World Heritage Week: 19 - 25th November 2015

World Heritage Week is marked around the world from November 19-25, after the UNESCO declared the designated period a few decades ago. Supported in India by INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) and ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) and other heritage trusts, various Indian cities are seen celebrating it in their own way – organizing heritage themed walks or conducting workshops/seminars or hosting photography exhibitions.

Headquartered in Delhi, INTACH, a non-profit organisation established in 1984, besides the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), works on protection, conservation and promotion of tangible and intangible heritage, through its numerous chapters across various cities.

In the ongoing Heritage Week, INTACH Chapter of Delhi and Delhi government are co-hosting cultural programmes near Jehaz Mahal in the historic Mehrauli area to mark the occasion. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is one of the first municipal bodies in the country to open a ‘heritage cell’, which actively promotes awareness about our cultural heritage and is conducting several heritage-themed activities for citizens to participate in. In Agra, the ASI has also planned a host of events to mark the week designated by UNESCO as a period to celebrate heritage around the world. INTACH’s Patna Chapter, one of the oldest city units of the heritage body, has also planned a few activities during the week-long celebrations. Baroda too is celebrating Heritage Week with dozens of activities and exhibitions, walks and talks conducted via the Heritage Trust and the Baroda People’s Heritage Festival! 

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites are places around the world that hold special physical or cultural significance. They include mountains, forest, lake, desert, island, monument, complex building or city. The International World Heritage Programme which is administered by the UNESCO maintains the list of the World Heritage Sites. This programme was formed on November 16th, 1972. 

Under this programme 32 sites from India have been identified as World Heritage Sites. Out of these 32, 25 sites are from our architectural heritage and significant to our cultural evolution, while the others are natural sites. Let's take a look at some of our important heritage buildings...