India is a colorful and vibrant land, as diverse as its people. Its mosaic of faiths, cultures, customs and languages that blend harmoniously to form a composite whole are food for the soul and the mind.
Regarded as one of the world’s oldest living civilizations, one that gave to the world the concept of zero and yoga, India is an irresistible place to visit for one and all.
This country has always had an aura of fascination about it, not just because of its diversity and way of life, but also because of its cultural heritage.
Millions of tourists have been left enchanted after a visit to monuments of historical and cultural significance. Each of these monuments has its own interesting story, built up over the centuries with incomparable appeal.
Today, there are several edifices of historical and cultural significance that are being protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
In Jammu and Kashmir, for instance, the government recently declared 37 heritage sites as protected monuments to encourage both pilgrim and heritage tourism.
The state government has included a dome of the newly explored sites like Kutbal, Lethpora, Sheikh Abraham shrine, Hari Parbat Fort and a medieval wall built by the Mughals. Other heritage sites are the royal palace at Mubarak Mandi, the SPS Museum and the Bahu Fort.
These heritage sites will link up with heritage tourism promotion at a cost of 1.5 billion rupees. Scientific measures will be taken for the preservation and conservation of these sites.
Shafi Zahid, deputy director of the Archeological and Museums Department, Jammu and Kashmir, said the government had taken this decision for the conservation and protection of all state monuments.
“Tourists from Southeast Asia are interested in knowing how ancient Indian culture and traditions are nurtured and protected. We recently found some remains of a monument in Pahalgam and we received information that those remains date back to the third century. So, the restoration of these historical monuments will increase cultural tourism to the state,” he added.
The authorities have activated plans to provide basic civic amenities at every historical site for the convenience of visitors.
Planning includes providing brochures and booklets with a historical background of the monuments for the knowledge of visitors.
Locals are pleased about the restoration of these sites, as they believe tourist inflow will be good for both business and employment.
At least that is what Shabir Ahmad thinks. He believes poor families will be the ones to benefit the most from these tourism friendly drives.
In India, a special emphasis is laid on protection, safeguard, restoration and renovation of monuments. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Indian Ministry of Culture is the premier body for archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
ASI’s prime concerns include maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance. Besides, it regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (1958).
It also regulates the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act (1972). For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance, the entire country is divided into 24 circles. The organization exists as a large work force of trained archaeologists, conservators, epigraphist, architects and scientists for conducting archaeological research projects through its circles, museums, excavation branches, pre-history branch, epigraphy branches, science branch, horticulture branch, building survey project, temple survey projects and underwater archaeology wing.
All ancient and historical monuments which have been declared by the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Act (1951), or by section 126 of the States Reorganization Act (1956) to be of national importance shall also be deemed to be protected monuments.
If the central government apprehends that a protected monument is in danger of being destroyed, injured, misused or allowed to fall into decay, it may acquire the protected monument under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act (1894).
For protection from notorious elements, the existing guidelines state that whoever destroys, removes, injures, alters, defaces or imperils a protected monument, there is a provision for imposing a monetary penalty and also of imprisonment.
Destroying, removing, injuring, altering, defacing, imperiling or misusing a protected monument or removing from a protected monument any sculpture, carving, image, inscription, or other like objects shall be deemed a cognizable offense within the meaning of the Code of Criminal Procedure (1898).
The United Nations has declared various sites in India as World Heritage Sites. These include the Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam; the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya, Bihar; and Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and the Red Fort in Delhi.
In Madhya Pradesh they include the Buddhist monuments at Sanchi, the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka and the Khajuraho monuments.
In Maharashtra there are the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Elephanta Caves. In Orissa, there is the Konark Sun Temple, while in Rajasthan there is the Keoladeo National Park and Jantar Mantar in Jaipur.
In Tamil Nadu, there are the Chola Temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram; Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram; and Mountain Railways of India — Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
In Uttar Pradesh, there is Fatehpur Sikri, the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. In Uttarakhand, Nanda Devi and the Valley of Flowers are popular attractions.
In West Bengal, there are the Mountain Railways of India — Darjeeling and Sundarbans National Park. The list also includes the Basilica of Bom Jesus and other churches of Goa, Gujarat’s Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, the Kalka-Shimla Railway in Himachal Pradesh, and the Hampi and Pattadakal monuments in Karnataka.
As of 2010, there are 911 World Heritage Sites located in 151 “state parties.” Of these sites, 704 are cultural, 180 are natural and 27 are mixed properties.
Recently, during the Conde Nast Readers’ Travel Awards 2010, India was voted the seventh best holidaying destination. India scored highest for the warmth of its people and hospitality with a score of 94.44 out of 100.
