Summary-
India's heritage is in the spotlight! Six awe-inspiring sites, from the mysterious Megaliths of Mudumal to the legendary Kanger Valley, have made it to UNESCO’s tentative list of world heritage sites. What makes them extraordinary? How do Ashoka’s edicts and Chausath Yogini temples fit in? Explore their stories, history, and significance—and our role in preserving these cultural treasures.
Recently, 6 of India’s ancient heritage sites were added to UNESCO’s Tentative Heritage Sites. These include the Megaliths of Mudumal, Ashoka’s rock edicts, sprawling Bundela palaces, and the naturally rich Kanger Valley National Park. But what makes these sites so special? What is UNESCO’s tentative list? And most importantly, what can be our role in preserving our heritage? Let us start this journey of answering all these questions, starting with a closer exploration of these newest additions to UNESCO’s list.
Kanger Valley National Park in Chattisgarh, Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs of Telangana, Ashokan Edits across various Indian states, Chausath Yogini temples in different parts of Central India, Gupta period temples in parts of Northern India, and fortresses of the Bundela rulers in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are a step closer to becoming UNESCO Wolrd Heritage sites.
The declaration was made in the first week of March, by the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, Shri Vishal V. Sharma.
The UNESCO tentative list is like a nomination list of potential world heritage sites, submitted by the country to the organization. After considerations and deliberations over the value of the sites for not just the country, but the world, UNESCO finalizes their place in the list of “World Heritage Sites”.
Let us take a closer look at the intriguing aspects of the 6 sites, awaiting to be a part of this list-
This national park was formally established in 1982, named after the river Kanger that flows through the land. The history of this region, however, goes back to the times of the Ramayana, when it was a part of Dandaka Forest or Dandakaranya, where Sri Rama stayed during his Vanvaas. A home to the Baiga and Gond tribes who are some of the oldest living tribal cultures, Kanger Valley houses Bastar Hill Mynah (the state bird of Chhattisgarh), Indian pangolin and naturally occurring limestone caves which make it a rare spot where humans and nature have co-existed and created collective heritage.
Some of the most interesting aspects of this heritage site are-
The river that flows through this valley is a sacred mother to the local tribes- the Gonds and the Marias. Their folklore worships the Kanger Nadi as a heavenly goddess, who came to the human realm to shower abundance on the land and its people. Alternative narratives tell that Kanger was actually a divine river, who was cursed by gods and sent to the earth for the benefit of the tribes. For the locals, Kanger is as holy as the Ganga for Hindus worldwide.
The Kutumsar caves in the Kanger Valley region are associated with the ancient Dandaka-vana by the tribals who live in the area. According to their beliefs, when Rama, Lakshman, and Devi Sita came to the forest, these caves served as their homes, cradling them in their silent heart.
The local guardian spirits known as Bhumkas or Devs are worshipped by the tribes of Bastar as their ancient guardians. Many sacrificial rituals and festivals are celebrated in their honor, and the forests of Kanger Valley are seen as the home of these spirits. Regular rituals take place to keep the guardian spirits happy and the tribes always ask for their permission before entering the grooves or taking anything for their use (fruit, wood, honey).
One of the deepest caves of the Kanger Valley, the Kailash cave is a mysterious place, worshipped and feared equally by the locals, whose folklores have given it a mythical status. People believe that these caves are the gateways to the spirits of their elders, the ancestors who live there, and use these caves as passages into the world of the living.
Indian traditions since the ancient period have worshipped the goddesses of the forest, known broadly as Van-Devi. In the Kanger valley, people worship her as their guardian and protector, who keeps an eye on the humans and animals alike.
Megaliths are gigantic stone monuments, dating back to the Iron Age, found all over the world. Often raised over a grave, they highlight a belief in marking the resting place, which is a sign of advanced cultural thinking, telling us about the richness of ancient societies.
The Mudmal Megaliths are 3500-4000 year old structures, near the Krishna river.
With around 80 menhirs (standing stones) all over the village, Mudumal is one of the most important Stone Age sites in India. One of the most intriguing elements of this site is the “sky maps”- drawings of the Ursa Major and Leo constellations on the rocks, which signify an understanding of astronomy among the Iron Age people of this region. The placement of the stones is also of great significance since scholars believe that they were located to record solstices and equinoxes- as “calendar stones”, which underlines the use of celestial activities to measure time.
Excavations in and around Mudumal suggest that the menhirs were closely associated with burial sites, particularly cist burials, and dolmens—stone chambers where the dead were interred. This aligns with the broader megalithic tradition in South India, where such stones were often placed near pits containing skeletal remains, urns, or grave goods like iron tools, pottery, and beads.
One of the ways in which the thousand-year-old stone structures stay relevant to modern times is their reverence among the local communities. The people of Mudumal village worship the Megaliths, especially one that they call “Thimmappa Nirurallu”- Thimmappa of the Standing Stones. Interestingly, “Thimmappa” (Kannada) is a name used for Sri Venkateswara in parts of South India, which means that the locals see the massive stone as a representation of their beloved Tirupati Balaji.
