World Heritage Sites in India

World Heritage Sites in India-

Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage is both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seek to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972. At present there are 840 sites in 144 countries, which are in the list of world heritage. As of April 2009, 186 States Parties have ratified the World Heritage Convention. There are 27 World Heritage Sites in India along with latest addition of Kalka-Shimla Railway line on 8^th July 2008. A two member team of UNESCO World Heritage Committee is coming to India for a final inspection of the Matheran Light Railway (MLR), Mumbai on 25^th October 2009. Apart from list of these 27 inscription sites, India has submitted a tentative list of many other sites in India. Here is a list of inscription World Heritage Sites in India-

Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, Maharashtra [1983]-

Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad, Maharashtra [1983]-

Agra Fort, Uttar-Pradesh [1983]-

Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar-Pradesh [1983]-

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu [1984]-

Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa [1984]-

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam [1985]-

Kaziranga National Park, Assam [1985]-

Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan [1985]-

Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Place is known for thousands of rare and highly endangered birds such as the Siberian Crane come here during the winter season. The park was a hunting ground for the maharajas of Bharatpur, a tradition dating back to 1850, and duck shoots were organised yearly in honor of the British viceroys.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh [1986]-

Group of Monuments at Hampi, Karnataka [1986]-

Churches and Convents of Goa [Basilica of Bom Jesus], [1986]-

Fetahpur Sikri, Uttar-Pradesh [1986]-

Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal [1987]-

Great Living Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu [1987]-

There are total 3 main temples under tag of “Great Living Chola Temples”. Only 1 Temple [Brihadiswara Temple at Tanjavur] out of these 3 temples has been listed in world heritage sites in 1987 but later in 2004 other two temples at Darasuram [Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram and Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram] also added in the list.

• Brihadiswara Temple [Built of Granite by Chola King Rajaraja I (1009-1012)]

• Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram [Built by Rajendra I (1012-1044)]

• Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram [Built by Rajaraja II (AD 1143-1173)]

Elephanta Caves, Mumbai, Maharashtra [1987]-

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka [1987]-

Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttrakhand [1988]-

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh [1989]-

Qutub Minar and its Monuments, Delhi [1993]-

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi [1993]-

Mountain Railways of India [1999]-

There have been 4 sites under Indian Railway which are listed with world heritage sites tag. Out of these 4 sites 3 comes under the tag of Mountain Railway of India mentioned as follows-

• Mountain Railways of India, Darjeeling, West Bengal

• Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Tamil Nadu

• Kalka-Shimla Railway, Himachal Pradesh [Latest addition in the list on 8^th July 2008]

• 4^th Site comes under Indian Railway but doesn’t come Mountain Railway i.e. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), Mumbai

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya [2002]-

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh [2003]-

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), Mumbai [2004]

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat [2004]-

The Red Fort complex, New Delhi [2007]-

Recently an expert team of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) led by Dr. Gion Caprez visited India to evaluate The Matheran Light Railway, Maharashtra for inscription as a World Heritage Site