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20 THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017
AWorld Heritage Siteis a place that
islist ed by t he Unit ed N a t ions
Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) as of special cultural
or physical significance. A
historicsiteorheritagesiteisanofficiallocation
where pieces of political, military, cultural, or
social history have been preserved due to their
culturalheritagevalue.Historicsitesareusually
secured by law, and many have been recognized
with the official national historic site status.
A natural or man-made site, area, or structure
recognized as being of outstanding international
importance and therefore as deserving special
protection.Sitesarenominatedtoanddesignated
by the World Heritage Convention (an
organization of UNESCO). Italy boasts of the
most World Heritage Sites as compared to any
other nation and is having 47 World Heritage
Sites.
The General Conference of UNESCO in 1972
adopted a resolution for ‘Convention concerning
the protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage’. It is an inevitable destiny that the very
reason why a property is chosen for inscription
on the World Heritage List is also the reason
why millions of tourists flock to those sites year
after year. In fact, the belief that World Heritage
sites belong to everyone and should be preserved
for future generations is the very principle on
which the World Heritage Convention is based.
So how do we merge our convictions with our
concerns over the impact of tourism on World
Heritage sites? The answer is through sustainable
tourism. Directing governments, site managers
and visitors towards sustainable tourism
UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in India
Towseef Ahmad Ganai* & Dr. D. Sivakumar**
* PhD Scholar, Dept of Pol. Sc. & Public Admin.,
Annamalai University.
**Asst Prof., Dept of Pol. Sc. & Public Admin,
Annamalai University.
practices is the only way to ensure the
safekeeping of our world’s natural and cultural
heritage.
In 2002, the international society’s virtually
“undivided attention” was focused on tourism
and its impact on our cultural and natural heritage.
It started with the United Nations declaration of
2002 as the “Year for Cultural Heritage”. Then
in May, Québec City hosted the first ever World
Ecotourism Summit, who’s Declaration on the
development of Ecotourism in the context of
sustainable development, was later delivered at
the Johannesburg World Summit. In November,
“heritage, tourism and development” was one of
the focuses of the International Congress in Venice
on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the
World Heritage Convention. Through the
publication of this manual, we aim to harness
this momentum by putting all of the ideas, theories
and plans for sustainable tourism into action.
By learning to “tread lightly” on the earth, not
only we are ensuring the future of World Heritage
sites but also the future of tourism. It’s a win-
win situation for everyone involved: the site is
better protected and maintained, the tourist
experiences a more pleasant visit, and the local
economy is boosted as a result. Tourism is an
important management issue at both natural and
cultural World Heritage sites. It is an industry
with well-known costs but also with the potential
for aiding protection efforts. We recognize this
potential and are convinced that by engaging, and
by taking appropriate actions at the different
levels of the sustainable tourism process, tourism
can be managed to generate net site benefits.
Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)
estimate that tourism generates 12% of the world
total GNP. With lessons predicting continued
growth, tourism is an increasingly important
THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017 21
factor in the planning and management at
UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
UNESCO’s world heritage sites in India
India is on 5th number in UNESCO world
heritage sites having 35, sites. The detailed
descriptions of these sites are mentioned year-
wise as follows:
Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh (1983)
Near the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the
important 16th-century Mughal monument known
as the Red Fort of Agra. This influential fortress
of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-
km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the
Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale
palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the
KhasMahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls,
such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful
mosques. The fort can be more accurately
described as a walled city.
Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra, Aurangabad
(1983)
The first Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta date
from the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. During the
Gupta period (5th and 6th centuries A.D.), many
more richly decorated caves were added to the
original group. The pictures and sculptures of
Ajanta, considered masterpieces of Buddhist
religious art, have had a considerable artistic
influence
Ellora caves, Maharashtra, Aurangabad
(1983)
These 34 monasteries and temples, extending
over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in
the wall of a high basalt cliff, not far from
Aurangabad, in Maharashtra. Ellora, with its
uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from
A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of
ancient India to life. Not only is the Ellora
complex a unique artistic creation and a
technological exploit but, with its sanctuaries
devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it
illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was
characteristic of ancient India.
Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh, Agra (1983)
An immense mausoleum of white marble, built
in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his
favorite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of
Muslim art in India and one of the universally
admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.
The TajMahal is located on the right bank of the
Yamuna River in a vast Mughal garden that
encompasses nearly 17 hectares, in the Agra
District in Uttar Pradesh. It was built by Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife
Mumtaz Mahal with construction starting in 1632
AD and completed in 1648 AD, with the mosque,
the guest house and the main gateway on the south,
the outer courtyard and its cloisters were added
subsequently and completed in 1653 AD.
The existence of several historical and Quaranic
inscriptions in Arabic script have facilitated
setting the chronology of Taj Mahal. For its
construction, masons, stone-cutters, inlayers,
carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome builders
and other artisans were requisitioned from the
whole of the empire and also from the Central
Asia and Iran. Ustad-Ahmad Lahori was the main
architect of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is
considered to be the greatest architectural
achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic
architecture.
Its recognized architectonic beauty has a rhythmic
combination of solids and voids, concave and
convex and light shadow; such as arches and
domes further increases the aesthetic aspect. The
colour combination of lush green scape reddish
pathway and blue sky over it show cases the
monument in ever changing tints and moods. The
relief work in marble and inlay with precious
and semi-precious stones make it a monument
apart.
