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India is a land of great diversity - in culture, people and languages. The history of India, which can be traced back to the ancient times, is rich and stimulating. A large number of heritage monuments from past centuries still stand tall, as testimony to our glorious past.
With the objective of Protecting, Preserving and Promoting this glorious past, IndianOil on 24th August 2000, created a non-profit trust, the IndianOil Foundation (IOF), in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the National Culture Fund of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Exclusively funded by IndianOil, the Foundation aims to adopt at least one Heritage site in every State and Union Territory for Development of Tourist Infrastructure Facilities.
Objects of the Trust
a) To protect, preserve and promote the National Heritage in collaboration with ASI and NCF of the Government of India.
b) To promote awareness, knowledge and involvement in our National Heritage and Culture in association with Govt. as well as non-Govt. organizations of repute.
c) To undertake any other activity associated with, and in consonance of these objectives
Mission
To help enrich the quality of life of the community and preserve ecological balance and heritage through a strong environment conscience.
Trustee Board Members of IOF
1) Hon'ble Minister, Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India - Trustee Chairman
2) Secretary, PNG, Govt. of India
3) Additional Secretary, PNG, Govt. of India
4) Director General, ASI
5) Chairman, IndianOil
6) Director (HR), IndianOil - Trustee Secretary
7) Member Secretary, National Culture Fund - Co-opted member
Completed projects of IOF
1) Swatantrya Jyot, Cellular Jail, A&N Islands
Swatantrya Jyot was erected by The IndianOil Foundation at the Cellular Jail in Port Blair as a lasting tribute to commemorate the sacrifices made by the Freedom Fighters in exile as political prisoners at the Cellular Jail at Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This Jyot is a permanently lit flame inside the premises of Cellular Jail, with the help of LPG supplied by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. free of cost for this project.
The Jyot was unveiled in the premises of the Cellular Jail in Port Blair on May 28, 2016.
2) Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha
About Sun Temple, Konark
Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Sun Temple at Konark about 35 kilometres from Puri. The temple is attributed to king Narasingha deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE.
Built in the Kalinga style of Architecture the temple is built like a chariot with 12 large wheels and 7 horses all carved from stone, considered the chariot of the Sun God as per the Vedic traditions. The 3 meters wide, wheels are not only beautifully carved; they also serve as sun-dials that can be used to tell the time of day. The seven horses represent the seven days of the week. The temple has exquisite, intricate and eye-catching sculptures all around it.
In 1984, Sun Temple Konark was declared a UNESCO world heritage site.
Details of Facilities provided by IOF-
The IndianOil Foundation has developed World Class Tourist Infrastructure facilities at Konark which were inaugurated on 01st April 2018.
The facilities were made operational from 03.07.18 and are being visited by National and International visitors regularly.
The facilities put up are as follows:-
(A) Arka KshetraState-of-the Art Fully Air Conditioned Interpretation Centre having:
a) 5 display Galleries displaying:
(i) Medieval engineering concepts of the Sun Temple, Konark and various other Sun Temple of Odisha and India, with historical interpretation and archive literature
(ii) Scale Model of the original Sun Temple, Konark and its current state
(iii) Various sculpture models inspired by the wealth of architectural specimens in the Sun Temple complex
(iv) Artifacts and handicrafts of Odisha
(b) Sculptures of the Sun Temple of Konark with individual detailing, recreated by famous sculptors Padma Vibhushan Shri Raghunath Mahapatra and Shri Bijaya Nayak.
c) A 15 minute animation movie depicting the mythology and history of The Sun Temple, Konark in a specially designed, air conditioned auditorium of 65 nos capacity.
(B) Main Avenue:Approx. 250 M length X 30 M wide having 10 M area pathway (Paver Block) with landscaping, water bodies & Sandstone Pattern flooring leading from outer Ring Road towards the Sun Temple.
(C) Drop-out Point : Public Amenities with Toilet Blocks and Parking for about 75 cars in an area of 2.5 Acres.
(D) Parking Facility: (a) Car Parking Facility at Drop off Point for about 75 cars
(b) Bus Parking at Main Parking facility for about 50 Buses with Drivers Facility Block
(c) 2-3 Wheeler parking facility for approx. 120 nos
(E) Public Conveniences : at Interpretation Centre / Drop Off Point / main Parking
(F) Cafeteria : operated by renowned Hotel Group
(G) Baby Care Centre, Provision of Wheel Chair Facility
(H) Landscaping, Electrification with Street Lights & High Mast Lights at major locations
3) Kanheri Caves, Mumbai, Maharashtra
About Kanheri Caves, Mumbai
Kanheri Caves are group of caves and rock-cut monuments cut into a massive basalt in the forests of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. They contain Buddhist sculptures and relief carvings, paintings and inscriptions, dating from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE.
The cave complex comprises one hundred and nine caves, carved from the basalt rock and dating from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE. Kanheri comes from the Sanskrit Krishnagiri, which means black mountain.
Each cave has a stone plinth that functioned as a bed. A congregation hall with huge stone pillars contains a stupa (a Buddhist shrine). Rock-cut channels above the caves fed rainwater into cisterns, which provided the complex with water.
Facilities Provided
The facilities include:
a) Entrance Gate & Modification of high Stairways with additional Ramp for differently abled
b) Ticket Counter & luggage room building
c) Interpretation Centre, Display Gallery
d) Cafeteria Building with facilitated viewing platform on top
e) Multipurpose Hall
f) Installation of Deep Tube Well
g) DG Sets, 20 KW Solar Power System
h) Toilet Block
i) Signages, Pathways, Sit-outs & Landscaping
The project is ready for commissioning.
4) The Ashokan Pillar, Kolhua, Vaishali, Bihar
About The Ashokan Pillar, Kolhua
The Asokan Pillar locally known as Bhim Sen Ki Lathi is about 12 meters high. It is built of monolithic sandstone column surmounted with a lion capital. It is one of the earliest six monolithic pillars erected by Ashoka. Buddha is said to have delivered his last sermon at Kolhua. There are about 330 votive stupas around the main stupa with variant shapes and designs.
Facilities Provided:The facilities include:
a) Ticket Counter & Publication Counter building
b) Interpretation Centre with Audio-Visual Auditorium
c) Display Galleries
d) Cafeteria
e) Toilet Block
f) DG set and Solar System,
g) Signages, Sit-outs, Landscaping, Pathways etc.
The project is ready for commissioning.
Ongoing projects
The Foundation is currently developing tourist infrastructure facilities / Illumination Project at the following World/ National Heritage sites:
1) Khajuraho Group of Temples , Madhya Pradesh
2) Bhoganandishwara Temple, Bengaluru
3) Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur
4) Mahadev Temple-Kurdi, Se Cathedral-Old Goa, Upper Fort-Aguada and other sites under ASI Goa Circle
5) Warangal Fort, Telangana
Other projects
The Foundation has also undertaken works at following Non- ASI sites:
1) Development of Coffee Table Book and Documentary Film on Cellular Jail, Port Blair
2) Development of Ganga Ghat at Khajekhalan Ghat, Patna Sahib, Bihar
3) Barunai
DETAILS OF ONGOING PROJECTS
1) Khajuraho Group of Temples, Madhya Pradesh
About Khajuraho Group of Temples
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu temples in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh. The temples are famous for their Nagara-style architectural symbolism.
Most Khajuraho temples were built between 950 and 1050 by the Chandela dynasty. Historical records note that the Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by the 12th century, spread over 20 square kilometers Of these, only about 25 temples have survived, spread over 6 square kilometers. Of the various surviving temples, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures with intricate details, symbolism and expressiveness of ancient Indian art.
The temples in Khajuraho are broadly divided into three parts : The Western Group, The Eastern group and The Southern Group.
In the year 1986, UNESCO recognized Khajuraho as a World Heritage Site for its "human creativity".
Facilities Provided:Development of following facilities are in progress:
a) Western Group of Temples
• Main Entrance, Parking, Main Avenue, Cafeteria
• Landscaping & Pathways. Ticket Counter & Publication Counter building. Interpretation Centre with Audio-Visual Auditorium, Display Galleries
• Toilet Block, Signage and Sit-outs
• Entry Gate to Monument with modified Boundary Wall having Security Cabin
• De-silting and beautification of Shiv Sagar Lake contiguous to Project Site
b) Eastern Group of Temples - Parking, Landscaping, Wide Pathways for Battery operated Vehicles, Security. Cabin with Ticket Counter, Toilet Block, Signage, Drinking water etc.
c) Southern Group of Temples - Landscaping, Pathways, Security Cabin, Toilet Block, Signage, Drinking Water
The project is in progress at site.
