Khangchendzonga National Park Image Source: Nomination file (UNESCO)
Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex, Sikkim’s Khangchendzonga national park and ruins of Nalanda University in Bihar are now the three World Heritage site, declared by UNESCO in its 40th session of The World Heritage Committee meet in Istanbul on Sunday.
“The Complexe du Capitole in Chandigarh (India), the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo (Japan), the House of Dr Curutchet in La Plata (Argentina) and the Unite d’habitation in Marseille (France) reflect the solutions that the Modern Movement sought to apply during the 20th century to the challenges of inventing new architectural techniques to respond to the needs of society. These masterpieces of creative genius also attest to the internationalisation of architectural practice across the planet,” UNESCO said in an official statement.
Capitol Complex in Chandigarh: Getty Images
On Khangchendzonga National Park it said, “Located at the heart of the Himalayan range in northern India (State of Sikkim), the Khangchendzonga National Park includes a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers and spectacular, snow-capped mountains covered with ancient forests, including the world’s third highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga. Mythological stories are associated with this mountain and with a great number of natural elements (e.g. caves, rivers, lakes, etc.) that are the object of worship by the indigenous people of Sikkim. The sacred meanings of these stories and practices have been integrated with Buddhist beliefs and constitute the basis for Sikkimese identity.”
On Friday, UNESCO declared ruins of Nalanda University as World Cultural Heritage.
“Just insribed as @UNESCO #WorldHeritage Site: Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar. #India”, the tweet read.
Tags: Capitol Complex in Chandigarh Khangchendzonga National Park Nalanda University UNESCO World Heritage Site