Sun Temple, Odisha, Konârak (1984)
On the shores of the Bay of Bengal, bathed in the
rays of the rising sun, the temple at Konarak is a
monumental representation of the sun god Surya’s
chariot; its 24 wheels are decorated with
symbolic designs and it is led by a team of six
horses. Built in the 13th century, it is one of
India’s most famous Brahman sanctuaries. The
22 THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017
Sun Temple at Konârak, located on the eastern
shores of the Indian subcontinent, is one of the
outstanding examples of temple architecture and
art as revealed in its conception, scale and
proportion, and in the sublime narrative strength
of its sculptural embellishment.
It is an outstanding testimony to the 13th-century
kingdom of Orissa and a monumental example
of the personification of divinity, thus forming
an invaluable link in the history of the diffusion
of the cult of Surya, the Sun God. In this sense,
it is directly and materially linked to Brahmanism
and tantric belief systems. The Sun Temple is
the culmination of Kalingan temple architecture,
with all its defining elements in complete and
perfect form. A masterpiece of creative genius
in both conception and realization, the temple
represents a chariot of the Sun God, with twelve
pairs of wheels drawn by seven horses evoking
its movement across the heavens. It is
embellished with sophisticated and refined
iconographical depictions of contemporary life
and activities.
On the north and south sides are 24 carved
wheels, each about 3 m in diameter, as well as
symbolic motifs referring to the cycle of the
seasons and the months. These complete the
illusionary structure of the temple-chariot.
Between the wheels, the plinth of the temple is
entirely decorated with reliefs of fantastic lions,
musicians and dancers, and erotic groups. Like
many Indian temples, the Sun Temple comprises
several distinct and well-organized spatial units.
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram,
Tamil Nadu (1984)
This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava
kings, was carved out of rock along the
Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries.
It is known especially for its rathas(templesin
the form of chariots),mandapas(cave
sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the
famous ‘Descent of the Ganges’, and the temple
of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures to the
glory of Shiva.
Kaziranga National Park, Golaghat and
Nagaon, Assam (1985)
In the heart of Assam, this park is one of the last
areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human
presence. It is inhabited by the world’s largest
population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well
as many mammals, including tigers, elephants,
panthers and bears, and thousands of birds.
KazirangaNationalParkrepresentsoneofthelast
unmodified natural areas in the north-eastern
region of India. Covering 42,996 ha, and located
in the State of Assam it is the single largest
undisturbed and representative area in the
Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. The fluctuations
of the Brahmaputra River result in spectacular
examples of riverine and fluvial processes in this
vast area of wet alluvial tall grassland
interspersed with numerous broad shallow pools
fringed with reeds and patches of deciduous to
semi-evergreen woodlands.
Kaziranga is regarded as one of the finest wildlife
refuges in the world. The park’s contribution in
saving the Indian one-horned rhinoceros from the
brink of extinction at the turn of the 20thcentury
to harboring the single largest population of this
species is a spectacular conservation
achievement.
Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajastan.
(1985)
This former duck-hunting reserve of the
Maharajas is one of the major wintering areas
for large numbers of aquatic birds from
Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia.
Some 364 species of birds, including the rare
Siberian crane, have been recorded in the park.
Keoladeo National Park, located in the State of
Rajasthan, is an important wintering ground of
Palaearctic migratory waterfowl and is renowned
for its large congregation of non-migratory
resident breeding birds. A green wildlife oasis
situated within a populated human-dominated
landscape, some 375 bird species and a diverse
array of other life forms have been recorded in
this mosaic of grasslands, woodlands, woodland
swamps and wetlands of just 2,873 ha.
This ‘Bird Paradise’ was developed in a natural
depression wetland that was managed as a duck
shooting reserve at the end of the 19th century.
THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017 23
While hunting has ceased and the area declared
a national park in 1982, its continued existence
is dependent on a regulated water supply from a
reservoir outside the park boundary. The park’s
well-designed system of dykes and sluices
provides areas of varying water depths which
are used by various avifaunal species.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Barpeta, Assam
(1985)
On a gentle slope in the foothills of the
Himalayas, where wooded hills give way to
alluvial grasslands and tropical forests, the
Manas sanctuary is home to a great variety of
wildlife, including many endangered species,
such as the tiger, pygmy hog, Indian rhinoceros
and Indian elephant. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
is located in the State of Assam in North-East
India, a biodiversity hotspot. Covering an area
of 39,100 hectares, it spans the Manasriver and
is bounded to the north by the forests of Bhutan.
The Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the core
zone of the 283,700 hectares Manas Tiger
Reserve, and lies alongside the shifting river
channels of the Manas River. The site’s charming
beauty includes a range of forested hills, alluvial
grasslands and tropical evergreen forests. The
site provides critical and viable habitats for rare
and endangered species, including tiger, greater
one-horned rhino, swamp deer, pygmy hog and
Bengal Florian.
Khajuraho Group of Monuments,Jhansi,
Madhya Pradesh. (1986)
The shrines at Khajuraho were built during the
Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee
between 950 and 1050. Only about 20 temples
remain; they fall into three distinct groups and
belong to two different religions – Hinduism and
Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between
architecture and sculpture. The Temple of
Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of
sculptures that are among the greatest
masterpieces of Indian art.
