Discover the Top 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

India’s UNESCO world heritage sites are some of the most beautiful places. These sites testify to India’s rich history, culture, and commitment to preserving its heritage, from the Taj Mahal to the Red Fort. India is home to 40 world heritage sites. These sites are spread across 29 states and union territories, with the majority located in the country’s northern part.

20 Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India are Listed Below:

The Nalanda Mahavihara

The Nalanda Mahavihara, also known as Nalanda University, was a Buddhist university established in the 5th century CE. It was the largest and most prestigious university in ancient India, with campuses at Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, and Vikramshila. In the 5th century CE, the Gupta emperor Chandra Gupta II founded Nalanda Mahavihara. It was the most prestigious universityin ancient India. Nalanda was a renowned center of learning, attracting scholars from all over Asia. The university was home to over 10,000 resident students and 2,000 teachers. The curriculum included philosophy, logic, grammar, astronomy, medicine, and surgery.

Ajanta Caves

It islocated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. The caves date back to the 2nd century BCE and consist of rock-cut Buddhist cave temples. The Ajanta Caves are some of India’s most significant historical and religious sites. Buddhist monks have used caves for worship and meditation for over 800 years. The caves contain a wealth of Buddhist art and architecture, including paintings and sculptures. The Ajanta Caves are a major tourist destination and attract visitors from all over the world.

Ellora Caves

The Ellora Caves are a UNESCO world heritage site in India and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The caves are located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, about 30 kilometers from the city of Aurangabad. The Ellora Caves were built between the 5th and 10th centuries AD by the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta dynasties. The caves are divided into three main sections: the Buddhist Caves (Caves 1-12), the Hindu Caves (Caves 13-29), and the Jain Caves (Caves 30-34). The Ellora Caves are best known for their architectural and sculptural features.

Humayun’s Tomb

One of India’s most significant historical sites, Humayun’s Tomb is a must-visit for anyone interested in the country’s culture and history. Built-in the 16th century, the tomb is a fine example of Mughal architecture and is one of the first examples of the use of the double dome in Indian architecture. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun’s widow, Queen Hamida Banu Begum, and designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. Construction began in 1562 and was completed in 1571. The tomb complex also includes the tomb of Humayun’s son, Dara Shikoh, andmany smaller monuments.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Every year, millions of people flock to see this fantastic monument. The Taj Mahal is also one of India’s UNESCO world heritage sites.Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The construction was started in 1632 and was completed in 1653. The Taj Mahal is built entirely out of white marble. It is said that more than 20,000 workers were employed to build the Taj Mahal.

Red Fort

The Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila, is one of the most iconic landmarks in India. It is a massive fortification built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. The fort is built of red sandstone and is an excellent example of Mughal architecture. It is one of India’s best UNESCO world heritage sites and is a must-visit for anyone visiting the country. It was the residence of the Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years. It is a large complex with numerous palaces, mosques, and gardens.

Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a soaring 73-meter-high tower of victory that was built in the early 13th century by India’s first Muslim ruler, Qutb-ud-din Aibak. It is located in the historic city of Delhi. The tower has five stories, each adorned with a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15-meter diameter at the base to just 2.5 meters at the top. It was built as a victory monument to commemorate the victory of Muhammad Ghori over the Rajput ruler Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192. It was also used as a watchtower to keep an eye out for invading armies.

Sun Temple

The Sun Temple at Konark is a 13th-century CE Hindu temple dedicated to the Sun God Surya. It is said to be the largest sun temple in the world and one of the few still standing today. The temple is situated on the Bay of Bengal’s shores in Odisha, India. The Sun Temple at Konark is a masterpiece of Orissan temple architecture. The central temple tower is over 200 feet tall and has 12 pairs of enormous wheels.

Mahabodhi Temple

The Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the world’s most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The temple is built on the site where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi Temple is a beautiful example of early Buddhist architecture and is one of Buddhists’ most important pilgrimage sites. The Mahabodhi Temple was built in the 6th century AD by Emperor Ashoka.

Great Living Chola Temples

The Chola Dynasty was one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the history of southern India. The inscriptions are from the 3rd century BCE, left by Ashoka of the Maurya Empire. As one of the Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam, the dynasty continued to govern over varying territories until the 13th century CE. The whole country of Sri Lanka was annexed by the Chola dynasty during the 11th century, following the campaigns of Rajaraja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola I.

