India, World Heritage Site

Shankar Khulbey Updated on

India is a subcontinent with palaces, forts, temples, natural parks, sculptural complexes, and spectacular ruins. These are vestiges of a rich past and of a people who have captured their creative and artistic character in wonderful works. Any traveler will appreciate the vastness of places to visit and the sense that tourism is still an emerging sector, considering the number of places yet to be discovered in this great country.

If we look at the UNESCO list, India has 28 cultural sites, 7 designated as natural heritage sites, and 1 mixed one, i.e., combining the above values. Want to know more? Here you can find the list of World Heritage Sites in India:

India, World Heritage Sites – Cultural

Taj Mahal, Agra (recognized in 1983)

Built between 1631 and 1648 on the orders of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to immortalize the memory of his favorite wife, this magnificent white marble mausoleum is the most precious example of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of world cultural heritage.

Want to plan your visit? Check out our complete guide to Taj Mahal travel and browse our India holiday packages for personalized itineraries.

Agra Fort (1983)

Located near the gardens of the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort in Agra is an important 17th-century Mughal monument. Built of red sandstone, this magnificent citadel encloses within its 2.5-kilometer perimeter wall several magnificent palaces, such as the Jahangir Mahal or Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan, spectator buildings such as the Diwan-i-Khas, and two beautiful mosques.

Explore Agra’s regal past in depth in our article on must-see forts in Rajasthan — a great read if you love historic architecture.

Fatehpur Sikri (1986)

Built by Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century, Fatehpur Sikri, the “City of Victory”, was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only ten years. The site comprises a homogeneous architectural complex with numerous monuments and temples, including the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India.

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)

Built in 1570, this tomb holds special cultural significance. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian subcontinent and served as a source of inspiration for important architectural innovations that would reach their zenith with the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Qutb Minar Complex, Delhi (1993)

Built in the early 13th century, a few kilometres south of Delhi, the Qutb Minar minaret is a red sandstone minaret that rises 72.5 metres, with a base of 14.32 metres and a peak of 2.75 metres. Its outer wall is decorated with pointed and rounded-edged grooves. The archaeological area in which it is located contains several tombs, the magnificent Alai Darwaza gate, a masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art built in 1311, and two mosques. One of them, the Quwwat ul Islam, is the oldest in northern India and was built from the material of about twenty Brahmanical temples.

Explore old and new Delhi like a local — check out our New & Old Delhi city guide for tips and insights.

Red Fort, Delhi (2007)

The Red Fort was the fortified palace of Shahjahanabad, the new capital of Shah Jahan (1628–1658), the fifth Mughal emperor of India. Its name is derived from the red colour of the sandstone used in the construction of its imposing walls. Nearby is another, older fort, the Salimgarh, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546. These two buildings form the Red Fort complex.

The private apartments consist of a series of pavilions arranged in a row and connected by a canal known as the Nahr-i-Bihisht, the Stream of Paradise. The Red Fort is considered a representative example of the pinnacle of Mughal art, which reached a high level of sophistication during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. The layout of the palace is based on Islamic prototypes, but each pavilion displays architectural elements typical of Mughal buildings, reflecting a blend of Persian, Timurid, and Hindu traditions.

The innovative planning and architectural style of the Red Fort, as well as the design of its gardens, had a great influence on the design of later buildings and gardens in Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra, and other places.

Discover more iconic landmarks in our Delhi travel guide — from forts to food streets.

Jantar Mantar Astronomical Observatory, Jaipur (2010)

Built in the early 18th century, the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is an astronomical observatory composed of about twenty masonry instruments that were innovative for their time, both architecturally and technologically. These monuments, built for astronomical observation with the naked eye, include many architectural and mechanical innovations. It is the most important, most complete, and best preserved group of ancient observatories in India. Jantar Mantar is a faithful reflection of the cosmological concepts and astronomical knowledge of the scholars who gathered around an enlightened Maharaja who lived at the end of the Mughal period.

Khajuraho Temple Complex (1986)

The Khajuraho monument complex is composed of three distinct groups of temples built during the peak period of the Chandela dynasty (950-1050). Only twenty of them have survived, belonging to two different religions, Hinduism and Jainism. Its main feature is the exquisite balance between architecture and sculpture. The Kandariya Temple is adorned with a large number of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.

