Sharp surge of tourists in Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, and many more
Sharp surge of tourists in Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, and many more
Sharp surge of tourists in Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, and many more
By: Pune Pulse
December 9, 2023
Pune: According to an official from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the number of tourists visiting Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar has exceeded 50 lakhs between March 1 and November 30 this year.
This is a significant increase from the 2.2 million visitors during the same period last year. Among the five renowned sites, the Ellora Caves have been the most popular choice among tourists.
The ASI has released the visitor statistics for popular tourist attractions, including the Aurangabad Caves, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, and Daulatabad Fort. These figures cover the period from March 1 to November 30 in both 2022 and 2023.
According to the ASI official, the total number of tourists who visited these five monuments from March 1 to November 30 in 2022 was 2,200,107. However, this year, during the same period, the number significantly increased to 5,050,071.
Additionally, the official mentioned that the figures for foreign tourists visiting these monuments also saw a notable rise, from 10,133 last year to 35,618 this year within the March 1 to November 30 timeframe.
The Ellora Caves have continued to be a popular destination for visitors, as evidenced by the significant increase in domestic tourist footfall. In the span of nine months, the number of domestic tourists has risen from 8.64 lakh last year to an impressive 24.22 lakh this year. Similarly, the number of foreign tourists has also seen substantial growth, with figures rising from 4051 last year to 18,669 this year.
According to the ASI data, the number of domestic tourists visiting Aurangabad Caves decreased from 80,492 last year to 78,560 this year during the period from March to November. However, there was an increase in foreign tourist arrivals from 282 to 616.
In 2022, the footfall at ASI-protected monuments in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar was as follows:
Aurangabad Caves: 80,492 domestic visitors and 282 foreign visitors.
Bibi Ka Maqbara: 724,241 domestic visitors and 2,006 foreign visitors.
Ellora Caves: 864,294 domestic visitors and 4,051 foreign visitors.
Ajanta Caves: 231,979 domestic visitors and 2,901 foreign visitors.
Daulatabad Fort: 299,101 domestic visitors and 893 foreign visitors.
During the same time period in 2023, the number of domestic visitors to Aurangabad Caves was 78,560, while the number of foreign visitors was 616. Bibi Ka Maqbara received 1,936,029 domestic visitors and 8,321 foreign visitors. The Ellora Caves welcomed 2,422,492 domestic visitors and 18,669 foreign visitors. Ajanta Caves had 273,520 domestic visitors and 6,278 foreign visitors. Lastly, the Daulatabad Fort had 339,470 domestic visitors and 1,734 foreign visitors.
