There are 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala, the famed Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid, and Somananthpura in Karnataka have been added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage list. This inclusion marks the 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and comes just a day after Rabindranath Tagore’s Santiniketan also received this distinguished recognition. The decision to include Santiniketan in the prestigious list was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its importance on the global stage.
The UNESCO World Heritage Convention, which was established in 1972, recognizes and protects important cultural and natural sites around the world. India has recently added two more sites to the UNESCO World Heritage list, bringing the total number of Indian sites to 42. This makes India the sixth country in the world with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Of the 42 Indian sites, 34 are cultural, 7 are natural, and 1 is mixed (both cultural and natural).
In other words, UNESCO has recognized 42 places in India as being of outstanding universal value, worthy of protection for future generations. These sites include ancient temples, forts, palaces, caves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. India’s rich cultural and natural heritage is on display in these sites, which are a must-see for any visitor to the country.
S.No | Name of Sites | Year | Location |
1 | Ajanta Caves | 1983 | Maharashtra |
2 | Ellora Caves | 1983 | Maharashtra |
3 | Agra Fort | 1983 | Agra |
4 | Taj Mahal | 1983 | Agra |
5 | Sun Temple | 1984 | Orissa |
6 | Mahabalipuram Monuments | 1984 | 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 |
UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This is exemplified by the Convention regarding the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, accepted by UNESCO in 1972.
1. Human creative genius.
2. Interchange of values.
3. Testimony to cultural tradition.
4. Significance in human history.
5. Traditional human settlement.
6. Heritage associated with events of universal significance.
7. Natural phenomena or beauty.
8. Major stages of Earth’s history.
9. Significant ecological and biological processes.
10. The significant natural habitat for biodiversity.
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:
1. Ajanta Caves
2. Ellora Caves
3. Agra Fort
4. Taj Mahal
5. Sun Temple
6. Mahabalipuram Monuments
7. Kaziranga National Park
8. Keoladeo National Park
9. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
10. Churches and Convents of Goa
11. Monuments of Khajuraho
12. Monuments of Hampi
13. Fatehpur Sikri
14. Elephanta Caves
15. Great Living Chola Temples
16. Pattadakal Monuments
17. Sundarbans National Park
18. Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Park
19. Monuments of Buddha
20. Humayun’s Tomb
21. Qutub Minar and its Monuments
22. Mountain Railways of Darjeeling, Kalka Shimla & Nilgiri
23. Mahabodhi Temple
24. Bhimbetka
25. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
26. ChampanerPavagadhArchaeological Park
27. Red Fort
28. Jantar Mantar
29. The Western Ghats
30. Hill Forts
31. Rani Ki Vav
32. Great Himalayan National Park
33. Nalanda
34. Khangchendzonga National Park
35. Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex)
36. The Historic City
37. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles
38. The Pink City
39. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple
40. Dholavira
41. Santiniketan
42. Hoysala Temples
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And. India, there are currently 40 World Heritage Sites. According to the organisation's selection criteria, 32 are cultural, 7 are natural, and 1 is mixed (matching both cultural and natural characteristics). India has the world's sixth-largest number of sites.
Ans. In 2022, India will have around 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Ans. As of July 2021, World Heritage Sites may be found in 19 of India's 36 states and union territories, with Maharashtra holding the most sites i.e. 5. In India, there are currently 40 World Heritage Sites.
Ans. The two World Heritage Sites in India, according to the UN, provide "valuable insight into the knowledge and ways of life of ancient societies, customs, and communities." The following is a list of India's 40 World Heritage Sites: Gujarat's Dholavira. Telangana's Ramappa Temple et cetera.
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