The article gives a detail understanding of recently updated 42 Indian UNESCO World Heritage Sites including 34 cultural sites, 7 Natural Sites, and 1 Mixed site.
About UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The World Heritage Convention was formed in 1972, and nations that have ratified it are eligible to submit World Heritage Sites, which are sites of exceptional universal importance to cultural or natural heritage, to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Groups of structures, places (including archaeological sites), and monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions) make up cultural heritage. Natural heritage is defined as those elements of the natural world that are significant from the perspectives of science, conservation, or the preservation of the natural beauty. These elements include physical and biological formations, geological and physiographical formations, and natural sites. On November 14, 1977, India ratified the treaty, entitling its sites to the list.
There are 42 World Heritage Sites in India. Out of these, 34 are cultural, seven are natural, and one, Khangchendzonga National Park, is of mixed type. India has the sixth-most sites worldwide.
Please Note: There are 50 tentative sites of India on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
– List of 34 Cultural Sites of Indian UNESCO World Heritage Sites are
- Agra Fort (1983)
The Red Fort of Agra is a stronghold that Emperor Akbar (1556–1605) established in 1565 on the Yamuna’s right bank. It is currently located on the northwest edge of the Shah Jahan Gardens, which encircle the Taj Mahal and unmistakably create a magnificent unity with it. Within its 2.5 km of enclosure walls, this bastioned castle, whose walls of red sandstone rise above a moat and are broken up by elegant curves and tall bastions, encloses the imperial capital of the Mogul emperors. - Ajanta Caves (1983)
The caverns are located 104 miles from Aurangabad and 100 km northeast of Ellora. They are situated in stunningly picturesque settings, carved out of the Deccan’s volcanic lava in the Sahyadri Hills’ forest ravines. Excavations on these 29 amazing caverns started in 200 BC, but they were given up in favor of Ellora in AD 650. The sculptures and carvings in the caves, which portray the life of the Buddha, are regarded as the earliest examples of classical Indian art. - Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
Sanchi lay forgotten for 600 years until General Taylor found it in 1818. The location, 45 kilometers from Bhopal, was completely covered with greenery. Excavations began in somewhat disorganized fashion until the Archaeological Survey of India stepped in and took control. The hill was gradually leveled, exposing one of India’s most amazing archeological complexes—the remains of around fifty structures. - Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
The mosque outside the precinct and the royal palace are connected by a processional route that passes via the city gate. Jahanpanah, the second precinct, is likewise unexcavated. Begharha’s capital, it was abandoned in the middle of the 16th century when the Mughal Empire took control of it. The primary road network, which consists of well-constructed, paved lanes that connect the city’s center to the surrounding defenses, has been exposed in order to study the urban design. - Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
There is a connection between the location of this property and Mumbai’s founding. Although Bombay Island was not used for trade, it had served as a Hindu coastal outpost in western India. It was given to the Portuguese initially, and subsequently to the British in 1661. The East India Company, which took over the island in 1667, was primarily in charge of its commercial growth. Foreign merchants relocated here, and the cotton and shipbuilding industries flourished. - Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
The Goan monuments had a significant impact on the evolution of architecture, sculpture, and painting from the 16th to the 18th centuries. They disseminated Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque art forms throughout the Asian countries where Catholic missions were founded. By doing this, they provide an example of missionaries’ work in Asia. - Elephanta Caves (1987)
Elephanta, the magnificent home of Lord Shiva and the pinnacle of Hindu cave culture, is made up of seven caves on an island in the Sea of Oman near Mumbai. With their ornate temples and representations of Hindu mythology, the caves provide a unique window into a vanished civilization. One of the best examples of Indian art may be discovered here, especially in the enormous high reliefs found in the main cave. - Ellora Caves (1983)
In addition to serving as a testament to the three major world religions—Buddhism, Brahminism, and Jainism—the Ellora Caves also serve as an example of the tolerant nature of ancient India, which allowed all three to establish their communities and sanctuaries in one location, supporting the idea that religions have universal significance. The Ellora complex is not only a singular work of art and a technological marvel, but it also exemplifies the spirit of tolerance that typified ancient India with its shrines dedicated to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. - Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
The remarkable evidence of the Mughal culture at the close of the sixteenth century may be seen in Fatehpur Sikri. It is a singular illustration of exceptionally well-crafted architectural ensembles built between 1571 and 1585. Its shape and arrangement had a significant impact on how Indian urban planning developed, especially at Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi). - Great Living Chola Temples (1987)
The Great Chola Temples in southern India provide as a remarkable example of the evolution of the Chola Empire’s architectural style and ideology, as well as the southern Tamil civilization. In terms of the architectural notion of the pure form of the Dravida type of temple (marked by a pyramidal tower), they constitute an exceptional creative achievement. - Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
The vanishing Vijayanagara culture, which peaked during the rule of Krishna Deva Raya (1509–30), is remarkably preserved at the city of Hampi. It is a superb illustration of a particular kind of structure that highlights a momentous historical circumstance: the kingdoms of South India, which were sometimes associated with the Portuguese of Goa despite being threatened by the Muslims. - Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
Mahabalipuram is the best example of south-east India’s Pallava culture.One of the main hubs of Siva religion, the sanctuary is renowned for its enormous outdoor reliefs, mandapas (cave sanctuaries), and rathas (temples shaped like chariots). Mahabalipuram’s sculptures, which are known for their supple bulk and softness of modeling, had a profound effect that extended throughout Java, Cambodia, and Annam. - Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
The architectural forms of northern and southern India were harmoniously blended under the Chalukya dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries, and Pattadakal is considered the pinnacle of this eclectic art. There is a Jain sanctuary there as well as an amazing collection of nine Hindu temples.
In the State of Karnataka, three extremely close-by locations offer an amazing concentration of religious monuments from the illustrious Chalukya era (c. 543-757). - Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
Six large, impressive hill forts in the State of Rajasthan collectively depict the intricate, defended capitals of the Rajput princely kingdoms, which thrived from the eighth to the eighteenth century, and their relative political independence.
An important stage in the development of an architectural typology based on well-established “traditional Indian principles” can be seen in the extensive fortifications that extend up to 20 km in circumference. These fortifications were built to optimize different types of hill terrain, specifically the river at Gagron, the dense forests at Ranthambore, and the desert at Jaisalmer. - Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)
A significant point in the evolution of Mughal architecture, Humayun’s Tomb exemplifies the early phase of the Mughal structural style. Constructed a century later, the Taj Mahal is the pinnacle of this construction tradition. Humayun’s Tomb is an architectural marvel of the greatest caliber, even though it was the first codified example of this type. - Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
Khajuraho is a unique artistic creation, both for its highly original architecture and its surprisingly high-quality sculpted decor, which consists of a mythological repertory of many amusing scenes, not the least of which are the scenes that lend themselves to different interpretations, whether they be sacred or profane.
Out of the 85 temples built at Khajuraho in the Chandella era (which were still magnificent when Ibn Battuta, the renowned traveler, visited them in 1335), 22 are still standing, scattered across an area of around 6 km2. - Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
One of the few extant examples of early brick buildings in India, the Mahabodhi Temple, has had a profound impact on the evolution of architecture over the ages. balustrades as well as the monument column. During the late Gupta period, the current temple is one of the oldest and most impressive buildings made completely of brick. An exceptional early example of stone sculpture reliefs are the carved balustrades. - Mountain Railways of India (1999)
In many regions of the world, social and economic changes were significantly impacted by the 19th-century railway construction. Outstanding examples of the exchange of values on technological advancements and the influence of creative transportation systems on the social and economic development of a multicultural region are the two Indian Mountain Railways, which are listed on the World Heritage List. These railways served as a model for similar developments in many other parts of the world.
Darjeeling’s rise to prominence as the queen of hill stations and one of India’s primary tea-growing regions in the early 19th century is closely associated with the construction of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. - Qutub Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
In the center of Lalkot’s eastern region is the Qutb complex. Qutbu’d-din Aibak started construction of the Quwwatu’l-Islam (Might of Islam) congregational mosque in 1192, and it was finished in 1198 utilizing the destroyed remnants of Hindu temples. Iltutmish (1211-36) and Alauld-Din Khalji (1296-1316) both made enlargements to it.
