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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, Get Complete List Till 2025

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India are mentioned below. There are 44 UNESCO World Heritage sites in India as of 2025, including several kinds of natural, cultural, and combined assets. Famous sites like the Taj Mahal, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, and the newly added "Maratha Military Landscapes of India" which was inscribed in July 2025 are all on the list.
authorImageParul Rishi16 Oct, 2025
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India


UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India: 
India made history in 2025 when the Maratha Military Landscapes was selected as its 44th UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 47th World Heritage Committee (WHC) session. This honor recognizes India's rich architectural and cultural heritage, particularly the important hill forts constructed during the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. These landscapes are included to a prestigious list that also includes historic locations like as the Taj Mahal, the Sun Temple at Konark, and the Ajanta Caves.

The Moidams of the Ahom Dynasty of Assam were the 43rd location earlier in 2024. India currently ranks sixth in the world with 44 World Heritage Sites, demonstrating a fusion of natural beauty and cultural depth that reflects its historical significance on the global heritage map.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a location acknowledged by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was ratified by UNESCO in 1972. This designation signifies a place of significant cultural or natural importance that is safeguarded for the benefit of present and future generations.

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India is given in the below table. Candidates are advised to go through the list properly:-

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

S.No List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India 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 Champaner-Pavagadh 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 Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas 2023 Karnataka
43  Moidams – the Mound-Burial system of the Ahom Dynasty 2024  Assam
44  Maratha Military Landscapes of India  2025  Maharashtra

44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Details of 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India are as follows:
S.No. Site Description
1 Ajanta Caves Caves in Maharashtra with beautiful paintings and carvings made by ancient Indian artists.
2 Ellora Caves Temples and monasteries carved out of rocks in Maharashtra, showing different religions in ancient India.
3 Agra Fort A fort in Uttar Pradesh that shows the power of the Mughal Empire.
4 Taj Mahal A stunning monument in Uttar Pradesh built by a king for his wife, symbolizing their love.
5 Sun Temple A temple in Odisha famous for its unique architecture dedicated to the Sun God.
6 Mahabalipuram Monuments Structures in Tamil Nadu showcasing the talent of ancient architects.
7 Kaziranga National Park A wildlife sanctuary in Assam known for its rhinoceroses and tigers.
8 Keoladeo National Park A bird sanctuary in Rajasthan attracting many different kinds of birds.
9 Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Located in Assam, it's a safe place for animals like tigers and elephants.
10 Churches and Convents of Goa Buildings in Goa showing the influence of European architecture.
11 Monuments of Khajuraho Famous for its intricate sculptures and carvings depicting various aspects of life.
12 Monuments of Hampi Ruins in Karnataka displaying the grandeur of the Vijayanagar Empire.
13 Fatehpur Sikri A historical site in Uttar Pradesh showcasing Mughal architecture.
14 Elephanta Caves Located on an island in Maharashtra, these caves have impressive sculptures and temples.
15 Great Living Chola Temples Temples in Tamil Nadu known for their architecture and intricate carvings.
16 Pattadakal Monuments A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka featuring impressive temple architecture.
17 Sundarbans National Park A mangrove forest in West Bengal home to the Bengal tiger and saltwater crocodile.
18 Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers NP A beautiful national park in Uttarakhand known for its diverse flora and fauna.
19 Monuments of Buddha Showcasing ancient Indian architecture and history with palaces, temples, and monasteries.
20 Humayun’s Tomb A tomb in Delhi showcasing Mughal architecture.
21 Qutub Minar and its Monuments A complex in Delhi featuring impressive structures representing medieval India's architecture.
22 Mountain Railways of Darjeeling, Kalka Shimla & Nilgiri Scenic mountain railways in Darjeeling, Himachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
23 Mahabodhi Temple A sacred Buddhist site in Bihar believed to be where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
24 Bhimbetka Known for ancient rock paintings and Stone Age inscriptions in Madhya Pradesh.
25 Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus An architectural marvel and a railway station in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
26 Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park Ruins of an ancient city in Gujarat showcasing a blend of architectural styles.
27 Red Fort A Mughal fort in Delhi made of red sandstone.
28 Jantar Mantar An astronomical observatory in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
29 The Western Ghats A mountain range running along the western coast of India with rich biodiversity.
30 Hill Forts Historic forts in Rajasthan showcasing Rajput military architecture.
31 Rani Ki Vav An intricately designed stepwell in Gujarat.
32 Great Himalayan National Park A sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh home to diverse wildlife, including snow leopards.
33 Nalanda Ancient Buddhist learning center and monastery in Bihar.
34 Khangchendzonga National Park A national park in Sikkim with a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the snow leopard.
35 Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex) Architectural landmarks in Chandigarh designed by Le Corbusier.
36 The Historic City The walled city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, showcasing a blend of Hindu, Islamic, and Jain architecture.
37 Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles Buildings in Mumbai reflecting Victorian and Art Deco architectural styles.
38 The Pink City Jaipur, Rajasthan, known for its colorful buildings and rich cultural heritage.
39 Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple A temple in Telangana known for its unique architecture and intricate carvings.
40 Dholavira An archaeological site in Gujarat, one of the remnants of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
41 Santiniketan Founded by Debendranath Tagore as an ashram, it later became a university town for Visva-Bharati University. It's connected to the life and philosophy of his son, Rabindranath Tagore, a key figure in the Bengali Renaissance.
42 Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, and Keshava Temple in Somanathapura, built between the 12th and 14th centuries. They blend Dravidian and northern Indian architecture, built by Vaishnavism and Shaivism followers. Richly decorated with stone sculptures, they hold cultural and religious significance.
43 Moidams The Ahom dynasty's Moidams mound-burial system, which is situated in Charaideo, Assam, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024. Ahom kings, queens, and nobility were buried in these hallowed mounds, which were built between the 13th and 19th centuries.
44 Maratha Military Landscapes of India

