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India, a country with many colours, is marked by its diverse culture, religion, arts and architecture. Furthermore, the large peninsula of India houses a wide range of flora and fauna. If you want to explore the rich beauty of the country, you must visit the 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Let’s discover what these heritage sites are famous for.
It is a white marble monument that the Mughal emperor Shahjahan built in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in the 17th century. The impeccable beauty of the Taj Mahal has made it one of the seven marvels of the world.
This mausoleum is a wonderful amalgamation of Mughal, Persian, Indian and Islamic styles of architecture. It has tall minarets, large arch-shaped gates, beautiful gardens, gemstone-clad walls, and many other amazing wonders to behold.
Agra Fort, renowned as the Red Fort of Agra, is an architectural masterpiece. The Mughal emperor Akbar built this fort in 1573 beside the right bank of the river Yamuna. This sandstone-made fort was a royal residence until 1638.
The fort complex also has several magnificent structural masterpieces like the Jehangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-E-Khas, Diwan-E-Aam, Sheesh Mahal, Nagina Masjid, Moti Masjid, etc.
The ancient Buddhist Ajanta Caves is also one of the first few places included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. It is marked by beautifully carved monuments, sculptures, murals and paintings.
There are 31 caves that house several revered chapels and monasteries. You can also view astounding rock-cut designs, statues, and figures in addition to walls with numerous paintings that highlight the past lives and rebirths of Lord Buddha.
The Ellora Caves contain a series of historical monuments built from 600-700 CE. The complex has more than 100 caves, and out of these, 34 are accessible.
Out of these 34 caves, 17 belong to Hinduism, 12 to Buddhism and the remaining 5 to Jainism. All of these account for the religious tolerance of India. You will find large victory towers, statues of elephants, temples, sculptures, paintings, etc., inside this complex.
The Sun Temple, also renowned as Black Pagoda, is a spectacular Kalinga architecture and a world heritage site in India, located 35 km away from Puri. It is designed as a stone-made chariot of Lord Surya, hauled by seven horses. It has three idols of the Lord Sun, placed in such a way the sun rays in the morning, afternoon and evening fall on them first.
Pallava rulers built these monuments beside the Coromandel Coast in the 7-8th centuries. There are almost 40 small to large monuments, including mandapas, rock reliefs, Hindu temples, and chariots. Among the several rock-cut monuments, Descent of Ganges is one of the major attractions. It is an open-air monument illustrating the rich architectural style of India.
You can find several monuments on this site showcasing the lavish Portuguese Mannerist and Baroque architectural styles. Basilica do Bom Jesus, Church and Convent of Saint Francis, Igreja de Sao Francisco de Assis, Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, and Church of Saint Augustine are some of these grand majestic creations of Portuguese colonies.
This UNESCO World Heritage site includes more than 1,600 structures as remnants of the mighty Vijayanagar empire. The shrines, forts, temples, halls, gateways, museums, etc., located at Hampi will compel you to wonder about the grand architectural style of India.
These impressive monuments include Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Palace of Harihara, Hazara Rama Temple, Queen’s Bath, Hampi Bazaar, Lotus Mahal and the museum.
Constructed by Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri is one of the most beautiful Indo-Islamic masterpieces and one of the most prominent UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
The emperor commissioned to build this architecture as a tribute to Sheikh Salim Chisti, a Sufi saint. Within the long walls of Fatehpur Sikri, you will find other notable structures, including the Panch Mahal, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Jama Mosque, Palace of Jodha Bai and Buland Darwaza.
Khajuraho group of monuments displays the rich Nagara-style architectural masterpieces of India. It has several ancient Hindu and Jain temples built during the reign of the Chandela dynasty.
At present, you can explore only 20 out of 85 temples, and the rest have become dilapidated with time. These temples and monuments are also marked by erotic sculptures and figurines carved on the wall.
In Pattadakal, you can see nine beautifully designed Hindu temples, including Mallikarjuna Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Sangameshwara Temple, Galaganatha Temple, Kashi Vishwanatha Temple, Papanatha Temple, etc.
The site also has the Jain Narayan Temple. Built during the Chalukyan rule in around 7-8th centuries, these monuments flaunt a fine blend of Dravida, Prasada, Vimana, Nagara, and Rekha styles.
The ancient Elephanta Caves, also called Gharapurichi Leni, contain two series of caves. Among these, five caves have rock-cut Hindu idols and sculptures, while two flaunt Buddhist architecture built in the 5-8th centuries. These structures represent the glorious history of religious tolerance in India.
