Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, J&K in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University celebrated the ongoing World Heritage Week at Mubarak Mandi, the royal residence of erstwhile Dogra Rulers of Jammu and Kashmir.

Padma Shri Prof. R.K. Sinha, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU, was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Under the aegis of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and the initiative of Pradeep Kumar, IAS, Director, Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, J&K, the students and faculty of SMVDU visited the Dogra Art Museum to explore and learn about armoury, schools of miniature paintings, manuscripts, jewellery, coins, handicrafts and handlooms of the glorious history of J&K. The royal exhibits of art intrigued them.

It was followed by a Heritage Baithak, which had eminent speakers including Prof RK Sinha and Dr Lalit Gupta, discussing heritage, particularly of Jammu region, in varying contexts and establish a conscious community. In his key note lecture on the occasion, Prof. Sinha emphasized the need of appreciating the heritage of India and exhorted the students to develop keen interest in the rich heritage and culture. "Interestingly, Jammu region has antiquities from Harappan civilisation, Kushan to the present Dogra rulers," he added.

Prof Sinha appreciated the efforts of the Department of Archives Archaeology and Museums, J&K for providing the opportunity to the students for learning about the rich heritage of the Jammu region.

Nagendra Singh Jamwal, Registrar SMVDU, also laid emphasis on the propagation of information about culture and heritage, and their conservation. Dr Sangeeta Sharma, Assistant Director, and Mukul Magotra, Curator, Dogra Art Museum guided the students and guests as they toured the royal complex. "Terracotta heads of Ambaran , sculptures of Akhnoor, Basohli, Purmandal, Ghora Gali showcase our rich heritage and craftsmanship," said Dr Sangeeta.The participants evinced great interest in the Basholi miniature paintings whose significance and intricacies were explained by Mukul Magotra. Dr Sangeeta added, "In addition to the event with SMVDU today, there's an ongoing special exhibition in the Dogra Art Museum to commemorate World Heritage Week. It is being thronged by academicians, heritage enthusiasts, and art lovers." The scintillating folk performance by Ram Ditta and party in the central park of the royal complex inspired the audience with a new zeal and love for their intangible cultural heritage.

Celebrated all over the world from 19th to 25th November every year, World Heritage Week aims to raise awareness about the significance of heritage and encourage preservation and promotion of both tangible and intangible heritage of the country.