Tag Archives: Archaeological Survey of India

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stated that Taj Mahal remains the highest revenue-generating monument in India. Despite the pandemic, resulting in travel restrictions with limited number of visitors allowed inside the monument, Taj Mahal sold tickets amounting to a total of Rs 132 crore. In 2019-2020, the total revenue received from Taj Mahal was Rs 97.5 crore. In 2021-22, it was Rs 26.61 crore. ASI noted that 24 per cent of the total revenue has been generated by the Taj Mahal alone. 

Considering the prevailing situation of COVID-19, it has been decided that all centrally protected monuments, sites and museums under, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), shall be opened from June 16, 2021, revealed Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C), Tourism & Culture in a tweet. The order in this regard also mentions that appropriate guidelines and SOPs issued by Union and State/UT Ministries/Deptt. have to be scrupulously followed while regulating the flow of visitors.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has removed the cap on number of visitors to Centrally Protected Monuments & sites. However, the total number of visitors to be allowed per day may be decided by the Superintending Archaeologist. Selling of physical tickets (where there are problems in QR code and network) and Sound & Light shows may also be resumed.

Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (I/C), Prahlad Singh Patel, in a recent virtual conversation said that there will be no need to wait longer for permission to shoot films in any of the monuments of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Patel said that filmmakers will get permission of shooting within 3 weeks after applying online on the ASI website. He further said that this announcement will not only promote the shooting of films in India, but will also increase the popularity of Indian monuments.

A NITI Aayog working group under the chairmanship of Amitabh Kant has presented an action plan for heritage management of monuments in the country. The group in its report suggested restructuring of ASI. “Considering the extended framework and mandate of ASI, it is feasible that the nomenclature should reflect more than ‘Archaeological Survey of India’ in its name,” the report said. Suggested new names include, ASHMI (Archaeological Survey and Heritage Management of India), National Heritage Board of India, HASI (Heritage and Archaeological Survey of India). It also said that each ASI heritage site should be a profit centre by generating more revenues from ticketing, souvenir shops, food and beverage outlets.

Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has requested the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to reduce the entrance fee for foreign nationals at ASI monuments, charging them the same as it would charge the nationals of SAARC countries. This, it requests, should be extended till March 31, 2022 and will help inbound tour operators reduce the package cost. The move will also help spread the message to the international travel community that India is more than willing and ready to welcome foreign tourists. The reduced fee and in turn a reduction in the package cost would enable inbound tour operators to start selling trips to India as soon as the country opens for international tourism.

Archaeological Survey of India‘s (ASI’s) Delhi circle expressed gratitude for Corona Warriors by illuminating historical sites  like Red Fort, Qutub Minar & Humayun’s Tomb in a special way on the occasion of World Heritage Day in New Delhi. The gesture was to show gratitude towards corona warriors for their selfless services to the humankind. In the evening ASI Delhi circle illuminated all the three monuments in a special way. At Red Fort, the candles (Diyas) were arranged in the shape of India’s map with a massage ‘Hum Jitenge’; at Qutub Minar. candles (Diyas) were arranged in the shape of house with a massage ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’; at Humayun’s Tomb, 41 candles were lighted in addition to the general illumination. This symbolized our fight against CORONA outbreak for which 41 days of lockdown is being observed. ASI Delhi circle also administered oath to school students through video conferencing to safeguard and respect the monuments and their heritage.

In a bid to promote India as a heritage tourism destination, MakeMyTrip has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for allowing hassle-free online booking for 116 historical monuments and sites across India. The agreement offers an online booking gateway to world heritage and well-known monuments under the protection of ASI including Taj Mahal, Red fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Khajuraho Temple, Charminar, Golconda Fort among others. This would help travel enthusiasts to plan their itinerary, with detailed information about the monument including its history and significance and other relevant details such as timings, connectivity and access, and facilities available on site. The partnership between ASI and MakeMyTrip is a collaborative effort between tourism stakeholders to effectively promote India’s rich heritage tourism. Deep Kalra, Founder & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip said, “India has so much to offer in terms of its rich cultural heritage and there is a long distance that we have to cover to showcase the best that India has to offer to the world. We are thrilled to partner with Archaeological Survey of India to help make it convenient for travellers and delight them with the ease of planning and booking their visit online to these heritage monuments. This partnership will provide world class e-ticket booking service to help travellers plan in advance and eliminate hassle of standing in long queues, saving time and effort by booking online through our platform.

As per the order issued by Archaeological Survey of India, there will be no entry inside the Red Fort for public and general visitors from the morning of August 8 to 15, 2018 till the Independence Day celebration is over.

The Ministry of Tourism has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters for development under Iconic Tourist Sites Development Project. The sites include Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Ajanta & Ellora, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Colva beach, Amer Fort, Somnath, Dholavira, Khajuraho, Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Kaziranga, Kumarakom and Mahabodhi. The Ministry shall be developing the sites with focus on issues concerning connectivity to the destination, better facilities for the tourists at the site, skill development, involvement of local community, promotion & branding and by bringing in private investment. The monuments taken up for development fall under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State Archaeology Departments. The Ministry will carry out interventions at these monuments in collaboration with the ASI and State Government, and all development plans will have elements of universal accessibility, cleanliness at the monuments, use of green technology and enhanced security for the tourists.