Visit Taj Mahal and Many Other Monuments for Free This World Tourism Day

India is celebrating the World Tourism Day with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. From free entry to about 200 ticketed monuments and museums, to cycle heritage tours – it is going to be a busy day. Here’s more. 

It’s World Tourism Day on September 27, and India has planned a delightful treat for all travel enthusiasts, heritage lovers, and history buffs in the country. While many different events have been organised at various places, the highlight of the day will be for those who are visiting the country’s monuments and museums.

As a part of the day’s celebration on Sunday, people will get free entry into Taj Mahal and about 200 other ticketed monuments and museums across India.

Photo Credit: Nathan Jones/Flickr

The United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day since 1980. The day is celebrated with the aim of raising awareness about the impact that tourism has on countries and communities around the world, and it is celebrated with a different themes every year.

This year’s theme is “One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities”.

“Every time we travel, for whatever reason, we are part of a global movement; a movement that has the power to drive inclusive development, create jobs and build the sustainable societies we want for our future; a movement that builds mutual understanding and can help us safeguard our shared natural and cultural heritage,” says the United Nations website.

Some of the monuments with free entry include:

• Taj Mahal
• Agra Fort
• Vitthala Temple, Hampi
• Western Group of Monuments in Khajuraho
• Buddhist Monuments, Sanchi
• Golconda Fort
• Charminar
• Hyderabad Fort
• Site of Mauryan Palace, Kumrahar
• Shershah Suri’s Tomb at Sasaram
• Excavated site of Vikramshila, Antichak
• Excavated Site of Nalanda
• Ancient remains at Vaishali

Other than these, entry to 35 site museums, and all other museums that fall under the control of the culture ministry, like the National Museum and the Salar Jung Museum, will also be free.

This proposal was cleared by Culture Minister, Mahesh Sharma.

The national capital is also gearing up for celebrations, with events planned for the entire day. Tourists arriving at Delhi airport on Sunday will be surprised with a ceremonial Indian welcome, complete with garlands and tilaks. The day will also be marked by a 7km cycle rally with nearly 200 bicycles, and the participants will include ministers and bureaucrats as well.

“The day will be marked with the inauguration of a 7-km long cycle tour covering Mehrauli Heritage Zone by Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra. The tour will offer an opportunity to discover the facets of Delhi’s Heritage on cycles,” Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) said in a statement.

Additionally, if you are visiting Dilli Haat in INA on Sunday, you will be welcomed with free entry and a WiFi connection.

Photo Credit: Vikram Aiyappa/Flickr

DTTDC is launching WiFi service at Dilli Haat in INA, which will be free for the first 20 minutes of use, and will be followed by an hourly charge of about Rs. 15. The entry at all three Dilli Haats and Garden of Five Senses will be also free on the day. Delhi Tourism has planned complimentary sight-seeing tours for the visually impaired and differently-abled students too, which will be accompanied by activities like musical performances by the bands of police and paramilitary forces at Dilli Haats.

Happy World Tourism Day!

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