Delhi’s Heritage at My Fingertips gallery makes monuments tactile

Visitors to Delhi’s ‘Heritage at My Fingertips’ gallery can trace the tapering form and architectural details of the Qutub Minar through a tactile replica.

Developed by Saksham with the Ministry of Culture and National Museum, the gallery brings together 41 tactile 3D and 2D replicas of monuments and heritage structures. Braille labels, large-print information, tactile floor maps and audio descriptions accompany the displays for visitors with visual impairment and low vision.

Class VII student Kartik said the exhibits helped him visualise parts of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Imran said a tactile model clarified why Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal has its name, while Mohan was drawn to the Golden Temple.

The selection covers all 28 states and eight Union Territories, including heritage from the Northeast and a recreated Sohrai art wall from Jharkhand. Curator Rige Shiba said the gallery was intended for everyone, rather than separating visitors by disability.

A tactile station with replicas and audio descriptions is being developed for the Harappan gallery.