Hiking trails in Khangchendzonga (Khangchendzonga) National Park
Photography: AMITABHA GUPTA, GETTY IMAGES
Written by: Neha Dara
The most striking thing about a country as vast as India is its richness, whether it is its Diverse landforms, multiculturalism, multiple national languages, various cuisines, or multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites are all extremely fascinating.
India has thirty-five cultural and natural heritage sites, but only a few are well known. The rest are either hidden in remote corners that few people visit; or they are entrenched on vast plains, hidden in the shadows of popular attractions.
Want to see something different? Here are seven lesser-known World Heritage Sites in India.
Kangchenjunga National Park: A Hidden Place
This forest is located in Sikkim state in northeastern India and is listed as a natural and cultural heritage by UNESCO. There, nature and culture blend together. The Rathong Chu River flows through Kangchenjunga National Park. The local Lepcha people and Tibetan Buddhists regard the river valleys on both sides as sacred places. As such, the forest has been able to retain its integrity.
This national park has a diverse geological landscape, ranging from hillsides covered with thick rhododendron trees to rocky mountains covered with eighteen glaciers. There are 19 peaks with an altitude of over 5,700 meters, the highest of which is Kangchenjunga, with an altitude of 8,586 meters, ranking third in the world.
This forest sea provides a habitat for the rare red panda (Red Panda), and the elusive snow leopard also lives in the higher mountains. Not only that, it is also a favorite place for bird watchers, with more than 500 species of birds living in the park.
Tips:
The area is only accessible on foot, and one of the most popular routes is the ten-day hike from Yuksom to Goecha La. Yuksom residents, with the help of a non-profit NGO, run B&Bs, serve as guides and porters (for a flat rate), and keep the routes clean.
Agra Red Fort: A solid fortress
Agra Red Fort appearance
Agra Red Fort public hall
Photography: JMMF, GETTY IMAGES (top) PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN WLODARCZYK, GETTY IMAGES (bottom)
If, you are right If you are put off by the "huge crowds" and "rubbing" of visiting the Taj Mahal , you might as well go to the Agra Red Fort not far away, which can be reached by taking a rickshaw in just 15 minutes. It is an ancient castle that is older than the Taj Mahal. The emperors of the Mughal Dynasty lived here for more than a hundred years before moving their capital to Delhi in the mid-16th century.
This military fortress was designed by Akaba, one of the most powerful rulers of the Mughal Dynasty. It was built of dazzling red sandstone and surrounded by a city wall that was 6 meters high and more than 2,400 meters long. Akbar 's grandson, Emperor Shah Jahan later built palaces, mosques and other white marble buildings, adding some mild tones to this dazzling red castle.
The Red Fort in Agra is an excellent location to view the Taj Mahal. Emperor Shah Jahan often looked through the window at the marble mausoleum he built for his beloved Taj. In addition, the Jasmine Palace is also worth a visit. After Aurangzeb seized the throne of his father, Emperor Shah Jahan, he imprisoned Emperor Shah Jahan here for eight years until the old emperor's death.
Tips:
In the Diwan-i-Khas, the Peacock Throne inlaid with Kohinoor diamonds is fortunate to be preserved to this day. Now the diamond has become a jewel of the British royal family.
GoaConvents and churches: Portuguese style
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Goa
Photography: JEAN-BAPTISTE RABOUAN, LAIF/REDUX
Goa’s convents and churches have become world heritage sites Over the past 30 years, however, among the thousands of tourists who have gone to Goa for beach vacations, few have traveled inland to visit this cultural heritage site.
Rent a small motorcycle and take a cultural trip in the gentle wind. It’s really just fun, fun! The Basilica of Bom Jesus is the most famous, housing the remains of St Francis Xavier, the "Apostle of India". Although part of this church is in ruins, it remains an outstanding example of Indian Baroque architecture.
In Goa, the oldest existing church is the Church of Our Lady of Rosary, which was built in 1510 after the Portuguese Governor Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa. soon. The church is decorated with naval patterns such as anchors and seashells, highlighting Portugal's dominance of the sea.
In addition, there is the Santa Caterina Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Asia. It was built in the 16th century and once had two towers, but only one remains today. The existing tower contains a huge golden bell, famous for its beautiful tone.
Tips:
No church feast in Goa can be complete without Tiatr. Tiatr is a traditional opera in Goa with a history of more than 100 years. This kind of musical drama is accompanied by a brass band, and the storyline often reflects social reality problems and is ironic.
Western Ghats: Forest Wonderland
Ozarde Falls in the Western Ghats
Photo by BERT WILLAERT, NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY/GETTY IMAGES
In the Western Ghats, at least 125 globally endangered plant and animal species thrive. This is a testament to the biodiversity of this mountain range.
