Tag Archives: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

April 23, 2022 rtp123

Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India takes pride in flaunting its unsurpassed heritage; eras over eras have influenced, moulded and face lifted the rich heritage of which we all are part of. Distinctive edifices, perennial culture and the determination to keep this incredibility have preserved for us an era no short of marvels. With a startling number of places and monuments enlisted in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India has made an indelible mark in world history.

The natural splendor maintaining its domain over many parts of the country boasts of magnificent wildlife heritage. From the float of crocodiles at Sunderban National Park to the home of snow leopards at Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, from the majestic Manas Wildlife Sanctuary to the Keoladeo National Park and Kaziranga National Park, India humbly possess the most diverse heritage in the world. The lush flora and the tailored landscape around it has been the prime attraction in the country, right from the red rhododendrons to the Neelakurinji, which bloom once every 12 years and from the moonscape Ladakh to the river island Majuli, the kaleidoscope of wildlife and natural heritage never ceases to amaze us in India.

Kaziranga National Park

Name of NWH Site: Kaziranga National Park
State: Assam
Year of Notification: 1985
Area (In Km2): 429.96

Kaziranga National Park is situated in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam. The national park is famous for the rhino populations, and according to the latest census conducted by the Forest Department of Assam, there are more than 2401 rhinos living in this forest area. If you recall the historical facts then you will get to know about the royal significance of this national park in India.

Once Mary Curzon, the wife of Lord Curzon visited in this place with her husband and she suddenly identified a rhino in this forest. She requested her husband to protect this place and to stop animal hunting in this national park. Afterward, Lord Curzon protected this place and declared this forest area as a reserved forest in 1916. The Kaziranga National Forest was enlisted as a Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India in the year 1985.

Along with some rhinos, you can also find some rare and migratory birds in Kaziranga National Park, like, Asian openbill stork, black bellied tern, delmatian pelican, greater spotted, eastern imperial and lots more. According to etymology, the Kaziranga name was derived from an incident, which happened in nearby villages.

Kazi was a boy and Ranga was a girl who lived in the nearby villages and they fell in love, but the society did not accept their gesture. Afterward, they disappeared in the forest area and never came out of this forest. So the forest was named as Kaziranga as a symbol of their love. So there are multiple myths surrounding this forest.

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

Name of NWH Site: Humayun’s Tomb
State: Delhi
Year of Notification: 1993

Humayun’s Tomb was dedicated to Humayun’s first wife and chief consort named Bega Begum. During 1569 to 1570 the famous Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas structured this tomb.

The tomb is located near Nizamuddin East and this was the first garden tomb in India. UNESCO added this site as World Heritage Site in the year 1993, and afterward, some extensive restoration works have been done on this tomb.

Here you can find the main Humayun’s Tomb at the center of the garden area. Inside this tomb, you can find several houses. Along with that, the graves of Bega Begum, Hamida Begum and Humayun’s grandson Dara Shikoh are also situated inside this tomb.

The tomb is designed with Mughal architecture and the surrounded garden areas follow the Persian garden styles.

You can find two large double story gateways to the west and southern side of the tomb, which are designed with several rooms and courtyards. The tomb is designed with rubble masonry and red sand stones, and you can find some great marble works on the floors.

The tomb is situated in Char Bagh Garden area and this Persian style garden has some long paved pathways and two central major water channels. This garden was known as Garden of Paradise, and the entire tomb area along with its garden are protected with high rubble walls Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

Group of Monuments in Hampi

Name of NWH Site: Group of Monuments in Hampi
State: Karnataka
Year of Notification: 1986

According to Emperor Asoka’s Rock Edicts, the Hampi district was a part of the Maurya Empire and large numbers of Brahmi inscriptions along with some terracotta works have been founded in this place during the excavation conducted in 2nd century CE.

Hampi is was to the list of Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India in India in 1986. This place is situated in Karnataka State, India.

You can find some ruins of the city of Vijayanagara, which was the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. The monuments of Vijayanagara are divided into different parts such as rebellions, civil and military buildings. You can see the oldest Jain temple on Hemakuta hill where two Devi shrines are situated with other oldest structures.

Apart from that, in Hampi, you can also find some remarkable historical places like Achyutaraya Temple, BadaviLinga, Chandramauleshwara Temple, Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy Temple, Hazara Rama Temple, Jain Temple and Krishna Temple and Vittala Temple.

Inside the Krishna Temple, you can also find the famous sacred tank named Pushkaranion the eastern side.

Ajanta Caves, Near Aurangabad

Name of NWH Site: Ajanta Caves, Near Aurangabad
State: Maharashtra
Year of Notification: 1983

Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra were added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year of 1983. You can find some ancient paintings and sculptures on these caves, which describe the oldest Indian art forms. Expressions of these paintings through different gestures, poses and forms are really expressive.

According to notable historians, these paintings and arts are the masterpieces of Buddhism, and through these art forms, people get to know about the oldest Indian art Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

According to the historical facts, the first phases of the Ajanta Caves were built during 2nd century BC and the second phases of these caves were built during 400-650 CE.

