ASI seeks world heritage site status for Bihar monuments

PATNA: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has submitted a proposal to UNESCO to declare some of the historical Bihar monuments including Rajgir, Vaishali, Sher Shah Suri’s tomb and the caves of Barabar hills as world heritage sites.

The ruins of Nalanda University has been shortlisted in the tentative list of world heritage site, said Superintending archaeologist of ASI Patna circle, S K Manjul on Wednesday.

He furhter said that 183 centrally protected monuments were under its jurisdiction spread over in two states — Bihar and UP.

He was speaking on the occasion of Hindi diwas fortnight being organized at the Patna museum auditorium.

Manjul said that in UP, the ASI has sent a proposal of two sites — Kushinagar and Sarnath to be included as world heritage sites.

On this occasion, the chief income tax commissioner of Patna Tarkeshwar Singh released brochures in Hindi of important heritage sites of Bihar on.

All these sites are ASI protected sites of Bihar.

DV Sharma, regional director (eastern region), ASI was also present on this occasion.

Speaking on this occasion IT commissioner Singh emphasized the importance of Hindi and said that the unification of India is further consolidated due to expansion of Hindi language. Now every Indian can understand and speak in Hindi.

Singh also highlighted the glorious past of Bihar and said the release of the brochures in Hindi describing the state’s historical and architectural details is a matter of pride.

According to Manjul the brochures in Hindi describing the history, architecture and art of Kumrahar, Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali, Vikramshila, Bodhgaya and Sher Shah Suri’s Tomb will go a long way in spreading awareness about the importance of these monuments.

Bihar being a Hindi speaking state will also help, he added.

A photo exhibition highlighting the recent activities of Patna Circle was also organised on the occasion. As per schedule, these brochures were likely to be released by the governor Debanand Konwar, but due to some unavoidable reasons, he could not come attend the function.

Read more: ASI seeks world heritage site status for Bihar monuments – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/ASI-seeks-world-heritage-site-status-for-Bihar-monuments/articleshow/6521491.cms#ixzz0z4NtoVYW