varanasi the united states of america will fund for the documentation of balaji ghat a historic landmark constructed in 18th century along the ganga in varanasi i am especially pleased to note that given the cultural and historical significance of varanasi the us state department under us ambassadors fund for cultural preservation programme has approved a grant of over rs 30 lakh 56000 to the indian national trust for art and cultural heritage intach for the documentation of the 18th century balaji ghat on the ganges riverfront in varanasi nancy j powell us ambassador to india said the us diplomat also went on boat ride in the whole stretch of ganga to watch and capture the glimpses of majestic ghats of varanasi the us ambassadors fund for cultural preservation provides financial support for to preserve cultural heritage across the world the fund supports a wide range of projects such as restoration of historic buildings assessment and conservation of museum collections archaeological sites documentation of vanishing traditional craft techniques improved storage conditions for archives and manuscripts and documentation of indigenous languages the local unit of intach is not aware of the us funding for the documentation of balaji ghat we have no details about the project the delhi unit may have sent some proposal in this regard president of varanasi chapter of intach kalyan krishna said intach is the countrys largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation and preservation of indias natural cultural living tangible and intangible heritage it has been working on number of cultural heritage sites all over india including varanasi balaji ghat has also found a place in the world monument watch list2012 of the world monuments fund wmf according to a report of intach the organisation nominated balaji ghat varanasi on world monuments watch list2012 the report says that it was constructed to serve pilgrims worshiping at the holy river the collapse of the main building of balaji ghat few years back from the decay of wood inadequate conservation and heritage protection was a big setback to the historic riverfront of varanasi considering its significance and condition the building has now been declared 100 most endangered heritage sites of the world by world monuments fund a new yorkbased organization inclusion in the watch list will support a plan to restore the building for use as a cultural centre and help to continue an ancient tradition of pilgrimage and enlightenment the balaji ghat complex was originally a sevenstorey building and follows a traditional architectural form with a temple of shri balaji garden well assembly hall living areas and courtyards these are wellconnected with stone staircases forming a remarkable architecture ensemble it was built in the combination of stone and wood use of wood and elements of decorations such as exquisitely carved wooden column brackets doorways and other decorative elements predominantly mark the style of maratha and peshwa architecture according to the wmf report with assistance from american express wmf is supporting the restoration of the top three floors of