A video shot by a group of Polish tourists during their visit to Agra has recently gone viral, drawing strong attention on social media. The visuals show garbage piles and sewage near the Yamuna River, right behind the Taj Mahal– a monument known globally for its beauty and heritage. The tourists’ reaction to the scene, along with their commentary, has triggered widespread discussion online.Garbage near iconic site caught on cameraThe video was shared on Instagram by content creator @podroznikdowynajecia. It shows the group walking through an area filled with trash and open sewage structures located close to the rear side of the Taj Mahal. One of the tourists is seen covering her nose due to the smell, while another person in the group says in the video, “What do we have here? The real India. It stinks terribly. It stinks worse than Chennai. Here we have a carcass and a beautiful sunset bouncing off the garbage,” as mentioned in a Hindustan Times report.Watch the video here: “India is a great country,” Tourists clarifyResponding to the wave of reactions, the tourists clarified in the video caption that their intent was not to disrespect the country. According to the caption, “We would like to say that India is a great country. We would never think to hate this great part of the world. There are many clean and beautiful places. We are planning to return here again in the near future. Videos from this better side of India will be released anytime soon.”Netizens react with mixed opinionsThe video, which has gained hundreds of thousands of views, has led to mixed responses. Some viewers acknowledged the conditions around the heritage site. One user commented, “Taj Mahal is fantastic, but the surroundings… as an Indian myself, I know the condition.”Others questioned the decision to focus on neglected areas. One comment read, “I get it, some places are filthy. But why seek out filth? Why go where there are no roads? Why follow the stench?” Another user added, “Imagine having so little respect for your country, the biggest man-made attraction for it is surrounded with waste and stinks.”The video continues to circulate online, reigniting conversations about cleanliness and upkeep around major tourist destinations.Disclaimer: This article is based on a viral social media post and public comments. The Times of India does not independently verify the authenticity of the post or the claims made by users.
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