Jhansi: The hill region surrounding the Kalinjar Fort in Banda was officially declared a National Geo-Heritage Site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) on March 16.According to experts, the announcement was a significant step towards preserving the area’s unique geological and cultural heritage and promoting tourism. The region is part of Vindhya Mountain range. The ancient Kalinjar fort is famous for its massive walls and structure and has several temples dating back to the Gupta dynasty including the famous Neelkanth Mahadev temple.The fables say here Lord Shiva consumed the poison which had emerged during churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). As per the historians, Kalinjar has also been mentioned in Buddhist literature, particularly in the travelogues of Buddha. The Chedi dynasty ruled here during the time of Gautama Buddha (563–480 BC). Following this, it was absorbed into the Maurya Empire and came to be known as Vindhya-AtaviThe announcement was made by Rajinder Kumar, additional director-general and head of department (Northern Region), GSI, who attended the programme as the chief guest. During the ceremony, he explained that the Kalinjar Fort region provides clear geological evidence of the rare phenomenon known as the Eparchaean Unconformity, where two rock formations from vastly different geological periods meet.According to GSI officials, the site displays a remarkable geological record featuring 2.5-billion-year-old Bundelkhand granite overlain by 1.2-billion-year-old Kaimur sandstone, offering valuable insight into Earth’s ancient history spanning millions of years.The speakers at the event highlighted that the distinctive geological formations of the area historically contributed to the strategic defence of the fort. The stones used in the fort’s massive walls were sourced locally, reflecting the region’s unique geo-cultural heritage.The authorities expect a boost in tourism in the region. The site is likely to be developed as part of a broader tourism circuit linking Kalinjar, Khajuraho and Chitrakoot .To promote awareness and conservation, the Geological Survey of India installed a special information board at the site describing its geological importance and historical relevance.
