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India or Bharat has an illustrious history to boast of, from being the home to one of the most ancient civilisations of the world to being a confluence of diverse religions, cultures and topographies. With the eventful reigns of many empires across the different regions of India, history has gifted the country with many monuments to boast of. Each of them has a story to tell of the bygone eras, and each reflects the true essence of India, in its own special way.
So it comes as no surprise that international bodies such as UNESCO have identified 40 sites of educational, scientific and cultural importance in India. Known as World Heritage Sites, these sites represent creative genius, outstanding examples of technology and a marked example of a specific time in history.
Here is a visual guide to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. These are both man-made monuments and natural sites in India that you must visit!
Kaziranga National Park
Where: Assam
Why: It is the home to the world's largest population of the Single-Horned-Rhinocerous and is also a protected tiger reserve. Besides this, the park also hosts a variety of other mammals, birds and reptiles.
Photo Courtesy: Scott Anderson
Manas National Park
Where: Assam
Why: Manas Nationl Park has the unique recognition as a park that hosts endangered animals not found anywhere else in the world such as the Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Languar and Pygmy Hog. It is also a World Heritage Site in danger from poaching and terrorist activities.
Photo Courtesy: Pankaj Kaushal
Mahabodhi Temple
Where: Bihar
Why: Named a World Heritage Site for its cultural and religious significance, Mahabodhi Temple is where Siddhartha Gautama Buddha is known to have attained enlightenment. The oldest structures of the Temple date back to the 5th century.
Photo Courtesy: PatHey
Humayun's Tomb
Where: Delhi
Why: Among the first tomb structures to showcase innovative architecture with elevated structures, gardens, well-managed water channels, pavilions, bath and attractive dome at a height of 42.5 mt.
Photo Courtesy: Breic
Qutub Minar
Where: Delhi
Why: Standing tall at 238 ft, this red standstone structure is a sterling example of fine Islamic architecture. It was built from materials plundered on various conquests from other kingdoms.
Photo Courtesy: Sakeeb Sabakka
Red Fort
Where: Delhi
Why: Built by Shahjahan in the 17th century, the fort displays an interesting mix of architectural styles ranging across Persian, Timuri and Indian styles.
Photo Courtesy: Dennis Jarvis
Churches & Convents of Goa
Where: Goa
Why: Built by the Portuguese between the 16th and 18th century, the Churches and Convents are fine examples of architecture and culture.
Photo Courtesy: Angela Llop
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Where: Gujarat
Why: This stunning expanse of landscape is considered to hold many unexcavated archaeological finds. The place has many monuments, temples, pre-historic sites, forts and palaces.
Photo Courtesy: Dimitry B
Monuments at Hampi
Where: Bellary, Karnataka
Why: Once the capital of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi now is a silent testimony to the grandeur of the past. Exqusitely built temples and monuments, many of them in ruins give this place an unique charm.
Photo Courtesy: Arian Zwegers
Monuments in Pattadakal
Where: Karnataka
Why: An outstanding place where nine Hindu temples and a Jain temple can be found along with other interesting structures that sport a mixture of architectural styles.
Photo Courtesy: Jean-Pierre Dalbera
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
Where: Madhya Pradesh
Why: Built in the Mauryan Empire during the rule of Emperor Ashoka, the main stupa dates back to 1st century BC and has been given the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site for its contribution to culture.
Photo Courtesy: Tom Maloney
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
Where: Madhya Pradesh
Why: Natural sandstone rock formations that sport detailed paintings that date back to Mesolithic period. The Rock Shelters consists of a total of 400 painted structures.
Photo Courtesy: Raveesh Vyas
Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Where: Madhya Pradesh
Why: Outstanding architecture with intricate artistic detailing is seen across the many temples and monuments of Khajuraho that is a symbol of both Hindu and Jain religions. A site of immense cultural importance.
Photo Courtesy: Dennis Jarvis
Ajanta Caves
Where: Maharashtra
Why: The 31 rock-cut Buddhist caves have early structures dating back to the 2nd century and are known to display the oldest wall frescos in the country. The rich colours and detailing of these disintegrating wall murals are similar to the Sigiriya painting style of Sri Lanka.