Not only that, new species appear there frequently. Recently, a small spider (Eriovixiagryffindori) has attracted attention for its resemblance to the Sorting Hat from the Harry Potter stories.
The Western Ghats stretches for more than 1,600 kilometers, spanning 6 states, and contains infinite scenery. In late summer, the Kaas plains of Maharashtra turn into a carpet of 1,500 species of flowers, and large herds of Asian elephants roam the dense forests of the southern mountains. The gelada monkey, one of the rarest primates in the world, lives in the tree canopy of Kerala. With these characteristics, the Western Ghats are listed by UNESCO as one of the eight ecological diversity hotspots in the world, second only to Madagascar and Brazil's Atlantic Coast Forest.
Tips:
html April to June is the mating time of fireflies . The mountains are full of twinkling fireflies, which is like a fairyland.The Indian Queen’s Stepwell: Legend in the Stone
The commemorative relief in the Indian Queen’s Stepwell
Photography: HEMIS/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
If the Taj Mahal represents an emperor’s love for his wife, then it is located in the Gujarat statePatan town The queen's stepwell above represents a queen's respect for her husband. However, over the years, this beautiful stepwell was once obscured by the silt of the nearby Saraswati River.
It was not until the 1980s that the Indian archaeological team completed its excavation work and reappeared this outstanding representative of stepwell architecture in front of the world. The stepwell is divided into 7 floors. More than 500 Hindu gods and more than 1,000 small sculptures are carved on the stone walls and pillars.
This stepwell was built in the 11th century. It was not only a place where people obtained water at that time, but also an important social and religious place. In fact, it is more like an inverted temple, a temple dedicated to the sanctity of water.
Tips:
Patan town is about 3.5 hours drive from Ahmedabad . After arriving, tourists may wish to visit the making process of Patola sari. It takes weavers 6 months to weave one piece. Some of the patterns they used were based on the reliefs in the Queen's stepwell.
Bhimo Betka Caves: A Gallery of Ancient Art
Caves near Bhopal, IndiaCaves near Bhimo Betka CavesRock paintings at Bhimo Betka Caves are over 30,000 years old
Photo by DINODIA PHOTOS/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO (Part 1) ) and PHOTOGRAPH BY SUBHENDU SARKAR, GETTY IMAGES (Part 2)
The simple figures in the grotto are painted with dark red paint, holding spears and bows and arrows, chasing a group of horned creatures; there are many kinds of animals on the rock wall Diverse, including deer, buffalo, elephant and more. These all come from the Bhimou Bekat Caves in central India, which despite being a World Heritage Site, are rarely visited.
This huge natural cave is located on the sandstone rock wall under the Vindhya Mountains, about 1.5 hours' drive from Bhopal. There are about 500 grottoes scattered on seven hills. Some grottoes have only one or two petroglyphs, but the walls of some grottoes are covered with all kinds of petroglyphs. The artwork spans centuries, with the oldest rock paintings dating from the Mesolithic Age.
Visitors can visit 15 of the best grotto landscapes along a 1.6-kilometer trail. The trail winds through the surrounding forest, and the black-faced langurs living inside occasionally accompany tourists.
Tips: The painting of a huge red horned animal chasing a small man in the
Grotto is the only rock painting of a human being being chased, implying the complicated relationship between humans and nature in ancient times.
Chandigarh Parliament House: Concrete Art
Chandigarh Parliament House designed by Le Corbusier
Photography by ANDRE SCHUMACHER, LAIF/REDUX
Chandigarh is a 5-hour drive north of New Delhi, the city The wide roads lined with green trees are in sharp contrast to the chaotic traffic in other Indian cities. In 2016, Chandigarh became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was planned and designed by Le Corbusier, the "father of functionalist architecture" and the world-famous architectural designer. He is credited with inventing "a new architectural language that broke with the past."
Le Corbusier designed the Parliament House in Chandigarh, setting the aesthetic benchmark for the entire city. The entire complex is divided into three main government buildings - the Secretariat, the High Court and the Legislative Assembly. The entire building is backed by the Shivalik Mountains and separated by a large square. There is also a large metal monument with an "open hand" in the building, symbolizing openness and peace. Architecture enthusiasts can register at the visitor center next to it and join a guided tour.
Tips:
When arriving in Chandigarh, tourists can stop by the Rock Garden (Rock Garden), which was originally built privately by a government servant in his spare time. The park’s rugged trails wind between man-made waterfalls and sculptures made from scraps.
(Translator: Mikegao)
