Face2News/Nevada
In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Hindus have voiced strong support for the official induction of Mount Olympus, the legendary home of ancient Greece’s 12 Olympian gods, in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, described this mountain as a global symbol of humanity’s shared religious and cultural heritage and a site of profound civilizational value.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, emphasized that honoring such sites strengthened global appreciation for religious symbolism, ancient wisdom, storytelling tradition, and the diverse ways civilizations had understood the divine. UNESCO should consider Mount Olympus as a universal symbol of humanity’s enduring fascination with the sacred, the heroic, and the transcendent.
Recognizing Mount Olympus would affirm the importance of preserving sacred landscapes that had shaped human consciousness for millennia, Rajan Zed noted and highlighted that Hinduism, with its own deep reverence for sacred mountains such as Mount Kailash, understood the spiritual significance such sites hold for communities across time.
Zed further said that safeguarding ancient sacred geography was essential to preserving humanity’s shared spiritual and cultural narrative. Mount Olympus was a monumental pillar of human heritage, spirituality, and classical culture; and it occupied a sacred place in the collective consciousness of classical civilization.
Rajan Zed indicated that Hindus valued and respected the sacred landscapes of other faith traditions, and that protecting culturally and religiously important natural sites helped promote interfaith understanding and shared stewardship of the planet.
Recognizing the mountain’s unique blend of religion, cultural heritage, and natural beauty could encourage preservation; while also deepening public appreciation for the spiritual and historical dimensions of humanity’s diverse heritage; Zed stated.
Rajan Zed was of the view that honoring such sites encouraged mutual respect among diverse faiths and civilizations while highlighting humanity’s rich spiritual legacy. He added that preserving such sacred landscapes also promoted intercultural dialogue, religious understanding, education, sustainable tourism, and environmental stewardship.
Mount Olympus, in ancient Greek religion, served as the majestic realm of 12 Olympian deities: Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Dionysus, Hephaestus, Hera, Hermes, Poseidon, Zeus. Rising to about 2,918 meters, it harbors exceptional biodiversity; including over 1,700 plant species and subspecies, rare bird life, and unique geological formations. It has inspired countless generations through its enduring place in world civilization, literature, philosophy, art, and culture. Mount Olympus is reportedly currently being considered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea.
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