UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

There are 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Santiniketan, established by Nobel laureate
Rabindranath Tagore, becomes the 41st site to be declared a world heritage site in India in September
2023. The UNESCO also included the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka in the list in
September 2023. This takes the total number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in India to 42.

Latest Update about UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:

● In September 2023, 12th-century Hoysala Temples of Karnataka were included in the list
by UNESCO.
● In September 2023, Santiniketan, West Bengal, was declared a world heritage site by
UNESCO.
● 27th July 2021 - Dholavira, Harappan City in the Rann of Kutchh, becomes India's 40th
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
● 25th July 2021 - UNESCO has inscribed the Rudreswara Temple (Ramappa Temple) at
Palampet, Warangal, Telangana on the List of World Heritage Sites.

Note: There are 50 sites of India on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Important for the static portion of the IAS Exam, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India should be
known to UPSC aspirants.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization as of distinctive cultural or physical importance which is considered of
outstanding value to humanity. UNESCO strives to encourage the conservation, identification, and
maintenance of natural and cultural heritage around the world. This is exemplified by the Convention
regarding the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, accepted by UNESCO in 1972.

The World Heritage sites come under static GK in the UPSC exam. Candidates preparing for the UPSC
exam or any other competitive exam can check more articles on Static Gk topics on the linked page.

UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites

UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites are those sites with distinctive cultural facets such as geological
formations, physical, biological, and cultural landscapes.

The list of UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites in India is given below:
 Natural World Heritage Site State Year of Notification

Kaziranga National Park Assam 1985

Keoladeo Ghana National Park Rajasthan 1985

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Assam 1985

Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Uttarakhand 1988, 2005

Flowers

Sundarbans National Park West Bengal 1987

Western Ghats 2012

Maharashtra,

Goa,

Karnataka,

Tamil Nadu and

Kerala

Great Himalayan National Park Himachal Pradesh 2014

UNESCO also maintains a list of World Heritage Sites in Danger. For more on the same, click on
the link.

UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites

UNESCO Cultural World Heritage sites are those sites with unique cultural facets such as Paintings,
monuments, architecture, etc.

The list of UNESCO Cultural World Heritage sites in India is given below:

Cultural World Heritage Site State Year of Notification

Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas Karnataka 2023

Santiniketan West Bengal 2023

Dholavira Gujarat 2021

Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple Telangana 2021

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Chandigarh 2016

Outstanding Contribution to the Modern
Movement

Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Maharashtra 2018

Mumbai

Historic City of Ahmedabad Gujarat 2017

Jaipur City Rajasthan 2020

Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara Bihar 2016

(Nalanda University)

Rani-Ki-Van Gujarat 2014

Hill Forts of Rajasthan Rajasthan 2013

The Jantar Mantar Rajasthan 2010

Red Fort Complex Delhi 2007

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park Gujarat 2004

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Maharashtra 2004

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Madhya Pradesh 2003

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya Bihar 2002

Mountain Railways of India Tamil Nadu 1999

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi Delhi 1993

Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi Delhi 1993

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi Madhya Pradesh 1989

Elephanta Caves Maharashtra 1987

Great Living Chola Temples Tamil Nadu 1987

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal Karnataka 1987

 Churches and Convents of Goa Goa 1986

Fatehpur Sikri Uttar Pradesh 1986

Group of Monuments at Hampi Karnataka 1986

Khajuraho Group of Monuments Madhya Pradesh 1986

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram Tamil Nadu 1984

Sun Temple, Konarak Orissa 1984

Agra Fort Uttar Pradesh 1983

Ajanta Caves Maharashtra 1983

Ellora Caves Maharashtra 1983

Taj Mahal Uttar Pradesh 1983

UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Sites

A mixed site comprises components of both natural and cultural importance:

Mixed World Heritage Site State Year of Notification

Khangchendzonga National Park Sikkim 2016

Important Facts about UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

1. Agra Fort
○ It is the 16th Century Mughal Monument called the Red Fort of Agra.
○ Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal built by Shah Jahan are part of Agra Fort.
2. Ajanta Caves
○ These are rock-cut caves.
○ There are a total of 29 caves.
3. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda
○ Nalanda is the most ancient university in India.
○ The archaeological remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3rd
century BCE to the 13th century CE are found here.
4. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
○ Monolithic pillars, palaces, temples and monasteries are part of it.
 ○ It is considered the oldest Buddhist Sanctuary in existence.
5. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
○ Unexcavated archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage properties are a part of
it.
○ Structures built between the 8th and 14th centuries like fortifications, palaces, religious
buildings, residential precincts, agricultural structures and water installations; are found
here.
6. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
○ The former name of CST was Victoria Terminus.
○ It represents the Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India.
○ British architect F. W. Stevens built and designed it.
7. Churches and Convents of Goa
○ The churches of the city which was the Portuguese capital signifies the evangelization of
Asia.
8. Elephanta Caves
○ Gharapuri Caves is the local name of Elephanta Caves.
○ There are seven caves.
9. Ellora Caves
○ There are 34 monasteries and temples.
10. Fatehpur Sikri
○ Mughal Emperor Akbar built it.
○ It had been a Mughal capital for 10 years.
○ Jama Masjid is a part of it.
11. Great Living Chola Temples
○ It includes temples like the theBrihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara
Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.
12. Group of Monuments at Hampi
○ Hampi has served as the last capital of the Vijayanagar Empire.
13. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
○ The group is best known for Rathas, Mandapas, Giant open-air reliefs, etc.
14. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
○ The monuments represent the Chalukyan art.
○ Hindu temples and Jain sanctuary are a part of it.
15. Hill Forts of Rajasthan
○ Chittorgarh fort; Kumbhalgarh fort; Sawai Madhopur fort; Jhalawar fort; Jaipur fort, and
Jaisalmer fort are part of these hill forts.
16. Historic City of Ahmadabad
○ Sultan Ahmad Shah founded the walled city in the 15th Century.
17. Humayun's Tomb
○ It was built in 1570.
 ○ It stands as the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent.
18. Jaipur City
○ Sawai Jai Singh-II founded the city in 1727.
19. Khajuraho Group of Monuments
○ It contains Chandely Dynasty-built temples.
○ Hinduism and Jainism are two religions to which temples are dedicated.
20. Mahabodhi Temple Complex
○ It is one of the four holy sites related to the Buddha's life.
21. Mountain Railways of India
○ Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Kalka Shimla Railway
are three railways included in this site.
22. Qutb Minar and its Monuments
○ Qutb Minar was built in the 13th century.
○ It is the highest tower in India.
23. Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell)
○ It stands on the banks of Saraswati River.
○ It is built in Maru-Gurjara architectural style.
24. Red Fort Complex
○ It was built as the palace fort of Shah Jahan's capital Shah Jahanabad.
○ Salimgarh Fort is a part of this complex.
25. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
○ Dr V. S. Wakankar had discvoered the Bhimbetka Caves in 1958.
26. Sun Temple
○ King Narasimhadeva I built this in the 13th Century.
○ It represents the Kalinga architecture.
27. Taj Mahal
○ Mughal Emperor built Taj Mahal.
○ It stands on the Yamuna river banks.
28. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement
○ There are 17 sites on three continents.
○ Complexe du Capitole in Chandigarh, India is a part of this.
29. The Jantar Mantar
○ Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II built the astronomical observation site.
30. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
○ Victorian Neo-Gothic public buildings and Art Deco in Mumbai buildings are part of this
collection.
31. Great Himalayan National Park-Conservation Area
○ High alpine peaks, alpine meadows and riverine forests in this conservation area in
Himachal Pradesh.
32. Kaziranga National Park
 ○ It is located in Golaghat and Nagaon, in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam in northeast
India.
○ Read more about the Kaziranga National Park in the linked article.
33. Keoladeo National Park
○ Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary was the former name of this National Park.
○ Siberian Crane is one of those aquatic birds that make this park a wintering area.
34. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
○ It is the first reserve included in the network of tiger reserves under Project Tiger in 1973.
○ It is also a biosphere reserve.
35. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
○ Nanda Devi West is the second-highest mountain in India.
36. Sundarbans National Park
○ It forms the part of the Gangetic Delta.
37. Western Ghats
○ These are one of the biodiversity hotspots.
○ Get comprehensive notes on Western Ghats in the linked article.
38. Khangchendzonga National Park
○ Mount Khangchendzonga is the world's third-highest peak.
39. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple
○ Built in the 13th century CE, the temple is a Kakatiyan marvel made of sandstone.
○ The structure has decorated beams and pillars of carved granite and dolerite with a
distinctive and pyramidal Vimana made of lightweight porous bricks, so-called ‘floating
bricks’, which reduced the weight of the roof structures.
40. Dholavira
○ Discovered by archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi in 1968, Dholavira gets its name from the
village in Kutch district of Gujarat.
○ In ancient India, it has remained a commercial and manufacturing hub for about 1,500
years till its decline by 1500 BC.
○ It was Indus Valley Civilization's fifth-largest metropolis after Mohen-jo-Daro,
Ganweriwala, Harappa and Rakhigarhi.
41. Santiniketan
○ Located in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, Santiniketan, meaning “abode of peace,”
began its development in 1901 and is where Rabindranath Tagore laid the foundation for
Visva-Bharati University.
○ It was established by Rabindranath Tagore.
○ Santiniketan has immense significance in human values, architectural and technological
developments, monumental arts, town planning, and landscape design.
○ Efforts to get Santiniketan listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site date back to 2010,
with the latest nomination proposal initiated in the 2020-21 fiscal year.
 ○ The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been involved in restoring various
structures in Santiniketan in recent years.
42. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
○ The temples are located in Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura in the Hassan and
Mysuru districts of Karnataka.
○ The temples, often described as ‘poetry carved in stone’ were recommended to the list by
India’s Culture Ministry in 2022-23.
○ The temples included in the ensemble are:
■ Channakeshava Temple, Belur, Hassan district (Commissioned by King
Vishnuvardhana, dedicated to God Vishnu)
■ Hoysalesvara Temple, Halebidu, Hassan district (Commissioned by King
Vishnuvardhana, dedicated to God Shiva)
■ Kesava Temple, Somanathapura, Mysuru district (Consecrated by Somanatha
Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III, dedicated to God
Vishnu)

Frequently Asked Questions related to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Q. Which city of India has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site recently?
Dholavira of Gujarat, the first site of ancient Indus Valley Civilization is the latest addition to the list
from India, it was inscribed in July 2021.
Q. How many World Heritage Sites are there in India in 2023?
There are 42 World Heritage Sites located in India. These include 34 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and 1
mixed-criteria site.
Q. How many intangible cultural heritage are there in India?
The National ICH List has more than 100 elements. It also includes the 13 elements of India that have
already been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity. National ICH List is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its
intangible heritage. Following UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural
Heritage, this list has been classified into five broad domains in which intangible cultural heritage is
manifested.
Q. Which is the first world heritage site in India?
Agra Fort, also known as “Laal Quila”, is located in Agra, India. It was tagged as a World Heritage site
by UNESCO in 1983. The fort is about 2.5 kilometres far from the Taj Mahal.
Q. Which country has the highest World Heritage sites?
China and Italy have the highest number of World Heritage Sites, both with 55 entries.
Q. Which state in India has the highest UNESCO World Heritage sites?
Currently, Maharashtra has a total of five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and this number is highest
among all states and UTs in India. The sites include Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves,
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco buildings of South
Mumbai.