UNESCO Heritage Sites in Kerala

The beautiful Shree Vadakkunnathan Temple in Kerala earned the highest UNESCO accolade, ‘Award of Excellence’ in 2015. “The award honours the extraordinary conservation effort performed at the holy site, which utilised age-old rituals and conservation procedures developed from Vaastu Sastra focusing on architecture and building,” UNESCO said. Kerala is listed among the “10 paradises of the world” by National Geographic. The name Kerala is derived from the coconut tree. Kera means coconut tree, and Alam refers to the land. The meaning of Kerala is “land of the coconut trees”. Kerala is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful states in India. This state is located in the southwestern region of India and is rich in natural beauty. 

The capital of Kerala is Trivandrum. Kerala is famous and renowned for its traditional dances called Kathakali and Mohini Aatam. Malayalam is the language spoken by the people of Kerala. Kerala is renowned for its destinations that have beautiful beaches, temples, sanctuaries, museums, and more. 

UNESCO Heritage Sites

The full form of UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation. UNESCO works to preserve the beauty of the most valuable sites and maintains a list of heritage sites worldwide. This article will explore the UNESCO Heritage Sites in Kerala and will also discuss some facts about them.

UNESCO heritage sites in Kerala include the Western Ghats Mountains as the other chosen heritage site by the global body belonging to the United Nations. The Western Ghats mountain chain, which is older than the Himalayas, has geomorphic features of tremendous importance and distinct biophysical and biological processes. The high montane forest ecosystems at its location have an impact on Indian monsoon weather patterns. 

The location, which moderates the region’s tropical climate, is one of the outstanding examples of the world’s monsoon systems. Kerala has a diverse range of biological and endemism as well. It is a land full of birds, greenery, and fishes and contains more than 325 types of species.

Vadakkunnathan Temple in Kerala 

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) proposed 14 sites to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for inclusion on its list of World Heritage Sites. ASI is the main agency for nominating appropriate locations for inclusion on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Out of the 14 names proposed by the ASI, one was Vadakkunnathan Temple in Kerala,. UNESCO has overseen restoration measures to preserve the Vadakkunnathan Temple’s original architecture. Kerala has had highly skilled craftsmen, and all its temples are known for their unique architectural styles. Vadakkunnathan Temple and Shiva Temple in Kerala are known for their beautiful architecture. The legendary Chendavadyam (with five instruments) performance is held at Koothambalam, a temple theatre. 

In celebration of the award being announced, a variety of programs, including Koodiyattam and other colourful cultural performances by schoolchildren, were held. Ammannur Kuttan Chakyar performed Koodiyattam, a UNESCO-recognized art genre. The theme of the performance was ‘Jatayu Vadham.’ The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is in charge of the edifice, had previously emphasised the necessity of maintaining it. “The paintings in the temple show two or three historical eras, with some depicting the Mahabharatha epic.” “Because the temple was constantly patronised, it’s impossible to specify when the mural works would have been done,” stated Sreelakshmi, superintending archaeologist at ASI, Thrissur circle. 

This is one of the reasons that Kerala is also called God’s own country. Kerala has Hindu temples, Muslim mosques, and Christian churches found across the state. As a result, it is God’s own land, full of worship sites. 

Conclusion

Kerala is India’s number one state to live in with its transparent laws, beautiful culture, religious and friendly people, excellent health facilities, and many other reasons. Devaswom Minister V S Sivakumar remarked on the occasion of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific History Honor of Excellence 2015 for Vadakkunnathan Temple here that the award was a tremendous tribute to the country’s heritage. “Outstanding rehabilitation efforts have been carried out, preserving the temple’s antiquity,” he stated. Moe Chiba, a UNESCO delegate, complimented the temple’s historical and cultural significance. According to Minister V S Sivakumar, the government has never transferred any monies from the temple to the treasury. As a result, the temple’s visible qualities are closely interwoven with its intangible legacy, which stretches back centuries, guaranteeing that the “spirit of place” echoes throughout the site, according to the United Nations.