6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Karnataka

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Replete with enriched history and vibrant culture, the extensive canvas of Karnataka stretches from prehistoric temples to the modern, thriving Silicon Valley in India.

Therefore, whether you are an avid traveller, art connoisseur or adventure enthusiast, Karnataka offers an array of options for everyone. Keep scrolling to learn about the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Karnataka in detail.

Located in the southwest of India, Karnataka has three world heritage sites. Keep scrolling to know where these world heritage sites are located, when you should visit them and other details to make your trip memorable.

1. Hampi (1986)

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Hampi exhibits the evocative ruin of one of the erstwhile mediaeval Hindu Kingdoms of India. Also known as Pampa Kshetra, this place is riddled with temple ruins and rock structures, potentially contributing to the historic ambience of this place. Most of the monuments here have stood the test of time since 1336-1570 CE.

• Location: Vijayanagara District
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to March
• Hours of Operation: 6 AM to 6 PM; stays open every day a week
• Entry Fee: For Indians and SAARC and BIMSTEC nationals ₹35/person per e-ticket and ₹40/person cash payment, for children below 15 years free, for foreigners ₹550/person per e-ticket and ₹600/person cash payments.

2. Pattadakal (1987)

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Representing the true essence of eclectic art, Pattadakal is one of the world heritage sites in Karnataka. It exhibits the trendsetting architectural innovations of the Chalukya Dynasty. Glistening with magnificent temples, you will witness a harmonious amalgamation of art forms from both the northern and southern parts of the country.

• Location: Bagalakote District
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to March
• Hours of Operation: 6 AM to 5:30 PM; stays open every day a week
• Entry Fee:  For Indians and SAARC and BIMSTEC nationals ₹35/person per, for children below 15 years free, for foreigners ₹550/person per e-ticket and ₹600/person cash payments.

3. Western Ghats (2012)

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The Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri Mountain, spans over area of 160,000 sq. km. It runs parallel traversing the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The site contains 39 properties which include wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and forest reserves. Moreover, it is also known for housing 7,402 species of flower plants, 139 mammals and more.

• Location: West to Deccan Plateau
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to March
• Hours of Operation: Open 24x7
• Entry Fee: No Fee

The following is another popular site in Karnataka which is nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala (2014)

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The Chennakeshava Temple at Belur and Hoysaleshwara Temples at Halebidu are collectively proposed to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Built during the Hoysala era, these temples have remarkable architecture of Nagara and Dravidian style. These temples are considered one of the most iconic temples in Southern India because of their stone-carved structure, unique artistry and rich sculptural decoration.

• Location: Hassan District
• Ideal time to Explore: October to March
• Hours of Operation: 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM (Chennakeshava Temple); 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Hoysaleshwara Temple)
• Entry Fee: 
  • Chennakeshava Temple: Free
  • Hoysaleshwara Temple: Free

5. Monuments of Srirangapatna Island Town (2014)

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Located near the Kaveri River, Srirangapatna is a small island town considered as one of the best pilgrimage sites in Karnataka. It includes the famous and the largest temple of Karnataka, the Ranganathaswamy Temple, from which the town’s name was originally derived. The town also houses several historical monuments, including a fort, bird sanctuary and mausoleum.

• Location: Mandya District
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to March

6. Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate (2014)

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Nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Monuments of Deccan Sultanate is a series of four components including several forts and tombs built by rulers of the Deccan Sultanate. These monuments located in Gulbarga, Bidar, Bijapur and Hyderabad are the epitome of hybrid style of Islamic and Hindu architecture. Emerged during the mediaeval period, each of these monuments has played a great role in the Sultanate history.   

• Location: 
  • Bahmani Monuments: Kalaburagi District, Northern Karnataka
  • Bahmani and Barid Shahi Monuments: Bidar District, Northeastern Karnataka
  • Adil Shahi Monuments: Bijapur District, Northern Karnataka
• Ideal time to Explore: 
  • Bahmani Monuments: October to March 
  • Bahmani and Barid Shahi Monuments: October to March 
  • Adil Shahi Monuments: October to February 
  • Hours of Operation: Throughout the day 
• Entry Fee: 
  • Bahmani Monuments: Free 
  • Bahmani and Barid Shahi Monuments: Free 
  • Adil Shahi Monuments: ₹10 to ₹100 per person for Indian; ₹100 to ₹200 per person for Foreigners.

Note: Prices are updated as of April 2023 and may vary.

There are 10 cultural and natural criteria UNESCO follows to list a place as a World Heritage Site. They are:

• It must represent creative genius.
• The site must bear an exceptional testimony of a civilisation or culture, living or disappearing.
• It must interchange human values on developments in monumental arts, technology or architecture, landscape design or town planning.
• The site should bear an attestation of cultural importance.
• It is mandatory to feature magnificent instances of a type of building or landscape with a prominent place in history or a technological or architectural ensemble.
• The site needs to exhibit traditional human settlement, representing a culture or human interaction with nature, especially when endangered due to irreversible changes.
• It should comprise natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity. This includes endangered species of exceptional universal value.
• The place must represent significant stages of the earth’s history. This includes geomorphic or physiological aspects, a record of life, and crucial ongoing geological activities developing landforms.
• It should include remarkable instances of potential biological and ecological processes in the evolution and development of nature that is in progress.
• The site must be directly or indirectly associated with living traditions, events, beliefs, ideas, and literary and artistic works of universal importance. However, the UNESCO Committee believes that this parameter should be considered with the rest. 

Karnataka is one of the most diverse states in the country. Therefore, apart from the fascinating ruins of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Karnataka, explore the forests, waterfalls, beaches, lakes, and coffee plantations to enjoy all the bounties of nature to the fullest.