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In this article, we are discussing World Heritage Sites in India.
21. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
a) Ajanta Caves located Maharashtra's Aurangabad district are Buddhist cave monuments that date back to 2nd & 1st centuries B.C. Many more caves and monuments were added to the original group during the Gupta period in 5th & 6th centuries A.D.
b) The caves with their paintings & sculptures are regarded as the finest examples of ancient Indian art by the Archeological Survey of India. Depiction of Buddhist religious art centered on Lord Buddha and Jataka Tales are considered to be masterpieces.
c) The earliest group of caves was made under the patronage of Satavahana dynasty (230 BC - 220 AD). The mural paintings in these caves that stood the test of time depict the unique court-led painting in India from this period. The latter group of paintings considered to be made a century or more after are in dry fresco (painted on dry plaster rather than a wet one).
d) Most of these caves are 'viharas' or monasteries where Buddhist monks used to pray and reside.
e) This site was discovered by a British army officer John Smith in 1819.
f) The Ajanta caves were inscribed in the World Heritage Sites list by UNESCO in 1983.
22. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
a) Ellora Caves are a group of 34 monasteries and temples, excavated out of the vertical face of the high basalt cliff of Charanandri hills built by the Rashtrakuta and Yadav dynasties. It is also known as Elapura in the Rashtrakuta Kannada literature.
b) Ellora Caves are the best example of Indian rock-cut architecture. The site comprises Buddhist, Jain & Hindu rock-cut temples, which is demonstrative of the religious harmony during this period.
c) One of the highlights of the caves is the 12th Buddhist cave named 'Tin Tala', a three-storey structure, which was wholly built only by human hands. The two storeyed Jain cave named Indra Sabha, with its fine carvings and sculptures, is also known for its architectural splendour.
d) Several inscriptions found in these caves were made between the 6th-15th centuries. The inscription of Dantidurga (founder of the Rashtrakuta Empire) is the best known among them as it gives details about his conquests.
e) Ellora Caves were enlisted as UNESCO's World Heritage Site in 1983.
23. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra
a) Also known as Gharapurichi Leni, which literally means 'the city of caves', Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves linked to the Shaivism sect of Hinduism. The caves represent the glory of Lord Shiva through the various poses and actions.
b) The name Elephanta was given by the Portuguese to credit the large rock-cut elephant statue on the island.
c) The site contains seven caves in total divided into two groups. While the larger group consists of five Hindu shrines, the smaller group to the east consists of two Buddhist caves, one of which was left unfinished.
d) Carved from solid basalt rock, the caves were constructed between 6th and 8th centuries.
e) The site is famous for the statue of Trimurti wherein Lord Shiva is depicted in three different moods i.e. as the creator, the destroyer & the preserver.
f) The statue of Shiva as Ardhanarishwara is also very prominent as the Lord is half male & half female in form. The female form of represents Shakti.
g) UNESCO inscribed Elephanta Caves as a World Heritage Site in 1987.
24. Western Ghats
a) The mountain chain of Western Ghats run almost parallel to the western coast of the India, from north to south alongside the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, separating the plateau from the narrow coastal strip of Konkan.
b) Western Ghats pass through states like Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu.
c) The Ghats' wide expanse enables them to serve as the catchment area for complex riverine drainage systems. They also block the southwest monsoon winds from reaching the Deccan Plateau.
d) The Western Ghats are considered one of the world's ten 'hottest biodiversity hotspots'. It is home to 30% of India's plant, bird, fish and mammal species it is likely that many more undiscovered species live in the Western Ghats.
f) Western Ghats were enlisted in the World Heritage Site list by UNESCO in 2012.
To read the other articles in the series follow :
Capsule 1 :http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-capsule-1-35244697
Capsule 2 :
http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-capsule-2-35245590
Capsule 3 :http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-3-35266672
Capsule 4 :
http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-4-35268871
Capsule 5 :
http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-5-35341786
Capsule 6 :
http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/upsc-gk-update-world-heritage-sites-in-india-capsule-6-35357595
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