Hi-tech audio tourism launched in Mysore Palace

Mysuru, Nov 17: The hi-tech audio tourism has been launched in the Mysore Palace. Any foreign tourist can obtain information about the Palace without hurdles.

Mayor Ayub Khan on Saturday, Nov 15 launched the audio tourism guide arranged by Mysore Palace Board in association with the reputed Narrow Casters Pvt Ltd.

The Audio Tune or Guide, as it is called, is the first of its kind in South India. The audio guide gives details about the architectural beauty and splendour of the Palace, history of its construction, its heritage etc, in a melodious voice.

The guide also introduces the tourists to the history of Palace, collections, throne, golden howdah, ivory carvings, paintings and the architectural splendour.

The entry fee to foreign tourists which will be inclusive of this audio guide is Rs. 200 while for others it is Rs. 100.

The audio guide, which is a light weight MP -3 audio player, should be carried along for viewing the Palace. This player contains audio commentary on 21 spots inside the Palace.

Noticing the number pasted at the spot, the tourists stand and watch and can press this number on their MP-3 player, following which they can hear an audio explanation about the spot through their digital ear phone.

The audio guide has been designed by Australia-based Narrow Casters. The company"s Country Manager Christine Sharma says that every audio guide costs a minimum of Rs. 30,000.

The company has already supplied such audio guides to different historical places in the country like National Museum, Delhi, Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai, Mahendragarh Fort, Jodhpur Fort, Jaisalmir Fort, City Palace Museum, Crystal Gallery, Udaipur, Hawa Mahal, Jaipur. The guide will be launched next in Hampi, if the Archaeological Department permits, said Christine Sharma.

The audio guide is available in Kannada, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese languages. Currently there are 80 MP-3 audio players and their number would be increased, based on the demand for respective languages, Christine Sharma said.

Touchscreen kiosk

The touchscreen kiosk, which contained a brief information on Mysore Palace and tourist spots around the city was inaugura- ted on the occasion. An online ticket reservation system, which enables reservation four days in advance for Palace entry too was launched.

Fore details log on to the website www.mysorepalace.in

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