2) Bhoganandishwara Temple, Bangalore, Karnataka
About Bhoganandishwara Temple, Karnataka -
Bhoganandishwara Temple is a Hindu temple located in Nandi village, at the base of Nandi Hills in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka state, India. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.The original temple in the complex, identified as one of the oldest temples of Karnataka, dates back to the early 9th century.
The facilities include:
a) Development of Small Cafeteria (Semi Open)
b) Viewers Gallery
c) Toilet Block, Drinking Water Kiosks
d) Cloak Room
e) Parking Area
f) Seating Benches, Landscaping & Signage
Expected starting of work at site in Jan 2020.
3) Mahadev Temple-Kurdi, Se Cathedral-Old Goa, Upper Fort-Aguada and other sites under ASI Goa Circle
Tourist infrastructure facilities are being developed at the following locations under ASI Goa Circle:
• Mahadev Temple-Kurdi
• Se Cathedral- Old Goa
• Upper Fort-Aguada
• Lady Rosary Church-Old Goa
• Basilica of Bom Jesus-Old Goa
These facilities includes parking, toilet Block, drinking water facilities, pathways for visitor movement, landscaping, sit-outs and pergolas, electrification, signages etc.
The Concept Plan preparation in under process.
4) Warangal Fort, Telangana
Tourist infrastructure facilities are being developed at various locations of Warangal Fort like at Swayambhu Temple Complex, Stone Fortification gates, Ekshila Temples Kush Mahal etc.
The facilities include Diorama of Whole Fort, Open Museum, drinking water facilities, pathways, landscaping, sit-outs and pergolas, signages etc.
The Concept Plan preparation in under process.
5) Illumination of Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur, TN
The IndianOil Foundation has also undertaken the project of Static facade Illumination of Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
DETAILS OF OTHER PROJECTS
1) Development of Infrastructure facilities at Khajekhalan Ghat, Patna Sahib, Patna, Bihar
Facilities Provided:Development of following facilities are in progress:
✓ Multipurpose Hall (approx. 750 Sqm) consisting of
• Toilet Blocks
• Bathrooms
• Dress changing rooms
• Sitting Platforms /Floors/ Resting Benches etc. as per requirement
✓ Development of bathing Ghats
✓ Development of covered Podium (Approx 360 Sqm) for crematorium during rainy season and Sitting Platforms
✓ Construction of Open Cremation Platforms at Ghat area
✓ Construction of Embankment for river Bed of Ganga to protect soil erosion-150 mtrs.
✓ Development of steps at Ghat for safe access to Ganga Ghat - Approx. 120 mtrs.
✓ Development of Road for ease of communication nearby Ghat - Approx. 150 mtrs.
✓ Landscaping, Railing works at Ghat, Soil conservation works etc.
✓ Power back up facility by DG set,
✓ Installation of additional Gas based Cremation
✓ Development of Ghat with greenery, small tree plantation area for preventing pollution
The project is in progress at site.
2) Development of Coffee Table Book and Documentary Film on Cellular Jail, Port Blair -
Project Cost:To commemorate the sacrifices made by the Freedom Fighters in exile as political prisoners at the Cellular Jail at Andaman & Nicobar Islands, The IndianOil Foundation, is developing a Coffee Table Book and a Documentary Film on Cellular Jail.
3) Barunei Paika Bidroha Smruti Project, Khurda, Odisha
Background of the Bidhora (Rebellion):Pre-dating what has been popularly regarded as the first war of Independence in1857, the Paika Bidroha (Paika Rebellion) of 1817 in Odisha briefly shook the foundations of British rule in the eastern part of India. Paikas were essentially the peasant militias of the Gajapati rulers of Odisha who rendered military service to the king during times of war while taking up cultivation during times of peace. They unfurled the banner of rebellion against the British under the leadership of Baxi Jagandhu Bidyadhara as early as 1817 to throw off the British yoke.
