The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has announced free entry to all ticketed monuments from August 5 to August 15 as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations marking India’s 75th Independence Day. In addition to Indians, free entry will be extended to foreign nationals. According to the Ministry of Culture, here is a list of five ASI monuments that you can visit for free in Gujarat in the coming days:
1. Rani-ki-Vav, Patan
The 11th-century Rani-ki-Vav or Queen’s stepwell, which is situated on the banks of the fabled Saraswati river in Patan in north Gujarat, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. North of Ahmedabad, by about 150 km.
2. Sun Temple, Modhera
The Sun Temple at Modhera in the Mehsana district is the oldest Solanki temple of Gujarat
3. Monuments at Champaner
With its ancient Hindu and Jain architecture, temples and special water retaining installations, the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park in Panchmahal district dates back to the 16th century
4. Buddhist caves, Junagadh
The site consists of three caves located in Junagadh district which is now connected by air through Keshod airport.
5. Ashokan rock edict, Junagadh
Emperor Ashoka’s rock edicts were engraved in the Pali language in the Brahmi script on a granite boulder near the Girnar mountains.