UNESCO World Heritage Sites

UNESCO has recognised 9 heritage sites in Rajasthan and the state government has been working towards refurbishing these sites to attract more visitors. Heritage sites recognised by UNESCO in Rajasthan include Keoladeo National Park, Jantar- Mantar, six hill forts (Chittorgarh fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort, Amber Fort, Jaisalmer Fort), and Jaipur Walled City.

HILL FORTS OF RAJASTHAN

Six hill forts of Rajasthan have received the status of world heritage sites as per UNESCO in June 2013. Hill Forts are sites located on rocky tops of the Aravali mountain range in the state of Rajasthan. These forts typically depict the style of Rajput military hill warfare. It is characterized by utilizing the defensive natural properties of the terrain like mountain peaks, dense forests, lakes, and deserts. Thus, the Rajputs are known for their defensive architecture. They cover large territories and even the entire villages in walled compounds. The Hill Forts are a fine example of the Rajput architecture and grandeur. They attract thousands of tourists, both domestic and international each year.

The following 6 hill forts have been declared as world heritage sites in Rajasthan.

1. CHITTORGARH FORT

FITTING SYMBOL OF RAJPUT SPIRIT

Chittorgarh Fort is a fitting symbol of the Rajput spirit. Set atop a 180 metre high hill and spread across 240 hectares, this majestic fort features in tales of courage, pride and romance that the bards of Rajasthan have been singing for centuries. Legend has it that the construction of the Chittorgarh Fort was begun by Bhim, one of the heroic Pandava brothers from Mahabharata, India’s eminent mythological epic. The fort houses several magnificent monuments, some unfortunately ravaged by the passage of time. The imposing structure takes one back to the days of conquests and tragedies, and its walls continue to ring with incredible tales of extraordinary men and women. A one-kilometre road weaves its way from the foothills to the summit, taking visitors through seven gates before arriving at Rampol (Gate of Ram). On the road between the second and the third gate, visitors get to see two ‘chattris’ (cenotaphs) built in honour of Jaimal and Kalla, heroes, who laid down their lives in the 1568 siege by Emperor Akbar. The main gate of the fort is Surajpol (Sun Gate).

2. KUMBHALGARH FORT

BIRTHPLACE OF MEWAR'S LEGENDARY KING, MAHARANA PRATAP

Located 84 kms north of Udaipur in the wilderness, Kumbhalgarh is the second most important citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region. Cradled in the Aravali Ranges the fort was built in the 15th century AD by Rana Kumbha. The inaccessibility and hostility of the topography lends a semblance of invincibility to the fort. It served the rulers of Mewar as a refuge in times of strife. The fort also served as refuge to King Udai of Mewar in his early childhood when Banbir killed Vikramaditya and usurped the throne. It is of immense sentimental significance for the people being the birthplace of Mewar's legendary king Maharana Pratap. The fort is self-contained in all respect to withstand a protracted siege. Its defences could be breached only once by the combined armies of the Mughal and of Amber primarily for scarcity of drinking water. There is a magnificent array of temples built by the Mauryas of which the most picturesque place is the Badal Mahal or the palace of the clouds. The fort also offers a superb bird’s eye view of the surroundings. The fort's massive wall stretches some 36 kms with a width enough to take eight horses abreast. Maharana Fateh Singh renovated the fort in the 19th century. The fort's large compound has very interesting ruins and a walk around it can be very educative.

3. RANTHAMBORE FORT

GLORY & VALOR OF THE CHAUHAN DYNASTY

The noteworthy Ranthambore Fort was built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century. Due to its strategic location, it was ideal to keep the enemy at bay. The fort is also related to the historical legend of the royal women performing ‘jauhar’ (self-immolation) when the Muslim invader Alauddin Khilji laid siege on this fort in 1303. The fort is characterised by temples, tanks, massive gates and huge walls. Constructed in 944 AD, Ranthambore Fort has witnessed many sieges and battles. Probably the most famous among these is the war of Rao Hamir in 1301 against the Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji. An architectural marvel, the fort includes many attractions such include Toran Dwar, Mahadeo Chhatri and Sametonki Haveli within its premises. The presence of a mosque and temple within the fort precincts bears testimony to the secularity of the Rajput kings. The Lord Ganesha temple housed here is a major tourist attraction, and it also hosts a fair every year on the occasion of Bhadrapad Sudi Chaturthi over here.

