No Entry Fee to Centrally Protected Monuments on April 18

New Delhi. On World Heritage Day, which falls on Thursday, no entry fee will be charged at centrally protected monuments. While access to the Taj Mahal will remain free, visitors wishing to enter the main mausoleum will incur charges.

Raj Kumar Patel, the Superintending Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India’s Agra Circle, issued a directive permitting complimentary entry to monuments safeguarded by the ASI. Agra boasts three UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites: Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, and Fatehpur Sikri, located 40 km from the city.

“All monuments where entry is ticketed, will have free entry on World Heritage Day on Thursday. Because of hot weather, no major event is being organised this time and a short duration programme will be organised at Sikandra Tomb on the Agra-Delhi highway on Thursday,” said Agra ASI chief, RK Patel.

As part of the event organized by the ASI to commemorate World Heritage Day, special children from the Tears institution will have the opportunity to visit the monument.

Visitors interested in visiting the main mausoleum at the Taj Mahal will be required to purchase a special ticket priced at ₹200. This area houses the tombs of Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.