The sacred nature of these stones is also identified by the tribal groups- Gonds and Koyas, who worship them as deities, ancestors, or guardian spirits. The religious belief of the people has been one of the biggest reasons behind the continued preservation of this site, where many believe that by moving or harming the stones, they will stir the wrath of the divine power residing in them.
In addition to the natural erosion of the stones, the Mudumal menhir is facing the danger of neglect and encroachment due to expanding agricultural lands. The layers of cultural beliefs, rituals, and histories associated with Mudumal need to be documented and studied by multiple stakeholders- government and private, to truly appreciate how ancient and modern cultures interact in the present. While the local community is actively engaging with the site, the world community needs to reach this remote heritage site, and the nomination on the tentative list of UNESCO is a great step in this regard.
The edicts of Ashoka have gathered global recognition due to their contents and the vast geographical location they cover in an attempt to spread the royal word far and wide. Written in Prakrit, Greek, and Aramaic, these edicts are the first known official documents in India, which highlight a conscious attempt of the king to converse with his subjects.
Addressing various elements of statecraft, administration, and Ashoka’s Dhamma, these edicts are located on important points of Ashoka’s empire all over India. 34 edicts have been chosen for the latest addition to UNESCO’s tentative list, reigniting the discussion of the heritage value of the ancient words of a visionary ruler.
These edicts, beyond their role as historical artifacts serve as symbols of ethical governance and social responsibility. They provide contemporary societies with lessons on leadership, the importance of moral principles in statecraft, and the promotion of religious harmony. The language and the content, are designed to suggest a regulated yet open environment that Ashoka envisioned back in his time and remain relevant today, as an example of statecraft and a formalized publicity of state ideology.
Inclusion in UNESCO's Tentative List is a crucial step toward the preservation and recognition of these sites. It brings international attention, which can lead to increased funding and resources for conservation. This acknowledgment also encourages educational initiatives, promoting deeper public engagement with these culturally and historically significant sites.
The serial nomination of Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes represents a concerted effort to honor and protect a legacy that has profoundly influenced Indian civilization and continues to offer valuable insights into effective and compassionate governance.
An inspiration behind the unique shape of the Indian Parliament, the Chausath or 64 Yogini Temples, mainly located in different parts of Central India are sacred home to Yoginis, potent aspects of the supreme goddess. While local traditions revered them as protecting goddesses, Hindu-Tantra worships Yoginis as incantations of Durga.
The temples in the tentative list date back to the 9th to 12th Century CE, and were built by various dynasties such as Chandelas and Kalachuri rulers. While the best preserved 64 Yogini temples are in Hirapur (Orissa) and Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), the total number of these temples across the Indian subcontinent still remains to be discovered.
Architecturally, these temples are circular or rectangular in design, with niches that act as the houses of statues of the Yoginis, who are rarely ever found in such large numbers in one place. This design of the temple is relatively rare in Indian temple architecture, making it invaluable to the study of regional variation, religious architecture, and sacred geometry, as well as the impact of Tantra on architecture.
While approximately 13 such temples have been identified across India, eight are located in Madhya Pradesh, including those at Khajuraho, Bhedaghat, Mitaoli, Dudhai, Badoh, Hinglajgarh, Shahdol, and Naresar. Other notable sites are Hirapur and Ranipur in Odisha, Lakheri and Rikhiyan in Uttar Pradesh, and Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. Considering the fact that many shrines are lost to time while others have been repurposed, there is still a chance that one may stumble upon more Yogini temples in India, making a research and preservation effort crucial for these sites.
Yoginis, mentioned in Puranas and texts of Tantra are manifestations of Shakti or divine feminine energy. While most of the information on these wrathful and potent deities remains closely guarded by practitioners of Tantra who learn their worship rituals through their masters, the temples and paintings of Yoginis are the only way an Indian or people interested in culture and heritage can witness their presence, making it crucial to protect these temples and discover more related sites to add to the history of Shaktism and Tantra in India.
Yoginis, mentioned in Puranas and texts of Tantra are manifestations of Shakti or divine feminine energy. While most of the information on these wrathful and potent deities remains closely guarded by practitioners of Tantra who learn their worship rituals through their masters, the temples and paintings of Yoginis are the onlyway an Indian or people interested in culture and heritage can witness their presence, making it crucial to protect these temples and discover more related sites to add to the history of Shaktism and Tantra in India.
A mixing of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain artistic elements was seen in the Gupta period temples, an example of how artistic innovation was rooted in the society more than any one sect. One of the first examples of religious architecture, Gupta period temples are integral to India’s heritage due to
Structural Innovations : Transitioning from rock-cut to free-standing structures, these temples laid the groundwork for subsequent North Indian temple architecture.
Design Elements : Common features include a square sanctum (garbhagriha), a flat or shallowly curved roof, and simple ornamentation, emphasizing symmetry and proportion. This temple laid down architectural and design principles that are being followed by builders to date.
