Agra, Oct 4 : Scores of people who visited the Taj Mahal this Sharad Purnima returned home disappointed as they could not witness the "chamki" they were looking forward to. With the full moon hidden in an overcast sky, the white marble mausoleum failed to sparkle as the clouds kept the moon rays at bay.

On Sharad Purnima (full moon) night Saturday, clouds played hide and seek with the keen visitors. The moon appeared over the Taj Mahal only for a short while and then vanished behind the dark clouds.

More than 240 visitors to the mausoleum had bought the special entrance ticket to have a glimpse of the "chamki" (shine) at the mela when the Taj remains open for viewing till midnight.

But the visitors who kept waiting for long to have the much-vaunted glimpse were denied the pleasure. The moonlight, which on this day is the brightest, was dimmed as it fought through the clouds and lost its shine.

"The clouds were thick and dark. We did not see the chamki," Vishal, a photographer, told IANS.

"The full moon was there at its brightest, but the clouds veiled it. We purchased tickets at high prices especially to see the Taj in its full glory washed in full moon shine. We were disappointed," he said.

"The heat wave was unusual and brought in lots of dust which settled on the surface. Had it rained, the Taj would have looked fresh and white," Vishal added.

Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society president Surendra Sharma said: "Normally after the rains, the Taj looks sparkling white and when the moon rays fall on the white surface, people are thrilled to see the rare spectacle."

"Before 1985, there were no restrictions and almost the whole city - the youngsters particularly - used to turn up at the Taj on Sharad Purnima for the 'Chamki Mela'. Each marble piece sparkled when the moon rays struck its surface at a certain angle -- and people would burst into joyous ecstasy and shout 'chamki'," he added.

On Sharad Purnima, a maximum of 400 people are permitted to enter the Taj Mahal precincts. The entry tickets cost more than for normal days and have to be booked a day in advance.  (IANS)