A site designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one that has been of exceptional value to humanity in terms of its physical or cultural significance. It is determined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to be of exceptional value to humanity in terms of its physical or cultural significance. The goal of UNESCO is to promote the preservation, recognition, and upkeep of natural and cultural heritage all over the world. The Convention regarding the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, ratified by UNESCO in 1972, serves as an illustration of this.
India is home to 40 World Heritage Sites. 32 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and 1 mixed-criteria site are among them. Agra, India is home to the Agra Fort, also referred to as “Laal. In 1983, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site. The Taj Mahal is located about 2.5 kilometres from the fort.
With a total of 55 sites, China and Italy have the most World Heritage Sites. Maharashtra currently has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which is the most of any Indian state or union territory. The locations include the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco structures of South Mumbai as well as the Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
Natural World Heritage Site | State |
Kaziranga National Park | Assam |
Keoladeo Ghana National Park | Rajasthan |
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary | Assam |
Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers | Uttarakhand |
Sundarbans National Park | West Bengal |
Western Ghats | Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala |
Great Himalayan National Park | Himachal Pradesh |
Cultural World Heritage Site | State |
Dholavira | Gujarat |
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple | Telangana |
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement | Chandigarh |
Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai | Maharashtra |
Historic City of Ahmedabad | Gujarat |
Jaipur City | Rajasthan |
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) | Bihar |
Rani-Ki-Van | Gujarat |
Hill Forts of Rajasthan | Rajasthan |
The Jantar Mantar | Rajasthan |
Red Fort Complex | Delhi |
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Gujarat |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Maharashtra |
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka | Madhya Pradesh |
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya | Bihar |
Mountain Railways of India | Tamil Nadu |
Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi | Delhi |
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi | Delhi |
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi | Madhya Pradesh |
Elephanta Caves | Maharashtra |
Great Living Chola Temples | Tamil Nadu |
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal | Karnataka |
Churches and Convents of Goa | Goa |
Fatehpur Sikri | Uttar Pradesh |
Group of Monuments at Hampi | Karnataka |
Khajuraho Group of Monuments | Madhya Pradesh |
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram | Tamil Nadu |
Sun Temple, Konarak | Orissa |
Agra Fort | Uttar Pradesh |
Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra |
Ellora Caves | Maharashtra |
Taj Mahal | Uttar Pradesh |
Mixed World Heritage Site | State |
Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim |