MP urges Centre to expedite UNESCO World Heritage nomination for Srirangam Temple

Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko on Friday met Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi and urged the Ministry to take immediate steps to nominate the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

In a representation submitted to the Minister, Mr. Durai Vaiko noted that the temple was included in the UNESCO Tentative List submitted by the Centre in 2014. However, despite the passage of several years, the formal nomination dossier has not yet been submitted to UNESCO for evaluation.

The MP highlighted that the temple possesses Outstanding Universal Value through its architectural grandeur, spiritual significance, living heritage, and centuries-old cultural traditions. As the largest functioning Hindu temple complex in the world and the foremost among the 108 'Divya Desams', it stands as one of India's greatest cultural and civilisational landmarks. The temple also received the UNESCO Award of Merit in 2017 for the conservation and restoration of its historic complex.

Mr. Durai Vaiko pointed out that under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, a cultural property must satisfy at least one of ten selection criteria to qualify. The temple meets four of these criteria, reflecting its Outstanding Universal Value. Its remarkable architecture, continuous living religious traditions, historical significance, and profound cultural influence make it a strong candidate for the status.

He urged the Ministry to follow the model successfully adopted for the Mahabodhi Temple Complex and expedite the nomination process. The Ministry should coordinate with the Archaeological Survey of India, the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, UNESCO experts, and heritage professionals to prepare and submit a comprehensive nomination dossier.

“Granting the UNESCO World Heritage Status to the temple will be a matter of immense pride for the nation, and it will not only provide well-deserved heritage conservation but also promote academic research and encourage sustainable cultural tourism,” Mr. Durai Vaiko said.