted permission to the Uttar Pradesh government in this regard on Thursday.

However, only 400 people will be allowed to visit between 2030 IST to 0030 IST five times a month -- the full moon night and two nights prior and two nights after it, a Bench comprising Justice Ruma Pal, Justice S B Sinha and Justice S H Kapadia said.

After being satisfied that all security arrangements had been made and a computerised ticketing system had been put in place by Archaeological Survey of India and the state government, the Bench told UP counsel Ashok Desai and ASI counsel A D N Rao that the permission was being granted initially for three months.

"We will see after that," the Bench said.

The court also place restriction.

No one will be allowed to go to the red sandstone platform without purchasing a ticket.

Everyone, including VIPs, will have to alight from their cars 500 metres away from the monument.

Battery-operated vehicles will be used to take the spectators, who will be allowed to carry nothing except still cameras and binoculars.

Also see:
UP works out Taj security plan