Tag Archives: ASI

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.

Tourism & Culture Minister PS Patel recently met officials of NGMA Mumbai, ASI, Nehru Science Centre and The Asiatic Society at the Indiatourism Mumbai office, instructing them to base their promotion strategy going forward on the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ campaign of the Government of India that celebrates the diversity and unity of the nation.

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.

Ministry of Culture has constituted new ASI circles in six states. Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Tourism & Culture, announced, “In MP, Jabalpur has a new circle; for Bundelkhand (UP), Jhansi will be a separate circle and for South UP, Meerut; in Gujarat, Rajkot will be the second circle; Hampi and Delhi will be full circles; in Tamil Nadu, Trichy and in West Bengal, Raiganj will be separate circles.”

Tourism & Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel has announced that all monuments and world heritage sites across the country can reopen from July 6 after adhering to complete safety measures and relevant SOPs in place. It also means that monuments like Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Sanchi, Khajuraho and others can also reopen. Earlier the government had decided to reopen only 820 ASI-protected monuments where place of worship is available. Making the announcement on Twitter, the minister said he took the decision after consultation with the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

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.

Union Minister for Culture & Tourism (I/C), Prahlad Singh Patel announced that Culture  Ministry has approved the opening of 820 centrally protected monuments under the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) which have places of worship from 8th June 2020. Minister Patel also said that all the protocols issued by the MHA and the Health Ministry will be followed in these monuments. In its order, Culture Ministry said that ASI shall ensure that preventive measures as stipulated in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, on 4.6.2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the religious places/places of worship are effectively put in place and scrupulously followed while opening and managing these Centrally Protected Monuments. ASI shall also further ensure that it follows all other directions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India in this regard. Ministry of Culture also requested ASI to share the list of these 820 CPMs proposed to be opened on 8.6.2020 with respective States and the Districts concerned and that any state and/or district-specific orders with regard to containment and prevention of the spread of COVID- 19 are also comprehensively implemented.

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.