Obama cancels Taj Mahal visit: Indian media

 US President Barack Obama has cancelled plans to visit the Taj Mahal during his upcoming visit to India, local media reported on Saturday, AFP reports.

Obama was scheduled to go to India's famed monument to love with First Lady Michelle Obama on Tuesday, at the end of a three-day visit to the country.

Hundreds of cleaners had been hired to spruce up the white marbled mausoleum in preparation for their arrival.

But the Hindustan Times website cited unnamed Indian officials as saying Obama was cutting his India visit short to fly to Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah.

The Hindu website carried a similar report, quoting a government source as saying: "It's possible that he might leave India earlier."

The White House did not immediately return calls for comment on the reports.

Obama will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and become the first serving US president to be guest of honour at the Republic Day parade during his second visit to India since taking office.

Analysts say the invitation to attend Monday's Republic Day celebrations emphasises a new closeness between the world's two largest democracies.

In an interview published Friday, Obama said "the stars are aligned" to enable the United States and India to forge a global partnership.

The cancellation of the Taj Mahal visit would deprive the country's top tourist attraction of publicity at a time when the government is trying to boost visitor numbers.

Twitter users rushed to thank the president for orchestrating a clean-up of the mausoleum in the town of Agra, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved empress who died during childbirth in 1631.

"It was just Obama's clever plan to get Agra cleaned up. Thank you Obama," posted one under the name Anamika.