Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: The famed 11-century Rajarani Temple in Odisha capital will now remain open from sunrise till 9 pm in the night, declared Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel today.

Talking to media persons, the union minister announced that opening hours of 10 historical monuments across the country have been extended for tourists.

In the first phase, Dulhadeo Temple (Khajurao, Madhya Pradesh), Sheikh Chilli Tomb (Thanesar, Haryana), Safdarjung Tomb (Delhi), Humayun's Tomb (Delhi), Group of Monuments (Pattadakkal, Karnataka), Gol Gumbaz (Vijayapura, Karnataka), Group of Temples (Markanda, Maharashtra), Man Mahal (Vaidhshala, Uttar Pradesh) and Rani-ki-Vav (Patan, Gujarat), have been included in the list of iconic monuments to have long opening hours.

These monuments currently are open to public between 9 am and 5:30 pm. This decision has been made for the benefit of general public who can visit and appreciate the beauty of such historical sites for long hours, the minister added.