Jabalpur, On the occasion of World Heritage Day (18 April), also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, a significant demand has been raised to include Jain heritage sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In this regard, Dr. Yatish Jain, National Vice President of the Nirgrantha Center of Archaeology, Lucknow, has submitted a detailed proposal to UNESCO and the Government of India.
It is noteworthy that this day was initiated in 1982 by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and was later recognized globally by UNESCO. The purpose of this day is to promote awareness about the conservation of cultural and natural heritage across the world. At present, around 1,200 heritage sites are listed globally, while India has 42 sites included in the World Heritage List.
Dr. Jain stated in his proposal that Jain heritage holds a special place in India’s rich cultural legacy. The core principles of Jainism—non-violence, truth, non-possession, and self-discipline—provide moral and spiritual direction to human life. Jain heritage sites are not merely centers of religious faith but also symbolize penance, sacrifice, knowledge, and remarkable architectural excellence.
Highlighting several important Jain sites across the country, he noted that they strongly meet UNESCO criteria. These include Shravanabelagola in Karnataka; the Dilwara Jain Temples in Rajasthan; Shatrunjaya Hill (Palitana) and Girnar Hill in Gujarat; the Ranakpur Jain Temple in Rajasthan; Kankali Tila in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh; the Udayagiri–Khandagiri Caves in Odisha; Gopachal Hill in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh; and the Sonagiri Jain pilgrimage site.
The historical significance, architectural excellence, cultural continuity, and spiritual importance of these sites make them worthy of inclusion in the World Heritage List. Dr. Jain emphasized that global recognition of these heritage sites would benefit not only Jainism but humanity as a whole, as they promote universal values such as non-violence, discipline, and peace.
He further stated that World Heritage Day inspires us to commit ourselves to the preservation and promotion of our cultural heritage. Protecting Jain heritage is not only about safeguarding the past but also about strengthening the future.
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Dr. Yatish Jain
National Vice President
Nirgrantha Center of Archaeology, Lucknow