Everything You Should Know Before Visiting UNESCO Heritage Sites in India

Planning a visit to India? India is one of the favorite destinations for historical and heritage tourism. UNESCO World heritage sites are something you should visit while traveling to India. 

India is a land of diversities and colors, and UNESCO heritage sites are a must-visit when traveling to India as they are the standing marvels of India’s culture and heritage. In this article, you will read about these heritage sites; the history and culture which they represent. Source

UNESCO World heritage sites in India are 

Ajanta Caves

The Ajanta Caves are located in the Aurangabad District of Maharashtra. Buddhist caves here were built between the 2nd and 6th centuries B.C. The first phase was made during the reign of Ashoka, while the second phase during Gupta’s period. 

There are 31 rock-cut caves here in total. In these caves, you will find beautifully decorated and preserved fresco paintings and Sigiriya Paintings’ reminiscents. These caves are a beautiful example of the Buddhist religion.

In the places near these caves, you can also go trekking, and the natural beauty and peace around these caves will be a treat for your soul and eyes. (2)

Ellora Caves

The Ellora Caves or the Ellora Complex are a series of 34 caves on a basalt cliff that shows ancient India’s architectural, technological advancements. They extend to an area of more than two kilometers. They were built between A.D. 600 to 1000. 

These caves are something that brings the life of ancient India back to life. Here you will find the different caves dedicated to Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism all together, which shows the characteristic of ancient Indian culture, which was religiously tolerant, and all religions thrived side by side. 

Agra Fort

This fort is an example of Mughal opulence and power located on Yamuna River banks in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It was built between the 16 and 18 centuries using the Red Sandstone, thus also known as the Red Fort of Agra. 

This fort extends in a length of 2.5 kilometers. A defensive moat surrounds it that encloses a variety of Palaces, Mosques, and towers. This fort is a remarkable example of the Persian art of Timurid and the Indian form.  

Taj Mahal

Located in Uttar Pradesh, this is a magnificent monument and an example of true love. It’s one of the seven wonders of the world build with white marble. Taj is also a Mausoleum – a funerary Mosque build by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after her death in 1631. 

It is a marvel of typical Mughal Architectural Style that is a mixture of Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. It was built under the guidance of Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, the chief architect, and hundreds of other artisans between 1631 to 1648. 

This monument stands amidst the vast gardens extending in an area of 17 hectares on the river Yamuna banks. It has an octagonal layout with four minarets on the four corners with a pristine elevation of the bulbous central dome under which tombs are present in an underground chamber. 

This monument is decorated with calligraphic inscriptions, floral arabesques, and decorative bands that provide a picturesque and admirable view to the visitors. It’s an example of the cultural and architectural world heritage of India. 

Sun Temple

The Sun Temple or black pagoda Konark is located in the Puri District, Odisha. It was build during the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I from the Ganga Dynasty. This temple is in the Mahanadi delta on the East Coast of the Bay of Bengal. 

This temple is dedicated to the Sun God Surya and is build in the shape of a chariot. The chariot has 24 wheels being drawn by seven horses representing the chariot of Sun God. This temple is built from Oxidizing Weathered ferruginous colored sandstone. You will also see an appeasing stone carving on this temple. 

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

They are located in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, near Chennai. These monuments are carved out of rock along the coromandel coast. There are 40 monuments here, including an open-air Bas-Relief, which is the largest in the world. 

The monuments here are built in the form of mandapas, chariots, temples, the Ratha Temples here are the monuments that are inscribed in the UNESCO world heritage sites.

Kaziranga National Park

It is situated in the North-Eastern State of Assam in India covering an area of 42,996 hectares in the flood plains of Brahmaputra River. UNESCO declared them world heritage site due to its unique flora and fauna. It was established in 1908 by the government of India and later declared a national park in 1974. This park was established to protect the dwindling number of Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros and have the largest number of these rhinoceros. You will also find another large no. of flora and fauna here.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

This place was declared a UNESCO Natural world heritage site in 1985 and is located in the State of Assam, covering an area of 50,000 hectares. It houses several endangered flora and fauna, including the tiger, sloth bear, only pure Indian Buffalo.

It is situated in the plains of manas river in the foothills of the Himalayas on the Bhutan Border.

Keoladeo National Park

It is located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. It’s a wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 2,783 hectares. It has 364 species of birds. It was declared a national park in 1982. 

Prior to being declared a national park, it was a hunting sanctuary for the kings of Bharatpur.

Churches and Convents of Goa

These churches and convents are located in the former capital of Velha, Goa. The Portuguese colonial rulers of Goa built them. These monuments were enlisted in the Unesco world cultural sites list in 1986.

Most prominent among these monuments is the Basilica of Bon Jesus as it houses the tomb that enshrines the St. Francis Xavier’s. The monuments here are built-in Manueline, mannerist, and baroque styles for runners of these styles in the Asia region.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments

These monuments are located in Madhya Pradesh. They were built under the Chandela Dynasty. They were enlisted in the UNESCO world heritage sites list in 1982 for their unique art and architecture.

