• The Orchha town of Madhya Pradesh has been included in tentative list of the World Heritage Sites of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

About Orchha Town:

• This town is situated on the banks of the river Betwa, Orchha is located in Niwari district of Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.
• The site is around 80 km far from Madhya Pradesh’s Tikamgarh district and 15 km from Jhansi of Uttar Pradesh.
• The town is celebrated for its rich and ancient architecture of Chaturbhuj Temple, Orchha Fort Complex, and Raja Mahal among others.
• It is famous for its two elevated minarets - Saavan and Bhadon; and four palaces - Jahangir Palace, Rai Praveen Mahal, Raja Mahal, and Sheesh Mahal.
• It represents the concept of open bungalows, animal statues depicting the culture of Bundelkhand and stone work windows.
• The site houses ‘Sri Ram Raja Mandir’. It is the only place in India where Lord Ram is worshipped as a King, not as a deity, with this dedicated temple in his name.

UNESCO world heritage site:

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as of special cultural or physical significance.
• The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 UNESCO member states which are elected by the General Assembly.
• Each World Heritage Site remains part of the legal territory of the state wherein the site is located and UNESCO considers it in the interest of the international community to preserve each site.