In Photos: 36 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Churches and Convents of Goa, Western Ghats, Chola temples, Taj Mahal are few of the world heritage sites in India.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments is recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site.

(Photo: iStock)

That India is home to some marvellous architecture and heritage is a fact well-acknowledged. We have majestic palaces, serene beaches, breathtaking hill stations, rich flora and fauna and more.

Why else would UNESCO have recognised 36 World Heritage Sites in India?

What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? 

“The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity” –according to the UNESCO website. In this context, the organisation identifies areas, monuments or landmarks which have special cultural, scientific, physical significance and are protected by international treaties.

Here is a quick look at the 36 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:

1. Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal in Agra. (Photo: iStock)

Considered one of the marvels in world architecture, it comes as no surprise that Taj Mahal also features on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. It was included in the list in 1983 for being "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage".

2. Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga is home to the largest number of great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. (Photo: iStock)

Kaziranga’s unique natural environment led to its entry in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1985. Other than the one-horned rhinoceros, the national park is home to a variety of flora and fauna.

3. Red Fort Complex

The Red Fort in Delhi. (Photo: iStock)

Managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Red Fort Complex or the Lal Qila became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

4. Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves in Maharashtra.  (Photo: iStock)

A beautiful mix of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism religious arts, the Ellora caves was inscribed under the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.

5. Humayun’s Tomb

The Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi.(Photo: iStock)

An architectural marvel from the 16th century, Humayun’s Tomb was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Monument in 1993.

6. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters.  (Photo: iStock)

Bhimbetka rock shelters are “associated with a hunting and gathering economy”, located in the foothills of the Vindhya range, and are one of the 36 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. According to the UNESCO website, it has been included in the list because –

Bhimbetka reflects a long interaction between people and the landscape, as demonstrated in the quantity and quality of its rock art. 

7. Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar. (Photo: iStock)

Jantar Mantar in Jaipur was built between 1727 and 1734 by Maharaja Jai Singh II and is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments. It was included, as cultural property, in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.

8. Sun Temple

Konark Sun Temple.(Photo: iStock)

Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha, India. It is believed that the temple was built by King Narasimhadeva. It was inducted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

9. Nalanda

The Nalanda Mahavihara site in Bihar.(Photo: iStock)

One of the most ancient universities in India, Nalanda in Bihar was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.

10. Elephanta Caves

Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@ajay_nandy)

Dating back to the 5th and 8th centuries and hewn from solid basalt rock, the Elephanta Caves were inscribed under the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987.

11. Keoladeo National Park

Keoladeo National Park is rich in flora and fauna. (Photo: iStock)

Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 as a natural property, the Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur is the place you need to visit to get a glimpse of some beautiful birds who flock the place from lands far and wide during the winter months.

12. Fatehpur Sikri

Diwan-i-Khas in the Pachisi Courtyard, Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh. (Photo: iStock)

Fatehpuri Sikri – a repository of Mughal architecture – was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Fatehpur Sikri is home to the Jama Masjid, the Buland Darwaza, the Panch Mahal, and the Tomb of Salim Chishti.

13. Agra Fort

Agra Fort.(Photo: iStock)

Agra Fort – also known as the Red Fort of Agra – is an intricately carved, historic red sandstone fort in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

14. Great Living Chola Temples

Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram.  (Photo: iStock)

The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram make up the three Great Living Chola temples which were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

15. Ajanta Caves

Ajanta Caves Buddhist Temples in Arrangabad India.  (Photo: iStock)

The Ajanta caves were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. These Buddhist caves date back to 2nd century BC.

16. Mahabodhi Temple Complex

Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.(Photo: iStock)

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, as a unique property of archaeological and cultural importance.

17. Khajuraho Group of Monuments

Parsvanath Jain Temple in Khajuraho.  (Photo: iStock)

A contribution of the Chandela dynasty, the stunning temples in Khajuraho became a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2003 as a unique cultural property.

18. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus(Photo: iStock)

The historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station in Mumbai got inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

19. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Tourists at the Pancha, or Five, Rathas which are a series of monuments at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.(Photo: iStock)

Dating from the late 7th century, the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram are remarkably well preserved for monuments that are over 1,300 years old! They became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

20. Sundarbans National Park

Lying Rhesus Macaque in Sundarbans.  (Photo: iStock)

The Sundarbans National Park has the unique distinction of being a national park, tiger reserve and a biosphere reserve. It got inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is also on the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves and is the largest estuarine mangrove forest in the world.

21. Western Ghats

Green tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala.  (Photo: iStock)

39 properties in the Western Ghats stretched across Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.

22. Hill Forts of Rajasthan

Panoramic shot of Cittorgarh Fort.  (Photo: iStock)

The stunning hill forts of Rajasthan – Chittor Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort, Amer Fort, Jaisalmer Fort – which are located on the Aravalli mountain range, got inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

23. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks

Valley of Flowers.(Photo: iStock)

According to the UNESCO website: “The Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks are exceptionally beautiful high-altitude West Himalayan landscapes with outstanding biodiversity.” The place is also home to some rare and endangered species and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in both 1988 and 2005.

24. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India.(Photo: iStock)

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi – palaces, temples and monasteries, monolithic pillars – were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989 for their cultural importance.

25. Group of Monuments at Hampi

Vittala Temple Stone Chariot, Hampi, Karnataka,India.  (Photo: iStock)

The Group of Monuments at Hampi were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 for their cultural significance.

26. Qutb Minar and its Monuments

The Qutb Minar complex. (Photo: iStock)

The towering Qutb Minar and its surrounding monuments – Alai-Darwaza Gate and two mosques, including the Quwwatu'l-Islam – became a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1993.

27. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal

A part of the Group of Monuments at Pattadakal.(Photo: iStock)

The Group of Monuments in Pattadakal were designated under UNESCO World Heritage List, in 1987. The group consists of nine Hindu temples and a Jain sanctuary in Karnataka.

28. Mountain Railways of India

The mountain toy train from Kalka to Shimla.  (Photo: iStock)

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway collectively form the Mountain Railways of India and were inscribed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, 2005 and 2008.

29. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park

Seven Arches at Champaner. (Photo: iStock)

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 owing to its cultural significance.

30. Churches and Convents of Goa

Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa.  (Photo: iStock)

The churches and convents of Goa are significant not only from the point of view of tourism, but also because of their rich cultural history. They were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

31. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

Elephants in Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. (Photo: iStock)

The Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 for its unique natural environment.

32. Great Himalayan National Park

Himalayan Bulbul. (Photo: iStock)

The Great Himalayan National Park became a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 2014. The site is known to be outstandingly significant for biodiversity conservation.

33. The Architectural Work Of Le Corbusier

The Architectural Work Of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/@FREEFernandoRomero)

Urban and architectural work of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.

34. Rani ki Vav (The Queen's Stepwell)

Rani ki Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell).(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Seb Bazerque)

The 11th century monument Rani ki Vav was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. UNESCO website describes it thus,

Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat, illustrates an example of the artistic and technological height of stepwell tradition. It has been decorated with religious, mythological and at times secular sculptures and reliefs, illustrating a true mastery of craftsmanship and figurative expression.

35. Historic City of Ahmedabad

Ancient Well in Ahmedabad.  (Photo: iStock)

The latest entrant to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, from India in 2017, the ancient city of Ahmadabad is brimming with culture. The city is dotted with several mosques, forts, temples and tombs.

36. Khangchendzonga National Park

Snow leopard is found in Khangchendzonga National Park.(Photo: iStock)

Rich in flora and fauna, the Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim was given the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.

(This story was first published on 16 March 2018 and has been reposted from The Quint’s archives to mark World Heritage Day)