World Heritage Day! Know Your Bihar

The International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) based in France introduced the World Heritage Day on April, 1982 followed by the approval of the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983.

The world heritage day is celebrated globally, aiming to encourage the people to realise the importance of their cultural heritage, local communities and also to make them aware of the cultural diversity and the ways to protect, conserve and promote it.

Every year, UNESCO World Heritage Convention inscribes different heritage sites based on distinct themes.

As per the recognition of UNESCO, India is blessed with 37 sites, out of which 29 are cultural sites, 7 are natural sites and one is mixed that hold importance of cultural and natural heritage across the globe. The first two India's sites that initiated the list in 1983 were Agra Fort and the Ajanta caves.

The top 10 Heritage Sites of India are:
1) Nalanda Mahavira/Nalanda University, Bihar
2) Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
3) Humayun's Tomb, Delhi
4) Champer-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat
5) Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka 
6) Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh 
7)Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai
8) Sun Temple, Konark
9) Mountain Railways of India
10) Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

 The rest 25 Heritage sites of India are:

1) Agra Fort(1983)
2) Ajanta Caves (1983)
3) Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
4) Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
5) Elephanta Caves (1987)
6) Ellora Caves (1983)
7) Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
8) Great Living Chola Temples (1987)
9) Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
10) Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
11) Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
12) Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
13) Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
14) Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
15) Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen's Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)
16) Red Fort Complex (2007)
17) Taj Mahal (1983)
18)The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016)
19) The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
20) Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh(2014)
21) Keoladeo National Park (1985)
22) Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
23) Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand (1988)
24)  The Western Ghats (2012)
25) Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)
26) Group of Monuments at Hampi, Karnataka
27)The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai

Bihar, one of the oldest inhabited places in the world is famously known for it's rich culture and heritage monuments.
It is a home to many tourists because of its numerous places of tourist attraction.
Out of all, the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya and the Nalanda Mahavira/Nalanda University at Patna, are recognised by UNESCO and are included in the list of World Heritage Sites.

Bodh Gaya, the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in 530 BC is a religious destination. The Mahabodhi Temple, constructed by Emperor Ashoka in 260 BCE, is a Buddhist temple located near the Bodhi tree and is listed as a World Heritage Site in India by UNESCO.
 'Mahabodhi' means great awakening, and the area around the tree is called Bodhimanda. It is a Buddhism term which means the position of awakening. The Bodhi tree is the prime attraction inside the temple complex. The place is famous for its earlier brick- work in India.

In the year 2016, UNESCO declared the Nalanda Mahavira as the second Heritage site from Bihar after the Mahabodhi Temple.
The ancient seat learning, one of the world's oldest universities construction of which began in 5th century AD, flourished under the Gupta rulers.
The historic development of the site testifies to the development of Buddhism into a religion and the flourishing of monastic and educational traditions.

Mahavir Mandir, Golghar, Rohtasgarh Fort, Munger Fort, Agam Kuan, Sher Shah Suri Masjid, Patna Museum, Ashokan Pillar, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Rajgir Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Pawapuri Jal Mandir, Padri ki Haweli, Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Funtasia Water Park, Bihat Museum, etc are the other famous cultural and tourist sites of Bihar.
However, they are not included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, they are of great importance and also they represent Bihar's Pride.

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