List of 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

1. Taj Mahal, Agra

Listed Year : 1983

Taj Mahal was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. Taj Mahal along with being a world heritage site is one of the ‘seven wonders of the world’. This beautiful monument built in white marble is situated in the erstwhile capital of Mughal empire- Agra.

It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife and the love of his life- Mumtaz Mahal; it therefore stands as a symbol of pure and eternal love. Taj Mahal has combined the best architectural features of many Mughal buildings and is thus considered as a masterpiece. Resplendence of Taj Mahal grows manifold at sunrise and sunset.

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Taj Mahal Travel Guide

2. Red Fort, Agra

Listed Year : 1983

Agra Fort was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. It is situated within a distance of just 2.5 km from the popular Taj Mahal in the Mughal city of Agra. It used to be the place of residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty. It is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its magnificent Islamic architecture.

The fort was built by Akbar on the banks of the Yamuna during 1565-73. It is surrounded by a 2.4 km long, 21 meters high wall of red sandstone. It has two big ornamental gateways, which are decorated with beautiful patterns with white marble inlay and colored glaze. These patterns are representations of living beings, which are not found in any other Islamic building in India.

Entry Fee : The entry fee for the Fort is Rs. 40 for Indians, Rs. 550 for foreigners and no charges for children below 15 years.

Also Read : Complete Travel Guide to Agra Fort

Suggested Tour : Private Day Tour of Taj Mahal & Agra Fort

3. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

Listed Year : 1983

Ajanta Caves was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. Situated in Aurangabad, Maharashtra these caves date back to 2^nd Century BC. These Buddhist caves are considered as one of the most outstanding artistic pursuits carried out in the olden times. About thirty in number, these remained abandoned for quite a lot of time as they were covered by dense forests before being rediscovered by a British officer.

The surviving mural paintings in the caves are one of the finest paintings which represent the art of ancient India and are many times used as an inspiration by present day artists.

Also Read : Most Famous Caves Near Mumbai

Read More: Ajanta & Ellora Caves Information

4. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

Listed Year : 1983

Ellora Caves was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. A heritage tour in Maharashtra will take you further to the Ellora caves. These caves are a group of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves. Built by Rashtrakuta dynasty, these have been put in the list of World heritage Sites by UNESCO due to their cultural importance.

Rock cut architectural style used in the construction of these caves is worth seeing as it looks very brilliant. We can get an idea about the religious concord that prevailed at that time as Hindu, Buddhist and Jain caves were all located at the same site.

Ellora Caves Heritage — **Ellora Caves, Maharashtra**

Read More: Cave Paintings in India

Suggested Tour: 6 Days – Ajanta and Ellora Caves Tours

5. Sun Temple, Odisha

Listed Year : 1984

Sun Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1984. Located in Konark, Odisha, this temple dates back to 13^th. It was constructed in the form of a very large ratha (a chariot) and was dedicated to the Sun God (as the name also suggests).

Bearing magnificently carved out features (twelve pair of wheels and the chariot being driven by seven horses) with detailed craftswork done, it looks divine and resplendent. What is interesting to note is that the wheels are actually sun dials which makes it a hotspot for the people interested in ancient astronomy.

6. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Listed Year : 1984

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram was declared as a World Heritage site in the year 1984. The Group Monuments of Mahabalipuram are a collection of religious temples situated at the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal, at a distance of around 60 km from the city of Chennai.

The site consists of the main complex of Mahabalipuram and 40 sanctuaries including an open air rock relief. Some of the popular temples are the Ratha Temples like ArjunaRatha, DraupadiRatha, BhimaRatha, the famous cave temples, the structural temples like Shore Temple, Olakkanesvara Temple and other rock monuments. The site has been gaining importance as an archaeological, tourism and pilgrimage site since Independence.

Entry Fee : The entry fee is Rs. 10.0 per person for Indians and Rs. 250 per person for Foreign Nationals.

Also Read : Top Places to Visit in Mahabalipuram

Suggested Tour :

7. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Listed Year : 1985

Kaziranga National Park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1985. Kaziranga National Park is a delight for nature lovers and wildlife explorers. Situated in Assam, it is a home to 2 / 3rd of world’s great one-horned rhinos.

Along with this there are many other fauna and avifauna species as it is biodiversity hotspot. This is why it has been given the highest amount of protection under Indian laws that relate to wildlife conservation. The national park with its beautiful landscape and pristine surroundings is a popular destination for people who want to go on a nature heritage tour.

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Recommended Luxury Train Tour: 7 Nights 8 Days Delhi to Mumbai Maharajas’ Express Train – Adventurous Drive at Ranthambore National Park

8. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

Listed Year : 1985

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December in the year 1985. This national park situated in the northeastern state of Assam. It falls within the jurisdiction of 7 districts of Assam. The name of the park is derived from the Manas River, which flows right through the heart of the Park.

The park consists of two major biomes, the grassland biomes and the forest biomes. It is home to pygmy hogs, Indian rhinoceros, wild Australian buffaloes, capped langur, wild pigs, Malayan Giant Squirrel, Chinese Pangolin, etc. It is rich flora vegetation makes it one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world.

Due to its rich and diverse flora and fauna and rare and endangered endemic wildlife, it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage. It is also regarded as a Project Tiger Reserve and Elephant Reserve.

Entry Fee : The entry fee for the park is Rs. 20 for Indians and Rs. 250 for foreign tourists. Rs. 300 per jeep. Camera and camcorder charges are differently charged.

Also Read : Seven Sisters of India – Complete Information About North East India States

Suggested Tour : 7 Days – North East India Wildlife Tour

9. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

Listed Year : 1985

Keoladeo National Park was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December in the year 1985. Keoladeo National Park is a famous avifauna sanctuary situated in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The Park is home to over 300 species of birds, 370 floral species, 50 species of fish and variant species of lizards, amphibians, snakes, turtles, etc. It is also a popular site for ornithological studies.

The founder of World Wildlife Fund Mr. Peter Scott declared it as one of the World’s Best Bird Areas. It was established in the year 1982 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being a habitat of rare and endangered species. It covers an area of around 29 sq km.

Entry Fee : The entry fee for the Park is Rs. 75 for Indians and Rs. 200 for foreign nationals.

10. Fatehpur Sikri, Agra

Listed Year : 1986

Fatehpur Sikri was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1986. Fatehpur Sikri was the erstwhile capital of Mughal dynasty before being abandoned by Akbar due to complete failure of water supply system. This was constructed as a well planned city by Akbar when he decided to shift his capital from Agra.

It has been conferred the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of the reason that it stands as one of the best examples of Mughal architectural finesse. A heritage tour to Fatehpur Sikri will let you explore some of its very impressive features like the Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas, Jama Masjid etc. Buland Darwaza (literal meaning: The great gate) stands out in the whole complex because of it being the largest gateway in the whole world.

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Also Read: 10 World Heritage Sites to Visit with Maharajas’ Express

Agra Travel Guide

11. Khajuraho Group of Monuments

Listed Year : 1986

Khajuraho Group of Monuments was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1986. Khajuraho is a group of temples located in the heart of India – Madhya Pradesh showcasing the architectural prowess of craftsmen of the Rajput Chandela dynasty. These were a group of 85 temples out of which only 20 have survived various attempts of demolition by Muslim rulers and neglect thereafter.

Standing as one of the best examples of carving work, the exterior walls of these temples feature erotica, sculptures representing daily life and symbolic art depicting ancient Indian values. A heritage tour to Khajuraho temples will thus give you some excellent photographic opportunities which you should never miss out on.

Khajuraho Temple — **Khajuraho Group of Monuments**

Read On: 6 Tourist Attractions You Will Never Know About Khajuraho

Khajuraho Travel Guide

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12. Churches and Convents of Goa

Listed Year : 1986

The churches and convents of Goa was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December in the year 1986. These are a set of religious monuments located in Old Goa. The monuments include Churches and Convents of Goa, Sé Cathedral of Goa, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Chapel of Santa Catarina, Ruins of the Church of St. Augustine, and Church of Divine Providence.