These monuments have a fusion of both art and architecture of Hindu and Jain religion. These monuments are the only surviving proof of India’s Chandela art and architecture prior to the Muslim Invasions.

Monuments at Hampi

The monuments Hampi are situated in the Bellary district of Karnataka on the rivers of river Tungabhadra. These monuments are basically the ruins of the capital of the Vijaynagar empire. 

The monuments here are an important religious center for both the Hindus and the Jains. One prominent and famous temple here is the Virupaksha temple.

Fatehpur Sikri 

The Fatehpur Sikri is located in Uttar Pradesh and was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar during the second half of the 16 century. It is also known as the “City of Victory”. It’s a prominent example of the Mughal art and architecture and was the Mughal empire’s capital for 14 years but later abandoned due to lack of water and unrest in north-west India. 

This place has many monuments like the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, and the tomb of renowned saint Salim Chisti. The English traveler Ralph Fitch wrote about it that it is probably larger and more populous than the london” as it has housing facilities for the army, people, mosques, temples, and many others.

Pattadakal Group of Monuments

They are located in Bagalkot, Karnataka. This complex of monuments houses a series of 9 temples with a Jain sanctuary. These temples were built by the Chalukya Dynasty rulers between the 6th and 8th centuries. 

One of the prominent edifices of art is the Virupaksha Temple here(Different from the one at Hampi). You will see a fusion of north Indian “Nagara” and South Indian “Dravidian” style of art and architecture here. The city of Pattadakal is a prominent Hindu religious site.

Elephanta Caves

Located on the Elephanta Island in Maharashtra is a network of sculpted caves. The Island has two groups of caves from which the larger one is a series of five caves dedicated to Hinduism’s shaiva sects. The second group is dedicated to Buddhism. 

The Hindu caves contain rock sculptures of the shiva sect dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. These caves were built between the 5th to 8th centuries with basalt rock. They were put in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in 1987 to preserve there art and architecture. 

The Great Living Chola Temples

This group includes three temples of Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur, Airavatesvara at Darasuram, and Brihadeshvara at Gangaikondacholapuram. These temples are the living manifestation of Chola art and architecture. They were built between the 11th and 12th centuries.

A prominent feature of these temples is the vemana style of architecture. They also represent the expertise of Cholas in the bronze casting. Source

Sundarbans National Park

It is the world’s largest estuarine mangrove forest located on the coast of the bay of Bengal in the state of West Bengal. Its UNESCO world heritage site as well the part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. It was declared a national park in 1984.

This park covers an area of 10,000 km square combined in India and Bangladesh. This is the largest delta and is formed by sediments from three rivers, Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. This delta is the home to the world’s largest population of Bengal Tigers.

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park

This park is a UNESCO world heritage site as well as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is nestled in the western Himalayas. It is located in the Garhwal Himalayas, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand covering an area of 87.5 km square.

This park is home to many endangered species like the snow leopard, Asian Black Bear, brown bear, and Blue Sheep. In this park, you will see the beauty of nature from up close. 

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi

These monuments are located near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. They are believed to be constructed around 200 to 100 B.C. The site was conjectured in the 3rd century when the Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire ruled. 

The main from these monuments is the Stupa I dating back to 2nd century B.C. This Stupa is a prominent Buddhist Place of religious value.

Humayun’s Tomb

This tomb is located in Delhi and was Built-in 1570. It’s built with a Char-Bagh layout and have gardens with water channels. It’s Mughal Architectural Style has been acclaimed as “Necropolis of Mughal Dynasty” due to its double doomed elevation with Chatteris. 

Along with Humayun, there are other 150 royal family tombs here.

Qutub Minar and its Monuments

This complex comprises many monuments with Qutub Minar as the central piece, which has a height of 72.5 meters built with red sandstone. It was built at the starting of the 13th century. 

This complex other than Qutub Minar, comprises Iltutmish Tomb, Mosque, and an iron pillar with Sanskrit engravings from the period of Chandra Gupta II. This complex is a testimony to the Islamic depredation as the material used to construct the complex is removed from Hindus and Jains’ destroyed temples.

Mountain Railways of India

The Indian mountain Railways in the UNESCO world heritage sites include the Darjeeling Railways, Nilgiri Mountain Railways, and the Kalka-Shimla Railways. This railway Link was included in the UNESCO list for its “Outstanding Example of Bold, ingenious engineering solution” for such a mountainous and rugged terrain rail link.

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya

The temple complex in Bodhi Gaya is located in Bihar. It’s spread in an area of 4.86 hectares. This temple complex houses the Bodhi Tree “Ficus Religiosa” under which it is believed that the Budhha got enlightenment. 

