Now online images of Indian heritage sites to woo tourists

Sitting next to their desktops, people across the world will now be able to explore iconic Indian world heritage sites like the Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and Red Fort, besides other monuments. Google and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have jointly launched 360-degree panoramic imagery of 30 out of 100 “nationally-important monuments”. Apart from getting access to high resolution pictures of 30 such old monuments manifesting the aesthetic sensibilities of the erstwhile rulers, people living abroad would get vital information on these monuments which are an interesting combination of Persian and Islamic architecture. Along with high resolution pictures, the written text would explain why these monuments have become national treasures and their relevance in contemporary times. The underlying objective behind the whole exercise is to encourage prospective foreign tourists to visit the country. The project at an event organised at the historic Safdarjung Tomb here.

With the release of these new panoramic images, it is now possible for billions of people across the world to see and explore India’s magnificent heritage like the to take a walk at the Rock Cut Jain Temple, marvel at the Nagarjuna Konda Buddhist stupas and relive history at Fatehpur Sikri. The objective behind the partnership between ASI and Google is to create a dynamic, immersive online experience by which the people within country and around the world can understand the engage more of India’s diverse cultural heritage. Among the 30 monuments are Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Agha Khan Palace, Bibi ka Maqbara, Fort St George, Nagarjuna Hill, Raigad Fort.  The remaining 70 heritage sites of the country will be made online towards this year end.

The search engine giant and the Ministry of Culture had signed a memorandum at the Qutub Minar complex last October, following which the company created a “virtual walkthrough” application using its ‘Street View Trekker’ technology for the first time in India.