Group of Monuments at Hampi,
Karnataka,(1986)
The austere, grandiose site of Hampi was the
last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of
Vijayanagar. Its fabulously rich princes built
Dravidian temples and palaces which won the
admiration of travellers between the 14th and
16th centuries. Conquered by the Deccan Muslim
confederacy in 1565, the city was pillaged over
a period of six months before being abandoned.
The austere and grandiose site of Hampi
comprise mainly the remnants of the Capital City
of Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th Cent CE), the
last great Hindu Kingdom.
The property encompasses an area of 4187, 24
hectares, located in the Tungabhadra basin in
Central Karnataka’s Bellary District. Hampi’s
spectacular setting is dominated by river
Tungabhadra, craggy hill ranges and open plains,
with widespread physical remains. The
sophistication of the varied urban, royal and
sacred systems is evident from the more than 1600
surviving remains that include forts, riverside
features, royal and sacred complexes, temples,
shrines, pillared halls, Mandapas, memorial
structures, gateways, defence check posts,
stables, water structures, etc.
Among these, the Krishna temple complex,
Narasimha, Ganesa, Hemakuta group of temples,
Achyutaraya temple complex, Vitthala temple
complex, Pattabhirama temple complex, Lotus
Mahal complex, can be highlighted. Suburban
townships (puras) surrounded the large
Dravidian temple complexes containing
subsidiary shrines, bazaars, residential areas and
tanks applying the unique hydraulic technologies
and skillfully and harmoniously integrating the
town and defence architecture with surrounding
landscape. The rests unearthed in the site
delineate both the extent of the economic
prosperity and political status that once existed
indicating a highly developed society.
Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
The churches and convents of Goa, the former
capital of the Portuguese Indies – particularly
the Church of Bom Jesus, which contains the tomb
of St Francis-Xavier – illustrate the
evangelization of Asia. These monuments were
24 THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017
influential in spreading forms of Manueline,
Mannerist and Baroque art in all the countries of
Asia where missions were established.
Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Uttar Pradesh (1986)
Built during the second half of the 16th century
by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City
of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire
for only some 10 years. The complex of
monuments and temples, all in a uniform
architectural style, includes one of the largest
mosques in India, the Jama Masjid. Fatehpur Sikri
is located in Agra District in the State of Uttar
Pradesh in the North East of India. It was
constructed at south-east of an artificial lake, on
the slopping levels of the outcrops of the Vindhyan
hill ranges. Known as the “city of victory”, it
was made capital by the Mughal emperor Akbar
(1556-1605 AD) and constructed between 1571
and 1573 AD.
Fatehpur Sikri was the first planned city of the
Mughals marked by magnificent administrative,
residential and religious buildings comprising
palaces, public buildings, mosques, living areas
for the court, the army, the servants of the king
and an entire city. Upon moving the capital to
Lahore in 1585 AD, Fatehpur Sikri remained as
an area for temporary visits by the Mughal
emperors.
Elephanta Caves, Raigad, Maharashtra (1987)
The ‘City of Caves’, on an island in the Sea of
Oman close to Bombay, contains a collection of
rock art linked to the cult of Shiva. Here, Indian
art has found one of its most perfect expressions,
particularly the huge high reliefs in the main cave.
The Elephanta Caves are located in Western India
on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the
Island of Gharapuri), which features two hillocks
separated by a narrow valley. The small island
is dotted with numerous ancient archaeological
remains that are the sole testimonies to its rich
cultural past. These archaeological remains
reveal evidence of occupation from as early as
the 2nd century BC.
The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed
about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. The most
important among the caves is the great Cave 1,
which measures 39 metres from the front
entrance to the back. In plan, this cave in the
western hill closely resembles Dumar Lena cave
at Ellora, in India. The main body of the cave,
excluding the porticos on the three open sides
and the back aisle, is 27 metres square and is
supported by rows of six columns each.
Great Living Chola Temples, Thanjavur, Tamil
Nadu (1987)
The Great Living Chola Temples were built by
kings of the Chola Empire, which stretched over
all of south India and the neighboring islands.
The site includes three great 11th- and 12th-
century Temples: the Brihadisvara Temple at
Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at
Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara
Temple at Darasuram. The Temple of
Gangaikondacholisvaram, built by Rajendra I,
was completed in 1035. Its 53-
mvimana(sanctumtower)hasrecessedcorners
and a graceful upward curving movement,
contrasting with the straight and severe tower at
Thanjavur.
The Airavatesvara temple complex, built by
Rajaraja II, at Darasuram features a 24-
mvimanaand a stone image of Shiva. The
temples testify to the brilliant achievements of
the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and
bronze casting. The great Cholas established a
powerful monarchy in the 9th CE at Thanjavur
and in its surroundings. They enjoyed a long,
eventful rule lasting for four and a half centuries
with great achievements in all fields of royal
endeavor such as military conquest, efficient
administration, cultural assimilation and
promotion of art. All three temples, the
Brihadisvara at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara at
Gangaikondacholapuram and Airavatesvara at
Darasuram, are living temples.
