Lucknow: Visitors to religious and historical sites across Uttar Pradesh will increasingly be able to learn about the history, archaeological significance and religious traditions of the places they visit without having to rely solely on local guides or residents.
The state government has begun installing information inscriptions equipped with barcodes at religious and heritage sites. Visitors and devotees can scan the codes using a smartphone to access key information about the respective site, including its historical background, archaeological importance and religious significance.
Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said the initiative was aimed at providing visitors with concise and authentic information about sites of religious, historical and archaeological importance.
He said the inscriptions would carry essential details about the heritage and religious traditions associated with each location. The initiative is also intended to transform religious sites into more informative tourism destinations rather than merely identifying their historical or religious significance.
Under projects sanctioned during the 2025-26 financial year, a total of 575 projects have been approved with provisions for such information inscriptions and barcode facilities. According to the minister, the work has already been completed at 14 faith-based sites, while installations at other locations are being taken forward through the agencies responsible for executing the projects.
Sites Already Covered
Among the prominent locations where inscription and barcode installation has been completed are Nardanand Rishi Ashram in Mainpuri, Samour Babadham in Firozabad, Vankhandeshwar Temple in Ukhrand, Chyavan Rishi Ashram in Mainpuri, Radhakrishnan Temple in Firozabad, Kalyani Mata Temple in Prayagraj, Shri Durvasa Ashram in Prayagraj, Shoolkanteshwar Mahadev Temple in Prayagraj and Shri Dashashwamedh Temple in Prayagraj.
The facility has also been completed at Pagalanand Ashram in Prayagraj, Kamnhia Baba Temple in Ayodhya, the Ancient Shivala Temple in Ayodhya, the Ancient Jwaladevi Temple at Suchitaganj-Sohawal in Ayodhya and Gahanag Baba Temple in Ayodhya.
The barcode-based system is expected to be particularly useful at smaller and lesser-known religious and heritage locations whose local historical or cultural significance may not be widely known outside their immediate areas.
By scanning the code installed at a site, visitors can access information about its origins, heritage value and associated religious traditions. Officials believe the initiative could also make visits more informative for younger generations and help connect them with the state’s cultural and religious heritage.
The government expects the digital information system to improve the visitor experience while supporting the growth of religious and heritage tourism in Uttar Pradesh.
As more of the 575 approved projects are completed, additional religious and historical sites are expected to receive barcode-enabled inscriptions, gradually creating a wider digital information network around the state’s diverse cultural and spiritual heritage.
