UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, Check out the List

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:- A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a location acknowledged by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for its unique cultural or physical significance, deemed exceptionally valuable to humanity. UNESCO aims to promote the preservation, recognition, and upkeep of natural and cultural heritage globally. This commitment is reflected in the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which UNESCO adopted to safeguard these irreplaceable treasures. UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India is considered to be one of the most important topic when it comes to GK part of any competitve exam. Check out the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India details below.

43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

As of July 2024, India has 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The newest addition is the “Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty” from Assam. Recently, the stunning Hoysala temples in Belur, Halebid, and Somanathapura in Karnataka also joined the list, bringing the total to 42. This news comes right after Santiniketan, the place associated with Rabindranath Tagore, was also recognised by UNESCO. The decision to include Santiniketan was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Saudi Arabia, underscoring its global importance. Check out the 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India below.

Sl. No	UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India	Year	Location
1	Ajanta Caves	1,983	Maharashtra
2	Ellora Caves	1983	Maharashtra
3	Agra Fort	1,983	Agra
4	Taj Mahal	1,983	Agra
5	Sun Temple	1984	Orissa
6	Mahabalipuram Monuments	1,984	Tamil Nadu
7	Kaziranga National Park	1985	Assam
8	Keoladeo National Park	1985	Rajasthan
9	Manas Wildlife Sanctuary	1985	Assam
10	Churches and Convents of Goa	1986	Goa
11	Monuments of Khajuraho	1986	Madhya Pradesh
12	Monuments of Hampi	1986	Karnataka
13	Fatehpur Sikri	1986	Agra
14	Elephanta Caves	1987	Maharashtra
15	Great Living Chola Temples	1987	Tamil Nadu
16	Pattadakal Monuments	1987	Karnataka
17	Sundarbans National Park	1987	West Bengal
18	Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Park	1988	Uttarakhand
19	Monuments of Buddha	1989	Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
20	Humayun’s Tomb	1993	Delhi
21	Qutub Minar and its Monuments	1993	Delhi
22	Mountain Railways of Darjeeling, Kalka Shimla & Nilgiri	1999	Darjeeling
23	Mahabodhi Temple	2002	Bihar
24	Bhimbetka Rock Shelters	2003	Madhya Pradesh
25	Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus	2004	Maharashtra
26	ChampanerPavagadh Archaeological Park	2004	Gujarat
27	Red Fort	2007	Delhi
28	Jantar Mantar	2010	Delhi
29	Western Ghats	2012	Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra
30	Hill Forts	2013	Rajasthan
31	Rani Ki Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell)	2014	Gujarat
32	Great Himalayan National Park	2014	Himachal Pradesh
33	Nalanda	2016	Bihar
34	Khangchendzonga National Park	2016	Sikkim
35	Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex)	2016	Chandigarh
36	The Historic City	2017	Ahmedabad
37	Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles	2018	Mumbai
38	The Pink City	2019	Jaipur
39	Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple	2021	Telangana
40	Dholavira	2021	Gujarat
41	Santiniketan	2023	West Bengal
42	Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somananthpura	2023	Karnataka
43	Modiams	2024	Assam

Interesting Facts on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

• Diverse Categories: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India include a mix of cultural, natural, and mixed heritage sites, showcasing the country’s rich historical, architectural, and natural diversity.
• First Sites: The first Indian sites to be designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites were the Ajanta Caves and the Ellora Caves, recognized in 1983.
• Historic Forts: India is home to several historic forts that are UNESCO-listed, such as the Red Fort in Delhi, the Agra Fort, and the Forts of Rajasthan, including Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh.
• Architectural Marvels: Iconic monuments like the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, and the Sun Temple at Konark are part of India’s World Heritage Sites, highlighting its rich architectural legacy.
• Natural Wonders: India’s natural heritage is represented by sites like the Western Ghats, the Great Himalayan National Park, and Kaziranga National Park, known for their biodiversity.
• Cultural Significance: The group of sites includes culturally significant places like the sacred city of Varanasi, the historic city of Fatehpur Sikri, and the ancient ruins of Hampi.
• Religious Sites: Several religious sites are part of the list, such as the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, the Churches and Convents of Goa, and the Kumbh Mela.
• Recent Additions: Recent additions to the list include the “Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty” and the Hoysala temples in Karnataka, reflecting ongoing recognition of India’s diverse heritage.
• Cave Temples: The Elephanta Caves, known for their rock-cut temples, are another example of India’s ancient art and architecture included in the UNESCO list.
• Protection and Preservation: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India are subject to international protection and preservation efforts, helping to safeguard these treasures for future generations.

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