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Writer's pictureDeepak Kumar

UNESCO sites in India | UNESCO World heritage India list | Latest UNESCO world heritage sites in India| UNESCO sites in India | UNESCO World heritage India lis

There are many very beautiful and attractive places in India which have been analyzed by the UNESCO. We need to know about these places.

This information is available to us all over Google.

With the help of Google, I have also collected information about such places in India which have been added to the world heritage list by the UNESCO and I am telling you in a simple way.

So, UNESCO sites in India | UNESCO World heritage India lis is briefing ......



UNESCO Logo
UNESCO Logo

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value to cultural or natural heritage which have been nominated by countries which are signatories to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.

Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites).

 Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty, are defined as natural heritage.

India accepted the convention on 14 November 1977, making its sites eligible for inclusion on the list.

UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This is exemplified by the Convention regarding the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, accepted by UNESCO in 1972.


Amazing painting
Amazing painting

There are 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Santiniketan, the cultural and educational hub founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has earned a coveted spot-on UNESCO's World Heritage.

Here is a list of 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (Year wise listed).


Table of contents:


Don’t worry guys in my blog (travelwithdknegi.com) I am explaining you these all topics i.e UNESCO sites in India | UNESCO World heritage India lis following manner: -


1.       Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra;

Ajanta Caves
Ajanta Caves, photo credit - wiki

Listed on; 1983

Ajanta Caves are famous for Buddhist Rock-cut Cave Monuments. It is richly decorated with Paintings and Frescoes like Sigiriya Paintings.

You can read more from here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajanta_Caves

2.       Ellora Caves, Maharashtra;


Ellora Caves, photo credit - wiki
Ellora Caves, photo credit - wiki

Listed on; 1983

The Ellora Caves comprise 34 temples and monasteries that were cut into a 2 km long basalt cliff between the 7th and 11th centuries. As they were built by followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, they illustrate the religious tolerance of the period when they were constructed. The largest temple is the Kailasa Temple, which is elaborately decorated with sculptures and paintings. These caves were excavated out of Hills, and it is a rock-cut Architecture.

You can read more from here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellora_Caves


3.       Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh;

Agra Fort, photo credit - wiki
Agra Fort, photo credit - wiki

Listed on; 1983

Agra Fort is a 16th-century Mughal imperial fortress in Agra. It got its present layout under the emperor Akbar. This is one of the most prominent monumental structures by the Mughal empire.

You can read more from here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra_Fort


4.       Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh;

Taj Mahal, photo credit - wiki
Taj Mahal, photo credit - wiki

Listed on; 1983

This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. King Shahjahan had built this unique structure in the memory of his third deceased wife Begum Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Indo-Islamic architecture. It was built in Agra on the bank of the Yamuna River.  

You can read more from here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal


5.       Sun Temple, Odisha;

Sun Temple, photo credit - wiki
Sun Temple, photo credit - wiki

Listed on; 1984

The Sun Temple, Konarak is a hindu temple was built in the 13th century and is one of the finest examples of Kalinga architecture. It represents the chariot of the solar deity Surya: on the outer sides, it has 24 wheels carved of stone and richly decorated, being pulled by six horses.


6.       Mahabalipuram Monuments, Tamil Nadu;

Mahabalipuram, photo credit - wiki
Mahabalipuram, photo credit - wiki

Listed on;1984

This monument is famous for the Mahabalipuram Largest. Open Air Rock Relief, Mandapas, Chariot Temples, It is a Pallava Dynasty Architecture.



7.       Kaziranga National Park, Assam;

Kaziranga National Park, photo credit - wiki
Kaziranga National Park, photo credit - wiki

Listed on;1985

Kaziranga National Park, Assam  is famous for Worlds 2/3rd population of Great One-Horned Rhinoceroses. It has the highest density of Tigers in the World, Wild Water Buffalo, Elephants, Swamp Deer, and the park is also recognized as the Important Bird Area.


8.       Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan;


 Keoladeo National Park, photo credit - wiki
Keoladeo National Park, photo credit - wiki

Listed on;1985

Keoladeo is a man-made and man-maintained wetland. It is important both for migratory and resident birds, especially waterbirds.




