NEW RBI NOTES , UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES INDIA & Other Important Current Affairs
New RBI Note
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will shortly issue Rs 100 denomination banknotes in in lavender color Gandhi (New) Series. It follows the series of new notes introduced for Rs 200 Rs 500 Rs 10 notes. Back side of the Rs 100 notes will feature “RANI KI VAV” a step well located in Gujarat. Old banknotes of Rs 100 will continue to be in circulation.
About Rani Ki VAV
Built by the Solanki dynasty’s queen Udayamati in the 11th century as a memorial to her deceased husband Bhimdev I on the banks of river Saraswati.
Step-well is subterranean water storage and an architectural wonder which is divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptured panels of high artistic quality. It combines with many sculpture with minor ones combining religious, mythological and secular imagery.The water tank is in fourth level.
Highlighting the sanctity of the water Rani ki Vav is designed as an inverted temple under the earth’s surface.
There exists the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu including Lord Buddha called as Dasavataras as its central theme. Sadhus, Brahmins, and Apsaras (celestial dancers) accompany the Avataras.
After its excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the late 1980s & then Maintained by them, Rani-ki-Vav was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2014. located in Patan, about 125 km from Ahmadabad.
What is world heritage siteS
Structure recognized as being of outstanding international importance whether natural or man made, is a landmark or area which is selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance, and is legally protected by international treaties.
Number of UNESCO world heritage sites in India is 36:
- Taj Mahal – Uttar Pradesh (added in 1983)
- Fatehpur Sikri – Uttar Pradesh (added in 1986)
- Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks – Uttarakhand (added in 1988)
- Agra Fort – Uttar Pradesh (added in 1983)
- Sun Temple in Konark – Odisha (added in 1984)
- Kaziranga National Park – Assam (added in 1985)
- Manas Wildlife Sanctuary – Assam (added in 1985)
- Keoladeo National Park – Rajasthan (added in 1985)
- The Jantar Mantar – Rajasthan (added in 2010)
- Hill Forts – Rajasthan (added in 2013)
- Khajuraho Group of Monuments – Madhya Pradesh (added in 1986)
- Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi – Madhya Pradesh (added in 1989)
- Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka – Madhya Pradesh (added in 2003)
- Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park – Gujarat (added in 2004)
- Rani-ki-Vav – Gujarat (added in 2014)
- Historic City of Ahmadabad – Gujarat (added in 2017)
- Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara – Bihar (added in 2016)
- Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya – Bihar (added in 2002)
- Khangchendzonga National Park – Sikkim (added in 2016)
- The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier – Chandigarh (added in 2016)
- Great Himalayan National Park – Himachal Pradesh (added in 2014)
- Qutub Minar and its Monuments – Delhi (added in 1993)
- Red Fort Complex – Delhi (added in 2007)
- Humayun’s Tomb – Delhi (added in 1993)
- Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks – Uttarakhand (added in 1988)
- Sundarbans National Park – West Bengal (added in 1987)
Mountain Railways of India
- Mountain Railways of India – West Bengal, Tamil Nadu & Himachal Pradesh (added in 1999)
- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal – Karnataka (added in 1987)
- Group of Monuments at Hampi – Karnataka (added in 1986)
- Churches and Convents – Goa (added in 1986)
- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram – Tamil Nadu (added in 1984)
- Great Living Chola Temples – Tamil Nadu (added in 1987)
- Ellora Caves – Maharashtra (added in 1983)
- Elephanta Caves – Maharashtra (added in 1987)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus- Mumbai pic credit flickr - Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – Maharashtra (added in 2004)
- Ajanta Caves -Maharashtra (added in 1983)