Additionally, Qutbu’d-Din Aibak started construction on the Qutb Minar in or about 1202, and Muhammad-bin-Sam, his successor, finished it. - Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)
Originally constructed in the eleventh century AD as a tribute to a king, Rani-ki-Vav is located on the banks of the Saraswati River. Since the third millennium BC, stepwells—a unique type of subsurface water supply and storage system—have been built throughout the Indian subcontinent. Over time, they changed from being essentially a pit in sand-filled soil to intricate, multi-story architectural and artistic creations. Built at the pinnacle of stepwell building and Maru-Gurjara architectural style, Rani-ki-Vav exhibits a mastery of this intricate technology as well as remarkable beauty in detail and proportions. - Red Fort Complex (2007)
The Red Fort Complex was constructed as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad, the new capital of India under the rule of Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor. Known for its enormous red sandstone encircling walls, it is part of the Red Fort Complex together with the Salimgarh, an earlier fort constructed in 1546 by Islam Shah Suri. The Nahr-i-Behisht (Stream of Paradise), a continuous water channel, connects a row of pavilions that make up the private residences. - Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
Situated near the southernmost point of the central Indian plains, the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are situated on the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains. Five groups of naturally occurring rock shelters with paintings inside that seem to be from the Mesolithic Period all the way up to the Historical Period are situated above a somewhat dense forest among enormous sandstone outcrops. - Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
A remarkable relic from the Orissan kingdom of the thirteenth century is Konârak. It is intrinsically and immediately related to Brahmin ideas and plays a crucial role in the history of the spread of the Surya religion, which began in Kashmir in the eighth century and eventually made its way to the eastern regions of India.
One of the most well-known Brahmin sanctuaries in Asia is the Brahmin temple of Kimarak, also known as Konârak or Konârka, which is located on the eastern coast of India, south of the Mahanadi Delta. - Taj Mahal (1983)
The Taj Mahal, an enormous white marble mausoleum constructed in Agra between 1631 and 1648 at the behest of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, is the crown jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the most well-recognized works of art in all of human history. Its notoriety is certainly partly due to the erratic conditions in which it was built. This burial mosque was constructed by Shah Jahan as a way to honor his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away in 1631. The monument was completed in 1648, having started in 1632. - The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, is an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century. It includes a set of some twenty main fixed instruments. They are monumental examples in masonry of known instruments but which in many cases have specific characteristics of their own. The Jantar Mantar is an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period. - Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) at Nalanda, Bihar(2016)
The State of Bihar, in northeastern India, is home to the Nalanda Mahavihara site. It is made up of the ancient ruins of a monastery and scholarly establishment that existed between the third and thirteenth centuries BCE. Stupas, shrines, viharas (houses used for living and schooling), and significant pieces of metal, stone, and stucco art are all part of it. The Indian Subcontinent’s oldest university is unmistakably Nalanda. For a continuous eight hundred years, it coordinated the transfer of information. - The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement(2016)
The 17 locations that make up this transnational serial property were chosen from Le Corbusier’s oeuvre. They are dispersed across seven nations and serve as a testament to the creation of a new architectural language that broke with the past. Le Corbusier referred to them as “patient research,” and they were constructed over the course of fifty years. - Historic City of Ahmadabad(2017)
Ahmedabad, a walled city on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati River that was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in the fifteenth century, boasts a rich architectural legacy from the sultanate period, including the Bhadra citadel, the walls and gates of the Fort city, numerous mosques and tombs, and significant Hindu and Jain temples from later periods. - Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)
Within Mumbai’s Fort area, the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Bombay are a combination of 19th-century Victorian Revival public buildings and 20th-century Mumbai Art Deco private structures. - Jaipur city, Rajasthan (2019)
Sawai Jai Singh II established the walled city of Jaipur in the northwest Indian state of Rajasthan in 1727. Jaipur was founded on the plain and constructed in accordance with a grid plan that was understood in the context of Vedic architecture, in contrast to other towns in the area that were situated on mountainous terrain. The streets are lined with colonnaded shops that meet in the middle to form spacious public spaces known as chaupars. - 27th July 2021 – Dholavira, Harappan City in the Rann of Kutchh, becomes India’s 40th UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the few surviving urban towns from the third to mid-second millennium BCE in South Asia is Dholavira. It gets its name from being located on a hilltop close to the modern-day settlement of Dholavira in the Kutch area.Dholavira, which was inhabited for more than 1,500 years, is the sixth biggest of the approximately 1,000 Harappan sites that have been found to far. Dholavira has seen every stage of the development and collapse of prehistoric human society. - 25th July 2021 – UNESCO has inscribed the Rudreswara Temple (Ramappa Temple) at Palampet, Warangal, Telangana on the List of World Heritage Sites.