It was added to the UNESCO world heritage sites list due to its cultural and archeological importance. This complex is a prominent and important Buddhist pilgrimage, and Buddhists from all around the world visit it every year.

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka

These rock shelters are located on the foothills of Vindhya Ranges in Madhya Pradesh. It’s described as “the site Complex.. A magnificent repository of rock paintings within natural rock shelters” by UNESCO.

There are 400 rock shelters in this complex, with paintings dating back to mesolithic to historical age. The paintings here have been found to date back between 100,000 B.C to 1000 A.D. The paintings here depict the life of people and hunting-gathering culture.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus 

Formerly known as Victoria terminus, it is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This monument serves as a headquarters of the Central Railways. It was designed by Fredrick William Stevens and took 10 years to built and complete. It is built in the Gothic style was completed in 1888. 

Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park 

It is located in Gujarat. Its large unexcavated archeological, historic and cultural heritage sites cradled in a landscape which include prehistoric sites, hindu temples, fortresses and many other monuments.

The Kalimata temple and Jain Temple situated on the top of pavagadh hill is of great importance as every year, thousands of pilgrims visit here. This site is the only unchanged and complete Islamic pre-Mughal city.

Red Fort

The Red Fort Complex is located in Delhi and was built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. This complex is built in the Persian, Timuri, and Indian architectural styles. The fort is enclosed with a wall built of red sandstone.

The fort is built with a geometric grid pattern on the right bank of the Yamuna river. This fort is the testimony of Mughal architecture and style. 

The Jantar Mantar 

It is located in Jaipur, Rajasthan also known as the Pink City. It’s a collection of architectural astronomical instruments. Sawai Jai Singh II built it between 1727 to 1734. 

There are in total, five sites like this all over India but this one is the most preserved and largest with some 20 fixed instruments in it.

The Western Ghats

The Western Ghats mountain range, located on the west side of India, is a mountain range also one of the world’s “Hottest Biodiversity Hotspots”. It is spread over the states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Karnataka. This UNESCO site includes a total of 39 properties like national parks, sanctuaries, and reserve forests.

Hill Forts of Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s hill forts are defensive forts built by the Rajputs using the defensive qualities of the terrain. These forts are built on the Aravalli range mountains at different palaces. 

Forts in the UNESCO list include Chittor fort, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore fort, gagron fort, Amer Fort, and Jaisalmer fort. These forts have a history of Rajput defense and culture. Many of forts have a very bloody past and considered haunted places to visit.

Rani ki Vav

Rani ki vav or Queen’s stepwell is a famous step well located in Patan, Gujarat. This step is 27 meters deep. There are 500 sculptures of god in which most are dedicated to Vishnu. 

The sculptures of Yogini beautiful women – Apsara is also here. It depicts the 16 makeup styles of a woman. 

Great Himalayan National Park

It is located in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. This park is characterized by high alpine peaks, alpine meadows, and riverine forests. It’s spread over an area of 90,540 hectares. This park includes snow peaks, which are the water source of many rivers.

This park is a part of the himalyan biodiversity reserve alos. It has a variety of flora and fauna out of which many are threatened making it an important place for Natural Heritage sites.

Archeological Site of Nalanda

It is located in Nalanda, Bihar, and is considered the most ancient university which transmitted knowledge for an uninterrupted period of over 800 years. This place includes the monastic and scholastic institutions dating between the 3rd and 13th century. 

The complex includes the stupas, shrines, viharas, and important stone, metal, and stucco work.

Khangchendzonga National Park

Located in Sikkim, this national park is in the UNESCO list of the world’s natural heritage sites. This park has valleys, lakes, glaciers, and magnificent snow-covered peaks. It has the world’s third-highest peak, Khangchendzonga.

The Architectural Works of Le Corbusier

This work of art includes 17 sites, out of which the Chandigarh site is in India. This site includes important works like Pierre Jeanneret, Matthew Nowicki, and Albert Mayer of Le Corbusier.

Historic City of Ahmadabad

Ahmed Shah founded the city of Ahmedabad in !5th century on the eastern bank of Sabarmati River. The city presents a rich architectural heritage of the sultanate period. Notably, the Bhadra Citadel. 

The city includes many mosques, Hindu temples, and Jain temples with the sultanate period’s typical houses and streets. 

The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai

It is a collection of Victorian gothic buildings and art deco buildings. These include Bombay Highcourt, Rajabai Clock Tower, Convocation Hall. Eros Cinema, University of Mumbai, and Library of the University of Mumbai. 

The City of Jaipur

Sawai Jai Singh II established the city of Jaipur in 1727. It is built on the ancient Hindu design of the Grid system. The streets here intersect on large open spaces known as Chaupers. The main streets have temples, houses, and other buildings with the same face on the main street side. 

Jaipur is also known as Pink City due to its unique Pinkish color on all the city buildings. 

Conclusion

What you think about these sites. If you are planning to visit or have visited any of these sites, please let us know in the comment box.