The UNESCO World Heritage Convention was founded in 1972 to protect numerous historic and natural sites across the world. With the most recent inclusion to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, there are 42 total UNESCO sites in India 2023. Regarding World Heritage Sites, India ranks sixth in the world. According to UNESCO, the country has 34 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and 1 mixed site.
42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India 2023
Here is a list of total world heritage sites in India, along with key points.
Taj Mahal, Agra
The Taj Mahal in Agra is one of the seven wonders of the world and is referred to as the jewel of Muslim art in India.
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
It is a famous UNESCO site and houses many Hindu and Jain temples that exhibit Nagara-style symbolism and architecture.
Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi ruins are home to many heritage sites that exhibit Dravidian architecture, such as Virupaksha Temple.
Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
Ajanta Caves date back to the 2nd BC, and many rock-cut Buddhist sculptures and paintings are inside.
Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
Ellora Caves are home to many Buddhist and Jain temples with rock-cut sculptures and paintings that date back to 600 AD.
Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Bodh Gaya is a sacred place for Buddhists as it houses the iconic Bodhi tree, a temple, and a huge Budha sculpture.
Sun Temple, Odisha
Sun Temple is one of the seven wonders of India, built around 1250 AD in the stunning Kalinga architecture.
Red Fort Complex, Delhi
Emperor Shah Jahan built the Red Fort, exhibiting a blend of Mughal, Timurid, and Hindu architecture.
Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
Sanchi has Buddhist temples and monoliths built by emperor Ashoka in the 2nd century BC.
Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu
Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu include the iconic three Hindu temples that were built during the Chola Empire.
Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India famous for its Rhinoceros population.
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
These rock-cut temples were built during the Pallava Empire and exhibit stunning Ratha architecture.
Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
Sundarbans National Park is known for preserving the Royal Bengal Tiger and is surrounded by Mangrove forests.
Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi
The first wife of Humayun Begum Bega built this tomb, which includes tombs of many other famous rulers.
Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory built in the 18th century, and it houses the world's biggest stone sundial.
Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh
Agra Fort is one of the most significant structures built by the Mughals and exhibits Persian and Indian architecture.
Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri, and it includes four other associated monuments.
Rani Ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat
It includes stone carvings and was built in the 3rd century BC during the time of the Solanki Dynasty.
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka
The place includes eight temples associated with Lord Shiva built during the time of the Chalukya Empire.
Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra
Elephanta Caves are famous for many stone-carved Buddhist and Hindu temples inside it.
Nalanda Mahavihara, Bihar
Nalanda Mahavihara was a Buddhist university and monastery that dates back to the 3rd century BC.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Maharashtra
The place serves as the central railway headquarters built by the British in Gothic style architecture in 1888.
Mountain Railways of India
These railways of India in Darjeeling pass through towering hills, tunnels, and lush tea plantations.
Qutub Minar, New Delhi
A Mamluk ruler, Qutub ud din Aibak, built Qutub Minar in 1193, and it is a UNESCO site in India.
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat
This pre-Mughal Islamic place houses 11 monuments, which include mosques, tombs, pavilions, etc.
Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh
The national park is surrounded by forests and glaciers and is a habitat for many animal species.
Hill Forts of Rajasthan
Located in the Aravali Mountains ranges, the fort was built during the time of the Rajputana Empire.
Churches and Convents of Goa
These churches in Goa date back to the Portuguese colonial era.
The Pink City – Jaipur
It is a historic city with an iconic pink hue with many historic palaces, forts, tombs, and temples.
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh
These are famous for rock paintings and stone-age inscriptions.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
This sanctuary is an elephant reserve and for many other animals and birds.
Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
Iconic reserve for Siberian cranes and other bird species.
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Uttarakhand
The highest peak in Uttarakhand and a reserve for endangered animal species.
Western Ghats
The place includes my sanctuaries, reserves, and national parks.
Kanchenjunga National Park, Sikkim
This animal reserve in the Himalayan ranges is famous for its snow leopard population.
Capitol Complex, Chandigarh
The legislative assembly building for Haryana and Punjab and built by Le Corbusier.
The Historic City of Ahmedabad
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India during to cultural heritage.
The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai
It is a 19th-century Victorian Neo-Gothic architecture masterpiece and a collection of 94 buildings.
Kumbh Mela
It is the largest religious festival in India that returns after 12 years and is attended by millions.
Dholavira: A Harappan City
Dholavira is the 40th UNESCO site in India that exhibits the Indus Valley Civilization and dates back to 1450 BC.
Santiniketan - the 41st in India and the fifth in Bengal
It is an amazing place to learn history, culture, nature, and art. Rabindranath Tagore founded it.
Hoysala Temples, Karnataka
These temples in Karnataka are Hindu temples built during the time of the Hoysala dynasty in the medieval period. They depict the deep connection of the Hoysala empire with religion, culture, and architecture.
Conclusion
The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India 2023 speak of the country's rich historical, cultural, and natural history. Each site, from the famous Taj Mahal to the ancient ruins of Hampi, tells a different tale highlighting India's rich history. These historic sites add to worldwide cultural awareness and serve as important reminders of the need for preservation practices, which UNESCO is doing very well.
