Binay Singh
VARANASI: Now, the tourists and general public will have longer time to spend and see the Man Mahal Vaidhshal (Observatory), an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monument. Till now the visiting time was from sunrise to sunset.
The union cultural ministry has increased the opening hours of 10 historical monuments across the country including the Man Mahal Observatory in Varanasi in the first phase for general public. The culture minister (independent charge) Prahlad Singh Patel made announcement in this regard in New Delhi on Monday.
The other monuments are Rajarani Temple Complex in Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Dulhadeo Temple, Khajurao, Chattarpur (Madhya Pradesh), Sheikh Chilli Tomb, Thanesar, Kurukshetra (Haryana), Safdarjung Tomb (Delhi), Humayun’s Tomb (Delhi), Group of Monuments at Pattadakkal, Bhagalkot (Karnataka), Gol Gumbaz, Vijayapura (Karnataka), Group of Temples, Markanda, Chamursi Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), and Rani-ki-Vav, Patan (Gujarat). These monuments will remain open from sunrise to 9pm for general public. Earlier, these monuments were open from 9am to 5.30pm. In later course the opening hours of some other historical monuments would also be increased.
The Observatory is located on the terrace of Man Mahal, a magnificent building constructed by Raja Man Singh in 1600 AD. The observatory was added on its terrace by Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1734.
Man Mahal also has a new introduction -Virtual Experiential Museum (VEM), which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 19. The VEM showcases various cultural aspects of Varanasi through the digital medium. There is a laser light show about the mythology and origin of the river Ganga.
