Heritage is the legacy which is passed from our great ancestors from one generation to another generation through different modes like culture, architecture etc. All the countries of the world consists of their own culture be it local or national which represent the true flavor of that particular place and the value of that place in our Mother Earth. An international campaign was launched by UNESCO for safeguarding and restoring such World Heritage Sites so that the heritage is preserved and protected forever. The World Heritage Site that is being selected for discovering its potentialities in my project is the “ The Great Living Chola Temples.” DISCOVERING POTENTIAL SITES

There are certain criteria that is to be complied to become a WHS are prescribed by UNESCO are as follows:-  The Chola Temple represents a master piece of human creativity.  It exhibits an important interchange of human values and custom and it represents the culture of whole of South India.  It is an outstanding example of architectural excellence holding a significant place in history of Chola Dynasty.  The temples contain superlative natural phenomena and is of aesthetic value.  The Chola Temples are directly in relation with the valuable literary, traditional, belief of the Chola Dynasty and its impact on whole of South India. "The Great Living Chola Temple" – A World Heritage Site

"THE GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLE" The Chola Temple was built during the Chola Dynasty in South India. The Chola Temple consisted of many temples that were built during their dynasty and it include 1. The Brahadeeswarar Temple 2. Temple of Gangaikonda Cholisvaram 3. Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. href=" Brihadeeshwara_Temple-Thanjavur_Tamil_Nadu.html# "> (PHOTO LOCATION) The criteria for being a Chola Temple are:- (i): The three Chola temples of Southern India represent an outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure form of the dravida type of temple. (ii): The Brahadishvara Temple at Thanjavur became the first great example of the Chola temples, followed by a development of which the other two properties also bear witness. (iii): The three Great Chola Temples are an exceptional and the most outstanding testimony to the development of the architecture of the Chola Empire and the Tamil Civilization in Southern India. (iv): The Great Chola temples are outstanding examples of the architecture and the representation of the Chola ideology.

BRAHADEESWARAR TEMPLE The Brahadeeswarar temple in Tanjavur is also known as Periya Kovil Rajarajeshwara temple and Rajarajeshwaram. It is one of the largest temple in India and is a master piece of architectural beauty and is a part of UNESCO world Heritage Site. It was built by Emperor Raja Raja Chola I and completed its 1000 years in The Temple stands amidst fortified walls that were added in the 16th century. The temple tower is of 216 ft and is the tallest. The Kumbam or the apex or the gopuram structure on the top of the temple is carved out of a single rock. There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock, and it stands in the entrance of the temple and is about 16 feet long and 13 feet high, it is also believed by the people there that if any wish is asked in the ear of the Nandi then it gets fulfilled. It is also believed that the Nandi grows every year. The entire temple structure is made out of granite. The temple is the most visited tourist attraction in Thanjavur.

Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian architecture located in the town of Darasuram near Kumbakonam.This temple, built by Rajaraja Chola II. It was a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and he was worshipped by white elephant a vahana of Lord Indra. AIRAVATESVARA AND GANGAIKONDA CHOLISVARAM TEMPLE Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian architecture located in the town of Darasuram near Kumbakonam.This temple, built by Rajaraja Chola II. It was a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and he was worshipped by white elephant a vahana of Lord Indra.

The Questionnaire that was prepared for surveying the people are as follows:- 1. What is a World Heritage Sites? 2. Have you heard of Great Living Chola Temples? 3. What is its importance of it in Indian History? 4. Why it is termed as a WHS by UNESCO? 5. Which are the other sites you want to include in WHS? The people who were questioned are named below:- A. Barkha Gupta B. Debasmita Chatterjee C. Arunashish Mullick D. Rimpa Rajpal E. Apoorv Aloke QUESTIONNAIRE

Barkha Gupta- A WHS is a site where tourist come and visit for the architectural beauty. Yes Chola Temple is a World Heritage Site as it has an excellent architecture and it has a significant role in the development of Chola Dynasty and growthof South India. Two other sites that can be WHS are Shantiniketan and Dakshineshwar. Debasmita Chatterjee – World Heritage Sites that are declared by UNESCO for its significance in history. The chola Temple is termed as a WHS because it attracts tourist by its architecture and the creativity of human race, it also has a great culture significance over South India. Two other sites that can be WHS are Joda Sankho and Victoria memorial. Arunashish Mullick, Rimpa Rajpal, Apoorv Aloke – A WHS is a site that has a cultural, traditional and heritage value that our ancestors have passsed on to their next generation. The WHS sites represent the floral and fauna value of our mother earth and it represents the creativity of the human race. The Chola Kings striking their excellence in architecture had built the Chola Temples. The Chola dynasty played an significant role in not only the Indian History but also played a role in builing the culture and tradition of south indian culture. The commonly voted sites for WHS were the Victoria Memorial, Shantiniketan, kumari amman temple for which kanya kumari is known, Tirupati Venkateshwara etc. The Answers that were received are:-

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