UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India is a list of World Heritage Sites located in India with “outstanding universal value”.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India signifies “cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity”.
This Topic ”UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India” covers UPSC Prelims – History, Art And Culture Section along with UPSC Mains – GS Paper 1: Indian Heritage Sites, Indian Architecture
UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Currently, there are 40 World Heritage Sites located in India. These include 32 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and 1 mixed-criteria site.
Natural World Heritage Site | State | Important Fact |
Kaziranga National Park(1985) | Assam | In the heart of Assam, this park is one of the last areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human presence. It is inhabited by the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds. |
Keoladeo Ghana National Park(1985) | Rajasthan | This former duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas is one of the major wintering areas for large numbers of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia. Some 364 species of birds, including the rare Siberian crane, have been recorded in the park. |
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary(1985) | Assam | On a gentle slope in the foothills of the Himalayas, where wooded hills give way to alluvial grasslands and tropical forests, the Manas sanctuary is home to a great variety of wildlife, including many endangered species, such as the tiger, pygmy hog, Indian rhinoceros and Indian elephant. |
Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers(1988,2005) | Uttarakhand | Nestled high in West Himalaya, India’s Valley of Flowers National Park is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear and blue sheep. |
Sundarbans National Park(1987) | West Bengal | The Sundarbans covers 10,000 km2 of land and water (more than half of it in India, the rest in Bangladesh) in the Ganges delta. It contains the world’s largest area of mangrove forests. A number of rare or endangered species live in the park, including tigers, aquatic mammals, birds and reptiles. |
Western Ghats(2012) | Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala | It has an exceptionally high level of biological diversity and endemism and is recognized as one of the world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity. The forests of the site include some of the best representatives of non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests anywhere and are home to at least 325 globally threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species. |
Great Himalayan National Park(2014) | Himachal Pradesh | Characterized by high alpine peaks, alpine meadows and riverine forests. The 90,540 ha property includes the upper mountain glacial and snow meltwater sources of several rivers, and the catchments of water supplies that are vital to millions of downstream users. |
Cultural World Heritage Site | State | Important Facts |
Dholavira(2021) | Gujarat |
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Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple(2021) | Telangana |
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The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement(2016) | Chandigarh |
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Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai(2018) | Maharashtra |
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Historic City of Ahmedabad(2017) | Gujarat |
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Jaipur City(2020) | Rajasthan |
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Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University)(2016) | Bihar |
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Rani-Ki-Vav(2014) | Gujarat |
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Hill Forts of Rajasthan(2013) | Rajasthan |
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The Jantar Mantar(2010) | Rajasthan |
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Red Fort Complex(2007) | Delhi |
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Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park(2004) | Gujarat |
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Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus(2004) | Maharashtra |
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Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka(2003) | Madhya Pradesh |
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Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya(2002) | Bihar |
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Mountain Railways of India(1999) | Tamil Nadu |
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Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi(1993) | Delhi |
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Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi(1993) | Delhi |
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Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi(1989) | Madhya Pradesh |
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Elephanta Caves(1987) | Maharashtra |
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Great Living Chola Temples(1987) | Tamil Nadu |
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Group of Monuments at Pattadakal(1987) | Karnataka |
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Churches and Convents of Goa(1986) | Goa |
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Fatehpur Sikri(1986) | Uttar Pradesh |
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Group of Monuments at Hampi(1986) | Karnataka | The austere, grandiose site of Hampi was the last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar. |
Khajuraho Group of Monuments(1986) | Madhya Pradesh |
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Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram(1984) | Tamil Nadu |
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Sun Temple, Konarak(1984) | Orissa |
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Agra Fort(1983) | Uttar Pradesh |
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Ajanta Caves(1983) | Maharashtra |
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Ellora Caves(1983) | Maharashtra |
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Taj Mahal(1983) | Uttar Pradesh |
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Khangchendzonga National Park:
Dholavira: A City of Harappan Civilization
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