Tentative UNESCO List Of World Heritage Sites:
6 new sites from Madhya Pradesh have found place in the Tentative UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites (WHS).
- The sites included in the new list included Gwalior Fort, Historical Group of Dhamnar Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Rock Art Sites of Chambal Valley, Khooni Bhandara, Burhanpur, and Gond monuments of Ramnagar, Mandla.
Gwalior Fort:
- It is renowned for its formidable walls, stands atop a hill providing panoramic views of the surrounding city.
- Historically, it is believed that the fort’s first foundations were laid in the 6th century AD by Rajput warrior Suraj Sen.
- Suraj Sen was the local chieftain who suffered from a severe leprosy but was healed by a hermit-saint named Gwalipa. In gratitude for this event, he established the Gwalior City named after him.
Historical Group of Dhamnar:
- It comprises 51 rock-cut caves, stupas, chaityas, and dwellings dating back to the 7th century AD.
- Among these, the colossal statue of Gautam Buddha in the nirvana pose is a significant highlight.
- Noteworthy caves include the Bari Kacheri and Bhima Bazar on the northern bank, known for their historical importance and architectural features.
- Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple: It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and boasts a massive Linga carved from a single stone.
- Commissioned by Raja Bhoj in the 11th century, this temple is revered for its grandeur and unique architecture.
Rock Art Sites of the Chambal Valley:
- It hosts the world’s largest concentration of rock art sites, showcasing scenes from various historical periods and civilizations.
- These sites, spanning across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, provide insights into ancient human life and cultural evolution.
Burhanpur’s Khooni Bhandara:
- It is an underground water management system comprising eight waterworks built by Abdurrahim Khankhana in the historical city of Burhanpur.
- It was built using the Persian qanat approach and designed by Persian geologist, Tabkutul Arz
- During the Mughal era, technologies like Persian Qanats from Iran and Iraq were imported to India as useful public utilities.
Gond Memorial of Ramnagar, Mandla:
- The region formerly known as the Central Provinces of India and covering parts of the present-day states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra; was historically called Gondwana, the home of the largest heterogenous tribe of India, the Gond tribe.