 9.       Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam;


Manas wildlife, photo credit - wiki
Manas wildlife, photo credit - wiki

Listed on;1985

This sanctuary is famous for Project Tiger Reserve, Biosphere Reserve and Elephant Reserve. You can read more from here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manas_National_Park 


10.       Churches and Convents of Goa, Goa;


   Churches and Convents of Goa, Photo credit wiki
   Churches and Convents of Goa, Photo credit wiki

Listed on;1986

It is famous for Rome of the Orient, First Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque Art Forms in Asia, First Latin Rite Mass in Asia.

You can read more from here


11.       Monuments of Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh;


 Monuments of Khajuraho, Photo credit wiki
 Monuments of Khajuraho, Photo credit wiki

Listed on;1986

This monument is popular for a group of Jain and Hindu Temples. It is situated 175 km southeast of Jhansi. Well known for their Nagara style symbolism and erotic Figures and sculptures. This site comprises 23 temples, both Hindu and Jain, that were built in the 10th and 11th centuries, during the Chandela dynasty.

You can read more from here


12.       Monuments of Hampi, Karnataka;


 Monuments of Hampi, Photo credit wiki
 Monuments of Hampi, Photo credit wiki

Listed on;1986

The most significant heritage monument in this site is the Virupaksha Temple, which continues to be a significant religious centre for the Hindus. Hampi predates the Vijayanagara Empire; it is mentioned in the Ramayana and the Puranas of Hinduism as Pampa Devi Tirtha Kshetra.

You can read more from here


13.       Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh;


 Fatehpur Sikri, Photo credit wiki
 Fatehpur Sikri, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 1986

The name of the city itself denotes the victory (Fateh) of Akhbar over Chittor and Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri constitutes of four main Monuments. The Jama Masjid, The Buland Darwaza, which is the most significant door of Asia, made of a specific wood imported from Australia which would sink in water. Panch Mahal or Jada Baai ka Mahal, which is also considered as the origin place of the Navaratnas (Birbal, Tansen, etc.). It also contained the Diwan-e-Khas and Diwan-e-aam. Interior to the Buland Darwaza lies the Tomb of Salim Chishti. All these Mughal buildings are notable Indian heritage sites.

You can read more from here


14.       Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra;


Elephanta Caves, Photo credit wiki
Elephanta Caves, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 1987

It is popular for Buddhist and Hindu caves. It is situated on Island in the Arabian Sea. And has Basal Rock Caves, and Shiva Temples.

You can read more from here


15.       Great Living Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu;


Chola Temples, Photo credit wiki
Chola Temples, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 1987

These temples were built in Southern Part of India during the rule of Chola empire. The Brihadisvara Temple, the Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple are the most important of all of these temples. The Chola Temples are popular for Chola Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Bronze Casting.

You can read more from here


16.       Pattadakal Monuments, Karnataka;


 Pattadakal Monuments, Photo credit wiki
Pattadakal Monuments, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 1987

It is popular for its Chalukya style of architecture that originated in Aihole and blended with the Nagara and Dravidian styles of architecture.

You can read more from here


17.       Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal;


  Sundarbans National Park, Photo credit wiki
Sundarbans National Park, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 1987

This National Park is popular as Biosphere Reserve, Largest Estuarine Mangrove Forest, Bengal Tiger, and Salt-Water Crocodile. Famous for the Royal Bengal Tigers, the Sunderban National Park is a known Tiger reserve and a Biosphere Reserve located in the Indian state of West Bengal.

You can read more from here


18.       Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand;


Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers,Photo credit wiki
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers,Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 1988

The Nanda Devi is the highest mountain peak of Uttarakhand and the highest mountain peak of India also because the Kanchenjunga is known to share its border with Nepal. It is famous for Snow Leopard, Asiatic Black Bear, Brown Bear, Blue Sheep, and Himalayan Monal, World Network of Biosphere.

You can read more from here


19.       Monuments of Buddha, Madhya Pradesh;


 Monuments of Buddha,Photo credit wiki
Monuments of Buddha,Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 1989

Monuments of Buddha is popular for Monolithic Pillars, Palaces, Monasteries, Temples Mauryan Architecture, Ye Dharma Hetu Inscriptions.

You can read more from here



20.       Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi;


 Humayun’s Tomb, Photo credit wiki
Humayun’s Tomb, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 1993

This World Heritage Site in India was built by Begum Bega, the first wife of Humayun between 1565-1572. IT is the only monument which has gone several restoration works and is complete. It’s a tomb complex consisting of several smaller monuments including the tombs of Isa Khan Niyazi, an Afghan noble in Sher Shah Suri’s court of the Suri dynasty.

