UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
India takes pride in flaunting its unsurpassed heritage; eras over eras have influenced, moulded and face lifted the rich heritage of which we all are part of. Distinctive edifices, perennial culture and the determination to keep this incredibility have preserved for us an era no short of marvels. With a startling number of places and monuments enlisted in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India has made an indelible mark in world history.
The natural splendor maintaining its domain over many parts of the country boasts of magnificent wildlife heritage. From the float of crocodiles at Sunderban National Park to the home of snow leopards at Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, from the majestic Manas Wildlife Sanctuary to the Keoladeo National Park and Kaziranga National Park, India humbly possess the most diverse heritage in the world. The lush flora and the tailored landscape around it has been the prime attraction in the country, right from the red rhododendrons to the Neelakurinji, which bloom once every 12 years and from the moonscape Ladakh to the river island Majuli, the kaleidoscope of wildlife and natural heritage never ceases to amaze us in India.
The realm of culture among other form of heritage in India has amplified and grown manifold over the time. The cultural bank overwhelmed with creative aspects like art, music, dance and literature has been offering bonus pride to the country and countrymen. Right from the regional festivities to the national celebrations, culture seems to show off its mighty influence all through. On the other hand the tinges of crafts, religion, customs, traditions, beliefs, philosophy, history, health, medicine, travel, cuisine, monuments, literature, painting and languages can by no means be neglected as vital features that make the culture heritage of India rich and exceptional.
With the shifts in ruling powers, India has become the thriving hub of multiple architectural marvels. From the world famous Taj Mahal to the creative genius Khajuraho temple, the power of architecture taste blended with the Indian culture and landscape has no equal. The bounty of beautifully sculptured temples like Sun Temple at Konark and the Brihdeeswar Temple at Thanjavur make them national treasures. Similarly, the majestically rock-cut Ellora Caves in Aurangabad and the Portuguese built Churches in Goa have a special place in the Indian heritage. While most of the architecture is well-documented, there are many relics that exist in all their glory without any recognition. Known or unknown, the wide and thriving Indian heritage in any respect has certainly received accolades from across the globe.
List of World Heritage Sites in India
Taj Mahal | Uttar Pradesh, North India | 1983 |
Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra, Central India | 1983 |
Agra Fort | Uttar Pradesh, North India | 1983 |
Ellora Caves | Maharashtra, Central India | 1983 |
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram | Tamil Nadu, South India | 1984 |
Sun Temple Konark | Orissa, South India | 1984 |
Manas Wildlife Sanctury | Assam, North East India | 1985 |
Kaziranga National Park | Assam, North East India | 1985 |
Keoladeo National Park | Rajasthan, Central India | 1985 |
Fatehpur Sikri | Uttar Pradesh, North India | 1986 |
Pattadkal Hampi | Karnataka, South India | 1986 |
Churches of Goa | Goa, West India | 1986 |
Khajuraho Group of Monuments | Madhya Pradesh, Central India | 1986 |
Brihadeeswarar Temple | Tamil Nadu, South India | 1987 |
Sunderban National Park | West Bengal, East India | 1987 |
Great Living Chola Temples | Tamil Nadu, South India | 1987 |
Elephanta Caves | Maharashtra, Central India | 1987 |
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal | Karnataka, South India | 1987 |
Nandadevi National Park | Uttarakhand, North India | 1988 |
Buddist Monastery At Sanchi | Madhya Pradesh, Central India | 1989 |
Humayun’s Tomb | Delhi, North India | 1993 |
Qutub Minar | Delhi, North India | 1993 |
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway | West Bengal, East India | 1999 |
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya | Bihar, Central India | 2002 |
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka | Madhya Pradesh, Central India | 2003 |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Maharashtra, Central India | 2004 |
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Gujarat, West India | 2004 |
The Red Fort complex | Delhi, North India | 2007 |
Jantar Mantar | Rajasthan, North India | 2010 |
Western Ghats | Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra | 2012 |
Hill Forts of Rajasthan | Rajasthan, Central India | 2013 |
Rani ki Vav | Patan, Gujarat | 2014 |