Interested in Indian temple art? Our Khajuraho travel guide walks you through sculpture, symbolism, and story.

Elephanta Caves, Mumbai (1987)

Located on an island in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Mumbai (formerly Bombay), the “City of Caves” is a monumental rock-cut complex characteristic of the Shiva cult. Indian art has achieved its most exquisite expression here, especially in the huge, tall carvings that adorn the main cave.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Station (Victoria Terminus), Mumbai (2004)

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station in Mumbai – formerly known as Victoria Station – is a prime example of the blend of the Gothic Revival architectural style of the Victorian era with traditional Indian architectural themes. Designed by British architect F. W. Stevens, the building became a symbol of India’s main commercial port, Mumbai, which some call the “Gothic City”. Construction began in 1878 and was completed ten years later. It was built according to Victorian Gothic architectural design, inspired by Italian monuments of the late Middle Ages. Its eccentric floor plan, stone domes, turrets and pointed arches resemble classical Indian palace architecture. Chhatrapati Shivaji is an extraordinary example of the blend of two cultures, as British architects collaborated with Indian craftsmen to incorporate indigenous architectural traditions and styles and thus create a new style that is uniquely characteristic of Mumbai.

Ajanta Caves, near Aurangabad (1983)

It includes a series of Buddhist rock monuments dating from the 2nd and 1st centuries, as well as a group of much larger and richly decorated caves belonging to the Gupta period (5th and 6th

centuries AD). The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta are masterpieces of Buddhist art, which have had a great influence on subsequent artistic production.

Ellora Caves, near Aurangabad (1983)

Located in the state of Maharashtra, this site’s 34 monasteries and temples are lined up along a 2 km long path, built into the wall of the high basalt rock on which they were excavated. The site revives the ancient civilization of India. The construction of this monumental complex of exceptional artistic quality was truly a technical achievement. With its Buddhist, Brahmanical, and Jain shrines, Ellora also reflects the spirit of tolerance of ancient India. Its uninterrupted creation sequence, spanning 600 to 1000 years, is a striking example of that civilization.

Love ancient art and caves? Don’t miss our in-depth posts on the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves.

Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)

The former capital of Portuguese India, Goa, has preserved a collection of churches and convents related to the evangelization activities of Catholic missionaries in Asia. Prominent here is the Church of Bom Jesus, where the tomb of St. Francis Xavier is located. These religious monuments greatly contributed to the spread of the Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque styles in all the countries of Asia where religious missions were established.

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat (2004)

The park contains archaeological remains, most of which are unknown, and historical monuments surrounded by a stunning landscape. The site includes a series of prehistoric sites of the Chalcolithic period, the fort of an ancient Hindu capital on a hill, and the remains of a city that was the capital of the state of Gujarat in the 16th century. It also includes forts, palaces, religious buildings, entertainment houses, and hydroelectric installations from the 8th to the 14th centuries. The park area also houses the Kalikamata Temple, an important pilgrimage center atop the Pavagadh Hill, which attracts a large number of pilgrims throughout the year. The site is the only complete Islamic city of the pre-Mughal period.

Explore and see how you can include this in your India heritage tour.

Chola ‘living temples’ in Tamil Nadu (1987)

The great living temples were built by the kings of the Chola Empire, which ruled over much of southern India and its adjacent islands. The site comprises three great Chola temples of the 11th and 12th centuries: the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, built by order of Rajendra I, was completed in 1035. The corners of its 53-metre-high vimana (temple tower) are turned down, giving the building a graceful, undulating, upward movement that contrasts with the straight, rigid lines of the Thanjavur temple tower. The architectural complex of the Airavatesvara Temple, built by King Rajaraja II at Darasuram, includes a 24-metre-high vimana and a stone statue of Shiva. These three temples are testimony to the Chola Empire’s brilliant achievements in the fields of architecture, sculpture, painting, and bronze art.

Memorial Complex of Hampi (1986)

Hampi is a simple and elegant site that was the capital of the last great Hindu kingdom ruled by the Vijayanagara dynasty. These extremely wealthy rulers built Dravidian temples and palaces that earned the admiration of travelers from around the world between the 14th and 16th centuries. After being conquered by the Islamic Deccan Confederation in 1565, the city was plundered for six months and then abandoned.

Mahabalipuram Temple Complex (1984)

Located on the Coromandel Coast, this site comprises a group of rock-cut sanctuaries that were founded by kings of the Pallava dynasty between the 7th and 8th centuries. The site is known for its rathas (chariot-shaped temples), mandapas (rock-cut temples), huge open-air carvings, such as the famous “Descent of the Ganges”, and the thousands of sculptures of the famous Shore Temple dedicated to the glory of Shiva.

Monumental Complex of Pattadakal (1987)

The Pattadakal site in the state of Karnataka represents the height of eclectic art, which managed to harmoniously synthesize the architectural forms of North and South India in the 7th and 8th centuries under the Chalukya dynasty. The site comprises an impressive complex of nine Hindu temples and one Jain temple. Within this complex is located an extraordinary masterpiece, the Virupaksha Temple, built by Queen Lokamahadevi around the year 740 to commemorate her husband’s victory in a war against the rulers of the southern kingdoms.

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Bhopal (1989)

Located on a hill overlooking the plain, about forty kilometers from Bhopal, the Sanchi site contains various Buddhist monuments – monolithic pillars, palaces, temples, and monasteries – which are in uneven preservation, and originally date from the 1st and 2nd centuries B.C. It is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence and was the main center of this religion in India until the 12th century.

Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya (2002)

This monument complex is one of the four sacred sites associated with the life of the Buddha, and particularly his attainment of enlightenment. Emperor Ashoka built the first temple on the site in the 3rd century BC, but the current temple dates from the 5th or 6th century AD. The Mahabodhi is one of the oldest brick Buddhist temples and one of the few temples from the late Gupta Empire that are still standing.

Mountain Railways of India, Darjeeling (1999)

The Darjeeling Railway, located in the Himalayas and inscribed on the World Heritage List since 1999, is now a railway connecting the Nilgiri Mountains in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is a rack railway that runs on a one-meter-wide track and covers a distance of 46 km. This railway line was planned in 1854, but due to the difficulties posed by the layout of the track in an area with extremely steep slopes, its construction began only in 1891 and was completed in 1908. This railway, which climbs the mountain slopes at a height difference of 1,877 meters (326 m to 2,203 m), is still in operation today and represents the state-of-the-art technology of its time. During the British colonial period in India, it played a very important role, facilitating the movement of the population and contributing to the socio-economic development of the region.

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters and Rock Paintings (2003)

The Bhimbetka natural rock shelters are located in the foothills of the Vindhya Mountains, south of the central plateau of India. Five of these shelters are situated among huge sandstone cliffs that have emerged from a relatively dense forest floor. All of them contain paintings from successive periods, ranging from the Mesolithic to the historic period, displayed without interruption. The 21 villages surrounding the site are inhabited by people whose customs resemble those depicted in the cave paintings.

Sun Temple Konark (1984)

Located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal and bathed in the rays of the rising sun, the Sun Temple is a monumental representation of the chariot of the Sun God, carved with countless symbolic motifs on its twenty-four wheels and drawn by its six-horse team. Built in the 13th century, the temple is one of the most famous Brahmin temples in India.

Ahmedabad (2017)

The former capital of the state of Gujarat was built in 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah, resulting in a 10-kilometer-long wall with 12 different entrance gates. Over the centuries, it has housed all kinds of residences, markets, gardens, and especially marble temples, showcasing the best architectural influences of Arab and Hindu styles. It is a fairytale city located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, which fills with magic and spirituality in the evening. Ahmedabad is the first Indian city to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mumbai’s Victorian Gothic Revival and Art Deco Ensembles (2018)

The British influence is still felt in many aspects of India, with architecture being one of the most impressive. The best example of this is a group of buildings located in South Mumbai, where the British style was adapted to the climate and foreign nuances, resulting in the birth of a style called Indo-Deco art, a movement inspired by the Victorian era and became the best evidence of India’s development in the 19th and 20th centuries in the form of clock towers and grand residences.

