India's World Heritage Sites | Famous Books for UPSC Exam (Summary & Tests) PDF Download

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Key points World Heritage Sites in India

Ajanta Caves

• The Ajanta Caves are renowned for their Buddhist Rock-cut Cave Monuments, featuring richly decorated paintings and frescoes similar to Sigiriya Paintings.

Ellora Caves

• The Ellora Caves consist of Jain and Hindu Temples and Monasteries, excavated out of hills in a magnificent rock-cut architectural style.

Agra Fort

• Agra Fort stands as one of the most prominent monumental structures of the Mughal empire.

Taj Mahal

• The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was built by King Shahjahan in memory of his third wife, Begum Mumtaz Mahal.

Sun Temple

• The Sun Temple is renowned for its traditional Kalinga Architecture style.

Mahabalipuram Monuments

• These monuments, belonging to the Pallava Dynasty, are famous for the Mahabalipuram Largest Open Air Rock Relief, Mandapas, and Chariot Temples.

Kaziranga National Park

• Kaziranga National Park is famous for housing approximately 2/3rd of the world's Great One-Horned Rhinoceroses, along with a high density of Tigers, Wild Water Buffalo, and Elephants. It is also recognized as an Important Bird Area.

Keoladeo National Park

• Keoladeo National Park is a popular man-made wetland bird sanctuary and a hotspot for ornithologists, especially known for hosting Siberian Cranes.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

• This sanctuary is famous for being a Project Tiger Reserve, Biosphere Reserve, and Elephant Reserve.

Churches and Convents of Goa

• Known as the "Rome of the Orient," the Churches and Convents of Goa feature the first Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque art forms in Asia, as well as witnessing the first Latin Rite Mass in the continent.

Monuments of Khajuraho

• The monuments of Khajuraho are a group of Jain and Hindu Temples located 175 km southeast of Jhansi, celebrated for their Nagara style symbolism and erotic figures and sculptures.

Monuments of Hampi

• The ruins of Hampi depict the fine Dravidian style of art and architecture and include the significant Virupaksha Temple.

Fatehpur Sikri

• Fatehpur Sikri comprises four main monuments: the Jama Masjid, the Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal or Jada Baai ka Mahal, and Diwan-e-Khas and Diwan-e-Aam.

Elephanta Caves

• Located on an island in the Arabian Sea, the Elephanta Caves are famous for their Buddhist and Hindu caves, featuring basal rock caves and Shiva temples.

Great Living Chola Temples

• These temples are renowned for their Chola Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Bronze Casting.

Pattadakal Monuments

• Pattadakal is famous for its Chalukya style of architecture, blending elements of Nagara and Dravidian styles.

Sundarbans National Park

• Sundarbans National Park is known as the largest estuarine mangrove forest and is home to Bengal Tigers and Salt-Water Crocodiles, among other wildlife.

Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Park

• This park is famous for its biodiversity, housing rare species like the Snow Leopard, Asiatic Black Bear, and Himalayan Monal.

Monuments of Buddha

• These monuments are popular for their monolithic pillars, palaces, monasteries, and temples showcasing Mauryan Architecture and the Ye Dharma Hetu inscriptions.

Humayun's Tomb

• Humayun's Tomb is a precursor to the Taj Mahal and displays exemplary Mughal architecture, consisting of a tomb, pavilion, water channels, and a bath.

Qutub Minar and its Monuments

• This ensemble includes Qutub Minar, