Which of the following sites was submitted to UNESCO for the nomination of World Heritage Site in the 2021-22 cycle?

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: (d) a and b both

Explanation:

Both Santiniketan in West Bengal and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka were submitted by India for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 2021–22 cycle. These nominations highlight India’s cultural richness and historical depth.

• Santiniketan, founded by Rabindranath Tagore, represents a unique model of education and cultural exchange.
• The "Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas" are a collection of Hoysala-style temple complexes, including the Channakeshava Temple in Belur, the Hoysalesvara Temple in Halebidu, and the Keshava Temple in Somnathapura. These temples, built in the 12th and 13th centuries, are known for their intricate and detailed stone carvings, a hallmark of the Hoysala architectural style.

​Information Booster:

• Santiniketan was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023.
• The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas were officially inscribed as a World Heritage Site in September 2023.
  
• Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are already a World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2003.
  
• UNESCO’s nomination process typically allows each country to submit one site annually; however, multiple nominations may be reviewed within a cycle.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Ministry of Culture manage the nomination process.