Hyderabad, May 26 -- Falling in sync with the rest of the country, the Charminar and Golconda Fort are now open for visitors from 6 a.m. everyday. Earlier, the monuments, which are managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), used to open at 9 a.m.

The ASI was however allowing visitors to enter the Golconda Fort at 7 a.m. after the COVID-19 pandemic for a year or two, but eventually discontinued the practice. It may be noted that all ASI managed sites across India always open with sunrise. Even the Taj Mahal in Agra follows similar timings and is open for people to visit at the beginning of dawn, which helps ease the rush.

An ASI official, who did not want to be quoted, said that visitors to the Charminar are only allowed to be ...