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal,
Karnataka (1987)
Pattadakal, in Karnataka, represents the high
point of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and 8th
centuries under the Chalukya dynasty, achieved
a harmonious blend of architectural forms from
THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017 25
northern and southern India. An impressive series
of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary,
can be seen there. One masterpiece from the group
stands out – the Temple of Virupaksha, built c.
740 by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate
her husband’s victory over the kings from the
South.
Sundarbans National Park, Gosaba, West
Bangal. (1987)
The Sundarbans covers 10,000 km2oflandand
water (more than half of it in India, the rest in
Bangladesh) in the Ganges delta. It contains the
world’s largest area of mangrove forests. A
number of rare or endangered species live in the
park, including tigers, aquatic mammals, birds
and reptiles. The Sundarbans contain the world’s
largest mangrove forests and one of the most
biologically productive of all natural ecosystems.
Located at the mouth of the Ganges and
Brahmaputra Rivers between India and
Bangladesh, its forest and waterways support a
wide range of fauna including a number of
species threatened with extinction.
The mangrove habitat supports the single largest
population of tigers in the world which have
adapted to an almost amphibious life, being
capable of swimming for long distances and
feeding on fish, crab and water monitor lizards.
They are also renowned for being “man-eaters”,
most probably due to their relatively high
frequency of encounters with local people. The
islands are also of great economic importance
as a storm barrier, shore stabiliser, nutrient and
sediment trap, a source of timber and natural
resources, and support a wide variety of aquatic,
benthic and terrestrial organisms.
They are an excellent example of the ecological
processes of monsoon rain flooding, delta
formation, tidal influence and plant colonisation.
Covering 133,010 ha, the area is estimated to
comprise about 55% forest land and 45%
wetlands in the form of tidal rivers, creeks,
canals and vast estuarine mouths of the river.
About 66% of the entire mangrove forest area is
estimated to occur in Bangladesh, with the
remaining 34% in India.
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National
Parks (1988)
Nestled high in West Himalaya, India’s Valley
of Flowers National Park is renowned for its
meadows of endemic alpine flowers and
outstanding natural beauty. This richly diverse
area is also home to rare and endangered
animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow
leopard, brown bear and blue sheep. The gentle
landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park
complements the rugged mountain wilderness of
Nanda Devi National Park. Together they
encompass a unique transition zone between the
mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great
Himalaya, praised by mountaineers and botanists
for over a century and in Hindu mythology for
much longer.
The Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National
Parks are exceptionally beautiful high-altitude
West Himalayan landscapes with outstanding
biodiversity. One of the most spectacular
wilderness areas in the Himalayas, Nanda Devi
National Park is dominated by the 7,817 m peak
of Nanda Devi, India’s second highest mountain
which is approached through the Rishi Ganga
gorge, one of the deepest in the world. The Valley
of Flowers National Park, with its gentler
landscape, breath-taking beautiful meadows of
alpine flowers and ease of access, complements
the rugged, inaccessible, high mountain
wilderness of Nanda Devi. Apart from some
community-based ecotourism to small portions
of these parks, there has been no anthropogenic
pressure in this area since 1983.
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Bhopal,
Madhya Pradesh. (1989)
On a hill overseeing the basic and about 40 km
from Bhopal, the site of Sanchi comprises a
group of Buddhist monuments (monolithic
pillars, palaces, temples and monasteries) all in
different states of conservation most of which
date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. It is
the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence and
was a major Buddhist centre in India until the
12th century A.D. Unique in India because of its
age and quality, the group of Buddhist stupas,
temples and monasteries at Sanchi (variously
26 THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017
known as Kakanaya, Kakanava, Kakanadabota
and Bota Sri Parvata in ancient times) is one of
the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence.
These monuments record the genesis and
efflorescence of Buddhist art and architecture
over a period of 1,300 years from the 3rd century
BC to the 12th century CE, thereby spanning
almost the entire classical Buddhist period in
India. Surprisingly, Sanchi was not hallowed by
any incident in Buddha’s life. The only early
reference to Sanchi occurs in the chronicle of
Sri Lanka, Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa (c. 3rd-
4th century CE). Sanchi was discovered in 1818
after being abandoned for nearly 600 years, and
gradually the archaeological site was explored,
excavated and conserved.
The religious establishment at Sanchi was
founded by the Mauryan emperor Asoka (c. 272-
237 BC). Here, he built a MahaStupa and erected
a monolithic pillar and a monastery atop the hill
at the insistence of his queen, who was from
Vidisha, located 10 km from Sanchi. With its
serene environment and seclusion, Sanchi
ensured a proper atmosphere for meditation and
fulfilled all the conditions required for an ideal
Buddhist monastic life. Several edifices were
raised at Sanchi and its surrounding hills during
the Sunga times. The Asokan Stupa was enlarged
and covered with stone veneering, and
balustrades along with a staircase and harmika
were added. The reconstruction of Temple 40
and the erection of Stupa 2 and Stupa 3 also
appear to date to about the same era.
Humayun’s Tomb, Nizamuddin, New Delhi
(1993)
This tomb, constructed in 1570, is of particular
cultural significance as it was the first garden-
tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired
several major architectural innovations,
culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.
Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi is the first of the grand
dynastic mausoleums that were to become
synonyms with Mughal architecture with the
architectural style reaching its zenith 80 years
later at the later Taj Mahal. Humayun’s Tomb
stands within a complex of 21.60 ha., which
includes other contemporary, 16thcenturyMughal
garden-tombs such as NilaGumbad, Isa Khan, Bu
Halima, Afsarwala, Barber’s Tomb and the
complex where the craftsmen employed for the
Building of Humayun’s Tomb stayed, the Arab
Serai.
Humayun’s Tomb was built in the 1560’s, with
the patronage of Humayun’s son, the great
Emperor Akbar. Persian and Indian craftsmen
worked together to build the garden-tomb, far
grander than any tomb built before in the Islamic
world. Humayun’s garden-tomb is an example
of the charbagh(a four quadrant garden with the
four rivers of Quranic paradise represented), with
pools joined by channels. The garden is entered
from lofty gateways on the south and from the
west with pavilions located in the centre of the
eastern and northern walls. The mausoleum itself
stands on a high, wide terraced platform with
two bay deep vaulted cells on all four sides. It
has an irregular octagon plan with four long sides
and chamfered edges. It is surmounted by a 42.5
m high double dome clad with marble flanked
by pillared kiosks (chhatris) and the domes of
the central chhatris are adorned with glazed
ceramic tiles. The middle of each side is deeply
recessed by large arched vaults with a series of
smaller ones set into the facade.
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Mehrauli,
New Delhi (1993)
Constructed in the early 13th century a few
kilometers south of Delhi, the red sandstone tower
of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high, tapering from 2.75
m in diameter at its peak to 14.32 m at its base,
and alternating angular and rounded flutings. The
surrounding archaeological area contains
funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-
Darwaza Gate, the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim
art (built in 1311), and two mosques, including
the Quwwatu’l-Islam, the oldest in northern India,
built of materials reused from some 20 Brahman
temples.
Mountain Railways of India (1999)
This site contains three railways. The Darjeeling
Himalayan Railway was the first, and is still the
most outstanding, example of a hill passenger
THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017 27
railway. Opened in 1881, its design applies bold
and ingenious engineering solutions to the
problem of establishing an effective rail link
across a mountainous terrain of great beauty. The
construction of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a
46-km long metre-gauge single-track railway in
Tamil Nadu State was first proposed in 1854,
but due to the trouble of the mountainous location
the work only started in 1891 and was completed
in 1908. This railway, scaling an elevation of
326 m to 2,203 m, represented the latest
technology of the time.
The Kalka Shimla Railway, a 96-km long, single
track working rail link built in the mid-19th
century to provide a service to the highland town
of Shimla is emblematic of the technical and
material efforts to disincline mountain
populations through the railway. All three
railways are still fully operational. The Mountain
Railway of India consists of three railways: the
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway located in the
foothills of the Himalayas in West Bengal
(Northeast India) having an area of 5.34 ha., the
Nilgiri Mountain Railways located in the Nilgiri
Hills of Tamil Nadu (South India) having an area
of 4.59 ha. And the Kalka Shimla Railway
located in the Himalayan foothills of Himachal
Pradesh (Northwest India) having an area of
79.06 ha. All three railways are still fully
functional and operational.
The Mountain Railways of India are outstanding
examples of hill railways. Opened between 1881
and 1908 they applied bold and ingenious
engineering solutions to the problem of
establishing an effective rail link across a
mountainous terrain of great beauty. They are still
fully operational as living examples of the
engineering enterprise of the late 19th and early
20th centuries.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway consists of
88.48 kilometers of 2 feet (0.610 meter) gauge
track that connects New Jalpaiguri with
Darjeeling, passing through Ghoom at an altitude
of 2258 meters. The innovative design includes
six zigzag reverses and three loops with a ruling
gradient of 1:31. The construction of the Nilgiri
Mountain Railway, a 45.88 kilometer long meter-
gauge single-track railway was first proposed
in 1854, but due to the difficulty of the
mountainous location the work only started in
1891 and was completed in 1908. This railway,
scaling an elevation of 326 meters to 2,203
meters, represented the latest technology of the
time and uses unique rack and pinion traction
arrangement to negotiate steep gradient.
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya,
Patna, Bihar. (2002)
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is one of the
four holy sites related to the life of the Lord
Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of
Enlightenment. The first temple was built by
Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the
present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries.
It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built
entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the
late Gupta period. The Mahabodhi Temple
Complex, Bodh Gaya lies 115 km south of the
state capital of Bihar, Patna and 16 km from the
district headquarters at Gaya, in Eastern India. It
is one of the four holy sites related to the life of
the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the
attainment of Enlightenment.
The property encompasses the greatest remains
of the 5th-6th century A.D in the Indian sub-
continent belonging to this period of antiquity.
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is the first
temple built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century
B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th–
6th centuries.
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Raisen, Madhya
Pradesh. (2003)
The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are in the
foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the
southern edge of the central Indian plateau. Within
massive sandstone outcrops, above
comparatively dense forest, are five clusters of
natural rock shelters, displaying paintings that
appear to date from the Mesolithic Period right
through to the historical period. The cultural
traditions of the inhabitants of the twenty-one
villages adjacent to the site bear a strong
28 THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017
resemblance to those represented in the rock
paintings.
