Category Archives: Heritage at Risk Register

H@R 212/365 Ram Ghat Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

H@R 212/365

Ram Ghat Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Ram Ghat has religious importance due to the Ram Temple associated with Tulsi Das. It has social and cultural value on account of the fairs held during ‘Magha’ and ‘Kartik’ Purnima. It has deteriorating condition, especially of the steps and stone façade. The 1720 CE edifice is in an endangered state. The historic buildings at the ghats are in varying degrees of despair. As evident at Raja Ghat and Chet Singh Ghat, the historic fabric is deteriorating.

H@R 211/365 Surya Mandir Ghagha Gram, Mandala, Madhya Pradesh

H@R 211/365

Surya Mandir Ghagha Gram, Mandala, Madhya Pradesh

15th to 16th century CE. The temple is located in a forest setting and is not in use. It is in a ruinous condition and in danger of disappearance. Numerous heritage structures lie unprotected in the forest areas and do not have defined ownership; these are vulnerable to being lost in the absence of any proper identification. The Gondwana region has unique characteristics such as natural resources like the Narmada River, Satpura Range and National Park, along with the tribal communities and built heritage of the Kalchuri and Gond periods, that make it distinct.

H@R 210/365 Te Kazi Kothi Ralang, Sikkim

H@R 210/365

Te Kazi Kothi Ralang, Sikkim

‘Rinchen Surgay’ planned house i.e. eight-sided architecture and a domed meditation centre. Constructed in 18th-19th century CE. The huge kothi is now not in use and the residents built a new house in RCC nearby. This excellent example of aristocratic Sikkimese architecture is in an advanced stage of decay. It is extremely important that the locals are made aware of the indigenous resources which they have and encouraged to use traditional materials and techniques. The Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department should be the forerunner in this cause.

H@R 209/365 Kanganwali Haveli Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

H@R 209/365

Kanganwali Haveli Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Mid-16th century CE, extremely significant ghat-front temple-palace complex associated with Raja Man Singh. Architectural features include ornamental balconies, carved brackets (similar to Man Singh’s Palace). It is in a dilapidated condition, and some sections are highly deteriorated.

H@R 208/365 Historic stone workshop Bhavani Tekri Chandrapur, Maharashtra

H@R 208/365

Historic stone workshop Bhavani Tekri Chandrapur, Maharashtra

Chandrapur, founded by the Gond King Khandakya Ballal Shah in the 13th century, has several archaeological remains in rural areas, many of which are still unexplored. Chandrapur has a few unique typologies such as stone workshops and gravestones of Gond kings. The historic workshop for stone carvers was situated atop a mountain, the rocks from which were used for sculpting. It has several remains of old carved pieces of stone. It is in an advanced state of decay and exposed to weathering. The rural heritage of Chandrapur has high potential to be developed for rural and regional tourism.

H@R 207/365 Raghunath Mandir Icha, Saraikela district, Jharkhand

H@R 207/365

Raghunath Mandir Icha, Saraikela district, Jharkhand

The 200 years old temple is constructed in bricks and lime, and has significant stucco work and paintings. Uninformed urban/ rural planning and development is detrimental as it does not keep heritage in view while planning large-scale development projects. Such is the insensitivity that a dam is proposed at Icha across Subarnerekha River, due to which Raghunath Mandir is at threat of being completely submerged in its reservoir. The project was strongly opposed by the local tribal community of Saranda Forest in West Singhbhum District.

H@R 206/365 Haveli Vicaria, Diu

H@R 206/365

Haveli Vicaria, Diu

The early 20th century CE haveli is in an abandoned state. Majority of the historic buildings that have been demolished or reconstructed in the last decades, have been residential. After liberation in 1961 CE, most of the Portuguese (and Parsis) left the city, leaving behind their mansions and havelis. These were either taken by the government or were sold at cheap rates to the public. These havelis went into the hands of people some of who insensitively renovated them with no knowledge of conservation, due to lack of awareness about the unique architectural heritage.

H@R 205/365 Lake of Vatva Ahmedabad, Gujarat

H@R 205/365

Lake of Vatva Ahmedabad, Gujarat

The lake is located behind Vatva Gram Panchayat Office, Ahmedabad. It is a historic, manmade lake structure. It has damaged surfaces and is in a poor condition.
A national policy framework needs to be formed for historic water structures and systems. Conservation techniques, including regeneration of the water system wherever possible, need to be formulated. Ideally, the Ministry of Environment should set up a central body to implement and monitor conservation actions under guidelines and there may be special provision of financial support. Private bodies may be encouraged to take up responsibilities. State governments must be mandated to undertake revival of historic water structures through municipal authorities for addressing current challenges of water deficit.

H@R 204/365 Anand Samaj Library Raipur, Chhattisgarh

H@R 204/365

Anand Samaj Library Raipur, Chhattisgarh

The historical library is situated in Satti Bazaar, Near Kankali Para and Kankali Talab, Raipur. It is the oldest library in Raipur District, established in 1908. Mahatma Gandhi visited and addressed a large gathering of ladies in the ground adjacent to this building in 1920. The maintenance of the building needs to be appropriately undertaken. There was loss of prominence of the decorative features due to insensitive limewash. Dampness had resulted in withered plaster. Raipur Nagar Nigam has renovated the building recently.

H@R 203/365 Temple at Vedal Village Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu

H@R 203/365

Temple at Vedal Village Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu

Located in Cheyyur Taluk, Kanchipuram District, the temple is from the late Pallava or early Chola period (8th-9th century CE). The main temple with Dravidian Shikhara is dedicated to Shiva and is a rare specimen of a brick-built Gajaprishta temple. The site has archaeological and historical features, sculptures and relief panels. Wide structural cracks run from top to bottom on the rear side of the Shikhara, side walls of the hall and junction. It is in a highly neglected state and vulnerable to collapse if urgent action is not taken. In addition to the temple, the village and its environs possess a network of manmade irrigation canals and cisterns or reservoirs.