Hundreds of students witnessed the photo exhibition organised by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Big Temple here in connection with the world heritage week celebrations.
ASI has exhibited the photographs of great Chola temples, including the three world heritage sites of Big Temple in Thanjavur, Airavatheswaraswamy temple at Darasuram, and Big Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram. All these stone temples have beautiful sculptures, paintings, and epigraphs. Big Temple was built by Rajaraja Cholan, Darasuram Airavatheswarasamy temple by Rajaraja II, and Big Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram by Rajendra Cholan.
Photographs of Thirubuvanam temple and murals of Big Temple are also on display at the expo .
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Heritage week celebrations are held from November 19 to 25. Competitions for students to create awareness of our rich heritage are planned.
On Tuesday, NSS volunteers of various schools, including Oriental Higher Secondary School, participated in the essay writing competition on Chola temples.
According to the ASI, the list of recorded world heritage sites now stands at 962 forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.
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In Tamil Nadu, the number of sites stood at 29 of which 23 are cultural and six are natural. It is unique that all the three stone temples built by Chola kings in Thanjavur and Perambalur district have got the status of world heritage status.
Union Ministry of Culture is trying to get world heritage status for Srirangam temple, Pulicat Lake, and Chettinad palace.