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park,
Panchmahal, Gujrat. (2004)
A concentration of largely unexcavated
archaeological, historic and living cultural
heritage properties cradled in an impressive
landscape which includes prehistoric
(chalcolithic) sites, a hill fortress of an early
Hindu capital, and remains of the 16th-century
capital of the state of Gujarat. The site also
includes, among other vestiges, fortifications,
palaces, religious buildings, residential
precincts, agricultural structures and water
installations, from the 8th to 14th centuries. The
Kalikamata Temple on top of Pavagadh Hill is
considered to be an important shrine, attracting
large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year.
The site is the only complete and unchanged
Islamic pre-Mughal city.
ChhatrapatiShivaji Terminus (formerly
Victoria Terminus), Mumbai, Maharashtra.
(2004)
The ChhatrapatiShivaji Terminus, formerly
known as Victoria Terminus Station, in Mumbai,
is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic
Revival architecture in India, blended with
themes deriving from Indian traditional
architecture. The building, designed by the
British architect F. W. Stevens, became the
symbol of Bombay as the ‘Gothic City’ and the
major international mercantile port of India. The
terminal was built over 10 years, starting in 1878,
according to a High Victorian Gothic design
based on late medieval Italian models. Its
remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches
and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional
Indian palace architecture.
It is an outstanding example of the meeting of
two cultures, as British architects worked with
Indian craftsmen to include Indian architectural
tradition and idioms thus forging a new style
unique to Bombay. The ChhatrapatiShivaji
Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) is located
in Mumbai on the Western Part of India touching
the shores of the Arabian Sea. This building,
designed by F. W. Stevens, is spread across a
2.85 hectare area. The terminal was built over a
period of 10 years starting in 1878. This is one
of the finest functional Railway Station buildings
of the world and is used by more than three
million commuters daily.
This property is an outstanding example of
Victorian Gothic Architectural revival in India,
blended with the themes derived from Indian
traditional architecture. Its remarkable stone
dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric
ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace
architecture. It became a commercial palace
representing the economic wealth of the nation.
Red Fort Complex, ChandniChowk, New
Delhi. (2007)
The Red Fort Complex was built as the palace
fort of Shahjahanabad – the new capital of the
fifth Mughal Emperor of India, Shah Jahan.
Named for its massive enclosing walls of red
sandstone, it is adjacent to an older fort, the
Salimgarh, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546, with
which it forms the Red Fort Complex. The private
apartments consist of a row of pavilions
connected by a continuous water channel, known
as the Nahr-i-Behisht (Stream of Paradise). The
Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of
Mughal creativity which, under the Shah Jahan,
was brought to a new level of refinement.
The planning of the palace is based on Islamic
prototypes, but each pavilion reveals
architectural elements typical of Mughal building,
reflecting a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu
traditions The Red Fort’s innovative planning and
architectural style, including the garden design,
strongly influenced later buildings and gardens
in Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra and further afield. The
planning and design of the Red Fort represents a
culmination of architectural development initiated
in 1526 AD by the first Mughal Emperor and
brought to a splendid refinement by Shah Jahan
with a fusion of traditions: Islamic, Persian,
Timurid and Hindu.
The Jantar-Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan. (2010)
THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017 29
The Jantar-Mantar, in Jaipur, is an astronomical
observation site built in the early 18th century. It
includes a set of some 20 main fixed instruments.
They are monumental examples in masonry of
known instruments but which in many cases have
specific characteristics of their own. Designed
for the observation of astronomical positions with
the naked eye, they embody several architectural
and instrumental innovations. This is the most
significant, most comprehensive, and the best
preserved of India’s historic observatories. It is
an expression of the astronomical skills and
cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly
prince at the end of the Mughal period.
The Jantar-Mantar, Jaipur, is an astronomical
observation site built in the early 18th century. It
includes a set of some twenty main fixed
instruments. They are monumental examples in
masonry of known instruments but which in many
cases have specific characteristics of their own.
The Jantar-Mantar is an expression of the
astronomical skills and cosmological concepts
of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the
Mughal period.
The Jantar-Mantar observatory in Jaipur
constitutes the most significant and best
preserved set of fixed monumental instruments
built in India in the first half of the 18th century;
some of them are the largest ever built in their
categories. Designed for the observation of
astronomical positions with the naked eye, they
embody several architectural and instrumental
innovations. The observatory forms part of a
tradition of Ptolemaic positional astronomy
which was shared by many civilizations.
Western Ghats, Indian Peninsula, India (2012)
Older than the Himalaya mountains, the mountain
chain of the Western Ghats represents
geomorphic features of immense importance with
unique biophysical and ecological processes. The
site’s high mountain forest ecosystems influence
the Indian monsoon weather pattern. Moderating
the tropical climate of the region, the site presents
one of the best examples of the monsoon system
on the planet. It also has an exceptionally high
level of biological diversity and endemism and
is recognized as one of the world’s eight ‘hottest
hotspots’ of biological diversity. The forests of
the site include some of the best representatives
of non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests
anywhere and are home to at least 325 globally
threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile
and fish species.
The Western Ghats are internationally recognized
as a region of immense global importance for
the conservation of biological diversity, besides
containing areas of high geological, cultural and
aesthetic values. A chain of mountains running
parallel to India’s western coast, approximately
30-50 km inland, the Ghats traverse the States of
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa,
Maharashtra and Gujarat. These mountains cover
an area of around 140,000 km² in a 1,600 km
long stretch that is interrupted only by the 30 km
Palghat Gap at around 11°N.
