The Government has informed Parliament that 143 centrally protected monuments across the country currently charge entry fees under the management of the Archaeological Survey of India. The information was shared by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
These ticketed monuments are spread across multiple states and union territories and include some of the country’s most prominent heritage sites such as Taj Mahal, Qutb Minar, Red Fort, Humayun Tomb, Sun Temple Konark, Charminar, Golconda Fort, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves and the Group of Monuments at Hampi. Detailed records of visitor footfall and revenue generated from these monuments have been maintained for the period from the financial year 2014–2015 to 2024–2025.
The data indicates that these monuments continue to attract millions of visitors every year, making them an important source of revenue that supports conservation, maintenance, visitor management and infrastructure development at protected heritage sites administered by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Among all ticketed monuments, Taj Mahal in Agra remains the most significant contributor in terms of both footfall and revenue. In the financial year 2024–2025, the monument recorded a footfall of 6,960,665 visitors and generated revenue of ₹997,714,275. In the financial year 2023–2024, it recorded 6,780,215 visitors generating ₹985,527,533, while in 2022–2023 the monument received 5,449,612 visitors generating ₹665,692,555.
Several major monuments in Delhi also recorded high visitor numbers and revenue generation. Qutb Minar recorded 3,439,575 visitors in the financial year 2024–2025, generating revenue of ₹250,598,865. Red Fort received 2,963,710 visitors during the same year and generated ₹175,369,076 in revenue. Humayun Tomb recorded a footfall of 1,163,649 visitors generating ₹128,067,570.
Important heritage monuments outside the national capital also reported strong visitor inflows. Sun Temple Konark in Odisha recorded 3,576,348 visitors in the financial year 2024–2025, generating ₹142,353,455. Golconda Fort in Telangana recorded 1,579,483 visitors generating ₹70,740,850, while Charminar in Hyderabad recorded 1,353,065 visitors generating ₹34,850,850 during the same financial year.
Historic cave complexes remain among the most popular destinations for domestic and international tourists. Ellora Caves in Maharashtra recorded 1,760,583 visitors in 2024–2025 and generated ₹79,178,950. Ajanta Caves recorded 462,920 visitors with revenue of ₹26,000,960, while Elephanta Caves near Mumbai recorded 544,864 visitors generating ₹35,067,625.
Several heritage clusters in Karnataka also continue to attract large numbers of tourists. The Group of Monuments at Hampi recorded a footfall of 1,008,721 visitors in the financial year 2024–2025 generating ₹50,954,195. Pattadakal monuments recorded 324,615 visitors generating ₹12,759,875 in the same financial year.
Historic monuments in Madhya Pradesh also recorded notable tourist inflows. The Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho recorded 561,553 visitors in 2024–2025 generating ₹38,360,075. Buddhist monuments at Sanchi recorded 315,532 visitors generating ₹14,095,320, while Gwalior Fort recorded 328,309 visitors generating ₹9,940,945.
In Uttar Pradesh, apart from the Taj Mahal, several other heritage monuments recorded significant visitor numbers. Agra Fort recorded 1,786,883 visitors in 2024–2025 generating ₹188,433,195. Fatehpur Sikri recorded 384,599 visitors generating ₹61,891,280, while Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb also continued to attract visitors during the same financial year.
The government noted that complete visitor footfall data for the financial year 2014–2015 is not fully available because the online ticketing system had not yet been introduced at that time. For that period, only revenue figures were maintained in official records.
Revenue generated from ticketed monuments plays an important role in supporting the conservation and preservation of India’s cultural heritage. Funds are utilised for maintaining monuments, improving visitor facilities, strengthening security arrangements and ensuring sustainable management of heritage sites across the country.
The Archaeological Survey of India continues to manage these monuments as part of its mandate to protect and preserve India’s historical and cultural legacy while facilitating public access and tourism.
