India's iconic monument Taj Mahal reopens after six months of closure due to COVID-19

India's iconic monument of love – the Taj Mahal, which was closed on March 17 amid the COVID-19 pandemic – reopened Monday, officials said.

The Agra Fort, another tourist attraction in the area, also reopened its doors to visitors.

"All safety guidelines issued by the health ministry will have to be followed while visiting the mausoleum and the fort, which include social distancing and sanitizing of hands," a senior official said.

As per new guidelines, only 5,000 tourists will be allowed each day at the Taj Mahal in two shifts.

"In the first shift only 2,500 tourists will be allowed and later on after 2:00 p.m. another 2,500 will be allowed," the official said.

However, at the Agra Fort, only 2,500 tourists will be allowed each day. 

Authorities have made the wearing of face masks mandatory for visiting monuments and all tickets must be purchased online.

The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO world heritage site located in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which is among the worst-affected Indian states by COVID-19, is one of the world's leading tourist attractions.

Prior to the pandemic, the Taj Mahal reportedly attracted seven million visitors each year with a large number of foreign tourists. The Agra Fort draws nearly three million visitors a year.