A significant characteristic of the Western Ghats
is the exceptionally high level of biological
diversity and endemism. This mountain chain is
recognized as one of the world’s eight ‘hottest
hotspots’ of biological diversity along with Sri
Lanka. The forests of the Western Ghats include
some of the best representatives of non-equatorial
tropical evergreen forests in the world. At least
325 globally threatened (IUCN Red Data List)
species occur in the Western Ghats.
Hill Forts of Arvalli Range, Rajasthan (2013)
The serial site, situated in the state of Rajasthan,
includes six majestic forts in Chittorgarh;
Kumbhalgarh; Sawai Madhopur; Jhalawar;
Jaipur, and Jaisalmer. The eclectic architecture
of the forts, some up to 20 kilometers in
circumference, bears testimony to the power of
the Rajput princely states that flourished in the
region from the 8th to the 18th centuries. Enclosed
within defensive walls are major urban centers,
palaces, trading centers and other buildings
including temples that often predate the
fortifications within which developed an
elaborate courtly culture that supported learning,
music and the arts.
Some of the urban centers enclosed in the
fortifications have survived, as have many of the
30 THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017
site’s temples and other sacred buildings. The
forts use the natural defenses offered by the
landscape: hills, deserts, rivers, and dense
forests.
Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan,
Gujarat (2014)
Rani-ki-Vav, on the banks of the Saraswati River,
was initially built as a memorial to a king in the
11th century AD. Step wells are a distinctive
form of subterranean water resource and storage
systems on the Indian subcontinent, and have been
constructed since the 3rd millennium BC. They
evolved over time from what was basically a pit
in sandy soil towards elaborate multi-story
works of art and architecture. Rani-ki-Vav was
built at the height of craftsmen’s’ ability in step
well construction and the Maru-Gurjara
architectural style, reflecting mastery of this
complex technique and great beauty of detail and
proportions.
Designed as an inverted temple highlighting the
sanctity of water, it is divided into seven levels
of stairs with sculptural panels of high artistic
quality; more than 500 principle sculptures and
over a thousand minor ones combine religious,
mythological and secular imagery, often
referencing literary works. The fourth level is
the deepest and leads into a rectangular tank
9.5mby9.4m,atadepthof23m.Thewellis
located at the westernmost end of the property
and consists of a shaft 10 m in diameter and 30 m
deep. Rani-ki-Vav is an exceptional example of
a distinctive form of subterranean water
architecture of the Indian subcontinent, the step
well, which is located on the banks of the
Saraswati River in Patan.
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation
Area, Kullu region, Himachal Pradesh. (2014)
This National Park in the western part of the
Himalayan Mountains in the northern Indian state
of Himachal Pradesh is characterized by high
alpine peaks, alpine meadows and riverine
forests. The 90,540 ha property includes the
upper-mountain glacial and snow melt water
sources of several rivers, and the catchments of
water supplies that are vital to millions of
downstream users. The GHNPCA protects the
monsoon-affected forests and alpine meadows
of the Himalayan front ranges.
It is part of the Himalaya biodiversity hotspot
and includes twenty-five forest types along with
a rich assemblage of fauna species, several of
which are threatened. This gives the site
outstanding significance for biodiversity
conservation. The Great Himalayan National
Park Conservation Area is located in the western
part of the Himalayan Mountains in the northern
Indian State of Himachal Pradesh.
Archaeological Site of
NalandaMahavihara(Nalanda University) at
Nalanda, Bihar (2016).
The Nalanda Mahaviharasiteisinthestateof
Bihar, in north-eastern India. It comprises the
archaeological remains of a monastic and
scholastic institution dating from the 3rd century
BCE to the 13th century CE. It includes stupas,
shrines,viharas( residential and educat ional
buildings) and important art works in stucco,
stone and metal. Nalanda stands out as the most
ancient university of the Indian Subcontinent. It
engaged in the organized transmission of
knowledge over an uninterrupted period of 800
years. The historical development of the site
testifies to the development of Buddhism into a
religion and the flourishing of monastic and
educational traditions.
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an
Outstanding Contribution to the Modern
Movement (2016).
Chosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17
sites comprising this transnational serial property
are spread over seven countries and are a
testimonial to the invention of a new architectural
language that made a break with the past. They
were built over a period of a half-century, in the
course of what Le Corbusier described as
“patient research”. The Complexe du Capitole
in Chandigarh (India), the National Museum of
Western Art, Tokyo (Japan), the House of
DrCurutchet in La Plata (Argentina) and the
Unitéd’habitation in Marseille (France) reflect
the solutions that the Modern Movement sought
to apply during the 20th century to the challenges
THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017 31
of inventing new architectural techniques to
respond to the needs of society. These
masterpieces of creative genius also attest to the
internationalization of architectural practice
across the planet.
Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim
(2016).