Material Usage : Many temples were constructed using stone and brick, showcasing the advanced engineering and the aesthetic sense of the time.
The serial nomination includes several exemplary temples that highlight the diversity and ingenuity of Gupta architectural practices:
Nachna-Kuthara Temple, Madhya Pradesh : Located in the Panna district, this 5th-6th century temple site is popular due to the Parvati temple that does not have a superstructure, allowing scholars to study the process of temple-building. The Chaumukhanath Temple, a shrine of four-faced Shiva is another important temple of Nachna, depicting the cosmic form of Mahadeva.
Bhitargaon Temple, Uttar Pradesh :This is the oldest surviving brick temple in India, which survived fairly after lightning struck down its uppermost part in the 18th century. The terracotta panels of this temple beautifully depict scenes of Hindu Puranas and images of gods and goddesses.
Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh : Famous for its detailed depictions of Vishnu's ten incarnations, this temple is the first example of the Panchayatan style of architecture, where a central shrine is surrounded by 4 secondary temples within the same complex. The architectural style is a blend of Nagara and Dravida elements, making it a unique sacred site.
What is most interesting is that the “Dashavatara” temple does not contain images of all 10 incarnations of Vishnu, but different avatars such as Nara-Narayana, and iconographies such as Sheshashayi (reclining on the serpent Shesha). This is probably why some historians chose to call it “Gupta temple” or Deogarh temple.
These palaces and fortresses are symbols of the high point in Bundela and Indian history, built during the 16th to 18th centuries, showcasing elements of ancient Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. The frescos of these medieval buildings depicting scenes of royal life and traditions of the time are impressive visual sources for scholars and cultural enthusiasts.
In the nominations of UNESCO, 6 sites within the palace-fortress complex are the most important ones, in addition to the secondary structures.
Garhkundar Fort : Located in Tikamgarh district, this fort is an example of medieval military architecture and offers panoramic views of the surrounding city, in addition to a well-placed rainwater harvesting system.
Raja Mahal and Jahangir Mahal : Situated in Orchha, these palaces are renowned for their vividly painted frescoes that show Hindu as well as Jain themes, intricate latticework, and a natural blend of Hindu and Mughal architectural elements.
Datia Palace : Also known as Bir Singh Palace, this seven-story structure is a symbol of the grandeur of Bundela architecture, with elaborate carvings and expansive courtyards, made mainly using lime and stone, with no iron or wood. It was constructed following the rules of ancient Vaastu, for Jahangir, the Mughal ruler. The architecture of Datia Palace inspired the British architect Edward Lutyens, who used elements from its design in his plan for the capital- Delhi.
Jhansi Fort : A symbol of resistance during the 1857 uprising, this fort stands as a monument to India's struggle for independence. It was constructed under Bir Singh Deo, in a style that blends Maratha and Rajput architectural elements.
Dhubela Palace: Now housing a museum, this palace offers insights into Bundela art, culture, and weaponry. The structure is dedicated to Maharaja Chatrasala, a Bundela ruler, and a rare architecture related to a king who was engaged on the battlefield for most of his life. Facing the Dhubela palace is a building called Mastani Mahal, named after Maharaja Chatrasal’s daughter and a Bundela princess- Mastani.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is an agency of the United Nations that works to promote international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication. Founded in 1945, UNESCO is dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage, encouraging sustainable development, and fostering global peace through knowledge-sharing and collaboration among nations across the globe.
UNESCO's Tentative List is an inventory of cultural and natural sites that a nation considers worthy of being nominated for the World Heritage List in the future. Before a site can be officially nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it must first be included in this tentative list. The list is a preliminary step, which checks whether the site meets the necessary criteria and allowing UNESCO to assess its global significance.
A serial nomination refers to a group of sites that are submitted together as part of a single World Heritage nomination. These sites may be spread across different locations but share a common theme, historical connection, or cultural significance. Serial nominations help in preserving cultural landscapes, transnational heritage, and interrelated monuments under a unified framework.
The inclusion of these six sites in UNESCO’s Tentative Heritage List is a call to action for preservation. Each of these sites—whether the mystical Kanger Valley, the astronomical Megaliths of Mudumal, the Ashokan Edicts, or the sacred Chausath Yogini temples, is a unique representation of Indian and world culture, symbols of how the ancient cultures created and expressed their beliefs and knowledge.
However, preserving this heritage is not the responsibility of local communities or governments alone; it requires a global effort. International collaboration, sustainable tourism, academic research, and public awareness all play crucial roles in safeguarding these treasures for future generations. By supporting conservation initiatives, respecting the sanctity of these sites, and promoting their significance, we ensure that these testaments to human civilization continue to inspire and educate.
As India moves closer to securing UNESCO World Heritage status for these sites, let this moment serve as a reminder that heritage is not just about the past—it is a living legacy that shapes our present and future.
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