UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Source : The Hindu , Date : 18Mar2025

1. What is UNESCO? What does it do?
2. What is the importance of the tentative list?
3. Six new sites added recently
4. UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
5. What is UNESCO's "Memory of the World (MoW)" Programme?
6. Diffrence between Tangible Heritage and Intangible Heritage

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

India has recently added six new sites to the UNESCO tentative list, taking the total number of tentative sites in the country to 62. These sites include the Ashokan Inscription Site, the Chausath Yogini Temple and the Kanger Valley National Park. These sites were formally listed by India's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO on 7 March 2024.

Importance of the Tentative List

The Tentative List is an important stage in the process of nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to UNESCO, each country is required to first include a site in its tentative list, only after which it can be formally nominated for a World Heritage Site. This list reflects India's commitment to the preservation and promotion of its cultural and natural heritage.

Six new sites added recently

1. Kanger Valley National Park (Chhattisgarh)

This national park is famous for its biodiversity and unique geological formations. Located in Bastar district, this park is home to limestone caves, waterfalls and rich flora and fauna. It is also an important habitat for the Bastar Hill Myna, the state bird of Chhattisgarh.

2. Mudumal Megalithic Menhir (Telangana)

These prehistoric megalithic menhirs are located in Telangana and are considered to be of great archaeological importance. These structures belonging to the Iron Age were probably used for burials and astronomical studies. The site provides important evidence for understanding the ancient megalithic culture in India.

3. Ashokan Inscription Sites (Various States)

This is a categorical nomination covering various sites where inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka have been found. These inscriptions, dating back to the 3rd century BCE, provide evidence of Mauryan rule, administration and Buddhism promoted by Ashoka. These inscriptions are engraved on rocks, caves and pillars.

4. Chausath Yogini Temples (Various States)

The Chausath Yogini Temples are spread across various states and are dedicated to 64 goddesses and yoginis. These temples are usually built in circular structures and are often located on hilltops. They have carved stone sculptures and hold religious and architectural significance in Tantric worship traditions.

5. Gupta Temples (Various States in North India)

These temples are excellent examples of Gupta architecture, known for their sophisticated designs and artistic excellence. Built between the 4th and 6th centuries AD, these temples are important for understanding the evolution of Indian temple architecture. Prominent examples include the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh and the Parvati Temple at Nachna.

6. Palace Forts of Bundela Dynasty (Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh)

The palace forts of the Bundela dynasty are historical heritages of medieval India. They display a unique style of architecture, in which a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture can be seen. Prominent among these are Jahangir Mahal of Orchha (Madhya Pradesh) and Govind Mahal of Datia (Uttar Pradesh).

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Currently, 43 sites in India are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, including:

Cultural sites: 35

Natural sites: 7

Mixed sites: 1

India hosted the World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time in 2024. In the same year, the Moidams (burial sites of the Ahom dynasty) of Assam were officially included in the World Heritage List in 2024.

🏛 Cultural Sites

1. Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra)

2. Ellora Caves (Maharashtra)

3. Agra Fort (Uttar Pradesh)

4. Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh)

5. Monuments of Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu)

6. Konark Sun Temple (Odisha)

7. Periyar Tiger Reserve of Kerala (Western Ghats)

8. Kaziranga National Park (Assam)

9. Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar (Uttarakhand)

10. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (Gujarat)

11. Hampi (Karnataka)

12. Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh)

13. Khajuraho Group of Temples (Madhya Pradesh)

14. Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra)

15. Pattadakal Group of Monuments (Karnataka)

16. Temples of the Chola Dynasty (Tamil Nadu)

17. Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (Madhya Pradesh) Pradesh)

18. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh)

19. Forts and Monuments of Delhi (Delhi)

20. Dilwara Jain Temples at Mount Abu (Rajasthan)

21. Rani ki Vav (Gujarat)

22. Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

23. City of Jaipur (Rajasthan)

24. Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple (Ramappa Temple), Telangana

25. Hoysaleswara Temple (Karnataka)

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🌿 Natural Sites

1. Kaziranga National Park (Assam)

2. Manas National Park (Assam)

3. Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal)

4. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park (Uttarakhand)

5. Western Ghats (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra)

6. Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh)

7. Conventional Urban Forest - Garo Hills (Meghalaya)

8. Namdapha National Park (Arunachal State)

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🏞 Mixed Sites (Cultural + Natural)

1. Kanchenjunga National Park (Sikkim)

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⭐ Some of the recently included sites:

• Ramappa Temple (Telangana) - Included in 2021

• Dholavira (Harappan city) (Gujarat) - Included in 2021

• Tradition of Saints (Maharashtra) - Included in 2023

• Moidams of Assam (burial sites of the Ahom dynasty) - Included in 2024

Memories of the World

•          Archives of the Dutch East India Company 

Documentary heritage submitted by Netherlands and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2003.

