Monuments

Plea in Supreme Court seeks 'Ram Sethu' be declared as national monument

A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking that the Ram Sethu be declared as a national monument. The PIL, filed by advocate Ashok Pandey, also seeks construction of a wall at the spot to facilitate devotees. On March 20, the top court had said that it will list at the earliest a petition by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking a direction to the Centre to declare the Ram Sethu as a national heritage monument. Ram Sethu, also known as Adam's bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. Swamy had raised the issue of declaring the Ram Sethu a national monument in his PIL against the controversial Sethusamudram Ship Channel project, initiated by the UPA-I government. The matter reached the apex court, which in 2007 stayed work for the project on the Ram Sethu. The Centre later said it had considered the "socio-economic disadvantages" of the project and was

Withering legacies: A curious tale of India's 'missing' monuments

The CAG inspection could cover only 1,655 monuments on the protected list at the time

Revamped Monument Mitra scheme to be launched soon: Union Culture Secy

The government will soon launch a revamped version of the Monument Mitra scheme under which the Culture Ministry will seek partnerships with private industries for the upkeep of 1,000 ASI monuments and hold light and sound shows among other activities, a top official said Wednesday. Interacting with reporters here, Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan also said, "Our target is to have MoUs signed with partners for 500 sites under the revamped Monument Mitra scheme by August 15 when the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav ends." The Monument Mitra scheme was launched a few years ago under the Ministry of Tourism which entails adopting a site for upkeep and other related activities. The Monument Mitra scheme was transferred from the Ministry of Tourism to the Ministry of Culture a few months ago, Mohan said. The revamped Monument Mitra scheme, along with its website will be launched soon, he said, adding, the scheme will be based on corporate social responsibility (CSR). The website will have t

'Qutub Minar most visited tourist destination for foreigners in April-June'

The Qutub Minar was the most visited destination for foreign visitors between April and June, according to an RTI reply. The historic Red Fort was the second most visited destination for foreign visitors followed by Humayun's Tomb during the same period, the reply said. An analysis of data shows that 15,51,975 Indians visited tourist places between April and June. The number of foreign visitors stood at 21,580. Qutub Minar, a UNSECO-recognised world heritage site in Delhi, received 3,81,249 Indian visitors and 9,063 foreign tourists between April and June, according to data shared by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Delhi Circle. The maximum number of foreign tourists visited the monument in April. The Mughal-era Red Fort was visited by 5,696 foreign tourists during the three-month period. It received the highest number of domestic visitors at 8,13,434, more than twice the number at Qutub Minar. Humayun's Tomb received 5,139 foreign tourists. The Red Fort and Qutub Mina

Bhumi Pujan performed at Konark Sun Temple to clear sand from 'garbhagriha'

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) performed Bhumi Pujan (ground breaking ceremony) rituals to remove sand from the 'garbhagriha' (sanctum sanatorium) of the Sun temple in Odisha's Konark

All 23 AIIMS to be named after local heroes, monuments: Report

The government has firmed up a proposal to give specific names to all the AIIMS, including that in Delhi, based on regional heroes, freedom fighters, historical events or monuments of the area or their distinct geographical identity. Majority of the 23 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have submitted a list of names, after the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare sought suggestions from them in this matter, official sources told PTI. AIIMS, many of which are operational while others being set up under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), are known by its generic name and distinguished only by their location, an official explained. "So, the Union health ministry has drafted a proposal to give specific names to all the 23 AIIMS, which include those fully functional, partially operational or under construction," the source said. In this regard, suggestions were sought for assigning specific names to different AIIMS, which could be linked to local o

From Qutub Minar to Charminar, ASI monuments lit up in 'Tiranga' theme

From Sher Shah Suri's Tomb in Bihar to Qutub Minar in Delhi, a large number of ASI monuments across India have been lit up in tri-colour theme

'Royal family member' claims Qutub Minar, twist in temple restoration plea

In the plea, it was contended that the applicant belongs to the Beswan Family and heir of Raja Rohini Raman Dhawaj Prasad Singh and descendants of Raja Nand Ram who had died in 1695

ASI opposes restoring deities at Qutub Minar, says not a place of worship

It said that revival of worship was not allowed wherever it was not practiced at the time of protection of a monument

Statue of Equality embodies tenets of medieval saint Ramanuja: Panel member

In a Q&A, Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Devanadha Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamy dwells on the essence of the monument and what it means to the country's cultural landscape

Grab a slice of history and folklore exploring India's historical monuments

While tour operators are offering attractive deals, corporations are doing their bit with sound and light shows, maintenance, tech and other tourist-friendly moves to offer a bigger bang for your buck

Red Fort to be shut for public from July 21 to Independence Day: ASI

The Red Fort will be shut for the public from July 21 to August 15 till the Independence Day celebrations are over, according to an order from the Archaeological Society of India.

Monuments reopen, but people not too keen to visit iconic sites

The iconic Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh's Agra still held on to the top spot in the list of monuments with most footfall with 1,919 visitors, including 67 children, on June 16, the day of reopening

Taj Mahal, other centrally protected ASI monuments to reopen from June 16

These monuments have remained closed for around two months due to the Covid pandemic

Second Covid-19 wave: ASI monuments closed for visitors till May 15

All centrally protected monuments, museums and sites under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have been closed with immediate effect till May 15 due to the surge in coronavirus cases in the country, the Union culture ministry said on Thursday. An order to this effect was issued by the ASI and it was tweeted by Culture Minister Prahlad Patel this evening. "Due to the prevailing COVID situation, it has been decided to close all centrally protected monuments, sites and museums under the ASI with immediate effect and till May 15 or until further orders," the ASI said. These include 3,693 monuments and 50 museums. In live monuments like Puri Jagannath Temple and Somnath Temple, daily 'puja' will be conducted but no public gathering will be allowed, said Nitin Tripathi, the ministry's media advisor. Last year, too, all monuments and sites maintained by the ASI were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic on March 17. They reopened in July with strict restrictions like mandatory wea

United Kingdom sets out new laws to protect historic statues, monuments

UK unveiled new laws to protect England's cultural and historic heritage in the form of statues and monuments

Trump signs executive order to protect monuments, statues from vandalism

US President Donald Trump said he had signed a "very strong" executive order aimed at protecting the country's monuments and statues from vandalism

India's vast history an immense attraction for tourism sector: Anil Agarwal

Referring to tourist attractions such as monuments and museums, he said, "These are run by the government. It is the time to think how can we make them independent, how we can make them free".

Conservation must improve lives: Ratish Nanda of Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Conservation of a monument cannot be limited to the monument itself, says Nanda

Feeling the pinch

Don't devalue Indian monuments by charging a pittance to visit them