The world heritage centers in India

F190407: The world centers of heritage were established based on two incidents. One to keep the memory of the submerged ancient temples when the Aswan Dam in Egypt was constructed (1950) and the rebuilding of the ancient Abusymbeline temple at a distance from the submerged site and the second the White house conference on protecting the ancient monuments held in 1965. These two incidents moved UNO to convene an international conference in 1972. The world heritage centers numbering 830 came into the lime light after these three incidents. The centers include, parks, deserts, lakes, forests, ancient cities, mountains, religious centers, towers, forts, are included in this of which 26 are in India . Every year April 18th is celebrated as world Heritage Day.

World heritage centers in India are :

  • The Nanda devi hills and the National Park having unusual orchids , trees and plants at a height of 7800 meters above the sea levels. This was first brought to the public notice by Franklin Smith in 1931. This park is in Uttarkhand State.
  • The Kasiranga Park ,in Assam having 430 Sq. Km areas with rare species of animals
  • The Sanchi stupa and Buddha temples, the single stone temple, Asoka pillar, etc constructed from 300 BC to 1200 AD, in Madhya Pradesh , in a place called Sanchi.
  • The Ajantha cave temples in Ourangabad, Maharashtra, having 2000 years old cave temples numbering 30 built from BC 50 to 200AD , rediscovered in 1819.
  • Agra fort, on the banks of the Yamuna river constructed in 1573 by Akbar which is in Agra , Uttar Pradesh
  • Ellora Cave temples in Ourangabad, Maharashtra, consists of 34 cave temples of Buddhist, Jaina and Hindu constructed 200 years ago .
  • The temple of Mahabodhi in Gaya, Bihar. Among the temples of Buddhism, the first series of three were constructed in 300 BC presumably by Asoka.
  • Maanas wild life sanctuary, on the banks of the river Maanas, in Assam. This is also a great tiger sanctuary. More than 20 rare species of animals are preserved here.
  • Sundarban National Park in West Bangal. The name was derived by the presence of thousands of Sundari trees . Hence Sundari ban . It is estimated that more than 400 royal Bengal tigers are here.
  • The great temples of Chola dynasty constructed by Raja Raja Chola in Gangai Konda Cholapuram. The Bruhadeeswara temple, Airavatheswara temple….etc in Thanjavur, TN.
  • Kutub Minar constructed after destroying the main temple and 27 star temples by the first Muslim ruler in Delhi, Kutub din Aibak. This was constructed in 1193 having a height 72.5 kms and 399 steps
  • Kevaldev National Park in Rajasthan. This is also known as Bharathpur bird sanctuary.
  • Fatepur sikri built by a combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. This was constructed in the memory of Sufi saint Salim Chishti in the 16th century. It is in Agra district of UP.
  • Khajuraho temple series in Madhyapradesh built by Chandela kings, more than a millennia.
  • Taj Mahal constructed in the memory of one among many wives of Shajahan, Mumthaz Mahal, in Agra , UP ,. The construction started in 1632.
  • Chathra pati Sivaji Railway Terminal in Mumbai, which was earlier known as Victoria Terminus/terminal.
  • Darjiling Himalayan Railways constructed in 1881 connecting Siluguri in Bengal and Darjiling. The Nilgiri Railways connecting Mettupalayam to Nilgiri in Tamil Nad.
  • The Bhimbethka rocks of Madhya pradesh which is a part of Vindhya Mountains. The wall writings, painting, rock edits, etc., are great.
  • The partly destroyed Elephanta cave temples, in Elephanta island 10 kms from Mumbai, Maharashtra. The Sad state of the Elephanta cave temples is due to the massive destruction of the Hindu idols by the Christian fanatics of Portuguese during when they ruled India.
  • The Pattadakkal temples of Chalookya dynasty, Bijapur district of Karnataka. Viroopaksha temple, Mallikarjuna temple and Jambunatha temple and few other temples built by Queen Lokamahadevi.
  • Mahabalipuram temples built by the Pallavas, in Chenkal pet district of TN 13 – 15 centuries ago.
  • The Champanir- Pavaghat park, in Champanir, Gujarat and the kali matha temple.
  • The Portuguese churches in Goa. Particularly the St Francis Xavier’s church. St Francis Xavier was the person who converted tens of thousands of Hindus in the most heinous way that anyone in the world can even not imagine. He was elevated to the status of saint exclusively for converting Hindus.
  • The temples of Vijaya Nagara Dynasty in Hampi, Karnataka.
  • Konark Sun temple built by Raja Narasimhadeva, in Puri district of Orrisa.
  • Humayun Tomb with garden in Delhi constructed in 1570 in the memory of Humayun

Heritage India News
Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage, Trivandrum 695 018 www.iish.org