With the striking of gongs by the Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, the new finial on the dome of Humayun’s Tomb here was unveiled on Tuesday.
“Though we are moving ahead with science and technology, I am confident that we can also take our heritage along with us in the future,” said Sharma. “PM Modi is passionate about developing our tourist places, monuments and hospitality, so that we can at least share 1% world tourists by 2020.”
The finial, or the 18-foot-long spire which crowns the tomb, has 11 vessels. It stands 45 metres above the ground. The ornate structure includes an auspicious inverted heart-shaped kalash (pitcher) and motifs.
The original finial was damaged by a fierce sandstorm on May 30, 2014, and a temporary one was put up.
The original 11 copper vessels in gold finish were in a bad shape and had been repaired several times over the past five centuries.