The Taj Mahal, now at your fingertips

City-based firm has developed a device which will give tourists a personal, audio-visual and factual tour of the monument for a nominal rent

THERE'S good news for tourists who miss having the entire and correct history of the Taj Mahal on their fingertips when they visit the iconic structure.


A combination of audio commentary and visual content will help visitors to understand the history of the monument

A city-based software firm has come up with a device called the Audio Compass which will act as a personal tour guide for tourists, allowing them to explore the monument at their own pace without having to worry that the information may be wrongu00a0 which is often the case with human tour guides.

To be made available at a nominal rent (see box), the device will cover 20 points of interest within the premises and even allow interested users to dig deeper and learn more about the monument's architecture, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, among others.

Speaking to MiD DAY, V Bakshi, retired assistant director (monuments) of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under whose tenure the proposal was passed, said, "We want tourists to get factual information on the Taj Mahal, which is one of the seven wonders of the world, and don't want them to spend a big sum of money on hiring tour guides. Keeping these factors in mind, we have decided to go hi-tech and make life easy for the tourists, who are often exploited by the tour guides."

Bakshi said that the ASI is also planning to introduce the device in other cities, "We are studying various museums and monuments across the country and will soon introduce the device there. We are waiting for the final nod from the director general of the ASI and the devices should be available by this month or latest by January."

From the maker

Explaining how the technology works, 27-year-old Gautam Shewakramani, director, Ras Maestros Technology, which made the device said, "Audio Compass guides will allow visitors to explore India's most magnificent historical monuments at their own pace and time.
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Through a combination of audio commentary and visual content, visitors will be able to better appreciate and understand the history, culture, and stories of the monuments and the country.

"The Taj's tour consists of approximately 20 points of interest within the Taj Mahal complex, marked on-site through marble signs and also on an on-screen map to assist with navigation.

For visitors interested in more detail, we have several layers of additional information, including stories about Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, and information on the design and construction of the monument to name a few."

The cost
The devices will be made available at a rent of Rs 100 for English and other foreign languages and Rs 60 for Hindi at the ASI office at the Taj. Visitors will have the option of leaving a photo ID or a cash /credit card deposit for the duration of their tour.