WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN INDIA
PART- 1
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre was born by merging two separate movements. The first was a movement for the preservation of cultural sites. The second was a movement that dealt with the conservation of nature. The ball for the first movement was set rolling with the decision to build the Aswan High Dam in Egypt. This dam would have flooded the valley in which one of the treasures of ancient Egypt- the Abu Simbel temple- wsa located. In 1959 UNESCO launched a campaign to safeguard these temples. It was a joint effort of 50 countries, and it led to many other similar projects to safeguard rare treasures. It was the United States that led the movement to combine the conservation of natural wonders along with cultural sites.
World Heritage Fund-
If 1972, the World Heritage Fund was created. Its aim is to assist nations in identifying, preserving, and promoting World Heritage sites. Contributions to the fund are made both on a compulsory and voluntary basis. Compulsory contributions are one percent of their annual UNESCO dues. Voluntary contributions must be paid on a regular basis, at least every two years.
Nomination Process-
How does a site become a World Heritage site? To be eligible for nomination as a World Heritage site, the place or cultural landmark must be located within the boundaries of those countries that have signed the World Heritage convention. Only these nations are eligible to apply for a World Heritage site.
Why is the formation of a tentative list important?
If a country wants a property to be recognized as a World Heritage site, it must have signed the World Heritage Convention. The next step is to submit a tentative list. The tentative list is an inventory of the important natural and cultural heritage sites that are located with the boundaries of that perticular country.The tentative list is more than an inventory though. It is a forecast of the properties that the countries might consider for nomination in the next five to ten years. It can be updated at any time. The tentative list is important bacause only those sites on this list will be considared for nomination as a World Heritage site.
you know about Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and some other monuments but now we tell you a famous monument which name is Hampi.
Main monuments of Hampi -
The 14th century ruins of Hampi lie scattered amidst giant boulders and vegetation, with the river Tungabhadra rushing in the north and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides. Most of the monuments were built in honour of the sage Vidyaranya, between 1336-1570 AD. A large number of royal buildings were raised by Krishnadevaraya, the greatest ruler of the dynasty.
One of the most spectacular structures is the zenana encosure. Today, a massive stone basement in the queen's palace and the ornate pavilion called 'lotus-mahal' are the only remnants of a luxurious lifestyle. Other architectural masterpieces include the corner towers of arresting elevation, the treasury the Mahanavami Dibba carrying beatifully sculptured panels, a variety of ponds, and tanks, mandapas and the elephant's stables. Recent excavations at Hampi have brought to light a large number of palatial complexes and basements of several platforms too.
Famous temples of Hampi -
Hampi is an ancient site that once used to be the royal capital and the religious centre of the Vijayanagar Empire. Its temples are so fabulous that Hampi can be called an open air museum of temples. The Virupaksha temple is the most renowned shrine at Hampi. It has three towers, and the eastern tower rises to 49 metres, and has nine tiers. The temple traces its origin to the first half of the 15th century, and is dedicated to Virupaksheshwara or Pampapathi-a form of Lord Shiva. There is also a shrine toVidyaranya the spiritual founder of Vijayanagar. Other famous temples are the temples of Ramachandra and Hazara Rama.
The Vitthala temple is considered as the most impresive and most ornate of all the temple at Hampi. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vitthala, who is the form of Lord Vishnu. The foreground of the sanctum has a pillered hall which is beautifully decorated. The Vitthala temple is famed for its stone chariot. The stone wheels of this chariot are twisted in the form of a lotus, and can even revolve! Isn't that amazing?
Raja Krishnadevaraya -
Raja Krishnadevaraya, who ruled the kingdom of Vijayanagara between 1509-1529, was one of the greatest statesman in medieval South India. His rule was marked by all round prosperity, culturally, and materialistically. He was a great warrior and a poet. Krishnadevaraya encouraged learning, art, and architecture. When he died, the glory of the Vijayanagar Empire died with him.
Story of Hampi -
The story of Hampi is the amazing saga of how a tiny hamlet grew into the sprawling medieval metropolis, that was the capital of the grand Vijayanagar Empire. The history of Vijaynagar is one of resistance against the northern sultanates as well as building of its spectacular capital in Hampi. The city grew to be one of the major trading centres of the medieval world. Everything from horses to gems was traded here. Art and architecture found a special place in Hampi, as its rulers were great patrons of art and religion.
In course of time, the Vijayanagar army suffered heavy losses, and its capital city was plundered. Its population was massacred, and treasure hunters ransacked its palaces and temple for months. The once glorious capital turned into an abandoned ghost city. Currently Hampi's monuments-hundreds of them- are popular among tourists and pilgrims. Hampi was declared a World Heritage site in 1986.
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