Archives: Atlas Obscuras

College Street

The world's largest secondhand book market is a haven for bibliophiles and bargain hunters.

Kalavantin Durg

A centuries-old lookout post still sits atop a natural stone spire.

Temples of Khajuraho

Temples adorned with intricate, erotic sculptures make up one of the "seven wonders" of India.

Mysore Palace

Modest by day, illuminated majestically at sunset.

City of the Future

This experimental utopian "city of the future" in rural India may hold a dark secret.

Key Monastery

This hilltop warren of monastic dwellings is the result of centuries worth of Mongol attacks.

Bhangarh Fort

This abandoned fort is said to be the most haunted place in India, so much so that entry is prohibited after sunset.

Meenakshi Amman Temple

This ancient Hindu temple is covered in thousands of colorful statues and has a long mythological history.

Elephanta Caves

An extraordinary "City of Caves" carved from solid stone.

Great Banyan Tree

A single tree's 2,800 aerial roots give the appearance of a complete forest.

Ajanta Caves

Rock-cut cave complex filled with ancient Buddhist artwork.

Jantar Mantar

The world's second-largest sundial, made entirely out of stone.

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i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 261 ii
To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design. 480 iii
To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared. 514 iv
To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history. 642 ix
To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. 137 v
To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change. 172 vi
To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria). 256 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 151 viii
To be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features. 98 x
To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation. 168

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