From gala dinner to excursion, ASI sites to host G20 delegates

New Delhi: From Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra to Qutub archaeological park in Delhi, India will showcase its centuries-old architectural heritage to G20 delegates by hosting excursions and gala dinners at many of the ASI sites, starting mid-December, official sources said.

The event lined up at a centrally-protected site, immediately after the Sherpa meet in Udaipur, is a half-day excursion for delegates to Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra from December 12-15, he said.

And, tentatively, the shortlisted monuments for delegation-level visit also includes Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Karnataka, and a gala dinner, the source said, adding, itinerary for the DecemberMarch period only is known so far.

The tentative itinerary for first 3 months of 2023 begins with visits to sites in Pune mid-January (January 16-17), followed by half-day visit to Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh (January 19-20), the sources said.

In Pune, delegates will see the stunning Aga Khan Palace, Shaniwar Wada and Shivneri Fort. G20 delegates will get to see the architectural and cultural diversity of India from all corners of the country, and from January 23-24, they will immerse themselves in heritage experience in Gujarat, they said.

“Site visits in Gujarat include Rani ki Vav in Patan, Sun Temple in Modhera, Teen Darwaaza or Tripolia Gate in Ahmedabad and Adalaj Stepwell near Gandhinagar,” the source said, adding the threemonth itinerary is tentative and there could be a few changes later.

Around January 28, half-day visit will be organised for delegates to Charminar and Golconda Fort in Hyderabad.
From January 31-February 2, they will be hosted at the famous Shore Temple of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu. In early February, halfday excursion has been planned for the delegates to Mandore Fort and Mandore Garden in Rajasthan.

From February 8-9, they will pay a visit to the grand Taj Mahal in Agra, the official said.
“Mid-February, the cultural stage will shift to Maharashtra again, with Ajanta and Ellora Caves playing the host for G20 delegates from February 13-14. A gala dinner will be hosted in the lawns of the premises with the caves in the backdrop,” he said.

Around February 13- 15, many delegates will also visit Lucknow to see the famed Imambara and the Residency.
“Later that month, an excursion for them will take place in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh from February 23-25, and a gala dinner has been planned there too,” the official said.

In March, the focus will shift to Delhi and an excursion will be hosted at Qutub archaeological park, tentatively from March 1-2, the sources said.

A gala dinner has also been planned at Mandu Fort in Madhya Pradesh and visits to Dholavira, and again a visit to Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Karnataka, they said. (PTI)