Record tourists inflow in Khajuraho

Khajuraho, MP, Jan 3 (UNI) The huge inflow of 2,781,651 tourists at the 1000-year-old Chandel period monument here has set a new record.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Deputy Superintendent O D Shukla told UNI here today that this figure also included 84,887 foreign tourists, who were mesmerised by the exquisitely carved stone temples famous for its erotic sculptures.

Mr Shukla said in 1996, 2,69,905 tourists, including 70,088 foreign tourists, had visited Chhatarpur district's Khajuraho town.

Later, there was a decline and in 2002 only 1,63,000 tourists visted the stone temples.

He expected more tourists arrival in the coming years.

Surprisingly, in 2007 ASI earned Rs 2.25 crore from ticket and other charges while in 2006 it managed only Rs 1.99 crore. Keeping in view arrival of more tourists here ASI had increased the western group temples ticket charges by 14 per cent, he added. UNI XC-KV YA DS1407