It is a collection of three temples dedicated to Lord Shiva spread across different parts of Southern India. These are Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram, Brihadisvara Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur.
These temples were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India in 1987 to showcase the brilliant architectural and artistic achievements of India during the Chola reign.
The Qutub Minar and its monuments are exemplary Islamic architecture built in the 13th century. It is a red sandstone tower, boasting a height of 72.5 meters. Besides this tall tower, the entire complex has other magnificent historical structures, including Alai-Darwaza, Quwwat ul-Islam Mosque, Alai Minar, Iron Pillar, funerary buildings, etc.
The Mughal emperor Humayun’s widowed wife, Biga Begum, built the iconic Persian-styled tomb in memory of her beloved husband. This UNESCO heritage site in India is one of the most well-preserved Mughal mausoleums.
Furthermore, the tomb complex has four mesmerising Persian-styled gardens within the estate. The complex also houses graves of other royal descendants, including empress Biga Begum, Dara Shikoh, Hamida Begum and others.
The Buddhist Monuments of Sanchi is one of the oldest stone-made architectures, constructed in 200-100 BC. In fact, this site’s focal point, the Great Sanchi Stupa, is a structure from the 3rd century BC. It has a large dome with a diameter of 36 metres and a height of 16 metres.
Besides this, you can find several rock-carved palaces, monasteries, temples, and monolithic pillars within this complex. It has been listed as one of the UNESCO heritage sites in India due to its high religious importance.
Mountain railways are brilliant engineering solutions that ease connectivity problems in hilly and rugged regions of India. For this, Darjeeling Railways became the first mountain railway to be recognised as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India in 1999.
Later, UNESCO also recognised Nilgiri and Kalka-Shimla Railways in the list of heritage mountain railways in 2005 and 2008, respectively.
Emperor Ashoka built this Buddhist temple complex at Bodh Gaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is one of the consecrated temples for Buddhists. The temple complex has several religious structures in its 5-hectare area, including a 50-metre tall Vajrasana, venerated Bodhi tree, a lotus pond, and several stupas.
The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India, carrying immense cultural and historical importance. This site has five natural rock shelters from the Mesolithic era. On the walls of these shelters, you can find artwork and carvings from the Asian Stone Age, painting a rough picture of people's lifestyles and activities during that period.
This UNESCO site in India contains a series of forts and other architecture dispersed within the long area, starting from Pavagadh hill to Champaner city.
Besides forts, the site has architectural masterpieces like fortresses, step-wells, palaces, temples, tombs, mosques, residential complexes, and agricultural areas. Further, the Kalika Mata temple atop Pavagadh hill is one of the holy shrines in the country.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a historical and busy railway station included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India for its impeccable architectural beauty. It is one of the splendid Victorian gothic architectures designed by British architect Frederick William.
Built with sandstones and limestones, it flaunts an attractive facade. The inside is also built with fine Italian marble, multiplying its beauty manifold.
The Red Fort or Lal Qila, built by emperor Shahjahan, served as the major residential place for the Mughal royal family. It is a majestic red sandstone fort palace showcasing a perfect blend of Indian, Persian and Timurid styles of architecture. You can also see other historical structures like Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Aam, Lahori Gate, Delhi Gate, etc., within this complex.
Jantar Mantar is one of the world’s largest astronomical observatories boasting smart instruments and constructions.
This observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II is made in such a way that you can explore the celestial bodies with bare eyes. Besides 19 large astronomical equipments, it has the biggest sundial in the world. It got its position among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India owing to this scientific and cultural importance.
In 2013, UNESCO recognised six majestic hill forts in the Aravalli Mountains as World Heritage Sites. These include Amer Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, Gagron Fort, Ranthambore Fort, Jaisalmer Fort and Kumbhalgarh Fort. Various Rajput rulers built these fortifications during the 5-18thcentury to enhance their safety and demonstrate their power.
Queen's Stepwell, or Rani Ki Vav, is a mesmerising underground architecture built on the bank of the Saraswati river. It served as a water storage system. It is a large structure with a length, breadth and depth of 64 metres, 20 metres and 27 metres, respectively.
This inverted-temple-like step-well has decorated walls with sculptures of deities, including Lord Vishnu, apsaras and yoginis.
Nalanda Mahavihara was a world-class university that used to attract scholars from China, Korea, Tibet, Central Asia, etc. From the archaeological remnants of Nalanda Mahavira, it has been found that it conducted educational activities for more than 800 years, starting from the 3rd century BC.
Presently, you can see the ruins of viharas, stupas, shrines, etc. that used to adorn this ancient centre of learning.
