India adds Telangana’s megalithic menhirs to tentative UNESCO list- Deccan Chronicle
The Central government has added Telangana’s 3,000-year-old megalithic menhirs site at Mudumal village in Narayanpet to a tentative list from India seeking UNESCO World Heritage recognition. The tentative list serves as an inventory of important heritage sites that countries intend to nominate for UNESCO recognition in the future. Inclusion in this list is a mandatory step before a site can be considered for the prestigious World Heritage tag. Click here to read…
India adds six properties to tentative list for UNESCO recognition- Business Standard
The six properties added to the tentative list for UNESCO recognition include Kanger Valley National Park in Chhattisgarh; Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs in Telangana; serial nomination of Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes (multiple states); serial nomination of Chausath Yogini Temples (multiple states); serial nomination of Gupta Temples in north India (multiple states), and the palace-fortresses of the Bundelas in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Click here to read…
Ancient Indians knew how to survive a tsunami. Dholavira is proof, says geologist Rajiv Nigam- The Print
In a 2016 visit to Dholavira, geologist Rajiv Nigam was intrigued by the 18-metre-thick citadel wall. During a lecture in Delhi, he proposed it was built to protect against tsunamis, as Dholavira lies on the tsunami-prone Makran coast. He argued that ancient Indians understood sea-level changes and built port cities like Dholavira and Lothal accordingly. Click here to read…
Excavation to begin in Maharaja Agrasen’s capital Agroha after 41 years- Hindustan Times
After more than four decades, the ancient mound of Agroha—a site once central to a bustling trade route between Takshashila and Mathura—will once again come under the archaeological lens. A joint excavation effort by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Haryana’s Department of Archaeology and Museums is set to begin, marking a significant milestone in the exploration of India’s ancient urban and trade history. This renewed effort aims to delve deeper into Agroha’s role as a key regional trade hub, unveiling the cultural, economic, and human development patterns that shaped the region over centuries. Click here to read…
ASI discovers over 110 megaliths near Malampuzha dam in Kerala- The New Indian Express
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stumbled upon a cluster of over 100 megaliths near Malampuzha dam in Palakkad, largest water barrier and reservoir in Kerala during a recent exploration expedition. Megalithic structures are structures, which are built for burials using large, often rough stones, without mortar or cement. Such chambers were common during Neolithic and Bronze Ages. The ASI said that most of the burials are of Cists variety - both single and multiple chambered—Stone Circles, Urns, Dolmens, and Dolmenoid Cists. “These structures are primarily constructed with massive granite slabs and boulders, some also incorporate laterite stones,” said ASI. Click here to read…
Gorsam Kora festival in Arunachal Pradesh to celebrate Buddhist heritage, India-Bhutan friendship- Hindustan Times
The Gorsam Kora festival in Arunachal Pradesh, which celebrates the shared Himalayan Buddhist cultural heritage and the long-standing friendship between India and Bhutan, will be held from March 26 to 29. Situated along the Nyanmjang Chu river, Zemithang holds historical significance as the sanctuary where the 14th Dalai Lama found refuge in 1959 upon his escape from Tibet. The festival will take place at Gorsam Chorten, a 93-foot-tall stupa built during the 12th century AD by local monk Lama Pradhar. Click here to read…
ASI hits pause on Old Goa tourism project after ‘Portuguese-era’ cannonballs are found during excavation- The Indian Express
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Monday directed Goa’s tourism department to halt the excavation work for a development project in Old Goa to allow “proper documentation” after some cannonballs, believed to be from a Portuguese-era arsenal, were discovered during the process. Click here to read…
International Buddhist Confederation strengthens Buddhist ties with Myanmar through academic and cultural collaboration- ANI
In a significant step towards fostering stronger Buddhist connections between India and Myanmar, a high-level delegation from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) concluded a four-day visit to Myanmar. The delegation, led by IBC Secretary General Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, engaged in extensive discussions with Myanmar's government officials, academic institutions, monastic bodies, and media representatives to explore avenues for collaboration. "The visit comes in the wake of India's recognition of Pali as a classical Indian language in October 2024, a move that has revitalized academic and spiritual interest in the language". Click here to read…
Archaeological breakthrough: 10th-12th century temple relics discovered in Nagaon- The Assam Tribune
In a remarkable archaeological breakthrough, remnants of a bygone era have been unearthed at Harlongkuruati village of Borgaon near Kampur of Nagaon district, which is poised to shed new light on the ancient history of Assam. The chance discovery was made in a paddy field where an excavator was engaged in digging works for a mud dam construction along the Kopili River. During the on-site inspection, the archaeological team observed the presence of a stone temple plinth at the site. The exposed temple relics are part of an adhisthana and jangha portion of a stone temple. Stylistically, they appear to be from the 10th-12th century CE. Click here to read…
ASI conducts another round of underwater exploration in Dwarka- The New Indian Express
In continuation of the brief fieldwork conducted last month, a team of Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW) of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) led by its Additional Director-General (ADG) Professor Alok Tripathi undertook another round onshore and offshore expeditions at Dwarka and Bet Dwarka in Gujarat. The fresh investigation was initiated in the region after two decades. For the first time, the exploration team comprises women archaeologists. Click here to read…
Archaeological Survey of India copies 1,000 inscriptions nationwide- The New Indian Express
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Epigraphy Branch, has copied 1,000 inscriptions from various regions across the country in the financial year 2024-25. Director of Epigraphy at ASI, Dr K Munirathnam Reddy, said inscriptions are crucial for historical documentation and emphasised efforts to compile them into books. Click here to read…
Parihaspora to be promoted as heritage tourist destination’: Govt- Rising Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir government informed the Assembly that the Parihaspora Archaeological Site in Baramulla is an important heritage tourism destination and is being actively promoted across Jammu and Kashmir. Parihaspora, also known locally as ‘Kani Shahar,’ was the ancient capital of Kashmir, located about 20 kilometers northwest of Srinagar. Built by Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty between 695–731 BC, it served as his capital and featured several temples and a royal residence, as recorded by 12th-century historian Kalhana in the Rajatarangini. After Lalitaditya’s death, the capital was moved elsewhere, and Parihaspora lost its prominence. Click here to read…
Myanmar earthquake updates: Bagan, a UNESCO World HeritageSite damaged - Times of India
In Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar, an earthquake that occurred early in the morning seriously damaged buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure. The historic temples of Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were also badly damaged by the earthquake, partially collapsing. Click here to read…