You can find some ancient paintings on the caves, which describe the rebirth of Buddha, and you can also find some prayer and worship halls and monasteries inside the caves which show the different types of traditions of Buddhism.

According to old manuscripts, monks, pilgrims and merchants used to stay inside these caves during the monsoons. Caves no 1, 2, 16 and 17 are the most ancient Indian wall paintings. you can also find some mural wall paintings, which were painted with vivid natural colors.

Taj Mahal, Agra

Name of NWH Site: Taj Mahal, Agra
State: Uttar Pradesh
Year of Notification: 1983

The Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World is situated on the south bank of Yamuna River in Agra. The most beautiful building in the world – Taj Mahal is designed with marble stones from Makrana of Rajasthan. Taj Mahal was structured by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

This is a house of tomb which means Crown of Palace. You can find three sided lush garden areas, guest rooms and a mosque inside the Taj Mahal premises. The construction of the Mahal was completed in 1643, but the external parts and other phases of this project contented another ten years and the full premises and construction was done by 1653.

Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore described the Taj Mahal as “the tear drop on the cheek of time”. UNESCOadded this site as World Heritage Site in 1983 and they have added this site as “the jewel of Muslim Art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”.

The Taj Mahal followed the earlier Mughal architecture and Persian art forms. The tomb of Taj Mahal is the main highlighted area, and the tomb was designed with marble and situated on the square plinth Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

You can find four minarets inside the tomb, and the actual graves of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan were placed at the lower level of this tomb area. But for the audiences, false sarcophagi were made in the main chamber of the Taj Mahal. You can find the superior decoration and art forms at the exterior and interior level of this Mahal, and the exterior decoration was created by paint, stucco and stone carving Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

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India Tourism

Top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites India

November 12, 2020 rtp123

Top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites India Once, a wise scholar said India was a continent masquerading as a country. The words ring true as the country has the most diverse and special collection of various natural and cultural wonders. No wonder India has many UNESCO World Heritage sites as one of the best countries to have.

On this term-UNESCO World Heritage site, we keep harping. But what does this mean exactly?

Well, a ‘World Heritage Site’ is a landmark or area that is deemed to have cultural, historical, or science importance by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is under the legal jurisdiction of international treaties. The common interests of mankind are the most significant element in selecting a world heritage site.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves – Maharashtra

The Caves of Ajanta Ellora are a UNESCO World Heritage site in the state of Maharashta. There are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the 2nd century B.C. Towards 480 C.E. The caves of Ajanta and Ellora have been known as the masterpieces of temples of the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain faiths. Starting from the 2nd century B.C., the former were constructed in 2 stages 1.Starting from 400-650 C.E. and 2nd level, while the Ellora Caves are more spread out and 34 in number and dates to the time between the 6th and 11th centuries AD. These caves are one of the most attractive tourist centres in Maharashtra state of Indian mythology.

Taj Mahal – Agra

For its incredible elegance and architectural significance, the Taj Mahal has long been recognised. Taj Mahal, completed in 1653 and commissioned as a tomb for one of his favourite wives by the Mughal emperor, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. It attracts millions of visitors per year as a national icon of India. The annual influx of tourists imperils the physical fabric of the monument, as with similarly prominent, iconic, and fragile sites. Currently, tourists are confined to the neo-colonial version of the Mughal Garden dominating the foreground of the ubiquitous imagery of the Taj to see the mausoleum. It is, however, the Yamuna River’s broader cultural landscape and its flood plain, rural hamlets and farm fields, the streets and open spaces adjacent to the riverfront that offer the best view of the monument.

Bodh Gaya – Bihar

Buddhism, founded by Lord Gautama Buddha, is one of the oldest religions practised in India. Bodh Gaya’s Mahabodhi temple complex deserves special mention as it is believed that Bodh Gaya is the place where Lord Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment and began to preach his ideals. As an elegant building, highly venerated by the Buddhists, the Bahabodhi temple complex is more than a thousand years old. The seven-storey temple and other buildings inside the temple complex are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

On the west side of that temple, under which Lord Gautama Buddha had his revelations, is the most renowned Bodhi tree. It is assumed that the present tree is the direct descendant of the old one, another place of respect for Buddhists and others.

Khajuraho Temple Complex – Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho‘s temples are world renowned for their architectural art and have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Temples of Visvanatha, Parsvanatha and Vaidyanatha belong to the time of King Dhanga, Yasovarman ‘s successor. Among the western group of royal temples of Khajuraho, the Jagadambi, Chitragupta, are worthy of mention. The everlasting Kandariya Mahadeva, which is credited to king Ganda (A.D. 1017-29), is the largest and greatest temple of Khajuraho. The other examples that followed are smaller, yet elaborately built, namely Vamana, Adinatha, Javari, Chaturbhuj and Duladeo. For lofty terraces (jagati) and functionally successful plans, the Khajuraho group of temples is noted. In addition to the cult images, the sculptural embellishments include parivara, parsva, avarana devatas, dikpalas, apsarases and sura-sundaris, earning universal admiration for their delicate, youthful female forms of ravishing beauty. The winsome grace and elegance are welcomed by the attire and ornamentation.

