UNESCO Tentative List

News: India has added six new properties to its UNESCO Tentative List on March 7, 2025. With these additions, India now has 62 sites on the tentative list. UNESCO Tentative List

About UNESCO Tentative List

• The UNESCO Tentative List is an official inventory of sites that a country intends to nominate for inclusion in the World Heritage List.
• It serves as a preliminary step in the nomination process, allowing State Parties to identify and prepare potential heritage sites for future consideration.
• A site must be listed on the Tentative List before it can be officially nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Newly Added Sites

1. Kanger Valley National Park (Chhattisgarh)
   • It is located in the Bastar region of Chattisgarh.
   • This park is known for its dense forests, biodiversity, and limestone caves like Kotumsar and Kailash caves.
   • It is home to unique flora and fauna, including the Bastar Hill Myna, which is the state bird of Chhattisgarh.
2. Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs (Telangana)
   • It is a site containing prehistoric megalithic structures, mainly menhirs (upright stones) that were likely used for ritualistic or astronomical purposes.
   • These structures date back to the Iron Age and provide insights into early funerary practices and social structures.
3. Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes (Multiple States) (Serial Nomination)
   • It includes several sites where Emperor Ashoka’s edicts were inscribed on rock surfaces and pillars, promoting Dhamma (Buddhist principles).
   • These sites spread across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Karnataka, reflecting Mauryan governance and Buddhist teachings.
4. Chausath Yogini Temples (Multiple States) (Serial Nomination)
   • These are unique circular-shaped temples that house 64 Yoginis (female deities) and are often located on hilltops.
   • They reflect Tantric traditions, Shakti worship, and intricate stone carvings, found in states like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh.
5. Gupta Temples in North India (Multiple States) (Serial Nomination)
   • These temples, dating back to the Gupta Empire (4th-6th century CE), showcase early Hindu temple architecture.
   • Known for their shikhara (towers), intricate carvings, and structural precision, they represent a golden age of art and culture in India.
6. Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas (Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh)
   • Grand fortified palaces built by the Bundela Rajputs in places like Orchha, Datia, and Chanderi.
   • These structures exhibit a mix of Rajput and Mughal architecture, featuring intricate frescoes, chhatris (domed pavilions), and water systems.