India's UNESCO hat-trick: Nalanda University, Khangchendzonga and Capitol Complex
Bihar, Sikkim and Chandigarh have a reason to smile. At the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee, currently underway in Istanbul, Sikkim\'s Khangchendzonga National Park, Chandigarh\'s Capitol Complex and the archaeological site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) in Bihar.
To add to the celebrations from India, this is the first time that a country has gotten three sites inscribed in the World Heritage at a single session. In total, India now had 35 sites. These include:
1. Cultural properties: 27
2. Natural sites: 7
3. Mixed site: 1
The mixed site is the Khangchendzonga National Park, which is home to the third highest peak in the world, MOunt Khangchendzonga. It fulfilled the nomination criteria under the natural and cultureal heritages reported The Hindu.
"The Capitol Complex is part of the group of 17 sites - across seven countries (France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Argentina, Japan and India) - designed by Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier which were included in the list by the Paris-based body", reported PTI.