A peek into history
- POSTED ON: 27 Nov, 2020
- TOTAL VIEWS: 515 Views
- POSTED BY: Bhavya Venkatesh
- ARTICLE POINTS: 100 Points
Dotting the world map and spread all over the world are certain locations that are considered to be special for a reason. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) selects landmarks or areas around the world which are of cultural, historic or scientific significance and having ‘outstanding universal value’. These places are called World Heritage Sites. The idea is to protect and preserve these sites carefully so that future generations can visit and appreciate them.
Some examples of World Heritage Sites are Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Stonehenge in the U.K., Itsukushima Shinto Shrine in Japan, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Great Wall of China, the Acropolis in Greece, and so on. There are currently 1,121 sites on this list, including 869 cultural, 213 natural and 39 mixed sites.
There are 38 World Heritage Sites in India. Several of these places are intricately connected with India’s rich history. Here are some such intriguing sites — can you unravel their images while learning about them?
1. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar
Nalanda is said to be the most ancient university in the Indian subcontinent. This site contains the archaeological remains of the monastic and scholastic institution that was once a flourishing establishment.
2. Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat
Located on the banks of the river Saraswati, this stepwell has seven levels of stairs. Its design, layout, and sculpture work have a great deal of detail, reflecting artistic and architectural mastery.
3. Hill Forts of Rajasthan
This heritage site comprises six majestic forts in the state of Rajasthan — Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer. The Chittorgarh fort is a massive structure. The largest hill fort in Rajasthan, it is a place steeped in Rajput history and legend.
4. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park in Gujarat
This heritage site is a splendid collection of structures in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat. The well-preserved Islamic pre-Mughal city features temples, mosques, stepwells, cemeteries, granaries, walls and so on, set in an impressive landscape.
5. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal in Karnataka
Pattadakal in Karnataka was the capital of the Chalukya dynasty. Set here is a collection of ten major temples which form the heritage site. They reflect a blend of northern and southern Indian architectural styles and are impressive and interesting to explore.
6. Great Living Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu
The Cholas were a powerful dynasty of rulers in South India. Three temples built by them — the Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadeeswara temple at Gangaikondacholapuram and the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram – form this heritage site. The practise of temple worship and rituals, established more than a thousand years ago, are still being continued there. The massive and iconic temple at Thanjavur is widely considered to be the most outstanding achievement of Chola architects.
In case you are curious, here is the complete list of World Heritage Sites in India. (Source: UNESCO)
Cultural:
Agra Fort
Ajanta Caves
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)
Churches and Convents of Goa
Elephanta Caves
Ellora Caves
Fatehpur Sikri
Great Living Chola Temples
Group of Monuments at Hampi
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
Hill Forts of Rajasthan
Historic City of Ahmadabad
Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi
Jaipur City, Rajasthan
Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya
Mountain Railways of India
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat
Red Fort Complex
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
Sun Temple, Konark
Taj Mahal
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
Natural:
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
Kaziranga National Park
Keoladeo National Park
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
Sundarbans National Park
Western Ghats
Mixed:
Khangchendzonga National Park
Photos: Wikimedia Commons