“Qutub Minar is one of the biggest examples of our culture, that a monument which was built after demolishing 27 of our temples is celebrated as World Heritage, even after Independence,” said Union Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, while inaugurating the illumination of the monument in Delhi on Saturday evening.
Talking about temples said to be demolished by Mughals before they built Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, Patel said, “Even as the Yogmaya Temple existed at the time the ASI took over the Qutub complex, one wonders why the particular temple wasn’t handed over to the conservation agency; maybe because it was a place of daily worship.”
Patel added that recently, South Delhi BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, also present at the occasion, had requested his Ministry to start e-rickshaw services between Qutub Minar and the temple for visitors, and that his ministry will consider the proposal.
Qutub Minar joins a group of heritage structures in Delhi — including Safdarjung Tomb, Red Fort and Purana Qila — that have been illuminated to encourage night-time tourism.
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