Near the State of Telangana, near the hamlet of Palampet, around 200 kilometers northeast of Hyderabad, sits Rudreshwara, also called Ramappa Temple. The edifice has carved granite and dolerite pillars and beams that are embellished, as well as a unique pyramid-shaped Vimana (horizontally stepped tower) constructed of lightweight porous bricks, often known as “floating bricks,” which lessened the weight of the roof structures. - In September 2023, 12th-century Hoysala Temples of Karnataka were included in the list by UNESCO.
The renowned Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid, and Somanathapur in Karnataka, known as the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala, have been included to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) list of World Heritage sites. With this addition, India now has 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Perhaps the biggest Shiva temple constructed by the Hoysalas is this twin-shrined temple. The sculptures show several facets of Shiva together with episodes from the Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata, and the Ramayana. - In September 2023, Santiniketan, West Bengal, was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.
It is a collection of historically significant structures, gardens and landscapes, pavilions, artwork, and ongoing cultural and educational practices that collectively convey its Outstanding Universal Value. Renowned poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore founded Santiniketan, a rural school in West Bengal, in 1901.
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List of 7 Natural Sites of Indian UNESCO World Heritage Sites are
- Great Himalayan National Park (2014)
High alpine peaks, alpine meadows, and riverine forests are the defining features of this national park, which is located in the western section of the Himalayan Mountains in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The higher mountain glacial and snow meltwater sources of many rivers, as well as the catchments of water supplies essential to millions of downstream consumers, are all located on the 90,540 hectare property. - Kaziranga National Park (1985)
In the heart of Assam, this park is one of the last areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human presence. It is inhabited by the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds. The site is on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River at the foot of the Mikir Hills. The park lies in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra. - Keoladeo National Park (1985)
The location is in the park, which is 50 km west of Agra and 2 km southeast of Bharatpur in eastern Rajasthan. The region is made up of a level patchwork of marshes on the Gangetic plain that were artificially formed in the 1850s and have been kept up to date ever since by a network of dykes, sluices, and canals. Water from the inundations of the Gambira and Banganga rivers, which are artificially dammed on fertile land by the Ajan Bund, to the south of the park, often feeds the marshes twice a year. - Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
The goddess Manasa is the source of the name Manas. The location is renowned for its breathtaking landscape and is the richest Indian wildlife region due to its vast range of habitat types that sustain a wide variety of animals. - Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988)
One of the most breathtaking wilderness places in the Himalayas is Nanda Devi National Park. With a height of more than 7,800 meters, Nanda Devi’s summit dominates the area. The park is uninhabited and has remained mostly unaltered due to its difficulty in reaching. Numerous endangered creatures call it home, including the Himalayan musk deer, bharal, and snow leopard. - Sundarbans National Park (1987)
The location is in the West Bengal District, southeast of Calcutta, and is a part of the Gangetic Delta, which shares a boundary with the Bay of Bengal. About 10,000 km2 of mangrove forest and water make up the Sundarbans, which are a portion of the biggest delta in the world. The Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna are three major rivers that converge on the Bengal Basin and deposit sediments there. - Western Ghats (2012)
The Western Ghats mountain range, which is older than the Himalayan range, is home to significant geomorphic structures with distinctive biophysical and biological processes. The Indian monsoon weather pattern is influenced by the site’s high montane forest habitats. The location offers one of the world’s greatest representations of the monsoon system, balancing the tropical temperature of the surrounding area. It is regarded as one of the eight “hottest hotspots” of biological variety in the world and has an extraordinarily high level of endemism and biological diversity.
1 Mixed Site of Indian UNESCO World Heritage Sites is
- Khangchendzonga National Park(2016)
The Khangchendzonga National Park, which is home to the third-highest peak in the world, Mount Khangchendzonga, is situated in the northern Indian state of Sikkim, at the center of the Himalayan range.
It features a remarkable diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers, and spectacular, snow-capped mountains covered in ancient forests. This mountain and many other natural features (lakes, rivers, caverns, etc.) that are revered by the native Sikkimese people are linked to mythological tales. Sikkimese identity is derived from the holy meanings of these customs and legends, which have been incorporated with Buddhist beliefs.
