PIB Summary- 18th September, 2023 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Hoysala Temples get World Heritage Site status

Context
12th-century Hoysala Temples of Karnataka get UNESCO World Heritage site status.

Details

• The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas have acquired a place in the UNESCO World Heritage site list becoming India’s 42nd site to be given this honour.
• The temples are located in Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura in the Hassan and Mysuru districts of Karnataka.
• The temples, often described as ‘poetry carved in stone’ were recommended to the list by India’s Culture Ministry in 2022-23.
• The temples included in the ensemble are:
  • Channakeshava Temple, Belur, Hassan district (Commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana, dedicated to God Vishnu)
  • Hoysalesvara Temple, Halebidu, Hassan district (Commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana, dedicated to God Shiva)
  • Kesava Temple, Somanathapura, Mysuru district (Consecrated by Somanatha Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III, dedicated to God Vishnu)
• The temples at Belur and Halebidu have been on the tentative list since 2014.
• The temples which are adorned with rich ornate carvings in stone have been famed tourist destinations in Karnataka.
• The hyper-real sculptures and stone carvings cover the entire architectural surface according to UNESCO.
• The Hoysalas ruled over parts of southern India from the 11th to the 14th century from their capital at Halebidu (Dwarasamudra).
• Their reign saw the development of art, architecture and religion in southern India.

Operation Sajag

Context
Operation Sajag was conducted by the Indian Coast Guard along the west coast.

Operation Sajag

• It was a security drill involving all stakeholders of the coastal security construct.
• The drill facilitates revalidation of the coastal security mechanism and brings awareness among the fishermen at sea.
• During the drill, extensive checking and verification of documents and crew passes of all fishing boats, barges and craft at sea was undertaken. 
• A total of 118 ships including those from Customs, Marine Police, Ports & Indian Navy participated in the drill.
• The day-long drill is conducted every month and the outcomes are further progressed for improvement in the coastal security construct. 
• Significance: The drill enables the verification of the implementation of various coastal security measures besides bringing out important lessons and highlighting trends in coastal security.