Rani Ki Vav – Gujarat

In India, UNESCO has recognised Rani ki Vav as a World Heritage Site. This 11th century building, located in the Patan district of Gujarat, was included in the World Heritage List at the recent UNESCO meeting held in Doha on Sunday. Last year, ASI nominated this ancient structure that epitomises the excellence of Indian architecture in February. It is also to be noted that India had two nominations this year: Rani ki Vav and Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh vying for the coveted recognition.

Indian architecture that combines in itself a wide variety of architecture styles that clearly reflects innovation has so much to offer. Rani ki Vav has a fascinating tale to tell, being a superlative example of the ancient style of architecture that has evidently succeeded in gaining global recognition. Promoted primarily as part of Gujarat’s Heritage Tourism, Rani Ki Vav has quickly developed itself in Gujarat as a major tourist attraction.

Nalanda University

Recently declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the ruins of ancient Nalanda Mahavihara (also known as old Nalanda University) are the second World Heritage Site (the first is Mahabodhi Temple) situated in the state of Bihar in north-eastern India.

In the Gupta dynasty, in the 5th century CE, Nalanda Mahavihara was established. It is the Indian Subcontinent’s most ancient monastic-cum-scholastic establishment. As one of the oldest universities in the world, it has received over 800 years of patronage from various local kings and foreign rulers. It attracted scholars and students from near and far during its peak time, some of whom travelled all the way from China, Korea, and Central Asia. But it was completely destroyed three times by invaders in history, according to the documents. It was last abandoned and forgotten in 1193 by the Turkish army until it was excavated and consolidated in the 19th century.

The total area of the excavation is approximately 14 hectares, including stupas, shrines, residential and educational buildings, and significant works of art as well. All the buildings there were made of red bricks. With its rooms constructed around the central courtyard, there is a very fascinating two-floor educational building where steps lead up to a dais for the professors to address the students. There is a small chapel with a half-broken statue of Lord Buddha as well. On the top of Temple no. 3, surrounded by smaller stupas studded with statues of the Lord Buddha, people can get a magnificent view of the entire city.

Jantar Mantar – Jaipur

Located in Jaipur, Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest observatories. At the time of its creation and the methods used in it, the monument was well ahead of its time. Covering a region of nearly 18,700 sq. Km, the Jantar Mantar brings together the elements of science , art, and faith. It stands as a sign of Jaipur’s princely period and the Pink City’s royal heritage. Both lovers of astronomy and those drawn by its importance and history are attracted by the special structure of the monument.

“In 1734, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II founded Jantar Mantar, with the name itself derived from Sanskrit words meaning” Yantra “and” Mantra. Yantra means tools, while Mantra means formula. The word Yantra has been substituted for Jantar. There are different kinds of astrological and architectural instruments within the monument that arouse the passions of astronomers and historians around the world.

Hampi Monument Complex – Karnataka

Spread along the group of monuments at Hampi are the ancient ruins of the powerful Vijaynagar Empire. It is an ancient village situated along the banks of the Tungabhadra River in northern Karnataka. This village is the country’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the locations that draw the greatest visitors from all over the world, believed to have been the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. If you’re wheeling around Bangalore, visiting this place is simply impossible to miss. It is said this village existed in the 1st century AD. These ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire are spread over an area of 26 sq. km surrounding Hampi. Because of the historic Virupaksha Temple, it is the central religious centre of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Some places that top the popularity chart have been marked by tourist guides, and they are — the Hampi Bazar and the neighbouring town, the Royal centre around Kamalapur, and the Hemakuta Hill, of course. Visit the south of the main Hampi Temple when you’re done exploring this ancient ruin, inspecting every stall in the market and even bowing your head to the great deities of the ancient Temple. It includes some of the oldest relics, Jain temples and Lord Narasimha ‘s extremely captivating monolithic sculpture. You can drive about 2 km east from the market place and visit the renowned Vittala Temple.

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sanchi Stupa is the best-preserved Buddhist monument in India. This Buddhist complex, situated on a small hilltop in the town of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, includes Buddhist stupas, temples and monasteries. The most famous monument that was built in the 3rd century BCE is the Great Stupa. The earliest Stupa was just a plain dome of brick constructed over Buddha’s relics. This is now a significant monument of Indian Architecture and World Heritage, with a history of many centuries of building, reconstruction, abandonment and restoration.

Red Fort – Delhi

One of the oldest and most majestic monuments, the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India, draws thousands of tourists each year. Established during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan, it formed the heart of Old Delhi’s walled town. Bahadur Shah II “Zafar” was the last Mughal emperor to occupy the fort. During the 1857 rebellion against the British, the Red Fort was not defended, despite being the seat of Mughal power and its defensive capabilities.

Delhi’s Red Fort is a huge tourist attraction and a must-do for trips to India. During the 17th century, the 5th Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan founded the mighty citadel of the Red Fort and laid the foundation for the seventh city of Delhi, Shahjahanbad. The Red Fort, also known as Qila-e-Mubarak, was the capital moved from Agra to Delhi by Shah Jehan. It was the residence of members of the royal family and is a major cultural and historical site in and around Delhi.

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