Located at the heart of the Himalayan range in
Northern part of India (State of Sikkim), the
Khangchendzonga National Park includes a
unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers
and spectacular, snow-capped mountains
covered with ancient forests, including the
world’s third highest peak, Mount
Khangchendzonga. Mythological stories are
associated with this mountain and with a great
number of natural elements (caves, rivers, lakes,
etc.) that are the object of worship by the
indigenous people of Sikkim. The sacred
meanings of these stories and practices have
been integrated with Buddhist beliefs and
constitute the basis for Sikkimese identity.
The world’s most beautiful World Heritage
Sites.
1. The TajMahal :- The TajMahal is perhaps
the most iconic UNESCO world heritage
listed site in the entire world, which is
located in Agra, India It was built in early
mid-17th century, this incredible marble
mausoleum attracts visitors from around the
world.
2. Great Barrier Reef: - This natural display of
marine wild life is one of Australia’s best
known attractions. the great barrier reef is
over 2300 K. m in length and includes 900
islands
3. Grand Canyon: - This deep canyon in the
state of Arizona is one of the USAs most
recognized and attraction and certainly it is
most renowned natural attraction.
4. Eastern Island: - It is located in Chile.
Eastern Island has long been an area of
interests for historians and archeologists
aiming to uncover the mystery of this small
island in Polynesian waters. Eastern Island
is one of the most remote UNESCO world
heritage listed sites.
5. Petra:-It is located in Jordan. Petra, the “lost
city” has long been travellers’ favorite when
visiting the Middle East. Petra is half – built
and half curved into the rock where it stands
making it both fascinating visual in the present
day as it is historically.
6. Angkor wat: - Combudia’s Angkor wat is the
largest religious monument in the world.
However what is interesting about is it that
despite now being a Buddhist temple, it was
once a Hindu place of worship. This particular
UNESCO world heritage site offers travellers
a great insight into the evolutionary aspects
of travel and how time can change things in
both simple and dramatic ways.
7. CeskyKrumlov: - This quaint little village is
top on many travellers’ lists when passing
through Czech- Republic on a large European
tour. CeskyKrumlov is also home of bears
inside the castle, friendly locals and is great
meeting point to encounter travellers from all
round the world.
8. St Petersburg: - The formal capital of imperial
Russia not only has a high significance in
Russian history, but also happens to be most
beautiful city in the entire country.
9. Machu Picchu: - Machu Picchu is located at
Peru, Machu Picchu become a huge tourist
draw card for Peru in recent years, sparking
much interests in the history of the Incas.
10.Iguazu Falls: - It is located in Brazil and
Argentina travellers, exploring South
America aren’t likely to pass up the
opportunity to see Iguaza Falls in the flesh.
You can see the falls from both Brazil and
Argentina.
Conclusion
An acceptance of the responsibilities assumed
under the World Heritage Convention is essential
to policy setting and decision-making. The
Working Guidelines accompanying the
Convention have a large bearing on tourism
management, providing useful guidance on
32 THIRD CONCEPT, JANUARY 2017
responsibilities such as periodic reporting. The
World Heritage set-up also offers unique
opportunities, and the World Heritage Centre has
an array of resources available to tourism
managers including public information materials.
The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India are
also a reminder of our rich cultural and natural
heritage. These Indian heritage sites of UNESCO
have the potential to attract a large number of
tourists. Therefore, this recognition of UNESCO
world heritage site is much more important for
the growth of the Tourism industry in India.
References
1. “Properties Inscribed on the World heritage
List”. UNESCO. Retrieved 2010-10-01.
2. “World Heritage Day: Five must-visit sites
in India”.
3. “The World Heritage Convention”.
UNESCO. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
4. “Nomination to the World heritage List”
(PDF). UNESCO. Retrieved 2010-10-01.
5. “Kaziranga National Park”. UNESCO.
Retrieved 2010- 10-01.
6. “World Heritage List: QutbMinar and its
Monuments, Delhi, No. 233” (PDF).
UNESCO. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
7. “India - UNESCO World Heritage Centre”.
Whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
8. “Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi”. UNESCO.
Retrieved 2010- 10-03.
9. “World Heritage List: Humayun’sTombNo.
232" (PDF). UNESCO. Retrieved 2010-10-
03.
10. “QutbMinar and its Monuments, Delhi”.
UNESCO. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
11. “World Heritage List: QutbMinar and its
Monuments, Delhi, No. 233” (PDF).
UNESCO. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
12. “Red Fort Complex”. UNESCO. Retrieved
2010-10-03.
13. “Red Fort Complex (Delhi) No. 231 rev”
(PDF). UNESCO. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
14. “Churches and Convents of Goa”. UNESCO.
Retrieved 2010-10-07.
15. “Churches and Convents at Goa: World
Heritage List N0. 232” (PDF). UNESCO.
Retrieved 2010-10-07.
16. UNESCO world heritage convention
(2011).http://whc.unesco.org/.
17. PTI Jul 2, 2012, 01.23PM IST (2012-07-02).
“UN designates Western Ghats as world
heritage site”. The Times of India. Retrieved
2013 01-03.
18. “India - UNESCO World Heritage Centre”.
Whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
19. “Gujarat’s Rani kiVav added to UNESCO
World Heritage site List”. IANS.
news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 22 June
2014.
20. “Hill Forts of Rajasthan”. Government of
Rajasthan. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
21. “World Heritage Sites Rani Ki Vav, Gujarat,
India”. Nomadline.com. Nomad line.
Retrieved5 May 2016.
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