There is more to the heritage of India than what meets the eyes
India is a vast land of historical structures and ancient tools, which have added value to the country's existence over the years. For it has established how old a country India is and at the same time has attracted tourists from across the world. These monuments of yore added charm and uniqueness to India and made their way to the UNESCO Heritage sites. While you know of the prominent ones, like the TajMahal and QutabMinar, there are plenty more such heritage sites that have been unknown. Let us take a look at a few of such unknown UNESCO Heritage sites in India.
Rani kiVav, Gujarat
Situated on the bank of the Saraswati River, this 11th-century historical stepwell structure was rediscovered in the 1940s and restored in the 1980s by the Archaeological Survey of India. Located in Patan, Gujarat, the construction of this stepwell is attributed to Udayamati, who was the queen and spouse of the 11th-century Chaulukya king Bhima I. The stepwell is designed as an inverted temple divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels decorated with religious, mythological, and secular sculptures.
Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim
A national park and a biosphere reserve, the Khangchendzonga National Park is the first "Mixed Heritage" site from India to make it to UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme list. Located in Sikkim, the park is named after the mountain Kangchenjunga- the third-highest peak in the world. The interesting fact about his national park is that it has a few glaciers and the Tholing monastery located inside it.
Group of Monuments, Pattadakal
Located on the west bank of the Mallaprabha River in Karnataka, Pattadakal is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples. This heritage site will make you walk 23 km from Badami and some 9.7 km from Aihole. According to UNESCO, Pattadakal presents a ‘harmonious blend’ of architectural designs.
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
The twin towns of Champaner and Pavagadh comprise forts with bastions that extend to a stretch from the hills of Pavagadh and extending into the city of Champaner. Located in Gujarat, the landscape further has a vast spread of archaeological, historical, and living cultural heritage monuments such as chalcolithic sites, a hill fortress of early Hindu capital, and remains of the 16th-century capital of the state of Gujarat.
Other unknown UNESCO heritage sites are Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Madhya Pradesh, Great Living Chola Temples, ChhatrapatiShivaji Terminus, Chandigarh Capitol Complex, Punjab, and Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh.
