Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Thiruvalluvar Statue

A towering work of stone and philosophy that was constructed using ancient Hindu science.

Dashrath Manjhi Road

One man single-handedly dug a road right through a mountain after his wife died due to its interference.

Pen Hospital

For more than 70 years, this small shop has been a go-to for Kolkata's fountain pen connoisseurs and collectors.

Mummy of Sangha Tenzin

Buddhist monk remarkably preserved because he started the mummification process while still living.

Wagah Flag Ceremony

On the Pakistan-India border the militaries perform an elaborate theater of aggression each and every night.

Krishna’s Butter Ball

This precariously balanced boulder is said to be a hunk of stolen butter dropped by the gods.

Gomateshvara

World's tallest monolithic statue has served as a pilgrimage site since its completion in 993 CE.

Nanda Devi

One of the tallest mountains in India was closed for years after a botched CIA mission.

Marwari Horses

Old and brave breed of warhorses known for their elegant, curved ears.

Tashiding Monastery

Miraculous vase predicts the future at this Tibetan Buddhist site in the Himalayas.

Marble Palace

This lavish estate recalls the opulent history of Calcutta.

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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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