Lucknow, July 15 -- In a move that blends tradition with technology, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is turning Varanasi's ancient riverfront into a living audio museum. The department is developing a GPS-enabled audiobook to narrate the stories, history, and spiritual meaning of the city's 84 famous ghats along the Ganges.The project is part of the state's digital tourism campaign and was announced by tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh. The audiobook will work with GPS and will be available through the Uttar Pradesh tourism app. As visitors move along the ghats or river, audio plays automatically, narrating nearby sites' significance. The feature will support multiple languages and can also be used offline, making it helpful for both local pilgrims and international tourists.Each ghat will have its own chapter in the audiobook. These chapters will include narration by professional voice artists, background music. Text versions will also be available for hearing-impaired users.Unlike regular guided tours, this digital option lets people explore the ghats at their own pace. They can listen again, skip sections, or even enjoy the experience from a distance - a useful option in the post-pandemic world where contactless and self-guided tours are becoming more popular. "This isn't just about tourism. It's about making Varanasi's soul audible to the world," said minister Singh. "Through this audiobook, the ghats themselves will speak - telling stories of saints, rituals, myths, and centuries of spiritual life on the Ganga." The new feature is expected to attract a wider audience and offer a deeper understanding of Varanasi's sacred heritage through a modern and accessible format.htc...