Exactly 446 years after it was built according to the Islamic Hijri calendar, Hyderabad’s landmark Charminar is set to become an illuminated monument. The graceful minarets of the monument are now lit up like the Indian tricolour.
“The illumination project has been carried out under National Culture Fund which functions under the Ministry of Culture. Once a corporate shows interest in a national monument and has a plan we step and help in the execution,” said an official of NCF. The façade of illumination at Hyderabad is a collaborative effort between National Culture Fund (NCF), the Indian Oil Foundation (IOF) and the Archaeological Survey of India.
Charminar used to be lit up only on special occasions but now will be lit up throughout the year, according to sources in ASI. “The lights will come as soon as it becomes dark and will be switched on till the time police allow people to stay in the area. Once police ask people to move out, the lights will be switched off,” said a source at the Archaeological Survey of India.