Photo Courtesy: Shriram Rajagopalan
Ellora Caves
Where: Maharashtra
Why: 34 monastries and temples built into the rock formations of a cliff, they are a great example of architectural and sculptural finesse of early India.
Photo Courtesy: Richard Randall
The Elephanta Caves
Where: Maharashtra
Why: Located 10 km from Mumbai, this place consists of five Hindu and two Buddhist caves. The exquisite artwork earned it a name among UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India.
Photo Courtesy:Ricardo Martins
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Where: Maharashtra
Why: Functioning as the railway headquaters, this busy railway station in Mumbai was built during the British rule and intially named 'Victoria Terminus' in honor of the Queen. It sports the Gothic style of architecture and was designed by a French architect. In the year 1996, the name of this terminus was changed to the popular Maratha King's name Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Photo Courtesy: Advait Supnekar
Konark Sun Temple
Where: Puri, Orissa
Why: This 13th century temple also referred to as the 'Black Pagoda' displays an expansive structure of the Sun God's Chariot sporting 24 wheels and pulled by 6 horses and is of cultural importance.
Photo Courtesy: Dinudey Baidya
Keoladeo National Park
Where: Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Why: Spanning across 6,880 acres of land, this National Park is popular for the 364 species of winter birds that come here from various regions of the world.
Photo Courtesy: Nikhil Chandra
Jantar Mantar
Where: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Why: Jantar Mantar is an interesting collection of astrology inspired architecture. Early obervatories and atronomical instruments are located here.
Photo Courtesy: Alex Sirota
The Great living Chola Temples
Where: Tamil Nadu
Why: Consisting of the three great temples built during the Chola Period namely the Brihadisvara Temple in Cholapuram, Airavatesvara Temple and the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur. The Chola brilliance in architecture, sculpture, bronze casting and painting has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India.
Photo Courtesy: SsriRaman
Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Where: Tamil Nadu
Why: Built by the Pallava kings, these animated sculptures and temples were carved out of rocks on the Coromandel coast. It is a site of immense cultural significance.
Photo Courtesy: J'ram DJ
Agra Fort
Where: Uttar Pradesh
Why: Built from red sandstone, this vibrant fort is located on the banks of river Yamuna and owes its many impressive structures to different reigns. It is considered a key cultural site from the Mughal empire.
Photo Courtesy: Matthias Rosenkranz
Fatehpur Sikri
Where: Uttar Pradesh
Why: The early capital city of the Mughal empire, the Fatehpur Sikri is a complex of monuments, temples and mosques, all built in the Mughal style of architecture.
Photo Courtesy: Cyril Bele
Taj Mahal
Where: Uttar Pradesh
Why: Listed among the seven wonders of the world and considered one of the most prominent symbols of India, Taj Mahal built by Shahjahan in memory of his wife is a lasting symbol of love and beauty. The vast property consisting of various other monuments and gardens showcases a mix of Persian, Mughal and Indian architecture.
Photo Courtesy: Dennis Jarvis
Mountain Railways of India
Where: Darjeeling
Why: The five railway lines built in the mountains by the British and still operate under the Indian Railways are conferred the World Heritage Title. They are in Darjeeling, Shimla, Nilgiri, Kangra Valley and Matheran railway lines.
Photo Courtesy: Raghavan V
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
Where: Chamoli, Uttarakhand
Why: The Valley of Flowers that is famous for its meadows of beautiful alpine flowers and also the home to many species of animals. The Valley and the rugged mountains contrast each other and mark an important area of transition between mountain ranges of Zanskar and Great Himalaya.
Photo Courtesy: Paul Hamilton
Sundarbans National Park
Where: West Bengal
Why: Known to be the largest mangrove forest in the world, it is also a Tiger Reserve. Home to the largest population of the endangered Bengal Tigers.
