World Heritage Sites in India! State wise! Download PDF!
Discover all 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, categorized state-wise for easy reference. This list includes 35 cultural, 7 natural, and 1 mixed site, updated as per the latest UNESCO data. Whether you’re preparing for UPSC, SSC, Railways, or other competitive exams, or simply passionate about India’s rich heritage, this free downloadable PDF is a valuable resource. Download now and boost your knowledge effortlessly!
UNESCO Overview
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is responsible for designating World Heritage Sites — locations of cultural, natural, or mixed significance, considered to have Outstanding Universal Value.
UNESCO World Heritage Convention
The World Heritage Convention was established in 1972 to identify and preserve sites of global importance.
India became a signatory to the convention on 14 November 1977, marking its commitment to preserving global cultural and natural heritage.
Classification of Sites
Cultural Sites (35): Represent monuments, buildings, or sites with historical, aesthetic, or cultural significance (e.g., Taj Mahal, Hampi).
Natural Sites (7): Recognized for natural beauty or ecological importance (e.g., Western Ghats, Kaziranga National Park).
Mixed Site (1): A rare classification — Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim — recognized for both cultural and natural value.
India’s UNESCO Heritage Count
✅ Total Sites: 43
🏛️ Cultural: 35
🌿 Natural: 7
🔀 Mixed: 1 (Khangchendzonga National Park)
📝 Tentative List: India currently has 62 additional sites on the UNESCO Tentative List, which are being considered for future nomination.
- Italy: Leads the world with 60 World Heritage Sites.
- China: Comes in second with 59 sites.
- Germany: Holds the third position with 54 sites.
- France: Follows with 53 sites.
- Spain: Completes the top five with 50 sites.
- Other notable countries: India has 43 sites, Mexico and the United Kingdom both have 35, Russia has 32, and Iran has 28.
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World Heritage Sites in Assam:
- Kaziranga National Park
- 3. Charaideo- Moidams – the Mound-Burial system of the Ahom Dynasty
ASSAM- 1. Kaziranga park
🐘 Kaziranga National Park – Assam
Located in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, Assam.
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006 under Project Tiger.
Home to the largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses.
Also houses Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, and wild water buffalo.
ASSAM- 2. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
🐅 Manas Wildlife Sanctuary – Assam
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, along the Manas River.
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973.
Rich in biodiversity: Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephant, tiger, wild water buffalo, sloth bear, pygmy hog, Gee’s golden langur, and Bengal florican.
Once declared endangered due to heavy poaching and encroachment.
ASSAM- 3. Moidams
🏯 Charaideo Moidams – Assam
Represents the Mound-Burial system of the Ahom Dynasty.
Located in Charaideo, the first capital of the Ahom Kingdom (1228–1826).
Reflects the royal burial tradition of Ahom kings and nobles.
UNESCO World Heritage Site status granted in 2024.
Considered the “Pyramids of Assam” for their historical and architectural significance.
World Heritage Sites in Sikkim
Sikkim-4. Khangchendzonga
- UNESCO Status: Declared a World Heritage Site in 2016 (India’s first Mixed Heritage Site – both natural and cultural significance).
- The national park is located around Mount Khangchendzonga, the world’s third highest mountain.
World Heritage sites in Bihar:
- 5. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya
- 6. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar
5. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya:
- Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment
- UNESCO Status: Declared a World Heritage Site in 2002.
- The original temple was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
- Bodhi Tree, Vajrasana (Diamond Throne)-within the temple.
6. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar:
Bihar-6. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar
- UNESCO Status: Declared a World Heritage Site in 2016.
- One of the oldest universities in the world, founded in the 5th century CE.
- Chinese traveler Xuanzang (7th century CE) studied and documented life at Nalanda.
- Flourished under the Gupta Empire and later expanded by Harsha (7th century CE) and the Pala dynasty (8th–12th centuries CE).
