KARNATAKA TO SEEK UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE STATUS FOR 14 HOYSALA TEMPLES
Context: The State Archaeology Department has clubbed 14 temples from the Hoysala period reflecting similar architectural styles including the monuments at Belur- Halebid and Somnathpur for serial nomination to seek UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
The final dossier, to be submitted by September 2020, is being prepared by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Bengaluru which is expected to submit it by April.
THE LIST INCLUDES
- Monuments at Belur and Halebid
- Panchalingeshwara Temple at Govindahall
- Chennakeshava temple at Somnathpur
- Kesava temple at Harnahalli,
- Lakshminarayana temple at Hosaholalu
- Ishvara temple at Arsikere
- Bucheshwara temple at Koravangala,
- Nageshwara and Chennakeshava temple at Mosale,
- Kalyani at Hulikere
- Lakshmidevi temple at Doddagaddavalli
- Amriteshwara temple at Amrutpura, and
- Viranarayana temple at Amrutpura.
UNESCO defines serial nominations as any two or more unconnected sites that may contain a series of cultural or natural properties indifferent locations, provided that they are related because they belong to the same historical and cultural group.
In India, forts at Chittorgarh, Kumbalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Jhalawar and Jaisalmer are examples.
SIGNIFICANCE
- The final dossier would highlight the monuments as representing a masterpiece of creative genius in monumental arts
- And also as an outstanding example of a type of architectural ensemble illustrating a significant stage in human history.
