Vadnagar, Sun Temple of Modhera and Rock cut Sculptures of Unakoti added to UNESCO WHS Tentative list

Vadnagar, Sun Temple of Modhera and Rock cut Sculptures of Unakoti added to UNESCO WHS Tentative list

United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has added Vadnagar town of Gujarat, Modhera’s iconic Sun Temple and Rock cut sculpture and relief of Unakoti into the tentative list of World Heritage Sites (WHS). Tentative list is a list cultural and natural heritage sites nominated by state party which they intend to potentially be included into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS). There are total 52 Indian sites included into tentative list.

• Vadnagar is a L shaped town and municipality in Mehsana district of Gujarat.
• In ancient times, it was known by the name of Anartapura or Anandapur.
• Sharpishtha lake with a small island is located on north-eastern edge of town.
• Two ancient trade routes at Vadnagar crossed each other.
• A hinterland port which is the centre for industries of shells and beads, temples is also a notable feature.
• It is also the hometown of PM Narendra Modi.

• It is situated on the bank of river Pushpavati which is tributary of Rupan river in Mehsans district of Gujarat.
• The temple was constructed with bright yellow sandstone under the patronage of Solanki dynasty in Maru-gujara architectural style of 11th century.
• The temple complex has three components; the main temple shrine (garbhagriha), a hall (gudhamandapa), an outer or assembly hall (sabhamandapa or rangmandapa) and a sacred reservoir which is known as Ramakunda.
• Step tank with several miniature shrines is a notable feature of this temple.

• Unakoti means one less than a crore, is located in the north eastern region of Tripura.
• It is a Saivite pilgrimage site dated back to 7th-9th centuries CE.
• Two types of image found at Unakoti namely rock carved figures and stone images.
• Notable sculptures and figures includes centra shiva head and gigantic Ganesh figure, depiction of Boddhisattava, Gandhar, Chaturmukhalinga and Ela-mukalinga etc.
• Popular fair known as “Ashokastami mela” held every year in the month of April in Unakoti.