Rulers of Khurda were traditionally the custodians of Jagannath Temple and ruled as the deputy of lord Jagannath on earth. They symbolised the political and cultural freedom of the people of Odisha. The British, having established their sway over Bengal Province and Madras Province to the north and south of Odisha, occupied it in 1803. The Gajapati King of Odisha Mukunda Deva-II was a minor then and initial resistance by Jai Rajguru, the custodian of Mukunda Deva-II, was put down brutally and Jai Rajguru was torn apart alive.
A few years later, it was the Paikas under Baxi Jagabandhu, the hereditary chief of the militia army of the Gajapati King, who rose in rebellion, taking support of tribals and other sections of society. The rebellion started in March 1817 and spread quickly. Though Paikas played a larger role in the rebellion against the British, it was by no means a rebellion by a small group of people belonging to a particular class. The tribals of Ghumsur (part of present day Ganjam and Kandhmal Districts) and other sections of the population actively took part in it. In fact, the Paika Bidroha got the opportune moment to spread when 400 tribals of Ghumsur entered Khurda, protesting against the British rule.
The Paikas attacked British symbols of power, setting ablaze police stations, administrative offices and the treasury during their march towards Khurda, from where the British fled. The Paikas were supported by the rajas of Kanika, Kujang, Nayagarh and Ghumusar and zamindars, village heads and ordinary peasants. The rebellion quickly spread to Puri, Pipli, Cuttack and other parts of the province.
The British were initially taken aback and then tried to regain lost ground but faced stiff resistance from the rebelling Paikas. Many a battle ensued with some victories to the rebels, but the British finally managed to defeat them within three months. Widespread suppression followed with many killed and imprisoned. Many more were tortured. Some rebels fought a guerilla war till 1819 but were captured and killed. Baxi Jagabandhu was finally arrested in 1825 and died in captivity in 1829.
Though the Paika Bidroha enjoys a cult status in Odisha, with children growing up with stories of the brave fight against the British, it has unfortunately received less attention at the national level than it should have got.
Proposed Facilities:The tentative list of proposed indicative facilities is as mentioned below, as per EIL presentation made earlier:
1) Interpretation Centre Cum Digital Museum
2) Granite / Sandstone / Bronze / Gun-Metal Statues of Sh. Buxi Jagabandhu and the Rebellion
3) Audio Visual Hall
4) Open Air Amphitheatre
5) Water Bodies and Fountains
6) Landscaping and Horticulture
7) Decorated Avenues
8) Sandstone and Granite Murals in Galleries
9) Light and Sound Show
10) Interactive Touch Screen Kiosks and Video Walls
11) VIP Lounge Area, Cafeteria
12) Ticketing Facilities, Toilet Facilities
13) Parking Area for Vehicles
14) CCTV Surveillance and Security & Safety Systems
15) Ropeway to the top of Brunei Hills
16) Scheme for External and Internal electrification, lighting for the project facilities, provision of normal, emergency and critical lighting arrangements like provision of solar system, emergency lights etc.
17) Sustainable GREEN Features like Solar power backup, Battery Operated Golf Carts, Water Conservation etc.
ADDITIONAL SITES ADOPTED BY IOFFollowing more sites have been adopted by IOF for development of Tourist Infrastructure Facilities / Illumination for which evaluation of tourist requirements are in progress:
1) Group of Monuments on the Hillock, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu
2) Bhangarh and Abhaneri Step Well, Rajasthan
3) Ancient Remains at Mansar
4) Ancient Remains, Boxanagar, Tripura
5) Ananta Sayan, Lord Vishnu at River Bank, Dhenkanal district, Odisha
6) Sun Temple, Modhera, Ahmedabad
7) Hampi Group of Monuments, Hampi, Karnataka
8) Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
9) Hazarduwari Palace, Murshidabad
10) Unakoti Pilgrimage, Tripura
11) Lucknow Residency, UP
12) Centrally Protected Monument / Museum at Jageshwar, Uttarakhand
13) Jhansi Fort, UP
14) Group of Temples, Pattadakal, Dharwad, Karnataka
15) Golconda Fort, Hyderabad
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