The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today released common entry-tickets for visitors to World Heritage site and protected monuments/sites at a function here organized at Vigyan Bhawan.

            With a view to facilitate visitors/tourists to buy entry tickets of ASI monuments more conveniently and without hassle, ASI releases a common entry ticket for its World Heritage sites and another one for its other ticketed monuments. A specially designed entry ticket for Taj Mahal is also being released. A visitor/tourist will be able to buy the entry tickets from any of over 250 designated outlets.  Besides the ASI offices and its ticketed monuments, the common entry tickets would also be available at the outlets of ITDC, Department of Tourism, Government of India.  Hotels, travel agents and tour operators can buy these tickets in bulk in advance for selling to their clients.

2.         The details about common entry tickets are as under :-

A.                  World Heritage site (Except Taj Mahal)

(Fatehpur Sikri, Humayun’s Tomb, Agra Fort, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho, Sun Temple at Konarak, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves, Group of Temples-Pattadakal, Group of Monuments-Hampi and Group of Monuments-Mamallapuram)

B.         Other Ticketed Monuments

C.  Taj Mahal

3.         From time immemorial, India has been known as a land of rich cultural heritage, which has withstood the test of time. Today we can find reflection of the bygone era in our monuments. The monuments signify the heritage of India, its vibrancy and richness. It is our endeavor to facilitate people from world over to get acquainted with the dynamism of Indian cultural heritage. Indian heritage sites, which are the finest gifts to world from India, have gained immense popularity amongst the travelers of the world. The challenges in promoting these sites lie both in successfully preserving and making them accessible to domestic and international travelers. The common ticketing system will make these priceless monuments and sites easily accessible to the visitors.

 4.        About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)          

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance is one of the prime mandate of the ASI. Besides, it regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.

For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains declared as of national importance, the country is divided into 5 Regions and 24 Circles. The organization has trained archaeologists, conservators, epigraphists, horticulturists, architects and scientists for conducting archaeological research conservation and day-to-day maintenance, development and other related activities through its Circles, Excavation Branches, Prehistory Branch, Epigraphy Branches, Science Branch, Horticulture Branch, Building Survey Project, Temple Survey Projects and Underwater Archaeology Wing.

The Institute of Archaeology, an adjunct of the Archaeological Survey of India, raises young professionals to take up assignments in various field of archaeology and related fields.

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AD/AK