Saying of Sri Aravindar



In 1972, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) launched a programme for the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural Heritage Sites across the world.

The cultural sites include monuments with historial, aesthetic, archaeological, scientific, ethnological or anthropological value. A site was deemed of national heritage by virtue of its outstanding universal value.

� To qualify for the World Heritage List, a site should:
� represent a masterpiece of human creative genius exhibit an important interchange of human values over a span of time or within a cultural area, or developments in architecture or technology
� bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or a civilisation
� be an outstanding example of a type of building or architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a significant stage in history.
� be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement or land-use, especially when it has become valnerable under the impact of irreversible change
� be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas or beliefs, or with artistic and literary works or universal significance.

These are the World Heritage Cultural Sites in India:

Agra Fort Ajanta Caves Brihadisvara
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Elephanta Cave Ellora Caves
Fatehpur Sikri Hampi Humayun's Tomb
Khajuraho Konark Mamallapuram
Old Goa Pattadakal Qutb Minar
Sanchi Taj Mahal Mahabodhi Temple Complex



India is one of the oldest civilizations with a kaleidoscopic variety and rich heritage. Ancient Historical monuments of India are pieces of its heritage. Historical centres, buildings like forts, temples, palaces of India make it (India) an irresistible travel destination. Spending vacation in India, travelling the length and breadth of this vast landmass an experience unparalleled.

Through the ages - passing the Vedic, the Mauryan & Gupta periods, thereafter, the Muslims followed by the Europeans, the history and culture of the vast subcontinent got enriched. Elements of all the people, races and religious were assimilated transformed and enliven. Together came their forts, temples, palaces, gardens - all providing India with some fabulous holiday destinations and making travelling in India a real joy.

India, beyond doubt, is the melting pot of various faith and creed. Given its historical and cultural richness, the whole country appears to be a Heritage site. Innumerable historical monuments, forts, palaces, churches, caves, tombs, masjids, temples gurudwaras and allied structures of various reigning powers and antiquity are spread all over the land. The masterpiece of Taj Mahal, the Fort, of Agra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan etc, palaces spread from Delhi to West Bengal and deep down the south, caves of Ajanta and Ellora caves, the temples of Khajuraho and Konark besides numerous others in northern and southern India, the gurudwaras at Delhi, Amritsar or Patna, the churches of Goa and Kerala, not to mention those in the other parts of the country - the list goes on and on.

From Rajgriha, Nalanda and Bodh Gaya in the east to the Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra and from Vaishnodevi temple in Jammu to the Jewish Synagogue at Cochin (in Kerela), the country is a 'heritage delight'. The Buddhist stupa (structure) of Sanchi and Hampi are as alluring as the Sun Temple of Konark and temples at Mamallapuram and Brihadisvara. The christian Churches, the Sikh gurudwaras, the Jewish Synagogues - all exemplify the spirit of unity and diversity pervading the country. Be it the Mughal forts, palaces and other structures of Fatehpur Sikri and Agra, Humayun's Tomb or a mixed effort like the old Fort at Delhi, the history and heritage is spread everywhere, providing tourism in India tremendous potential. Historical heritage is part and parcel of Indian life as much as Velha (Goa), near Victoria Memorial in Kolkatta (Calcutta), Nalanda in Bihar, Badrinath in Uttar Pradesh, Salim Chisti's Tomb at Fatehpur Sikri, India Gate at Delhi and Gateway of India in Mumbai.

Given the historical heritage in the shapes of monuments, their ruins, buildings, temples, forts, palaces, churches, masjids and gurudwaras, holidays in India is virtually travelling in historical paradise - living / witnessing so many civilizations in one life.

A nation' s strength ultimately consists in what it can do on its own,
and not in what it can borrow from others. -Indira Gandhi

Courtesy of : www.tourismofindia.com


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