[1]Tourists visiting Mamallapuram can hope to get a deeper insight into the architecture, culture and history of the timeless monuments and tourist spots at this world heritage site through audio and video facilities, soon.
The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) will introduce the audio guide service at an estimated cost of Rs1.25 lakh. While this shore town with rich maritime history dating back to the period of Mahendra Varman I (600 AD) would be taken up in the first phase, the corporation will take steps to introduce similar facilities for the benefit of tourists visiting Madurai, Tiruchy and Thanjavur.
While moving the demand for grants for tourism department in April this year in Assembly, tourism minister S. Gokula Indira had announced that an audio guide service would be introduced for Mamallapuram. This would help the tourists visiting the shore town to view all the major tourist spots with audio facilities through their mobile.
Most of the monuments like rock-cut rathas, sculptured scenes on open rocks like Arjuna’s penance, the caves of Govardhanadhari and Mahishasuramardini, the Sthala-Sayana Perumal temple are attributed to the period of Narasimha Varman-I. It also houses the monolithic structures: five rathas dedicated to the five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharatam fame.
Meanwhile, the TTDC will introduce ‘mobile’ reservation facility for booking the tours and accommodation offered by it. According to sources this would help the people plan their trip in advance and book the tours through their mobiles. Besides it will augment the corporation’s income.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/mahabsjpgcropdisplayjpg-563