4. GAGRON FORT

RAJASTHAN’S UNIQUE HILL & WATER FORT

Gagron Fort is a fine example of a hill and water fort. It is one of the six hill forts of Rajasthan to be a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Surrounded by the tranquil waters of the Ahu, Kali and Sindh rivers on three sides, the fort is indeed a sight to behold. A beautiful mausoleum of Sufi saint Mitheshah just outside the fort is the venue for an annual colourful fair held during the month of Moharram. Gagron Fort is the only hill and water fort in Rajasthan.

5. JAISALMER FORT

DEFINING THE GLORY OF RAJPUTANA ROYALTY

The Jaisalmer Fort also goes by the name Sonar Quila (Golden Fort) as it rises from the desert itself and seems to become one with the golden hues of the sand. The setting sun adds its own magic and shrouds the fort with mystique. The fort is constructed in the classic style of the royals by local craftsmen. This fort is a world heritage site and forms an important plot point in one of Satyajit Ray’s famous Feluda stories and corresponding movie, Sonar Kela (The Golden Fortress).

6. AMBER FORT, JAIPUR

BEAUTIFUL MELANGE OF ARCHITECTURE

One of the top tourist attractions of Jaipur, the huge Amer Palace Fort sits atop a small hill, and is located at a distance about 11 km from the main city. The magnificent Amer Fort is an extensive palace complex that has been built with pale yellow and pink sandstone, and with white marble. The fort is divided into four main sections that are graced with their own courtyards.

As you arrive at the Amer Fort, you will enter through the Suraj Pol; unless you arrive by car, then you enter via the Chand Pol. Both these gates open into the Jaleb Chowk, which is the main courtyard, where in earlier times, returning armies used to display their plunder to the people. The fort has a number of sections, including the King’s quarters, the zenana (where the women lived), gardens, temples, etc.

There are a lot of attractions for one to see at the Amer Fort, including the diwan-e-aam, such mandir, and the Sheesh Mahal. Amer Fort is also home to some underground tunnels that connect Amer to Jaigarh Fort. A part of these tunnels has been restored, and is now open to public as well. Encompassing all this, the Amer Fort is a perfect example of Rajasthani architecture which is a must-visit.

The essence of Amer Fort is encapsulated by the beautiful light and sound show within the fort, where visitors get to see an astounding spectacle about the history of the fort.

JAIPUR WALLED CITY

Founded in 1727 AD, by Sawai Jai Singh II, the ‘new’ Jaipur city (now known as old city among locals) was based on shilp shastra. The city was announced as the capital, being shifted from Amber fort. The city was painted pink in 1876 for the visit of the Prince of Wales, after which the city came to be popularly known as the Pink City. The city was surrounded by large fortified walls with beautiful huge gates. Jaipur city is popular for shopping, heritage sites, vibrant culture and architecture. The city is the heart of the Golden Triangle formed with Delhi and Agra.

JANTAR MANTAR, JAIPUR

Jantar Mantar is one of the oldest astronomical observatories featuring the world’s largest stone sundial, located in the heart of Jaipur. It is no longer a working science center but is maintained as a monument, and education activity sessions, guided tours and music and light shows, are organized here. Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is one of the largest observatories in the world, comprising of remarkable stone assemblies that help to interpret the position of celestial bodies and calculate local time. Enumerated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Jantar Mantar attracts tourists, historians, astronomers, architects, mathematicians, and geographers. The collection of nineteen astronomical instruments in Jantar Mantar allows the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye. The monument is an exemplification of architectural innovations that was built on ideas from different religious and social beliefs in 18th-century India.

KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK, BHARATPUR

BIRD HAVEN

Formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the Keoladeo National Park is recognised as one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds. It originated in as a royal hunting reserve during the 1850s and was a game reserve for Maharajas and the British. In fact, Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943, shot over thousands of ducks with his hunting party in a single day! In 1982, Keoladeo was declared a national park and then later listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. The park is home to over 370 species of birds and animals such as the basking python, painted storks, deer, nilgai and more. Noted Indian ornithologist and naturalist Salim Ali used his influence to garner government support to create Keoladeo National Park. It was also known as the breeding ground for the rare and elusive to spot Siberian crane. Keoladeo National Park offers well-defined treks which can be covered on either foot, or cycle or rickshaws. In fact, the park management has trained the rickshaw pullers in bird watching and they make for extremely knowledgeable guides.