Topmost Cultural World Heritage Sites in India

Topmost Cultural World Heritage Sites and Monuments in India by UNESCO

Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.   Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage.   There are 32 World Heritage Sites in India recognized by UNESCO. Of these 32 heritage sites, 25 are cultural sites and the 7 are natural sites. The cultural heritage sites of India are known for brilliant architecture, Stone art, Cave paintings and temples with sculpture carved on it. Apart from the 25 cultural world heritage sites and monuments, a list of tentative sites has been also submitted to UNESCO. The world heritage list contains 46 historical, cultural and natural sites in India. A few of them are being enlightened below.

Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad (Maharashtra)

The Ajanta Caves is the greatest historical monument and is world famous for its Buddhist rock-cut cave temples and monasteries.

It is the finest surviving example of Indian art, painting, sculptures and rock-cut cave temples.

Ellora Caves, Aurangabad (Maharashtra)

Ellora caves is a protected monument and one of major tourist attractions in Marathwada region of Maharashtra.

These caves are an impressive complex of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples. The Kailasanatha temple or Kailasa temple is one of the largest rock-cut ancient Hindu temples in India.

Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra)

Elephanta Island Caves are one of three cultural world heritage sites in Maharashtra, located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai.

This rock cut architecture caves are home to large group of five Hindu temple and number of sculpted caves.

Red Fort Complex (Delhi)

Red Fort is a massive building made of red sandstone and considered as the final flourishing of Mughal architecture in India.

The Red Fort Complex houses a number of mueseums, gardens, tall gates, Chawari Bazar, Chhatta Chowk, Mumtaz Mahal and Divan-i-Aam

Humayun’s Tomb (Delhi)

Humayun’s Tomb is the most notable structure and the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent.

The complex, among Char Bagh garden, Nila Gumbad, Chillah Nizamuddin Aulia and Humayun’s Tomb, is the most magnificent tombs built in Delhi.

Qutb Minar and Monuments (Delhi)

Qutb Minar and its standstone monuments are ancient historical monuments and the tallest brick minarety in the world.

The Minar is second tallest minar in India,located in the Mehrauli area of Delhi and surrounded by several other historically monuments.

Agra Fort (Uttar Pradesh)

The Fort of Agra is situated on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the city and famous as sister monument of the Taj Mahal.

Agra Fort is a massive red-sandstone structure and one of the finest Mughal forts in India.

Konarak Sun Temple (Orissa)

Sun Temple of Konark is one of the most stunning monuments,a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god.

The temple is in the list of seven wonders of India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the shape of a gigantic chariot.

Taj Mahal, Agra (Uttar Pradesh)

The Taj Mahal is the tomb of Shaj Jahan’s wife Mumtaz Mahal and the complex includes a mosque,guest house,gardens and big gates.

It is known as the jewel of Muslim art in India and a winner of the New 7 wonders of the World.

Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (Rajasthan)

Jantar Mantar monument of Jaipur is the world’s largest stone sundial in India, located near City Palace and Hawa Mahal of Jaipur.

The monument, one of the collections of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments of Rajasthan, was built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh.

Rani ki Vav, Patan (Gujarat)

Rani-ki-Vav on the banks of the Saraswati River is one of the intricately constructed ancient step well, situated in Patan town of Gujarat.

This magnificent east-facing step well is one of the largest and the most sumptuous structures of its type in India.

Mountain Railways of India

The Mountain Railways of India are also known as Toy Trains that run on narrow–gauge railway lines through the different mountains hill stations of India.

Out of 5 mountain railways, three of them are included in the list of World heritage site, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka–Shimla Railway.

Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh)

Fatehpur Sikri is a fascinating ghost city situated on the bank of a large natural lake in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh.

This abandoned place is one of the most important buildings and served as the capital of the Mughal Empire.

Hill Forts of Rajasthan

The 6 Hill Forts of Rajasthan include Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore Fort,Jaisalmer Fort,Gagron Fort and Amber Fort. These are World heritage sites based in the Aravalli Range.

These masterpieces fort and palaces are wonderful example of Rajputana architecture and also popular because of its rich culture, heritage and Monuments.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is one of the biggest landmarks and a historic railway station in India.

Mumbai CST is the largest train terminus in Mumbai and is one of the busiest railway stations in India.

Churches and Convents of Goa (Old Goa)

The churches and convents of Goa are a group of Catholic religious monuments with Portuguese style of art, located in Old Goa.

Religious monuments of Goa include Se Cathedral,Basilica of Bom Jesus, Chapel of Santa Catarina, Church of St. Francis of Assisi and Ruins of the Church of St Augustine.

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh)

Bhimbetka rock shelters in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains are series of natural rock shelters, natural cave paintings in the Raisen District.

The rock shelters and caves of Bhimbetka are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madhya Pradesh.

Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya (Bihar)

Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha and the most sacred site in Buddhism.

The Mahabodhi Vihar was declared as World heritage site in 2002, located about 96 km from ancient city of Patna, Bihar.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments (Madhya Pradesh)

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh and a group of Hindu and Jain temples.

The temples of Khajuraho are famous for nagara-style architectural and erotic sculptures. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is the largest temple in Khajuraho.

Buddhist Monuments, Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh)

Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the major Buddhist monuments of India and also the oldest stone structure of country.

The hemispherical brick structure of Sanchi along with monolithic pillars, palaces and temples are situated 45 km away from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.

Group of Monuments, Hampi (Karnataka)

The ruin city of Hampi was one of the richest and largest cities in the world and part of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Temples of Hampi along with several other monuments are the World Heritage Site and one of the most searched historical place in Karnataka.

Group of Monuments, Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu)

The monument complex of Mahabalipuram is a temple town situated along the shores on the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu.

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram includes largest open-air rock relief, several Cave Temples, Dharma Raja Rathas, rock paintings, Shore Temple and is known for its architectural outlook.

Great Living Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu

The Great Living Chola Temples were built by kings of the Chola Empire in south India. The site includes the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.

These marvelous temples have the best architecture, sculpture and painting, and are the greatest achievement of the Chola architects.

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (Gujarat)

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is a heritage site in Panchmahal district of Gujarat.

The park attractions include historic and living cultural heritage monuments, mosques, tombs and temples.

World Heritage Monuments of Champaner Pavagadh include eleven different types of buildings around the Pavagadh hill such as Kabutarkhana Pavilion, Jama Masjid, Lakulisa Temple, Kevada Masjid, Helical Stepwell and Sat Kaman.