It is popular for the Precursors to the Taj Mahal and Mughal Architecture. It constitutes a Tomb, a Pavilion, any Water Channels, and A Bath.

You can read more from here


21.       Qutub Minar and its Monuments, Delhi;


  Qutub Minar , Photo credit wiki
Qutub Minar , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 1993

One of the most famous World Heritage Sites in India, the Qutub Minar was built in 1193 by the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, Qutub-ud-din Aibak of the Mamluk Dynasty, after the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu Kingdom.

You can read more from here



22.       Mountain Railways of Darjeeling, Kalka Shimla & Nilgiri, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh;


 Vibrant Railways , Photo credit wiki
Vibrant Railways , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 1999 The Mountain Railways of India are outstanding examples of hill railways. Opened between 1881 and 1908 they applied bold and ingenious engineering solutions to the problem of establishing an effective rail link across a mountainous terrain of great beauty. They are still fully operational as living examples of the engineering enterprise of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

You can read more from here



23.       Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar;


Mahabodhi Temple , Photo credit wiki
Mahabodhi Temple , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2002

Mahabodhi Temple is an important religious centre for the Buddhists as this was the place where Mahatma Buddha attained enlightenment. The holy Bodhi Tree is the site where Siddhartha gained Enlightenment and became Gautam Buddha.

You can read more from here



24.       Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Madhya Pradesh;


Bhimbetka Rock Shelters , Photo credit wiki
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2003

It is famous for Rock Paintings within Natural Rock Shelters, Stone Age Inscriptions, Sitting Place of Bhima (Mahabharata).

You can read more from here



25.       Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Maharashtra;


Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus , Photo credit wiki
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2004

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, formerly known as the Victoria Terminus is the headquarters of Central Railway in Mumbai. It was built by Frederick William Stevens with the inspiration from Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Mughal buildings between the years 1878-1888 and gave Bombay the face of being the International Mercantile Port of India.

When there was a terrorist attack in Mumbai, terrorists also attacked here.

Read more information abut that attack here; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Mumbai_attacks 

 

Regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, you can read more from here



26.       Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat;


Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park , Photo credit wiki
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park , Photo credit wiki

Listed on;

This place is the only complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city. The park also houses some of the ancient Chalcolithic Indian Sites, from the Stone Age era.

You can read more from here



27.       Red Fort, Delhi;


Red Fort , Photo credit wiki
Red Fort , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2007

The Red Fort was built by Emperor Shah Jahan when he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi, or what was known as Shahjahanabad at that time.

You can read more from here



28.       Jantar Mantar, Rajasthan;


Jantar Mantar , Photo credit wiki
Jantar Mantar , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2010

The Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory built in 18th century Rajasthan. It is an astronomical observatory which was created by the Rajput King Sawai Jai Singh of Rajasthan in 1738 CE. It is a collection of 19 astronomical instruments including the world’s largest stone Sundial.

You can read more from here



29.       Western Ghat - Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu;


Western Ghat , Photo credit wiki
Western Ghat , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2012

The Western Ghats or the Sahyadri mountain ranges lies along the western coast of the Indian Peninsula. The Range runs north to south along the west edge of Deccan Plateau. It constitutes sever national parks, reserve forests and wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The hills cover 160000 square kilometre area with a length of 1600 kilometre, a width of 100 kilometres and height of 1200 meters.

You can read more from here



30.       Hill Forts, Rajasthan;


Hill Forts , Photo credit wiki
Hill Forts , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2013

This place is famous for its unique Rajput Military DefenseArchitecture. It includes six majestic forts in Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort, Amber Fort and Jaisalmer Fort. They’re located on the rocky Aravalli Mountain Range in Rajasthan.

You can read more from here



31.       Rani Ki Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell at Patan), Gujrat;


Rani Ki Vav, Photo credit wiki
Rani Ki Vav, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2014

It is an explicit example of fine Ancient Indian architecture which is constructed during the time of the Solanki dynasty.

You can read more from here



32.       Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), Himachal Pradesh;


Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), Photo credit wiki
Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2014

The Great Himalayan National Park is one of India’s National Parks located in the Kullu region of Northern Himachal Pradesh. The park includes the upper mountain snowmelt and glacial water melt origins of several rivers, mainly the tributaries of the river Indus. It is home to about 375 fauna species and several floral species, including some scarce species of plants and animals such as blue sheep, snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan Tahr, musk deer spruces, horse chestnuts and vast alpine meadows.

