India has been the seat of the some early civilizations in the world. Its name appears in gold whenever we browse the history. It has seen some strongly established kingdoms, greatest rulers, spiritual gurus, cultures etc. leaving behind their unique imprints and a rich legacy.
Such legacies and remnants which showcase exemplary creative art, which depict important historical milestones, which encase prodigious natural beauty or which exceptionally represent any culture or civilization have all been given the status of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
India is home to 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Apart from the 38 inscribed sites, there are around 43 sites, which are on the tentative list. The fact that India has been ruled for a long time by some of the most powerful dynasties has contributed mostly to the inclusion of so many sites to this list.
The rich and diverse culture and heritage of the Indian sub-continent is yet another reason. In this blog, we have presented a list of 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which could help you in learning relevant information about the same.
For the ones who want to go for a heritage tour in India and can’t visit all the attractions then should definitely keep atleast top 10 world heritage sites n mind while planning out their tour:
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
1. Taj Mahal, Agra
Listed Year : 1983
Taj Mahal was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. Taj Mahal along with being a world heritage site is one of the ‘seven wonders of the world’. This beautiful monument built in white marble is situated in the erstwhile capital of Mughal empire- Agra.
It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife and the love of his life- Mumtaz Mahal; it therefore stands as a symbol of pure and eternal love. Taj Mahal has combined the best architectural features of many Mughal buildings and is thus considered as a masterpiece. Resplendence of Taj Mahal grows manifold at sunrise and sunset.
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Taj Mahal Travel Guide
- History of Taj Mahal
- Architecture of Taj Mahal
- Inside Taj Mahal
- Taj Mahal Myths
- Reasons to Visit Taj Mahal
- Best Time to Visit Taj Mahal
Popular Agra Tours
2. Red Fort, Agra
Listed Year : 1983
Agra Fort was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. It is situated within a distance of just 2.5 km from the popular Taj Mahal in the Mughal city of Agra. It used to be the place of residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty. It is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its magnificent Islamic architecture.
The fort was built by Akbar on the banks of the Yamuna during 1565-73. It is surrounded by a 2.4 km long, 21 meters high wall of red sandstone. It has two big ornamental gateways, which are decorated with beautiful patterns with white marble inlay and colored glaze. These patterns are representations of living beings, which are not found in any other Islamic building in India.
Entry Fee : The entry fee for the Fort is Rs. 40 for Indians, Rs. 550 for foreigners and no charges for children below 15 years.
Also Read : Complete Travel Guide to Agra Fort
Suggested Tour : Private Day Tour of Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
3. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
Listed Year : 1983
Ajanta Caves was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. Situated in Aurangabad, Maharashtra these caves date back to 2nd Century BC. These Buddhist caves are considered as one of the most outstanding artistic pursuits carried out in the olden times. About thirty in number, these remained abandoned for quite a lot of time as they were covered by dense forests before being rediscovered by a British officer.
The surviving mural paintings in the caves are one of the finest paintings which represent the art of ancient India and are many times used as an inspiration by present day artists.
Also Read : Most Famous Caves Near Mumbai
Read More: Ajanta & Ellora Caves Information
4. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
Listed Year : 1983
Ellora Caves was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. A heritage tour in Maharashtra will take you further to the Ellora caves. These caves are a group of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves. Built by Rashtrakuta dynasty, these have been put in the list of World heritage Sites by UNESCO due to their cultural importance.
Rock cut architectural style used in the construction of these caves is worth seeing as it looks very brilliant. We can get an idea about the religious concord that prevailed at that time as Hindu, Buddhist and Jain caves were all located at the same site.
Read More: Cave Paintings in India
Suggested Tour: 6 Days – Ajanta and Ellora Caves Tours
5. Sun Temple, Odisha
Listed Year : 1984
Sun Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1984. Located in Konark, Odisha, this temple dates back to 13th. It was constructed in the form of a very large ratha (a chariot) and was dedicated to the Sun God (as the name also suggests).
Bearing magnificently carved out features (twelve pair of wheels and the chariot being driven by seven horses) with detailed craftswork done, it looks divine and resplendent. What is interesting to note is that the wheels are actually sun dials which makes it a hotspot for the people interested in ancient astronomy.
Read More: Architectural Treasure: Sun Temple, Konark
6. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Listed Year : 1984
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram was declared as a World Heritage site in the year 1984. The Group Monuments of Mahabalipuram are a collection of religious temples situated at the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal, at a distance of around 60 km from the city of Chennai.
The site consists of the main complex of Mahabalipuram and 40 sanctuaries including an open air rock relief. Some of the popular temples are the Ratha Temples like ArjunaRatha, DraupadiRatha, BhimaRatha, the famous cave temples, the structural temples like Shore Temple, Olakkanesvara Temple and other rock monuments. The site has been gaining importance as an archaeological, tourism and pilgrimage site since Independence.
Entry Fee : The entry fee is Rs. 10.0 per person for Indians and Rs. 250 per person for Foreign Nationals.
