Taj Mahal is a Hindu Temple: BJP lawmaker Vinay Katiyar

"Taj Mahal is a Hindu temple. There are several symbols of Hindu gods and goddesses in the Taj. It was known as Tejo Mahal," he was quoted as saying to media.

He said: "Water used to once drip from its ceiling. That has been removed from there."

Away from recent controversies surrounding the Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said the grand Indian iconic structure was built by blood and sweat of Indian labourers.

The Chief Minister told media: "It does not matter who built it or for which reason, it was built by blood and sweat of Indian labourers."

Amid the controversy over the omission of Taj Mahal from Uttar Prdesh tourism department booklet, Yogi Adityanath is also likely to visit  Agra on Oct 25 on what is being perceived as a damage control mission.

According to reports, Adityanath is expected to visit Taj Mahal and other monuments in the city.

On Sunday,  BJP MLA Sangeet Som defended the omission of Taj Mahal as one of the tourist attractions, saying  the monument  was built by a 'traitor' who imprisoned his father and targeted Hindus.

He said the Governments at the state and Centre are  working to erase the “blot” of Akbar, Aurangzeb and Babur from history books.

“Many people were pained to see that the Taj Mahal had been removed from the list of historical places… what history… which history… the person who made Taj Mahal imprisoned his father… he targeted the Hindus of Uttar Pradesh and India… if these people still find place in history, then it is very unfortunate… and I guarantee that history will be changed,” Som said while addressing a programme at Meerut.

His comments drew criticism from various quarters, though the party later claimed that what Som had said only reflected his own views.