The Maratha Empire's military architecture and strategic innovation from the 17th to the 19th centuries are on display at the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, a UNESCO World Heritage site made up of 12 forts located throughout Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

The oldest UNESCO World Heritage Site in India is the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram. It was designated as a UNESCO site in 1984 and have a collection of intricately carved temples and sculptures dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries CE. These monuments showcase the architectural and artistic brilliance of the Pallava dynasty.
Following Mahabalipuram, the next oldest World Heritage Site in India is the Agra Fort, which was recognized by UNESCO in 1983. This historic fortification, located in Uttar Pradesh, dates back to the 16th century and is an outstanding example of Mughal architecture.  Please note that while other ancient and historically significant sites exist in India, these two are among the earliest to be designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Recent UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Maratha Military Landscapes of India (2025): The Maratha Military Landscapes of India in Maharashtra were officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 11, 2025, during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee

Moidams (2024): "Moidams—the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty" in Assam were officially inscribed on July 26, 2024, during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi. 

Santiniketan (2023): Founded by Debendranath Tagore as an ashram, it later became a university town for Visva-Bharati University. It's connected to the life and philosophy of his son, Rabindranath Tagore, a key figure in the Bengali Renaissance.

Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (2023): Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, and Keshava Temple in Somanathapura, built between the 12th and 14th centuries. They blend Dravidian and northern Indian architecture, built by Vaishnavism and Shaivism followers. Richly decorated with stone sculptures, they hold cultural and religious significance.

Dholavira (2021): Dholavira, located in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, is one of the five largest Harappan sites in the Indian subcontinent. It provides significant archaeological evidence of the advanced urban planning and engineering skills of the Harappan civilization. The city's sophisticated water conservation system and well-organized urban layout are particularly noteworthy. Dholavira's unique features include large reservoirs, intricate channels, and well-defined divisions within the city.

Ramappa Temple (2021): The Ramappa Temple, also known as the Ramalingeswara Temple, stands as a testament to the architectural brilliance of the Kakatiya dynasty. Situated in the town of Palampet in Telangana, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. What sets it apart is its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative use of bricks, known as "Kakatiya Thoranam," which are so light that they reportedly float on water. The temple complex is adorned with intricate carvings depicting various scenes from Hindu mythology.

Other Related Links
Tiger Reserves in India National Parks in India
Biosphere Reserves in India Elephant Reserves in India

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India FAQs

How many World Heritage Sites are there in India in 2025?

There are 44 World Heritage Sites located in India, including 36 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, & 1 mixed-criteria site.

Which is the first world heritage site in India?

Agra Fort is the first world heritage site in India.

Which country has the highest World Heritage sites?

China and Italy have the highest number of World Heritage Sites

In 2022, how many UNESCO World Heritage sites were there be in India?

In 2022, India had 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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