Due to the declining value of the United States dollar, tourism officials in India have decided to reject the American currency at the site of the Taj Mahal and 120 other Indian historical sites.
The monument has refused to take dollars since November, as such any American tourist wishing to visit the white domed marble mausoleum of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal will pay over 500 Indian rupees( US$12.80 at the current exchange rate) to be allowed in and additionally receive a free bottle of water.
The decision cames as a result as part of the continuing decline of the American dollar, falling 11 percent in 2007 and now valued around 39 rupee. vTourism Minister Ambika Soni told CNN-IBN that it seemed more practical and will save more practical and will save tourists money because” the dollar was weaker against the rupee,” Soni added ” Before the dollars lost its value, there was a demand to have (admission tickets) just in rupees.’