UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are significant spots of social or characteristic legacy as depicted in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, set up in 1972.

There are 38 World Heritage Sites located in India. These incorporate 30 social locales, seven characteristic destinations, and one blended criteria site. India has the 6th biggest number of locales on the planet.

• Cultural Sites – 30
• Natural Sites – 07
• Mixed – 01

There are 10 criteria in total among which one is required for getting enlisted in World Heritage Sites as follows

1. Human Creative Genius
2. Interchange of Values
3. Testimony to Cultural tradition
4. Significance in Human history
5. Traditional Human Settlement
6. Heritage associated with events of Universal significance
7. Natural phenomena or beauty
8. Major stages of Earth’s history
9. Significant ecological and biological processes
10. A significant natural habitat for biodiversity

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India – Cultural Sites

Name of Sites	Image	Year	Location	Significance
Agra Fort		1983	Uttar Pradesh	The most important monumental structures by the Mughal empire
Ajanta Caves		1983	Maharashtra	Famous for Buddhist Rock-cut cave monuments
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara		2016	Bihar	Buddhist monastery
Buddhist Monuments		1989	Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh	Famous for Monolithic Pillars, Palaces, Temples and Monasteries
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park		2004	Gujarat	The only unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus		2004	Maharashtra	Houses one of the finest railway stations in the world
Churches and Convents of Goa		1986	Goa	Famous for Rome of the Orient. First Latin Rite Mass in Asia
Elephanta Caves		1987	Maharashtra	Famous for Hindu and Buddhist Caves
Ellora Caves		1983	Maharashtra	Caves excavated out of Hills, Rock-cut Architecture
Fatehpur Sikri		1986	Uttar Pradesh	It constitutes Jama Masjid, Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Diwan-e-khas and Diwan-e-aam
Great Living Chola Temples		1987	Thanjavur, Tamilnadu	Famous for Chola Architecture, Sculpture and Bronze Casting
Group of Monuments at Hampi		1986	Karnataka	A Legendary lost city
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram		1984	Tamilnadu	Famous for Chariot Temples, Mandapas & Pallava Dynasty Architecture
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal		1987	Karnataka	Famous for Chalukya Style of Architecture
Hill Forts of Rajasthan		2013	Rajasthan	Famous for Rajput Military Defence Architecture
Historic City of Ahmadabad		2017	Ahmadabad	India’s First World Heritage City
Humayun’s Tomb		1993	Delhi	A precursor to Taj Mahal
Jaipur City		2019	Rajasthan	The city of Palaces and Forts
Khajuraho Group of Monuments		1986	Madhya Pradesh	One of the finest temple art structures for Hindu and Jain Temples
Mahabodhi Temple		2002	Bihar	The place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment
Mountain Railways of India		1999	Darjeeling	Mountain Railways of India, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Niligiri Mountain Railway and Kalka-Shimla
Qutub Minar		1993	Delhi	World’s tallest brick minaret
Rani ki Vav		2014	Gujarat	One of the fine ancient Indian Architecture
Red Fort		2007	Delhi	Red Sandstone Architecture
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka		2003	Madhya Pradesh	Famous Rock Paintings
Sun Temple		1984	Odisha	Famous for the traditional style of Kalinga Architecture
Taj Mahal		1983	Uttar Pradesh	One of the Seven Wonders of the World
Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex)		2016	Chandigarh	An outstanding contribution to Modern Movement
Jantar Mantar		2010	Rajasthan	one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles		2018	Mumbai	It is a collection of 94 buildings of great cultural importance

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India – Natural Sites

Name of Sites	Image	Year	Location	Significance
Great Himalayan National Park		2014	Himachal Pradesh	Home to almost 350 species of flora and 800 species of fauna
Kaziranga National Park		1985	Assam	One of the greatest wildlife emblems of the country
Keoladeo National Park		1985	Rajasthan	Famous for Man-made wetland Bird Sanctuary
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary		1985	Assam	Famous for Tiger Reserve Project
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks		1988	Uttarakhand	Comprises glaciers and high mountain peaks
Sundarbans National Park		1987	West Bengal	Home to Royal Bengal Tigers
Western Ghats		2012	Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka & Maharashtra	Includes many National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserve Forest

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India – Mixed Sites

Name of Sites	Image	Year	Location	Significance
Khangchendzonga National Park		2016	Sikkim	It includes the world’s third-highest peak

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