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Dilwara Temple is one of the most beautiful Jain temples all over the world; it is one of the finest and architecturally renowned Jain temples in India. Every day a large number of visitors and pilgrims visit this temple. Dilwara Jain temple is popular for its exceptionally striking architecture and marble carving. The shrine is adorned with minute statuettes on the walls, gateways, archways, pillars, and panels. Intricate carvings on the marble stone and the workers high-quality craftsmanship are clearly visible in every aspect of this temple, which makes it truly unique and distinct. Dilwara Jain temple in Mount Abu was built by the Chalukya dynasty in between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, Dilwara Jain temples are general and simple looks from outside but its squandering doors of entrance tell about its architectural superiority.

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Leh Palace, also known as Lachen Palkar Palace, is a former royal palace overlooking the city of Leh in Ladakh, India. It was constructed in 1600 by Sengge Namgyal. The palace was abandoned when Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in the mid-19th century and forced the royal family to move to Stok Palace.

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The famous Thousand-pillar temple is one of the best examples of Kakatiya architecture. One thousand, as the name indicates these many pillars are carved of various dimensions, which are perfect in symmetry and style. The exquisite icons, elephants, etc are also found in this ancient Dravidian temple. This temple is constructed by using a unique technique called sandbox technique for strengthening the foundation. In this technique, a deep pit is dug and filled with sand and covered with huge rock beams.

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The Pagoda was built by over 300 architects from Myanmar and skilled masons. It has an installation of 13 crowns atop the Stupas, with Lord Buddha's relics from India, Thailand and Myanmar. It also consists of the Kala Buddha of Nalanda archive. It is worth mentioning that the King of Thailand, late Bhumibol Adulyadej, gifted a Buddha Relic and Buddha Statue to this temple

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Heritage in India is a testament to the country's rich and diverse cultural tapestry, serving as a source of pride, inspiration, and unity for its people while also attracting visitors from across the globe.

Heritage holds immense importance in India, as it plays a pivotal role in preserving and showcasing the country's rich cultural, historical, and architectural legacy.

1)    Cultural Identity: Indian heritage embodies the diverse traditions, customs, and beliefs of its people, serving as a cornerstone of cultural identity. For example, the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha talso symbolizes the reverence for the sun god Surya in Hindu culture, reflecting India's spiritual heritage.

2)    Historical Preservation: Heritage sites in India preserve the nation's history, offering insights into its ancient civilizations and historical events. The Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, with their exquisite rock-cut sculptures and paintings is a true example..

3)    Spiritual Significance: Many heritage sites in India hold immense spiritual significance for millions of people. The Varanasi Ghats, lining the banks of the Ganges River, are not only architectural marvels but also sacred pilgrimage sites where devotees perform rituals and seek spiritual solace, reflecting India's deeply rooted religious heritage.

4)      Tourism and Economy: Heritage sites attract millions of tourists each year, contributing significantly to India's economy.

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Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra:These cave complexes showcase Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain art and architecture, dating back to ancient times.

Link to images of Ajanta and Ellora Caves

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Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu: This UNESCO World Heritage Site features ancient rock-cut sculptures, cave temples, and monolithic structures dating from the Pallava dynasty.

Link to images of Mahabalipuram

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The Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha, is a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its exquisite architecture and intricate stone carvings. Dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya, it was built in the 13th century CE by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with 24 intricately carved wheels, pulled by seven stone horses, and is renowned for its architectural grandeur and artistic beauty

Link to images of Sun Temple, Konark

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The Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These monuments date back to the 3rd century BCE and are renowned for their historical, architectural, and cultural significance in Buddhism.

Link to images of Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi

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The Group of Monuments at Hampi in Karnataka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning architecture and rich historical significance. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century and is home to numerous temples, monuments, and ruins spread across a vast area. These monuments showcase the architectural brilliance of the Vijayanagara style and include magnificent structures like the Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Lotus Mahal, and Hampi Bazaar.

Link to images of Group of Monuments at Hampi

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Great Living Chola Temples-

The Great Living Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu are a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of three magnificent temples built during the Chola dynasty's reign. These temples are exemplary representations of Dravidian architecture and are dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The three temples included in this UNESCO designation are:

1.      Brihadeeswarar Temple (also known as Brihadisvara Temple) in Thanjavur

2.     Brihadeeswarar Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram

3.     Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram

These temples are renowned for their grandeur, architectural brilliance, and intricate stone carvings, making them significant cultural and religious landmarks in India.