World Heritage sites in West Bengal:
- West Bengal: 7. Sudarbans
- West Bengal 8. Santi Niketan (2023)
West Bengal: 7. Sudarbans
- UNESCO Status: Declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
- One of the largest tiger reserves under Project Tiger (1973).
- The national park covers the Indian part of the Sundarbans, the delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers
- Mangrove Forest-World Largest, hotspot & Bengal Tiger.
West Bengal 8. Santi Niketan (2023):
- Location – Situated in Birbhum district, West Bengal, India.
- Founded By – Originally established by Debendranath Tagore (father of Rabindranath Tagore) in 1863 as an ashram for meditation and learning.
- Developed By – Rabindranath Tagore, who expanded it into a center for education, arts, and culture, leading to the establishment of Visva-Bharati University in 1921.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site – Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, recognizing its unique educational philosophy and cultural significance.
- Vishwa Bharti University
Odisha 9. Sun Temple:
- one of the finest examples of Kalinga architecture
- the solar deity Surya:
- King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty built the Konark Sun Temple
- Portuguese sailors called it the “Black Pagoda”
- UNESCO Status: Declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.
Telangana-10. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana (2021)
- Main Deity – Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Ramalingeswara Swamy.
- Location – Situated in Palampet, Mulugu district, Telangana, about 66 km from Warangal.
- Built By – Constructed under the rule of Kakatiya ruler Kakati Ganapati Deva by Recharla Rudra, a general of the Kakatiya dynasty.
- (Ramappa) Temple
TN: 11. Great Living Chola Temples:
- temples built in the 11th and 12th centuries under the Chola dynasty.
- examples of Dravidian architecture of the Chola period.
- They are UNESCO World Heritage Sites (inscribed in 1987, expanded in 2004).
- Dedicated To: Lord Shiva.
1. Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur) -Built By: Raja Raja Chola I in 1010 CE.
2. Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple-Built By: Rajendra Chola I (son of Raja Raja Chola)
3. Airavatesvara Temple (Darasuram)-Built By: Raja Raja Chola II in 12th century CE.
TN: 12. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram:
- The monuments around the town of Mamallapuram were built in the 7th and 8th centuries, under the Pallava dynasty.
- here are different types of monuments: the rathas, which are chariot-shaped temples (Dharmaraja Ratha); the mandapas (rock-cut temples); rock reliefs, including the giant Descent of the Ganges; Shore Temple (pictured) and other temples and archaeological remains
- UNESCO Status: Declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.
Karnataka
- 13. Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
- 14. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
- 15. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (2023)
Karnataka : 13. Group of Monuments at Hampi:
- UNESCO Status: Declared a World Heritage Site in 1986.
- Capital of the Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1565 CE).
Karnataka : 14. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal:
- UNESCO Status: Declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
- Built during the 7th–8th centuries CE by the Chalukya dynasty.
- Badami Chalukya style -mix of both south and north.
Karnataka: 15. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas:
- inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.
- The three main temples in the ensemble:
Chennakeshava Temple (Belur)
Hoysaleswara Temple (Halebidu)
Keshava Temple (Somanathapura)
- The temples were built by the followers of Vaishnavism and Shaivism -Built during the Hoysala Dynasty (11th-14th century CE).
Maharastra:
- 16. Ajanta Caves (1983)
- 17. Ellora Caves (1983)
- 18. Elephanta Caves (1987)
- 19. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
Madhya Pradesh
GOA-24. Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
Uttar Pradesh
Watch our video for all the sites:
Download PDF of World Heritage sites in India:
Explore the rich cultural and natural heritage of India through a comprehensive PDF listing all UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the country. This downloadable resource provides detailed information about each site, including its location, historical significance, year of inscription, and category (Cultural, Natural, or Mixed). Whether you’re a student, traveler, or heritage enthusiast, this PDF serves as a valuable reference for understanding India’s contribution to the global heritage landscape.
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