Centre’s Stats Prove Konark Deserves Iconic Tourist Destination Tag; Know Why

New Delhi: The Tourism Ministry may have committed a cardinal mistake by omitting the Sun Temple in Konark from the list of 17 most iconic tourist sites in the country for their comprehensive development.

For, the statistics shared by the Ministry in Parliament on July 8 to an unstarred question reveal that the Sun Temple was the fifth most visited monument in the country during the financial year 2018-19 .

The world heritage site attracted 24,66,849 visitors in 2018-19. During this period, revenue generated from ticket sales was Rs 9.36 crore. Agra Fort attracted 30,000 more visitors than the Sun Temple, snatching away the fourth place by a whisker.

The omission of this architectural wonder has caused much consternation in Odisha with leaders across the political spectrum demanding the inclusion of Konark Temple and Jagannath Temple in the list of iconic sites. Most recently, all BJP MPs from Odisha have requested the Tourism Ministry to include these two places of architectural and spiritual importance.

Here’s the list of 10 most visited historical monuments in the country in 2018-19: 

1. Taj Mahal – 68.85 lakh visitors

2. Red Fort, Delhi – 35.56 lakh visitors

3. Qutab Minar, Delhi – 29.79 lakh visitors

4. Agra Fort, Agra – 24.97 lakh visitors

5. Sun Temple, Konark – 24.66 lakh visitors

6. Golkonda Fort, Hyderabad – 18.64 lakh visitors

7. Elora Caves, Aurangabad – 13.48 lakh visitors

8. The Charminar, Hyderabad – 12.58 lakh visitors

9. Shaniwarwada, Pune – 12.57 lakh visitors

10. Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad – 12.18 lakh visitors