Also Read : Top Places to Visit in Mahabalipuram
Suggested Tour :
- Full Day – Mahabalipuram Trip from Chennai
- 12 Days – South India Temple Tour
7. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Listed Year : 1985
Kaziranga National Park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1985. Kaziranga National Park is a delight for nature lovers and wildlife explorers. Situated in Assam, it is a home to 2 / 3rd of world’s great one-horned rhinos.
Along with this there are many other fauna and avifauna species as it is biodiversity hotspot. This is why it has been given the highest amount of protection under Indian laws that relate to wildlife conservation. The national park with its beautiful landscape and pristine surroundings is a popular destination for people who want to go on a nature heritage tour.
Read Also:
- Beginners’ Indian Travel Guide – Wildlife Safari
- Top Wildlife Sanctuaries to Visit in India
Suggested Tour:
- 14 Days – East India Wildlife Tour
- 3 Days – Kaziranga National Park Tour
Recommended Luxury Train Tour: 7 Nights 8 Days Delhi to Mumbai Maharajas’ Express Train – Adventurous Drive at Ranthambore National Park
8. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
Listed Year : 1985
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December in the year 1985. This national park situated in the northeastern state of Assam. It falls within the jurisdiction of 7 districts of Assam. The name of the park is derived from the Manas River, which flows right through the heart of the Park.
The park consists of two major biomes, the grassland biomes and the forest biomes. It is home to pygmy hogs, Indian rhinoceros, wild Australian buffaloes, capped langur, wild pigs, Malayan Giant Squirrel, Chinese Pangolin, etc. It is rich flora vegetation makes it one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world.
Due to its rich and diverse flora and fauna and rare and endangered endemic wildlife, it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage. It is also regarded as a Project Tiger Reserve and Elephant Reserve.
Entry Fee : The entry fee for the park is Rs. 20 for Indians and Rs. 250 for foreign tourists. Rs. 300 per jeep. Camera and camcorder charges are differently charged.
Also Read : Seven Sisters of India – Complete Information About North East India States
Suggested Tour : 7 Days – North East India Wildlife Tour
9. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
Listed Year : 1985
Keoladeo National Park was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December in the year 1985. Keoladeo National Park is a famous avifauna sanctuary situated in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The Park is home to over 300 species of birds, 370 floral species, 50 species of fish and variant species of lizards, amphibians, snakes, turtles, etc. It is also a popular site for ornithological studies.
The founder of World Wildlife Fund Mr. Peter Scott declared it as one of the World’s Best Bird Areas. It was established in the year 1982 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being a habitat of rare and endangered species. It covers an area of around 29 sq km.
Entry Fee : The entry fee for the Park is Rs. 75 for Indians and Rs. 200 for foreign nationals.
Also Read :
- Top 20 Bird Sanctuaries in India
- Top National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Rajasthan
Bharatpur Travel Guide
- How to Reach Bharatpur
- Best Time to Visit Bharatpur
- Tourist Attractions in Bharatpur
- Where to Stay in Bharatpur
- What to Eat in Bharatpur
- Shopping in Bharatpur
- Things To Do in Bharatpur
Suggested Tour :
- 4 Days – Jaipur Bharatpur Agra Tour
- 8 Days – Golden Triangle with Bharatpur Tours
10. Fatehpur Sikri, Agra
Listed Year : 1986
Fatehpur Sikri was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1986. Fatehpur Sikri was the erstwhile capital of Mughal dynasty before being abandoned by Akbar due to complete failure of water supply system. This was constructed as a well planned city by Akbar when he decided to shift his capital from Agra.
It has been conferred the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of the reason that it stands as one of the best examples of Mughal architectural finesse. A heritage tour to Fatehpur Sikri will let you explore some of its very impressive features like the Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas, Jama Masjid etc. Buland Darwaza (literal meaning: The great gate) stands out in the whole complex because of it being the largest gateway in the whole world.
Read More :
- How to Spend 24 Hours in Agra ?
- How to Spend 48 Hours in Agra ?
Also Read: 10 World Heritage Sites to Visit with Maharajas’ Express
Agra Travel Guide
- How to Reach Agra
- Best Time to Visit Agra
- Things to do in Agra
- Tourist Attractions in Agra
- Reasons to Visit Agra
- Famous Gardens in Agra
- Famous Festivals in Agra
- What to Wear in Agra
Popular Agra Tours
11. Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Listed Year : 1986
Khajuraho Group of Monuments was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1986. Khajuraho is a group of temples located in the heart of India – Madhya Pradesh showcasing the architectural prowess of craftsmen of the Rajput Chandela dynasty. These were a group of 85 temples out of which only 20 have survived various attempts of demolition by Muslim rulers and neglect thereafter.
Standing as one of the best examples of carving work, the exterior walls of these temples feature erotica, sculptures representing daily life and symbolic art depicting ancient Indian values. A heritage tour to Khajuraho temples will thus give you some excellent photographic opportunities which you should never miss out on.
Read On: 6 Tourist Attractions You Will Never Know About Khajuraho
Khajuraho Travel Guide
- History of Khajuraho
- How to Reach Khajuraho
- Tourist Attractions in Khajuraho
- Shopping in Khajuraho
- Museum in Khajuraho
- Temples in Khajuraho
Suggested Tour:
- 2 Days – Khajuraho Tour
- 3 Days – Khajuraho Private Tour from Delhi
- 8 Nights – Golden Triangle with Khajuraho Tour
- 10 Days – Golden Triangle with North India Temple
12. Churches and Convents of Goa
Listed Year : 1986
The churches and convents of Goa was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December in the year 1986. These are a set of religious monuments located in Old Goa. The monuments include Churches and Convents of Goa, Sé Cathedral of Goa, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Chapel of Santa Catarina, Ruins of the Church of St. Augustine, and Church of Divine Providence.
The site was declared as a World Heritage Site due to the following reasons:
- They contributed to the dissemination of Western art forms in Asia
- They perfectly illustrates the work of evangelization
- The tomb of Francisco Xavier illustrates the influence of the Catholic religion in Asia
Also Read : How Many Days Are Required To Visit Goa
Goa Travel Guide
- History of Goa
- Culture of Goa
- How to Reach Goa
- What to Wear in Goa
- Churches in Goa
- Temples in Goa
- Historical Places in Goa
- What to Eat in Goa
- Shopping in Goa
- Beaches in Goa
- Water Sports in Goa
- Shopping Markets in Goa
- Street Foods in Goa
- Wildlife in Goa
- Museums in Goa
Popular Goa Tours
13. Group of Monuments at Hampi
Listed Year : 1986
Group of Monuments at Hampi was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1986. These are situated in Karnataka. Often referred to as Hampi, it served as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire during the 14th century. When the Empire was defeated by Muslim sultanates, Hampi was left in ruins.
These ruins today spread over an area of 4100 hectares and consist of sacred complexes, riverside features, forts, temples, mandapas, shrines, memorial structures, water structures, pillared halls, and others. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site describing it as a grandiose site of more than 1600 remains of the Hindu Kingdom. The monuments are categorized into different complexes.
Entry Fee : The entry to each complex varies accordingly ranging from somewhere between Rs. 10-30 for Indians and around Rs. 500 for foreigners.
Also Read : Top 5 Things To Do In Hampi
Suggested Tour :
- 3 Days – Hampi and Hospet Tour from Bangalore
- 15 Days – Karnataka, Mumbai and Goa Tour
14. Great Living Chola Temples, Tamilnadu
Listed Year : 1987
Great Living Chola Temples was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1987. The Great Living Chola Temples are a group of three temples constructed during the Chola dynasty and they stand true to their name as they represent the splendour of powerful Chola monarchy. The three temples in the group are Brihadisvara Temple, Airavatesvara Temple and the Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
These are situated in the state of Tamil Nadu and they exhibit the brilliance of Dravidian architecture. During the reigns of Cholas, Tamil literature and art flourished like anything and the Chola temples are a perfect example of that.
Must Read: Top Places for a Temples Experience in South India
Also Read : Top 10 Temples in Tamil Nadu
Suggested Tour:
- 7 Days – South India Pilgrimage Tours
- 11 Days – Tamilnadu and Kerala Tour
- 20 Days – South India Tour from Chennai
- 22 Days – Tamilnadu Cultural Tour
15. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
Listed Year : 1987
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1987. These monuments in Karnataka is a collection of 7th and 8th century CE temples of Hindu and Jain religion. The Hindu temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The elements of Vaishnavism and Shaktism are also featured in the architecture.
The inscriptions of the temples depict Vedic and Puranic concepts along with stories from Puranas like Ramayana, the Mahabharata, etc. The Jain temple is to a single Jina.The Papanatha and Virupaksha temples depict a unique fusion of Northern and Southern styles. The site was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the harmonious blend of northern and southern architectural art forms.
Entry Fee : The entry fee for entering the Pattadakal Temples is Rs. 30 per person.
Also Read :
- 20 Most Famous Temples in Karnataka
- 15 Top Places To Visit In Karnataka
Suggested Tour :
- Full Day – Tour of Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole
- 14 Days – South India Tour from Bangalore
- 16 Days – Karnataka Tour
16. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra
Listed Year : 1987
Elephanta Caves was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1987. Elephanta Caves are a collection of cave temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are situated on Elephanta Island within 10 km from Mumbai. The site consists of five Hindu caves, one Buddhist Stupa, and two Buddhist caves. The rock cut stone sculptures of the caves are a perfect amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist ideologies. The cave has a 20 feet high Trimurti sculpture.
Entry Fee : The entry fee for the Elephanta Caves is Rs. 10 for Indians and nationals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. For nationals from other countries: Rs. 250.
Famous Maharashtra Tourist Attractions
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