Gingee Fort Joins UNESCO Heritage List As Part Of Maratha Military Landscapes
Tamil Nadu's historic Gingee Fort, often hailed as the "Troy of the East", has received global recognition, being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Maratha Military Landscapes of India.
"Delighted that Gingee Fort, famously known as the 'Troy of the East', has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. This majestic hill fortress now joins Tamil Nadu's proud list of UNESCO sites including the Great Living Chola Temples, the monuments at Mamallapuram, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Western Ghats," Chief Minister MK Stalin said, celebrating the honour.
"A proud moment for Tamil Nadu and its enduring cultural heritage," he added.
Located in Viluppuram district, Gingee Fort is one of the most impregnable forts in India, perched dramatically across three rocky hills - Krishnagiri, Rajagiri, and Chandrayandurg - and fortified with high walls, deep moats, and hidden passageways.
Its origins date back to the 9th century, with significant fortifications added by the Cholas, the Vijayanagara kings, the Marathas, the Mughals, and later, the French and the British.
The fort gained prominence under Shivaji's son Rajaram Chhatrapati, who took refuge here during the Mughal siege of Jinji in the late 17th century, turning it into a key outpost of Maratha resistance in the south.
Now part of the UNESCO-recognised Maratha Military Landscapes, Gingee Fort's inclusion underscores not just its architectural ingenuity but also its strategic and historic significance in India's military history.
Experts say, with this addition, Tamil Nadu further strengthens its position as a custodian of India's diverse cultural and architectural heritage on the global stage.
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The Hindu
12 hours ago
- The Hindu
A guide to Gingee fort, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The privilege of lounging on Monday afternoons is reserved for loafers and lovers. You do not have to take my word for it. Ask one of several hundred people who are scaling Gingee fort at the start of the week, and you would know I am right. Ever since Gingee fort, part of the Mighty Maratha Landscape encompassing 11 other forts, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site last week, footfall has shot up from between 600-700 people a day to about 1,700 over the weekend. Gingee fort, first said to have been built in the 12th Century by Ananda Kon, a chieftain of the Konar (Yadava) community, lies 160 kilometres from Chennai, in Villupuram district. The fort stands on three hills in a dramatic triangular formation — Rajagiri, Krishnagiri and Chandragiri. Within the walls of the three hills, once lay hidden pathways, crocodile-filled moats, golden thrones, barracks, sacrificial stones, and the illusive promise of treasure. Everyone who is scaling the citadel today, is trying to find something — privacy, gold coins, or respite. Kesavan M and Sarguna K, once young lovers, have been meaning to visit since the time they were dating. 'We are from Melmalayanur, not too far away from Gingee. I moved to different parts of the State and we somehow never found the time. The UNESCO announcement is a matter of pride for us. It is why we decided to swing by here on a Monday afternoon. We have waited nine years to climb to the top together. We are married today, but this has been a dream since 2016,' says Kesavan. I'd like to think that doing the four-hour drive from Chennai, and getting lost in the several granaries, magazines, and watch towers of Gingee fort, is one of the finest ways to pass time. The fort brims with stories of romance, war, famine and deceit over 800 years by its several distinct rulers — the Nayaks, Marathas, Mughals, Carnatic Nawabs, the French and British. It begets retelling. History 101 Contrary to UNESCO's declaration of the 'Senji' fort being a Maratha bastion alone, the citadel has swapped hands between several kings. Its most popular rulers were the Nayak of Gingee, chieftains of the Vijayanagara empire, who succeeded Krishna Kon, a ruler who fortified and expanded the fort beyond Rajagiri, establishing Krishnagiri at around 1240 CE. Writer TS Subramanian in his essay, The Impregnable Troy of the East in a book titled Forts of Tamil Nadu by The Hindu and the Department of Tourism, Tamil Nadu, says that it was the Nayaks who helped add the wonderful structures we see atop Rajagiri, the strongest part of the triangular citadel, standing at about 800 feet. Their rule was a largely peaceful period that saw several architectural advancements. As we walk in, one is treated to delightful sights of the ancient kalyana mahal, built in the style of the Vijayanagara school. 'In Kalyana Mahal, there is a beautiful bathing tank with steps all around, made for the royal women,' writes CS Srinivasachari, the author of A History of Gingee and its Rulers (published by Annamalai University, 1943). Besides this, there are mosques, temples, magazines where weapons were stored, granaries, gymnasiums, treasuries, bell towers and secret escape pathways inside the fort, added by subsequent rulers. The Mughal influence on some of the domes and archways inside the fort are unmissable, particularly a treasury built in the Indo-Islamic style. You will also spot two mighty cannons at the fort. Touch the iron on both and imagine what it might have been like to fire at enemies near and far. Ready for the climb? Gingee is located 160 kilometres from Chennai and is enroute Thiruvannamalai. The nearest bus stop is Gingee, railhead is Tindivanam and airport is Chennai. It takes about four hours by road. Carry a stick to fight monkeys, a one-litre water bottle and a snack in case you get hungry. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for the approximately two-hour hike up Rajagiri. A two-day trip would be advisable if you'd like to scale all three hills. Climbing is not permitted after 3pm. A ticket for Indians costs ₹25 and ₹300 for foreigners. Still cameras can be taken for pictures at a cost. However, the usage of drones is prohibited unless permission is sought. Archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) unearthed a mighty throne with a backrest made of polished granite and water pipes and tanks that capitalised on the spring water available atop the fort. Although ASI might want us to believe that the several rooms near the throne-like structure are just horse stables, some historians believe that it is also where the harem lies. After taking in the sights at the base of Rajagiri, the ascent to the top of the citadel begins. A well-meaning guard suggests that we carry sticks. Troops have now been replaced by greedy monkeys who loot and plunder bags full of snacks and goodies. If you have been indulging in cardio, the 800 feet climb to the top should be a piece of cake, taking under two and a half hours to climb up and come back down. This is especially so if you are engaging in a petty competition to scale the top with two young boys from Bengaluru who you beg for water from every now and then. A Nithin and Madhan, brothers who are nine and 14 years of age, who have been impatiently waiting for their mother to join them at the top of Rajagiri, say that they have been watching YouTube videos incessantly to prepare for their trek. Sitting outside the treasury, Madhan laments, 'The videos promised treasures. I can't seem to find any even near the treasury. I am excited to go down the hidden pathway at the top but I hear it is blocked. Come on, Nithin, let's go,' he says, cutting our interview short. Gingee's tryst with the Marathas began in 1677 when Chhatrapati Shivaji captured the fort from its then Mughal governor. It remained under Maratha rule until about 1677-1698 when the generals under the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb captured it. It was Shivaji who called the fort the Troy of the East, deeming it impregnable. Whilst in battle for seven years, the Marathas often employed the use of a drawbridge at the top of Rajagiri, causing opposition soldiers to fall to their death if they tried scaling the fort. The fort also prospered under Swarup Singh, a Bundela chief deputed by Aurangazeb in 1700, to take charge of the fort. When he died, his son, the fabled Raja Tej Singh (popularly and incorrectly called De Singh) ruled Gingee for 10 months, from January to October 1714. He tried to fight the Carnatic wing of the now fragmented Mughal kingdom, and take over his father's throne. Several Tamil ballads celebrate his heroic death in the fight against the Nawab of Arcot, especially since he left behind a beautiful young wife who committed sati after he perished in battle. The French and the British then began supplying weapons to local armies, eventually vying for the fort's capture. It was also briefly held by Hyder Ali. The British forces established several magazines and introduced guns to the supplies at the fort. Whilst standing at the very top between the bell tower and the Ranganatha tower and taking in the breeze, it is easy to conjure up images of battle here, especially because a temple procession employing lakshmi vedi passes by. As I get ready to leave, a group of men who have bunked college, fellow loafers, stand by the drawbridge at the top of the fort and ask for a picture. 'Selfies do not capture the might of the fort. But promise us that you won't publish it in the paper,' one of them says. Sepia-tainted thinking tells me that 800 years ago, a similar group of loafers may have made their way up the hill. This time though, they might have been burdened with the weight of a kingdom and not just of college attendance.
India.com
18 hours ago
- India.com
Planning A Colourful Getaway? Visit These 9 Most Vibrant And Beautiful Villages Around The World
photoDetails english 2935519 Updated:Jul 23, 2025, 09:57 AM IST 1 / 11 Want to brighten your Instagram feed or simply soak in the beauty of vibrant streets, rainbow-hued homes, and culturally rich communities? From Europe to Asia, the world is filled with postcard-perfect villages that feel straight out of a painting. Let's explore 9 of the most colourful villages around the globe that should be on every traveler's bucket list. Burano, Italy – A Painter's Dream by the Lagoon 2 / 11 Located near Venice, Burano is known for its vividly painted fishermen's houses lined along narrow canals. Legend says the houses were painted bright so sailors could spot them in the fog. Each home is a splash of color, creating a visual treat at every turn. Chefchaouen, Morocco – The Blue Pearl of Africa 3 / 11 Tucked in the Rif Mountains, this Moroccan town is famous for its blue-washed buildings and alleys. The blue symbolizes the sky and heaven, making it a spiritual haven as well as a photographer's paradise. Jodhpur, India – The Blue City of Rajasthan 4 / 11 In contrast to Morocco's Chefchaouen, Jodhpur's old town also glows in various shades of blue. Originally painted to signify Brahmin homes, it now gives the entire city a cool, magical glow under the harsh desert sun. Bo-Kaap, South Africa – A Kaleidoscope of Culture 5 / 11 This vibrant Cape Town neighborhood is full of brightly painted houses that reflect the area's multicultural history. Once home to freed slaves, the colorful homes now symbolize freedom and heritage. Gamcheon Culture Village, South Korea – The Art Village 6 / 11 Built on a steep mountain slope in Busan, this village was transformed into a giant art project with bold murals, quirky sculptures, and brightly painted houses. It's a perfect blend of color and creativity. Cinque Terre, Italy – The Rainbow Riviera 7 / 11 This cluster of five seaside villages on Italy's Ligurian Coast features pastel-toned houses built into cliffs, overlooking turquoise waters. Each village offers a unique burst of color and charm, best explored by foot or boat. Santorini's Oia, Greece – White and Blue Wonder 8 / 11 Though primarily white, Santorini's iconic domes and details in deep blue make it one of the most aesthetically pleasing and recognizable villages in the world. The contrast against the Aegean Sea is absolutely stunning. Guanajuato, Mexico – A Colourful Colonial Gem 9 / 11 This UNESCO-listed city is a vivid mosaic of buildings in pink, green, yellow, and orange, all set against a mountainous backdrop. Its winding alleys, historical sites, and rich culture make it a must-visit. Mawlynnong, India – Asia's Cleanest Village 10 / 11 Nestled in Meghalaya, this lesser-known Indian village is not only spotlessly clean but also beautifully adorned with bamboo houses, flowering gardens, and scenic greenery. The natural colors blend seamlessly with man-made beauty. 11 / 11 Colour doesn't just brighten a space — it tells stories of tradition, resilience, and community. These villages aren't just travel destinations; they're living canvases that bring culture to life. So pack your bags and follow the colors — from Italy to India, there's a vibrant corner of the world waiting to inspire you.
New Indian Express
20 hours ago
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Ponneri lake to turn tourist destination
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