•          laghukālacakratantrarājatikā (Vimalaprabhā) 

Documentary heritage submitted by India and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2011.

•          Rigveda 

Documentary heritage submitted by India and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2007.

•          Saiva Manuscript in Pondicherry 

Documentary heritage submitted by India and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2005.

•          Shāntinātha Charitra 

Documentary heritage submitted by India and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2013.

•          Tarikh-E-Khandan-E-Timuriyah 

Documentary heritage submitted by India and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2011.

•          The I.A.S. Tamil Medical Manuscript Collection 

Documentary heritage submitted by India and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 1997.

•          Gilgit Manuscrpit 

Documentary heritage submitted by India and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2017.

•          Maitreyayvarakarana 

Documentary heritage submitted by India and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2017.

UNESCO  Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

This list recognizes traditions, folk arts, festivals, music, dance and knowledge that have been passed down from generation to generation.

The following traditions of India are included in this list by 2024:

1. Durga Puja in Kolkata - 2021
2. Kumbh Mela - 2017
3. Yoga - 2016
4. Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab -2014
5. Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur -2013
6. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India - 2012
7. Chhau dance - 2010
8. Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan -2010
9. Mudiyettu, ritual theater and dance drama of Kerala  -2010
10. Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz, Navruz, Nauroz, Nevruz -2009
11. Ramman, religious festival and ritual theater of the Garhwal Himalayas, India -2009
12. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theater -2008
13. Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana - 2008
14. Tradition of Vedic chanting -2008

UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that works globally in the fields of education, science, culture, and information.

📅 Established:
16 November 1945
Headquarters: Paris, France

🎯 Main Objectives of UNESCO:

• To promote world peace and sustainable development
• To connect countries through education, science, culture, and communication
• To protect cultural heritage and natural resources
• To promote human rights, freedom of expression, and dissemination of information

🛠 What Does UNESCO Do?

1️⃣ Declares World Heritage Sites

• Protects the world's cultural and natural heritage
• Examples: Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Kaziranga National Park

2️⃣ Creates the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

• Preserves living traditions such as dance, music, festivals, and rituals
• Examples: Yoga, Kumbh Mela, Ramleela

3️⃣ Memory of the World Programme

• Preserves historical documents, manuscripts, and records

4️⃣ Promotes Education

• Runs literacy campaigns worldwide
• Ensures quality education for all

5️⃣ Encourages Scientific Cooperation

• Works on projects related to water, environment, and oceans
• Addresses climate change

6️⃣ Promotes Freedom of Information and Media

• Supports freedom of the press
• Runs programs for digital and media literacy

🌐 Key Programs of UNESCO:

✅ World Heritage Program
✅ Protection of human values and human rights
✅ Global literacy campaigns
✅ Climate change and environmental conservation
✅ Cooperation in science and technology

💡 UNESCO's Motto:

"Building peace in the minds of men and women"

Diffrence between Tangible Heritage and Intangible Heritage

Tangible Heritage (भौतिक / मूर्त धरोहर)

✅ Meaning:

Tangible heritage refers to physical things that you can see, touch, or visit. These are man-made or natural structures, objects, or places that have historical, cultural, or artistic significance.

📌 Examples:

• Monuments: Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Red Fort
• Temples: Sun Temple (Konark), Brihadeeswarar Temple
• Paintings and Sculptures
• Natural Sites: Kaziranga National Park, Sundarbans
• Artifacts, manuscripts, coins, ancient buildings

🌟 Key Point:

Tangible heritage is visible and physically exists in the form of structures or objects.

🎭 Intangible Heritage (अमूर्त धरोहर)

✅ Meaning:

Intangible heritage refers to traditions, practices, skills, knowledge, and cultural expressions passed down from generation to generation. You cannot touch or see it like a building, but you can experience it.

📌 Examples:

• Performing Arts: Yoga, Classical Music, Kathakali, Bharatanatyam
• Festivals & Rituals: Kumbh Mela, Ramleela
• Oral Traditions: Folk tales, Vedic chanting, Storytelling
• Craftsmanship: Traditional crafts and artisan skills
• Culinary traditions (regional foods and recipes)

🌟 Key Point:

Intangible heritage is living culture — it lives in people, their practices, knowledge, and beliefs.

✅ Summary Difference Table:

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