The site was declared as a World Heritage Site due to the following reasons:

They contributed to the dissemination of Western art forms in Asia
They perfectly illustrates the work of evangelization
The tomb of Francisco Xavier illustrates the influence of the Catholic religion in Asia

Also Read : How Many Days Are Required To Visit Goa

Goa Travel Guide

13. Group of Monuments at Hampi

Listed Year : 1986

Group of Monuments at Hampi was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1986. These are situated in Karnataka. Often referred to as Hampi, it served as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire during the 14th century. When the Empire was defeated by Muslim sultanates, Hampi was left in ruins.

These ruins today spread over an area of 4100 hectares and consist of sacred complexes, riverside features, forts, temples, mandapas, shrines, memorial structures, water structures, pillared halls, and others. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site describing it as a grandiose site of more than 1600 remains of the Hindu Kingdom. The monuments are categorized into different complexes.

Entry Fee : The entry to each complex varies accordingly ranging from somewhere between Rs. 10-30 for Indians and around Rs. 500 for foreigners.

Also Read : Top 5 Things To Do In Hampi

Suggested Tour :

14. Great Living Chola Temples, Tamilnadu

Listed Year : 1987

Great Living Chola Temples was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1987. The Great Living Chola Temples are a group of three temples constructed during the Chola dynasty and they stand true to their name as they represent the splendour of powerful Chola monarchy. The three temples in the group are Brihadisvara Temple, Airavatesvara Temple and the Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

These are situated in the state of Tamil Nadu and they exhibit the brilliance of Dravidian architecture. During the reigns of Cholas, Tamil literature and art flourished like anything and the Chola temples are a perfect example of that.

**Great Living Chola Temples, Tamilnadu**

Must Read: Top Places for a Temples Experience in South India

Also Read : Top 10 Temples in Tamil Nadu

Suggested Tour:

15. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal

Listed Year : 1987

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1987. These monuments in Karnataka is a collection of 7th and 8th century CE temples of Hindu and Jain religion. The Hindu temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The elements of Vaishnavism and Shaktism are also featured in the architecture.

The inscriptions of the temples depict Vedic and Puranic concepts along with stories from Puranas like Ramayana, the Mahabharata, etc. The Jain temple is to a single Jina.The Papanatha and Virupaksha temples depict a unique fusion of Northern and Southern styles. The site was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the harmonious blend of northern and southern architectural art forms.

Entry Fee : The entry fee for entering the Pattadakal Temples is Rs. 30 per person.

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16. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra

Listed Year : 1987

Elephanta Caves was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1987. Elephanta Caves are a collection of cave temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are situated on Elephanta Island within 10 km from Mumbai. The site consists of five Hindu caves, one Buddhist Stupa, and two Buddhist caves. The rock cut stone sculptures of the caves are a perfect amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist ideologies. The cave has a 20 feet high Trimurti sculpture.

Entry Fee : The entry fee for the Elephanta Caves is Rs. 10 for Indians and nationals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. For nationals from other countries: Rs. 250.

Famous Maharashtra Tourist Attractions

17. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

Listed Year : 1987

Sundarbans National Park was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1987. Sundarbans National Park is a tiger reserve in West Bengal. It is home to more than 400 tigers and the largest reserve of the Bengal tiger. It is also home to a diverse species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and invertebrate species. The Park is engrossed by dense mangrove forests. The Park derives its name from the Sundari Tree, which is an exquisite kind of mangrove tree. Due to its rich flora and fauna, it was declared as a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Entry Fee : The entry fee for the park is Rs. 60 for Indians and Rs. 200 for foreigners. For boat entries, Rs. 400 per day is charged for all the zones and Rs. 800 for Netidhopani zone. It is compulsory to have at least one guide in each Boat. Cost of guide is Rs. 400 for Indians and Rs. 700 for foreigners.

**Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal**

Also Read : Top 20 Wildlife Sanctuaries to Visit in India

Suggested Tour : 14 Days – East India Wildlife Tour

18. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks

Listed Year : 1988

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1988. Nanda Devi National Park is located near the Nanda Devi Peak of Uttarakhand. The park is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Mammals like Himalayan musk deer, mainland serow, and Himalayan tahr are a common sight. The snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, brown bears are also largely seen. There is also a record of 114 birds species and 312 floral species.