Group of Monuments at Hampi

Hampi’s is located in Karnataka, India. It is of great historical and religious importance. The ruins of Hampi, spread over an area of more than 25 square kilometers, are a testimony to the grandeur and power of the Vijayanagara Empire. The empire was founded in the 14th century by two brothers, Harihara and Bukka, and reached its peak in the 16th century under the rule of Krishnadevaraya.

The Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi

It is located in the city of Goa in India. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. The church was built in the early 16th century by the Portuguese. It is one of the oldest churches in Goa. The church is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. The convent was built next to the church. It was used as a place for prayer and contemplation by the monks. The convent has a museum that displays the life of St Francis of Assisi.

The Jantar Mantar

The Jantar Mantar is one of the world’s most significant and best-preserved ancient astronomical instruments. It is located in the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India. Maharaja Jai Singh II built the observatory in the early 18th century. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. The Jantar Mantar consists of many instruments to observe the movements of the sun, moon and planets. The instruments are made of stone and marble and are very accurate. The most prominent instrument is the Samrat Yantra, a sundial that is 27 meters tall. The Jantar Mantar is an actual example of the history of science and technology in India.

The Kaziranga National Park

The Kaziranga National Park is one of India’s best UNESCO world heritage sites. It is located in the northeastern state of Assam and is home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses. The park covers an area of 430 square kilometers. The Kaziranga National Park Assam is also home to a large variety of other wildlife, including tigers, elephants, water buffalo, and many species of birds. The Kaziranga National Park Assam was established in 1908 as a game reserve and was declared a national park in 1974. The Assam Forest Department manages the park, one of India’s most well-protected areas.

The Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks

It is situated in the western Himalayan region and is spread over 630 square kilometers. The park is home to various flora and fauna, including the rare Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, and red fox. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve covers an areaof over 87.50 square kilometers. The park is home to various rare and endangered flowers, including the blue poppy, Brahma kamal, and lily. Both national parks are must-visits for nature lovers and offer a unique experience of the Himalayan landscape.

The Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is a vast expanse of mangrove forest lying at the mouth of the Ganges delta. It is one of the world’s most extensive tracts of tidal halophytic mangrove forest. The Sundarbans is a UNESCO world heritage site known as the ‘Venice of the East.’ The site is home to a large number of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. The Sundarbans is an area of immense natural beauty and a popular tourist destination. The mangrove forests provide a unique habitat for a large number of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.

The Great Himalayan National Park

It is one of India’s best UNESCO world heritage sites. It is located in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. It covers an area of 1,171 sq km. It was established in 1984 and was declared a world heritage sitein 2014. The park is home to more than 375 species of animals and birds. Some animals found in the park include the snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer, brown bear, red fox, Asiatic black bear, and Tibetan blue sheep. The park also has various birds, such as the Himalayan monal, western tragopan, golden eagles, and kestrels.

The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka

The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are 10 archaeological sites in central India. The sites are in Madhya Pradesh, in the Vindhya Range of hills. The Rock Shelters are located about 100 kilometers from Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. The Rock Shelters are believed to have been used by humans for over 12,000 years. The Rock Shelters are made up of a series of natural rock formations modified by human activity. The shelters were created by carving out small caves or niches in the rocks. The shelters were then used as dwellings or storage areas.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments

The site includes a Hindu and Jain temple built between the 9th and 13th centuries. The temples are known for their erotic sculptures, depicting various sexual positions and activities. The temples were built by the Chandela dynasty, who ruled the region from the 9th to the 13th centuries. The dynasty is believed to have been founded by a Rajput chief named Chandravarman. The temples were built during the height of the Chandela dynasty’s power, between the 9th and 13th centuries.

Gateway of India

It is one of Mumbai’s most popular tourist destinations. It is also one of India’s most famous UNESCO World heritage sites. It was built in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India. It is a beautiful archway made of basalt. The archway is adorned with intricate carvings and is a popular spot for taking photos. The Gateway of India is also a popular spot for locals and tourists to relax and enjoy the views of the Arabian Sea.