Link to images of Great Living Chola Temples

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Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh: These temples are renowned for their intricate sculptures depicting various aspects of life and are UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Link to images of Khajuraho

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZW5XA8cLuE

The ancient Seven Wonders of the World are seven remarkable structures or monuments built by ancient civilisations. Each wonder is special and tells a story of the people who created them.

1. Great Pyramid of Giza: Located in Egypt, this pyramid is one of the oldest and largest in the world. It was built as a tomb for an Egyptian pharaoh named Khufu.

2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon: These were lush gardens built in the ancient city of Babylon, which is now in modern-day Iraq. They were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife, who missed the green hills of her homeland.

3. Statue of Zeus at Olympia: This was a massive statue of the Greek god Zeus, made of gold and ivory. It stood in the temple of Olympia, Greece, and was considered one of the greatest works of art in ancient Greece.

4. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus: This grand temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis and was located in Ephesus, Turkey. It was famous for its stunning architecture and intricate decorations.

5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: This was a magnificent tomb built for Mausolus, a ruler of a city in ancient Turkey. It was adorned with beautiful sculptures and artwork.

6. Colossus of Rhodes: This enormous statue of the Greek god Helios stood at the entrance of the harbor in Rhodes, Greece. It was one of the tallest statues of the ancient world.

7. Lighthouse of Alexandria: This ancient lighthouse was located in Alexandria, Egypt, and guided ships safely into the harbor with its bright light. It was one of the tallest structures of its time.

The New Seven Wonders of the World are seven amazing structures chosen in a global poll that people think are truly remarkable. They represent the creativity and skill of humans from different parts of the world.

1. Great Wall of China: This is a long wall built in China to protect against invaders. It stretches for thousands of miles and is over 2,000 years old.

2. Petra: Petra is an ancient city carved into red rock cliffs in Jordan. It was once a thriving trading hub and is famous for its beautiful architecture.

3. Christ the Redeemer: This is a giant statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It stands on a mountain and overlooks the city.

4. Machu Picchu: Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It was built over 500 years ago and is known for its incredible stone structures.

5. Chichen Itza: Chichen Itza is a Mayan archaeological site in Mexico. It's famous for its massive pyramid called El Castillo, which was used for religious ceremonies.

6. Roman Colosseum: The Colosseum is an ancient amphitheater located in Rome, Italy. It was used for gladiator fights and other entertainment events.

7. Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal is a beautiful white marble mausoleum in Agra, India. It was built by an emperor in memory of his wife and is considered one of the most romantic buildings in the world.

These New Seven Wonders are all incredible landmarks that show the skill and creativity of people throughout history. They are visited by millions of people from around the world each year.

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Every year on 18 April is celebrated as “International Day for Monuments and Sites”. The aim of the International Day for Monuments and Sites is to encourage local communities and individuals throughout the world to consider the importance of cultural heritage to their lives, identities and communities, and to promote awareness of its diversity and vulnerability and the efforts required to protect and conserve it.

https://youtu.be/lOzxUVCCSug?si=1we138tIYK25zW42

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World Heritage explained - animated short about the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (English)

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.

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The Egyptian Ministry of Culture nominated this historic city in 2003, but Alexandria has yet to receive a bid. The onetime capital of ancient Egypt, founded by Alexander the Great, boasts numerous remains of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine life. In 280 B.C., Alexander the Great’s successor, Ptolemy I Soter, even founded the world’s first museum here. It doesn’t get more culturally significant than that.

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The Moai are huge statues on the Polynesian island Rapa Nui. The island is commonly called Easter Island and belongs to Chile. The Easter Island is more than 2,200 miles away from Chile in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The islanders created more than 900 carved stone figures between 1250 and 1500. Most of the stone figures with the oversized heads were built with tuff stone and compressed volcanic ash.

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Located in Athens, Greece, the Acropolis symbolizes the contributions the ancient Greeks have made to our modern society. The Acropolis dates back to prehistoric times, but it was the period from 460 BC to 430 BC when many of the most famous structures located at the Acropolis were built. During this period, Pericles ordered the construction of the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the statue of Athena Promachos. Historians consider this to be the golden age of the Acropolis.

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Japan has a wealth of stunning temples and pagodas, but one of the most amazing is Kiyomizu. Kiyomizu-dera is located in the Higashiyama ward of Kyoto, Japan. Kiyomizu-dera translated from Japanese means pure water temple. The Otowa waterfall is located at the base of Kiyomizu-dera's main hall.