Page 115 - HUDCO-DA 21

Conclusion

It is a magnificent initiative by the Ministry of Culture to reuse
the 17th century ASI protected monument as a museum
with minimum and sensitive intervention. The building was
not in use since more than last 200 years. Meaningful use of
our monuments (instead of maintaining them as monuments
only) will make them sustainable in future. Visitors can
appreciate the monuments more than they could ever and
can spend an entire day experiencing, interacting and
educating themselves. Repair and conservation is not the
only answer to Heritage conservation but their reuse leads
to innovative way of Heritage conservation where people
are not alienated from the monuments but experience and
interact with the space. It is hopeful that the Man Mahal
initiative would extend to other protected monuments in
the country.

PLEDGE

You can now say with pride:
“I have been to Kashi, I have touched Banaras, I have
seen Varanasi!
Home of immortal Lord Shiva, who lives here since
beginning of infinity!
I have been to Kashi!”
And take care not to litter this city or pollute the
Ganga as cleanliness is next to Godliness. And since you
are in this sacred city, take an oath that you will also
make your own village-town-city-home as clean and pure
as the spirit of holy Varanasi.
Come ! Let us hold Ganga water in our palm and take a pledge,
“From today, I will make my heart pure, my body pious,
our rivers unpolluted, and the whole nation spotless –
to make an India that is clean, healthy and great.”
Jharokha Along the Eastern Façade of Man Mahal,
overlooking River Ganga

RAS RAS BANARAS, VIRTUAL EXPERIENTIAL MUSEUM, MANMAHAL, VARANASI

97