Entry Fee : For Nanda Devi National Park, entry fee for three days is Rs. 40 for Indians and Rs. 150 for foreigners. Charge per additional day is Rs. 25 for Indians and Rs. 150 for foreigners.

**Nanda Devi National Park, Uttarakhand**

Valley of Flowers National Park is situated in North Chamoli, Uttarakhand is popular for the endemic alpine flowers and the wide variety of flora. It is also home to certain rare and endangered animals like Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear, musk deer, red fox and blue sheep. Nanda Devi was declared as a Heritage Site by UNESCO and was renamed to add Valley of Flowers National Park in 2005.

Entry Fee : For Valley of Flowers National Park, a three-day pass has to be made, which costs Rs. 150 for Indians and Rs. 600 for foreigners. Charge per additional day is Rs. 50 for Indians and Rs. 250 for foreigners.

19. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi

Listed Year : 1989

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1989. These are consist of Stupas, monasteries, monolithic Ashokan pillar, temples, sculptural wealth and other Buddhist monuments. The sanctuary is surrounded by Lush gardens. The Stupas are built of the top of hill mostly dedicated to Buddha’s teachings.

The Four Gateways to the Stupa are covered with wonderful architectural carvings. The Ashokan Pillar containing four lions a excellent example of the Greco-Buddhist architectural style. There is also a museum with different items being used by monks.

Entry Fee : The entry fee for Indians and visitors of SAARC and BIMSTEC is Rs. 10. The entry fee for Foreigners is Rs. 250. Entry for children up to 15 years is free.

20. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

Listed Year : 1993

Humayun’s Tomb was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1993 as it was the first garden-tomb built in India. Humayun’s Tomb is a perfect blend of Persian, Turkish and Indian styles of Islamic architecture. It is a typical Char Bagh garden with four gateways dividing the garden into four smaller segments.

The grand structure, perfectly symmetrical, is at the center of the garden on a 7m high stone platform. The structure is built with red stand and surmounted with white marble domes. The height of the tomb is 47 m and breadth is 91 m. The entrance to the tomb is led by two double storeyed arched gateways.

Entry Fee : The entry fee of Humayun’s Tomb is Rs. 30 per head for Indians, Rs. 500 per person for Foreigners, and Rs. 25 for video filming.

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi — **Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi**

Also Read : What are the Offbeat Things to Do in Delhi

Popular Delhi Attractions

21. Qutub Minar, Delhi

Listed Year : 1993

Qutub Minar was declared to be a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. It was built by Qutab-Ud-Din Aibak as a victory tower to commemorate the triumph of Mohd. Gauri over his arch rival Prithvi Raj Chauhan (A Rajput King) and its construction was completed by Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak’s successors hence.

Being the tallest monument in Delhi and the second tallest minaret in India, it is a remnant of the grandeur of Delhi Sultanate. What is noteworthy is that several parts of the Minar embrace Arabic and Persian inscriptions and Kufic calligraphy which tell the history of its construction and subsequent repair works.

Want to visit Delhi in a luxurious way : 3 Nights 4 Days Delhi Tour Maharajas’ Express Train

Delhi Travel Guide

22. Mountain Railways of India

Listed Year : 1999, 2005, 2008

The Mountain Railways of India was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1999, 2005, 2008 include Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1999), the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (2005), and the Kalka–Shimla Railway (2008). The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the first hill passenger railway implemented with

List of 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India

1. Taj Mahal, Agra

2. Red Fort, Agra

3. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

4. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

5. Sun Temple, Odisha

6. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

7. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

8. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

9. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

10. Fatehpur Sikri, Agra

11. Khajuraho Group of Monuments

12. Churches and Convents of Goa

13. Group of Monuments at Hampi

14. Great Living Chola Temples, Tamilnadu

15. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal

16. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra

Famous Maharashtra Tourist Attractions

17. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

18. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks

19. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi

20. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

Popular Delhi Attractions

21. Qutub Minar, Delhi

22. Mountain Railways of India

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