Unakoti, the 7th-9th century old massive Saivite sites of amazing rock cut reliefs, has been included in the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites.
The magnificent sites of gigantic and massive rock cuts of deities from Hindu pantheon-mostly Saivite- remained enchanting and mystic far from the madding crowd and isolated in forested areas of northern part of the state in the district named after the site-Unakoti. The magical charm of the ancient rock sculpture casts a spell on whosoever comes in front it. However, the apathy of the Archaeological Survey of India to protect and preserve this site was always a matter of concern.
Now, with the Unakoti getting into the UNESCO tentative heritage sites list, situation is likely to change.
Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday tweeted the news and also shared images of the three sites.
“Congratulations India! India adds 3 more sites to @UNESCO’s Tentative List: 01 Vadnagar- A multi-layered Historic town, Gujarat 02 Sun Temple, Modhera and its adjoining monuments 03 Rock-cut Sculptures and Reliefs of the Unakoti, Unakoti Range, Unakoti District,” he tweeted.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) also shared his tweet and added that the step will provide a big boost to India’s cultural heritage.
It is learnt that the Union government had earlier requested the UNESCO to declare Unakoti a World Heritage Site. The Union government also sanctioned Rs 12 crore to develop the place as a tourist destination.
Though the sculptors of this massive ruck cut reliefs are unknown , yet it is believed to be created in phases over the about 200 years from 7th to 9th century. There are several panels of rock reliefs -Shiva, Ganesh etc and the origin and motive behind the creation of the site is still shrouded in mystical version. The legend has it that a ‘sculptor’s dreamt to build another Kashi with one crore stone images of Lord Shiva and other gods and goddesses’—which could not be done as the sculptor fell asleep with only the last one of the images still not being curved—thus the name came Unakoti- one less than a crore.
Now, after the UNESECO tag it is hoped that serious scholarly research will be carried out by the historians, archaeologists in a scientific methiod.
