Of the 35 ( 27 cultural , 7 natural and 1 mixed ) world heritage site in India recognized by the United Nation Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as of July 2016, 5 are located in Tamil Nadu.
1. MAMALLAPURAMM
Mahabalipuram ,also known as Mamallapuram is located about 60 kms from Chennai city. Important location of Pallava dynasty in Tamil Nadu during the 7th century , this is one of the most visited tourist places of South India. Mahabalipuram's unfinished poetry in stone, the sculptural creation , stands testimony to the unique Dravidian architecture. The place is known after one of the Pallava Kings, Narasimhavarman I - who was known by several titles, The extraordinary sculptural creations now available for the visitor to see and appreciate are :
-The Shore Temple
- five Rathas - the rock cut marvels of architecture reveling in variety.
- the great , Penance - Largest open air bas - relief , finest in the world
- Varaha Madapam - finest sculpture of Vishnu as Varaha who saved mother earth
- Tiger Cave - created to be a sort of auditorium it has exquisite sculptures and inscriptions
- Mahishashuramardhini panel - depicting the final scene of the battle of Durga and Mahishasura is without parallel anywhere as bas -relief sculpture.
2. BRIHADEESWARAR TEMPLE, THANJAVUR
Located in Thanjavur , often referred to as the temple of temples is one of the best expressions of artistic excellence , Brihadeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built by Raja Chola I- in 1010 CE. UNESCO in its listed World Heritage Sites, declared this monument as the " Great Living Temple" in the year 1987 . The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The vimanam( temple tower) is 198 ft high and is one of the tallest in the world. The Kumbam, the apex of the bulbous structure on the top weighs around 80 tons. There is a marvel of a huge sculpture of Nandi ( sacred bull) at the entrance , that engages that engages the attention of any visitor.
3. BRIHADEESWARAR TEMPLE, GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM
Gangaikonda Cholapuram, capital of the Cholas Kingdom was built by Rajendra Chola I , son of Rajaraja Chola. This temple was built after Rajendra captured the Ganga dynasty. The Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple stands as a remarkable example of the Chola architectural skills. A well planned and structure place Gangaikoda Cholapuram was for a while the headquarters of the Cholas. This temple was added in the UNESCO 's world heritage list in 2004.
4. AIRAVATEESWARAR TEMPLE, DARASURAM
Airavateeswarar Temple also was given the distinction as a Great Living Chola Temple by UNESCO while declaring it as the UNESCO heritage site.A Saivite temple built in the 12th century by Raja Chola II, Airavateeswarar Temple is located Kumbakonam. The main deity is named Airavateeswarar as Lord Shiva restored the colour of the skin of the elephant of the King of Gods, Indra, cursed by a saint. It has some exquisite sculptures. According to the report of the UNESCO this temple testifies to the brilliant achievements of the Chola architecture and sculpture.
5. THE NILGIRI MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
Among the Mountain Railways of India, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu is one of the outstanding examples of the interchange of values on developments in technology and impact of an innovative transportation system as stated by the UNESCO. The construction of 46 kilometers long single track railway line scaling an elevation of 326m to 2203 m was a marvel of the time when it was completed in 1908. It connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and goes through beautiful scenery in its 5 hours of travel. In 2005 , UNESCO added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway , the site then became known as " Mountain Railways of India" after it satisfied the necessary criteria , thus forcing abandonment of the modernization plans.
1. MAMALLAPURAMM
Mahabalipuram ,also known as Mamallapuram is located about 60 kms from Chennai city. Important location of Pallava dynasty in Tamil Nadu during the 7th century , this is one of the most visited tourist places of South India. Mahabalipuram's unfinished poetry in stone, the sculptural creation , stands testimony to the unique Dravidian architecture. The place is known after one of the Pallava Kings, Narasimhavarman I - who was known by several titles, The extraordinary sculptural creations now available for the visitor to see and appreciate are :
-The Shore Temple
- five Rathas - the rock cut marvels of architecture reveling in variety.
- the great , Penance - Largest open air bas - relief , finest in the world
- Varaha Madapam - finest sculpture of Vishnu as Varaha who saved mother earth
- Tiger Cave - created to be a sort of auditorium it has exquisite sculptures and inscriptions
- Mahishashuramardhini panel - depicting the final scene of the battle of Durga and Mahishasura is without parallel anywhere as bas -relief sculpture.
2. BRIHADEESWARAR TEMPLE, THANJAVUR
Located in Thanjavur , often referred to as the temple of temples is one of the best expressions of artistic excellence , Brihadeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built by Raja Chola I- in 1010 CE. UNESCO in its listed World Heritage Sites, declared this monument as the " Great Living Temple" in the year 1987 . The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The vimanam( temple tower) is 198 ft high and is one of the tallest in the world. The Kumbam, the apex of the bulbous structure on the top weighs around 80 tons. There is a marvel of a huge sculpture of Nandi ( sacred bull) at the entrance , that engages that engages the attention of any visitor.
3. BRIHADEESWARAR TEMPLE, GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM
Gangaikonda Cholapuram, capital of the Cholas Kingdom was built by Rajendra Chola I , son of Rajaraja Chola. This temple was built after Rajendra captured the Ganga dynasty. The Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple stands as a remarkable example of the Chola architectural skills. A well planned and structure place Gangaikoda Cholapuram was for a while the headquarters of the Cholas. This temple was added in the UNESCO 's world heritage list in 2004.
4. AIRAVATEESWARAR TEMPLE, DARASURAM
Airavateeswarar Temple also was given the distinction as a Great Living Chola Temple by UNESCO while declaring it as the UNESCO heritage site.A Saivite temple built in the 12th century by Raja Chola II, Airavateeswarar Temple is located Kumbakonam. The main deity is named Airavateeswarar as Lord Shiva restored the colour of the skin of the elephant of the King of Gods, Indra, cursed by a saint. It has some exquisite sculptures. According to the report of the UNESCO this temple testifies to the brilliant achievements of the Chola architecture and sculpture.
5. THE NILGIRI MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
Among the Mountain Railways of India, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu is one of the outstanding examples of the interchange of values on developments in technology and impact of an innovative transportation system as stated by the UNESCO. The construction of 46 kilometers long single track railway line scaling an elevation of 326m to 2203 m was a marvel of the time when it was completed in 1908. It connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and goes through beautiful scenery in its 5 hours of travel. In 2005 , UNESCO added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway , the site then became known as " Mountain Railways of India" after it satisfied the necessary criteria , thus forcing abandonment of the modernization plans.
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