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