The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala have been added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage list.
Key points
- This inclusion marks the 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site in India .
- The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, has been nominated as a serial property comprising three temples in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, namely the Channakeshava temple in Belur, the Hoysaleshvara temple in Halebidu and the Keshava temple in Somanathapura, reflects the creative brilliance of the 13th century architects.
- While the construction of the Chennakeshava temple at Belur in commenced during the period of king Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE and took 103 years to complete, the Hoysaleshwara temple was commissioned in 1121 CE while the Keshava temple at Somanathapur in Mysuru district was commissioned by Somanatha Dandanayaka during the regime of Narasimha III in 1268 CE.
- All these three Hoysala temples are already protected monuments of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- While the Hoysala temples maintain a fundamental Dravidian morphology, they exhibit substantial influences from the Bhumija style prevalent in Central India, the Nagara traditions of northern and western India, and the Karnataka Dravida modes favoured by the Kalyani Chalukyas, Hence the inscription of these temples in the World Heritage List is a combined homage to the great temple building tradition of India.
List of all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
1. Agra Fort (1983)
2. Ajanta Caves (1983)
3. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016)
4. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
5. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
6. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
7. Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
8. Dholavira: a Harappan City (2021)
9. Elephanta Caves (1987)
10. Ellora Caves (1983)
11. Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
12. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)
13. Great Living Chola Temples (1987)
14. Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
15. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
16. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
17. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
18. Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017)
19. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)
20. Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019)
21. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana (2021)
22. Kaziranga National Park (1985)
23. Keoladeo National Park (1985)
24. Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
25. Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)
26. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
27. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
28. Mountain Railways of India (1999)
29. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988)
30. Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
31. Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)
32. Red Fort Complex (2007)
33. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
34. Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
35. Sundarbans National Park (1987)
36. Taj Mahal (1983)
37. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016)
38. The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
39. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)
40. Western Ghats (2012)
41. Santiniketan, West Bengal
42. Sacred ensembles of the Hoysalas, Karnataka