City of Jaipur (2019)

Built in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jaisingh II, the city of Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan is a unique city based on a grid map inspired by Vedic architecture and the pink color. From the 953 windows of its famous Hawa Mahal to the grandeur of its City Palace or the mysteries of the Amer Fort, Jaipur reveals a mysterious and colorful charm like no other Indian city: tattooed elephants, eternal markets, and unique architecture, which blends between dream and reality.

Planning a trip to the Pink City? Dive into our Jaipur travel guide for cultural gems and hidden spots.

Kakatiya Rudreshwar “Ramappa” Temple (2021)

Kakatiya Rudreshwar, also known as Ramappa, is one of the largest Shiva temples in India, located in the state of Telangana. The temple was built in the 13th century during the Kakatiya period, an ethnic group that left its mark in the form of frescoes depicting their rituals and dances, which today are surrounded by tall pillars and beams made of granite, its tower, and sculptures. According to records, Marco Polo himself visited the Kakatiya kingdom during one of his travels, and praising the Ramappa temple, he called it “the brightest star in the galaxy of temples.”

Dholavira City (2021)

The city of Dholavira is located on the Khadirbet island in the Kutch district of the Gujarat state of western India. It is a unique archaeological site that shows the remains of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, which built this complex, which coincides with the strategic position of the Tropic of Cancer. Dholavira is considered one of the great cities of ancient times, inhabited around 2,650 BC. The inhabitants there hid their secrets within large walls and various structures similar to Buddhist stupas.

India is a World Heritage Site – Natural

In addition, 7 natural parks have been recognized as World Heritage Sites:

Keoladeo National Park (1985)

Formerly the duck hunting ground of the Maharajas, this park is one of the most important wintering sites for innumerable waterfowl coming from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Siberia. Some of the 364 species registered are also rare species like the Siberian crane.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam (1985)

Located in the heart of the state of Assam, this park is one of the few areas in North India that is unaffected by human presence. It has the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceros, along with many other mammals – tigers, elephants, leopards, bears – and thousands of birds.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam (1985)

Located in an area of forested hills, alluvial grasslands, and tropical forests spreading along a gentle slope in the foothills of the Himalayas, Manas Sanctuary is home to a diverse fauna, including several endangered species, such as the tiger, Indian rhinoceros, pygmy pig, and Indian elephant.

Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers (1988)

Located high in the western Himalayas, the Valley of Flowers National Park is famous for the exceptional beauty of its grasslands and endemic alpine flora. It is a site of rich biodiversity that is home to rare or endangered animal species, such as the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear, and Himalayan blue sheep or baral. The serenity of its scenery contrasts with the rugged mountain landscape of Nanda Devi National Park. Both parks enclose a unique transition zone between the Zanskar mountain range and the Great Himalayas, whose exceptional beauty has been praised in ancient tales of Hindu mythology and by botanists and mountaineers over the past century.

Sundarbans National Park (1987)

The Sundarbans area, located in the Ganges Delta, covers 10,000 square km of land and water. Half of its area lies in India and the rest in Bangladesh. The site has the largest extension of mangrove forests in the world and is home to many rare and endangered species: tigers, aquatic mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Western Ghats (2012)

From the Tapti River on the border of Gujarat to Cape Comorin in Tamil Nadu, the Western Ghats highlight contrasts for 1,600 kilometers, including tea plantations, a World Heritage Site in India, lost villages, and legends. Considered unique for its diversity, this mountain range, which regulates the movement of the monsoon, creates a unique world that stretches across much of India.

Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)

Located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, in the western part of the Himalayas, it is a paradise of blue riverbeds and alpine slopes spread over an area of 90,540 hectares, home to rivers, animals from bears to deer, and 25 different types of forests. India, a World Heritage Site

India, World Heritage Site – Mixed

Finally, UNESCO has India’s mixed heritage:

Kangchenjunga National Park (2016)

The state of Sikkim is India’s only mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site, a site that has a combination of cultural and natural aspects that guide the World Heritage Committee. Pristine forests, mysterious rivers, and snow-capped peaks (Mount Kanchenjunga is considered the third-highest peak in the world), combined with the ancient stories of the Sikkim tribes, later influenced by the arrival of Buddhism, create a magical, unique atmosphere.