Even the most ambitious, iron-willed traveler might find it taxing to explore India’s archaeological sites across the subcontinent all in one go. But starting today, visitors from around the world can virtually visit far-flung historical wonders such as the Ellora Caves and Kangra Fort, simply at the click of a button.
With the support of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Google is releasing new 360-degree online imagery of 76 iconic historical sites from across India. These immersive panoramas are available for viewing through the Google Cultural Institute site as well as on Google Maps. This launch brings the number of ASI locations now online to over 100, including the heritage sites that launched in February 2014 such as the Taj Mahal and Humayun's Tomb.
Safdarjung Tomb in New Delhi is now on Google Maps
We’re also bringing online several Indian arts and archival institutions onto the Google Cultural Institute for the first time ever. You can now explore new exhibits curated by Indian screenwriter and photographer Sooni Taraporevala at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi, follow the journey of the Parsis from Persia to the present day at the Parzor Foundation, and experience India’s first ever Independence Day in 1947 through the eyes of its first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, thanks to archival material from the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.
Online exhibition of India’s first Independence Day Celebrations, from the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
Don’t forget that you can curate your own collection on the Google Cultural Institute with the User Galleries function. When browsing an individual exhibit, simply click on the + sign next to the exhibit’s name. It will be added to the drawer at the bottom of the page. For more information, click here.
There’s never an adequate substitute for seeing the real thing, but we hope that by putting these sights online and making them accessible for anyone with an Internet connection, these exhibits will inspire more people to visit, and in doing so, sustain India’s glorious heritage.
Posted by Rajan Anandan, Vice President and Managing Director, Google India
