Discover India: Check complete list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

New Delhi: India has 43 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. The latest addition to the list is Moidams—the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty. Of the 43 sites, 35 are cultural, 7 are Natural, and 1 is a Mixed (cultural and natural) Heritage Site.

UNESCO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that promotes peace and security through international cooperation in education, culture, science, and the arts. The UNESCO sites include ancient temples, forts, palaces, caves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. India’s rich cultural and natural heritage is on display in these sites, which are a must-see for any visitor to the country.

There are Tentative List as well for 2024-2025, where India has nominated seven properties are:

1) Serial nomination of Coastal Fortifications along the Konkan Coast, Maharashtra

Arnala Fort
Vasai Fort
Korlai Fort
Janjira Fort
Bankot Fort
Suvarnadurg
Jaigad
Vijaydurg
Dutch factory fort at Vengurla

2) Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh

3) Khooni Bhandara, Burhanpur

4) Rock Art Sites of the Chambal Valley

5) The Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhojpur

6) The Gond monuments of Ramnagar, Mandla

7) The historic ensemble of Dhamnar

In this article, let us look at the complete list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

Complete List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:

Key points about UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:

Ajanta Caves: These caves are famous for their Buddhist rock-cut structures and are richly decorated with paintings and frescoes similar to the Sigiriya paintings.

Ellora Caves: These caves were carved from hills and showcased rock-cut architecture.

Agra Fort: This is a prominent structure built by the Mughal Empire.

Taj Mahal: This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. King Shah Jahan built it in memory of his third wife, Begum Mumtaz Mahal.

Sun Temple: This temple is known for its traditional Kalinga architecture.

Mahabalipuram Monuments: These monuments feature the largest open-air rock relief, including mandapas and chariot temples. They reflect the architecture of the Pallava dynasty.

Kaziranga National Park: This park is famous for its one-horned rhinoceroses and has the highest density of tigers in the world.

Keoladeo National Park: This national park is known for its man-made wetland bird sanctuary, attracting many bird watchers, including ornithologists and those hoping to see Siberian cranes.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary is known for being a Project Tiger Reserve, a biosphere reserve, and an elephant reserve.

Churches and Convents of Goa: This site is famous as the “Rome of the Orient” and for its early Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque art forms in Asia, as well as the first Latin Rite Mass in Asia.

Monuments of Khajuraho: This site includes a group of Jain and Hindu temples located 175 km southeast of Jhansi. They are well known for their Nagara style, which features symbolism and erotic figures and sculptures.

Monuments of Hampi: Hampi was once a prosperous kingdom of Vijayanagar. The ruins there show the fine Dravidian style of art and architecture, with the Virupaksha Temple being the most important heritage monument.

Fatehpur Sikri: This site includes four main monuments: Jama Masjid, Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal (also known as Jada Bai ka Mahal), Diwane-Khas, and Diwan-e-Aam.

Elephanta Caves: On an island in the Arabian Sea, these caves are famous for Buddhist and Hindu rock carvings. They include basalt rock caves and Shiva temples.

Great Living Chola Temples: These temples represent Chola architecture and are known for their sculpture, painting, and bronze casting.

Pattadakal Monuments: This site is famous for its Chalukya-style architecture, blending influences from Aihole, Nagara, and Dravidian styles.

Sundarbans National Park: This park is known as a biosphere reserve with the largest estuarine mangrove forest, home to Bengal tigers and saltwater crocodiles.

Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Park: This park is famous for its wildlife, including snow leopards, Asiatic black bears, brown bears, blue sheep, and Himalayan monals. It is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Monuments of Buddha: This site is known for its monolithic pillars, palaces, monasteries, and temples with Mauryan architecture, including the Ye Dharma Hetu inscriptions.

Humayun’s Tomb: This tomb is known for its Mughal architecture, which inspired the Taj Mahal. It includes a tomb, a pavilion, water channels, and a bath.

Qutub Minar and its Monuments: This site includes the Qutub Minar, Alai Darwaza, Alai Minar, Qubbat-ul-Islam Mosque, the Tomb of Iltumish, and the Iron Pillar.

Mountain Railways of Darjeeling, Kalka, Shimla & Nilgiri: The mountain railways of India include the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Kalka-Shimla Railway.

Mahabodhi Temple: This is an important religious site for Buddhists, where Buddha attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya is considered a sacred pilgrimage spot for Buddhists.

Bhimbetka: This site is famous for rock paintings within natural rock shelters and stone-age inscriptions. It is also known as the sitting place of Bhima from the Mahabharata.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: This station serves as the central headquarters for railways and is known for the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008. It features Gothic-style architecture.

Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park: This site is the only complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city and contains ancient Chalcolithic Indian sites from the Stone Age.

Red Fort: This fort is known for Shahjahanabad and features Persian, Timuri, and Indian architectural styles. It is made of red sandstone, and it includes the Moti Masjid.

Jantar Mantar: This site is famous for its architectural astronomical instruments, which Maharaja Jai Singh II built. It is the largest observatory of its kind.

The Western Ghats: This region is one of the world’s ten hottest biodiversity hotspots, including many national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserve forests.

Hill Forts of Rajasthan: This area includes six majestic forts: Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amber, and Jaisalmer.

Rani Ki Vav: This stepwell is an excellent example of ancient Indian architecture from the Solanki dynasty.

Great Himalayan National Park: This park is home to about 375 species of animals and several plant species and is a hotspot of Himalayan biodiversity.

Nalanda: This was a centre of learning and a Buddhist monastery that operated from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE.

Khangchendzonga National Park: This park is known for its diverse flora and fauna; snow leopards are occasionally seen there.

Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex): This site is recognised as a World Heritage Site for its significant architectural contribution.

The Historic City: This is a walled city by the Sabarmati River, where Hindu, Muslim, and Jain communities have lived together for centuries.

Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles: This collection includes 94 culturally important buildings in Mumbai’s Fort Area.

Pink City: Jaipur is famous for its stunning forts, palaces, temples, and museums. It is also full of local handicrafts and souvenirs.

Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple: Located in Palampet Village, Telangana, this temple is around 800 to 900 years old.

Dholavira: Dholavira is an important archaeological site in the Kutch district of Gujarat. It was part of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Santiniketan: Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore founded Santiniketan as a cultural and educational centre. In 2023, UNESCO added it to its Heritage List, recognising its long-lasting impact.

Hoysala Temples: The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala, which include the famous temples in Belur, Halebid, and Somanathapura in Karnataka, are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Moidams: Assam’s “Moidams—the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty” became a UNESCO World Heritage site on July 26, 2024. It is now the 43rd site from India on this list.

What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

World Heritage Sites are important places protected by an international treaty managed by UNESCO. They have cultural, historical, or scientific importance and are considered outstanding value to humanity.

To be chosen as a World Heritage Site, a country nominates a location, and UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee evaluates it. The site must be a unique landmark that is easy to identify both geographically and historically. It should hold special cultural or physical importance and have legal protection.

 India boasts 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing its rich cultural and natural diversity. From the iconic Taj Mahal and Ajanta Caves to the vibrant Kaziranga National Park and the serene Nanda Devi Valley of Flowers, these sites represent India’s remarkable history and biodiversity. This article explores the various categories of these sites and highlights some of the most prominent examples.   knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge