GWALIOR, ORCHHA

Gwalior, Orchha In UNESCO World Heritage Cities List

• The historical fort cities of Gwalior and Orchha in Madhya Pradesh have been included in the list of UNESCO’s world heritage cities under its urban landscape city programme, according to the state government.
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), an agency of the United Nations, aims at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.

Gwalior

• Gwalior was established in the 9th century and ruled by Gurjar Pratihar Rajvansh, Tomar, Baghel Kachvaho and Scindias.
• The memorabilia left by them are found in abundance in memorials, forts and palaces in the area.
• Gwalior is known for its palaces and temples, including the intricately carved Sas Bahu Ka Mandir temple.
• The Gwalior Fort occupies a sandstone plateau overlooking the city and is accessed via a winding road lined with sacred Jain statues.
• Within the forts, high walls are the 15th-century Gujari Mahal Palace, now an archaeological museum.

Orchha

• Orchha is popular for its temples and palaces and was the capital of the Bundela kingdom in the 16th century.
• The famous spots in the town are Raj Mahal, Jehangir Mahal, Ramraja Temple, Rai Praveen Mahal, and Laxminarayan Mandir.
• After inclusion in the World Heritage City list, chemical treatment of historic spots like Mansingh Palace, Gujri Mahal and Sahastrabahu Temple will be done so that art inscribed on them will become more visible.
• UNESCO will suggest the best measures and resources for the development of these places.