You can read more from here



33.       Nalanda, Bihar;


Nalandha , Photo credit wiki
Nalandha , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2016

Nalanda Archaeological Site in Bihar was a centre of learning and a Buddhist monastery from 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE.

You can read more from here




34.       Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim;


  Khangchendzonga National Park, Photo credit wiki
  Khangchendzonga National Park, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2016

The national park is famous for its fauna and flora, with snow leopard being occasionally sighted. There are few trekking routes in this national park as well for the trekking enthusiasts.

You can read more from here



35.       Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex), Chandigarh;


    Architectural Work of Le Corbusier , Photo credit wiki
    Architectural Work of Le Corbusier , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2016

The Capitol Complex in Chandigarh also hosts the legislative assembly for both the states of Haryana and Punjab, High Court and the Secretariat. Located in Sector 1, Chandigarh, this capitol complex was built when Chandigarh was being developed as the capital of Punjab in 1950 after the partition of India. Recognized as a World Heritage Site as part of an outstanding contribution to the Modern Movement.

You can read more from here



36.       The Historic City, Gujarat;


  The Historic City , Photo credit wiki
  The Historic City , Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2017

The first city of India to enter the list, Ahmedabad was declared as the World Heritage City on July 8, 2017.

A walled city on the banks of Sabarmati where communities following Hinduism, Islam, and Jainism have co-existed for centuries.

You can read more from here



37.       Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles, Maharashtra;


Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles,  Photo credit wiki
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2018

The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai is a collection of 94 buildings of great cultural importance, located in the Fort Area of Mumbai, set around the Oval Maidan, previously known as Esplanade. The Oval is flanked on the east by 19th-century Victorian Neo-Gothic constructions, like Bombay High Court, The Fort Campus of the University of Mumbai and the Old Secretariat Building among others. A famous landmark in the City of Dreams - the Rajabai Clock Tower, is also part of the Victorian side of the Ensemble, along with Watson’s Hotel, David Sassoon Library and the Elphinstone College. On the west stand the 20th century Art Deco buildings right along the Arabian Sea.

You can read more from here



38.       The Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan;


The Pink City,  Photo credit wiki
The Pink City, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2019

The Pink City Jaipur is one of the largest cities in India and is surrounded by walls and gates decorated with drawings on the backdrop of a beautiful pink hue, Jaipur, the pink city successfully manages to retain its old-world charm.

You can read more from here



39.       Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana;


Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple,  Photo credit wiki
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2021

The Ramappa Temple is situated in Palampet Village, Telangana. The temple is estimated to be at least 800 to 900 years old. The temple is especially known for lightweight porous bricks which are known as floating bricks.

You can read more from here



40.       Dholavira, Gujarat;


Dholavira, Photo credit wiki
Dholavira, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2021

Known as a remarkable excavation site during the Indus Valley Civilization, Dholavira was one of the most developed cities roughly 4500 years ago. It was a flourishing Harappan site between 2650 and 1450 BCE. Presently an archaeological site in Khadirbet of Kutch Gujarat, the village is also locally known as Kotada Timba.

You can read more from here



41.       Santiniketan, West Bengal;


Santiniketan, Photo credit wiki
Santiniketan, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2023

Rabindranath Tagore founded Santiniketan as an abode of peace, aiming to create an environment where life and education would coalesce in harmony. Located in West Bengal, India, it was established as an alternative to the traditional educational system, emphasizing holistic learning. Over time, Santiniketan grew into Visva-Bharati University, attracting scholars and artists from around the world.

You can read more from here



42.       Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somananthpura, Karnataka;


 Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somananthpura, Photo credit wiki
Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somananthpura, Photo credit wiki

Listed on; 2023

The Hoysala temples in Karnataka are exemplary masterpieces of Hindu architecture, renowned for their intricate sculptures and detailed carvings. Constructed during the reign of the Hoysala dynasty between the 11th and 14th centuries, these temples are predominantly found in the Malnad regions of Karnataka. Notable among them are the Chennakesava Temple in Belur and the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu. These structures reflect the dynasty's unique architectural style, characterized by star-shaped platforms and ornate pillar designs. The Hoysala temples stand as testaments to the dynasty's commitment to art, culture, and religion.

You can read more from here


Thank you for reading ;

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