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In this article, we are discussing world heritage sites in India.
5. Mahabodhi Temple complex, Bihar
a) Mahabodhi (means great awakening) Temple is one the four temples associated with Lord Buddha. It is located at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, where he attained enlightenment.
b) The first temple in the complex was built by Emperor Ashoka in around 260 BC. The temple is made up of brick and was considered to be one of the oldest standing brick structures in eastern India.
c) The complex was primarily a Mahayana (one of the branches of Buddhism) site. Various Vedic deities like Shiva, Vishnu etc. are also associated with the site. The original temple built by Ashoka is believed to have been replaced by a new one built in 6th century AD, during late Gupta period.
d) Mahabodhi Temple became a World Heritage Site in 2002 & all religious artifacts found in the area are protected under Treasure Trove Act of 1878.
6. Qutub Minar & its monuments, Delhi
a) The Qutub complex is a congregation of monuments & buildings in Mehrauli, Delhi. The most famous structure is the Qutub Minar. It was built by the first sultan of Mamluk dynasty Qutb-ud- din-Aibak, in the memory of great Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki.
b) It is a red sandstone tower, 72.5 m in height, 2.75 m diameter at its peak & 14.32 m at its base. The tower has alternate angular & rounded flutings.
c) Alai Darwaza gate (built in 1311) is another noted monument in the complex and is considered a masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art. The complex houses two more mosques including the Quwwatu’l-Islam mosque, which is the oldest mosque in the northern India.
d) The Qutub complex also includes the Alai Minar, the Iron Pillar of Delhi & the tombs of Iltutmish, Aladdin Khilji & Imam Zamin. With the inclusion of Ghiyas ud din Balban’s tomb to the complex, the area was developed as the Mehrauli Archeological Park by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
e) It was enlisted in the World Heritage Site list by UNESCO in 1993.
7. Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa
a) The Konark Sun temple was built by Narasimhadeva I of the eastern Ganga dynasty in around 1250 AD. This temple was built in the memory of this king’s victory over Tughral Tughan Khan.
b) The temple is built in the shape of a gigantic chariot with beautifully carved stone wheels, pillars & walls. This temple is dedicated to Surya, the sun god in Hindu mythology. In total, there are twelve pairs of elaborately carved stone wheels that are around 3 metres wide. The whole chariot is shown to be pulled by seven horses.
c) The temple reflects the Kalinga style of architecture with the use of Khondalite rocks. It is built in such a way that the first ray of sunrise strikes the main entrance of the temple. The wheels of the temple work as sundials, thus able to calculate the time to a minute.
d) It was inscribed as the World Heritage Site in 1984.
8. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
a) The site of Sanchi comprise a group of great Buddhist monuments. They are the monolithic pillars, palaces, temples & monasteries.
b) The Buddhist Vihara at Sanchi is famous for its Great Stupa, which is the oldest stone structure
in India. It was commissioned by Emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BC. The stupa
has the highest number of Bramhi inscriptions, which were discovered by James Prinsep in
1837.
c) A pillar of finely polished sandstone was also erected by Ashoka, carrying an inscription in the
patterned Sankha Lipi (shell script) from the Gupta period.
d) Sanchi played a great role as the cultural & architectural symbol throughout the Maurya,
Sunga, Satvahana, Kushana & Gupta dynasties.
e) The Buddhist monuments at Sanchi were enlisted in the World Heritage Site list of UNESCO
in 1989.
To read the other articles in the series follow :
Capsule 1 :
https://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-capsule-1-35244697
Capsule 2 :
https://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-capsule-2-35245590
Capsule 4 :
https://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-4-35268871
Capsule 5 :
https://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-5-35341786
Capsule 6 :
https://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-capsule-6-35357595
Capsule 7 :
https://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-capsule-7-35566343
Capsule 8 :
https://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-capsule-8-39061554
Capsule 9 :
https://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-capsule-9-39061946
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