Seven-day UNESCO World Heritage week inaugurated at Kangra Fort
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Shimla Circle, inaugurated the UNESCO World Heritage Week 2024 at the historic Kangra Fort on November 19. The event, running until November 25, celebrates the conservation and importance of heritage sites through a range of activities, including cultural programmes, exhibitions and student competitions.
A key highlight of the week is a photo exhibition showcasing 40 Centrally Protected Monuments in Himachal Pradesh, such as Kangra Fort, Laxmi-Narayan Temple Complex in Chamba, Masroor Monolithic Rock Cut Temples, Rashtrapati Niwas in Shimla, and the Tabo Buddhist Monastery. The display also includes student paintings on the theme “My Heritage, My Pride,” fostering a connection with India’s cultural legacy.
Competitions brought vibrancy to the event, with schools from Kangra and Dharamshala participating. In the Rangoli competition, Government Senior Secondary School Old Kangra won first place, followed by MVM Dharamshala and MVM Kangra. The drawing competition saw Abhinandan from Government Senior Secondary School Old Kangra and Yashika from MVM Dharamshala share the top prize. Other winners included Jatin and Nitin for second place and Jaspreet Kaur and Sanchita for third.
Raman Kumar, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School Old Kangra and Chief Guest, emphasized the importance of heritage preservation and encouraged students to delve into arts, history, and conservation. Dr. Vinay Kumar Roy, Guest of Honor and Assistant Superintending Archaeologist of ASI Shimla Circle, shared insights from recent excavations in Rakhigarhi, Haryana and Sanauliz, Uttar Pradesh, inspiring students to value archaeological heritage.
The event was concluded by Vijay Kumar Bodh, Assistant Archaeologist at Kangra Fort, who invited the public to explore the exhibitions, which remain open until November 25. Heritage Week continues to play a vital role in promoting awareness and pride in India’s rich cultural history.