Photo Courtesy: Anirban Biswas
Sahyadri Mountains or Western Ghats
Where: Western india
Why: The range of mountains that traverse the wester side of India consists of many sanctuaries, national parks and reserve forests. It is considered to be the cluster of India's most prominent bio-diverse hotspots.
Photo Courtesy: Binoyjdsk
Hill Forts of Rajasthan
Where: Aravallis Mountains, Rajasthan
Why: Representing the Rajput style of architecture that is also an interesting example of military-hill architecture, the many forts across the Aravallis Mountains is a key contributor to educational, strategic and cultural learning.
Photo Courtesy: Santosh Namby
Rani Ki Vav
Where: Patan, Gujarat
Why: Constructed as per the inverted temple structure, this stepwell comissioned by the Queen Udyamati of the Solanki dynasty is considered to be the largest and most intricate of the stepwells in India. A seven storey structure with over 1500 sculptures of various Hindu gods, apsaras (dancing maidens), kings and sadhus, this place is one of the most recent additions to the UNESCO World Heritage sites in India.
Photo Courtesy:Sudhamshu Hebbar
Great himalayan National Park, Kullu
Where: Himachal Pradesh
Why: A vital hotspot of bio-diversity, this region has towering alpine peaks, meadows and forests. The orgin of many rivers and streams are also located here, making this a very significant site in regard to conservation.
Photo Courtesy: J.M Garg
Khangchendzonga National Park,Sikkim
Located at the heart of the Himalayan range in northern India (State of Sikkim), theKhangchendzonga National Parkincludes a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers and spectacular, snow-capped mountains covered with ancient forests, including the world's third-highest peak,Mount Khangchendzonga.
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar
The Nalanda Mahavihara site is in the State of Bihar, in north-eastern India. It comprises the archaeological remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE. It includes stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and important artworks in stucco, stone and metal. Nalanda stands out as the most ancient university in the Indian Subcontinent. It engaged in the organized transmission of knowledge over an uninterrupted period of 800 years.
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier,Chandigarh
Chosen from the work ofLe Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven countries. Urban and Architectural Work of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh is home to numerous architectural projects of Le Corbusier,Pierre Jeanneret,Matthew NowickiandAlbert Mayer.
Historic City of Ahmadabad,Ahmedabad,Gujarat
Thewalled city of Ahmedabad, founded by SultanAhmad Shah Iin the 15th century, on the eastern bank of theSabarmati River, presents a rich architectural heritage from thesultanate period, notably theBhadra citadel, the walls andgatesof the Fort city and numerous mosques and tombs as well as important Hindu and Jain temples of later periods. The urban fabric is made up of densely-packed traditional houses (pols) in gated traditional streets (puras) with characteristic features such as bird feeders, public wells, and religious institutions.
The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai,Maharashtra
This is a collection of Victorian Gothic buildings and Art Deco buildings. They are theBombay High Court,Rajabai Clock Tower,Crawford MarketandConvocation Hall, University of Mumbai,University Library, Mumbai.
Jaipur
The fortified city of Jaipur, in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan, was founded in 1727 bySawai Jai SinghII. Unlike other cities in the region located in hilly terrain, Jaipur was established on the plain and built according to a grid plan interpreted in the light of Vedic architecture. The streets feature continuous colonnaded businesses that intersect in the centre, creating large public squares calledchaupars.
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple,Telangana
Rudreshwara, popularly known as Ramappa Temple, is located in the village of Palampet approximately 200km northeast of Hyderabad, in the State of Telangana. It is the main Shiva temple in a walled complex built during the Kakatiya period (1123-1323 CE) under rulers Ganapati Deva and Recharla Rudra Reddy. Construction of the sandstone temple began in 1213 CE and is believed to have continued over some 40 years.
Dholavira: A Harappan City
The ancient city of Dholavira is one of the most remarkable and well-preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE (Before Common Era). Discovered in 1968, the site is set apart by its unique characteristics, such as its water management system, multi-layered defensive mechanisms, extensive use of stone in construction and special burial structures.