Le Corbusier, a master architect, has built several majestic modern building complexes throughout the world. UNESCO collectively included all of these in its list of world heritage sites.
Built over 100 acres of land, the Capitol complex is one such landmark architectural creation in India. This total complex has 3 large buildings, a martyrs memorial, an open-hand monument, a geometric hill, a tower of shadows and a rock garden.
The capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, is the first Indian city included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Its sultanate architecture, mosques, Hindu/Jain temples, gates and walls make it a culturally endowed city. The mosques and temples from different religions also exhibit a history of religious co-existence in this city.
These ensembles comprise several Art-Deco and public buildings designed in neo-gothic style. All these architectures are located around Oval Maidan, in the Fort Area of Mumbai.
On the east side of this ground, you will find gothic architecture, including the Bombay High Court, the University of Mumbai, Elphinstone College, and David Sassoon Library. On the opposite side, there are Art-Deco architectures, including various residential buildings.
Jaipur, or the pink city, came into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India owing to its cultural significance and royal heritage. The essence of this city is primarily dotted by its majestic architecture that include remarkable Havelis, royal places and forts like Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, etc.
Dholavira is the 5th largest Harappan city of the ancient Indus Valley civilisation. The large 22-hectare area of Dholavira encompasses ruined structures from the urban settlement.
From the remnants in Dholavira, including streets, wells, gateways, etc., you can have anunderstanding of how people from Indus Civilisation used to lead their lives.
It is a mesmerising sandstone temple constructed in 1273 during the rule of the Kakatiya Dynasty. The Rudreshwara Temple is an exemplary structure built in the Vesara architectural style. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Inside the temple, you can find a 9-feet long Shivalinga placed on a 6-feet long pedestal.
Situated on the banks of Brahmaputra, Kaziranga National Park is a rich natural landmark that stretches over 430 square kilometres of area. This national park houses diverse flora, fauna, forests, streams, lakes, etc.
The resident one-horned rhinoceros is a special attraction that draws tourists here from across the world. Other than this, you can also see tigers, swamp deer, elephants, buffaloes, otters, Gangetic dolphins, etc., along with various species of birds.
Keoladeo National Park is a bird-watching hotspot that made its place on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. You can find more than 350 bird species, 380 different types of plants along with a variety of fishes and mammals. During winter, this area hosts migratory birds from Afghanistan, Serbia, China and other neighbouring countries.
It is an iconic wildlife sanctuary and a biosphere reserve in India, situated at the Himalayan foothills. Amid the lush forest, you can find animals like one-horned rhinoceros, barking deer, roofed turtles, leopards, etc. It also has several endemic animals like Pygmy Hog, Assam Roofed Turtle, Golden Langur, Hispid Hare and Red Panda.
The Sundarbans include large mangrove forests and marshy lands that house several animals and over 170 species of birds. One of the major attractions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in India is the iconic Royal Bengal Tiger, the National Animal of India.
Other than this, you can find animals like saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer, wild boars, fishing cats, Gangetic dolphins, king crabs and flying foxes.
Sprawled over an area of 630 square kilometres, Nanda Devi National Park is marked by its enchanting wilderness and rich biodiversity. You can view some of the unique flora and fauna, including colourful butterflies, trees, plants and flowers.
Furthermore, the 87 square kilometres wide Valley of Flowers can give you picturesque sights of blooming alpine flowers like daisies, orchids, etc.
The Western Ghats mountain range has several reserve forests, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Within a large area of around 1,60,000 square-Kilometres, the Western Ghats is also a biodiversity hotspot, housing several species of mammals, amphibians, birds, insects, fish, flowering and non-flowering plants, etc. It also has more than 320 endangered species of flora and fauna.
Spreading over an area of around 1171 square kilometres, the Great Himalayan National Park has a variety of flora and fauna. You can find more than 30 different species of animals, 375 kinds of flora, and 180 types of birds in the alpine meadows of this national park.
Among the rare animals, musk deer, Himalayan brown bear, blue sheep, snow leopard, and Himalayan Tahr are just a few.
It is a high-altitude national park in India, situated within the rough terrain of the Himalayan Mountain Ranges. Moreover, Khangchendzonga National Park is popular as a habitat of rare flora and fauna.
Among the various animals found in this park, sloth bear, leopard, red panda, musk deer, Himalayan blue sheep, Russell viper, green pigeon, snow pigeon, etc., are highly popular. With almost 550 bird species, it also serves as a bird-watching paradise.
Following are some criteria that UNESCO follows before listing a place:
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