Archaeological Survey of India announces free entry at all monuments from August 5-15.

• The government has made a free entry for the visitors and tourists to all its protected monuments and sites across the country from 5th to 15th August.
• Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy said, the decision has been taken under the aegis of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and the 75th Independence -Day celebrations.
• The Director General of Archeological Survey of India has said that no fee will be charged at all the ticketed centrally protected monuments and Archaeological sites from 5th to 15th August this year.                                                   

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
• Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc.
• There are over 3,600 ASI-protected monuments in the country. Out of these, 116 monuments across 19 states are ticketed, including 17 in Uttar Pradesh, 16 in Maharashtra, 12 in Karnataka, 10 in Delhi, eight in Madhya Pradesh, seven in Tamil Nadu, and six in Gujarat.
• It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham-the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.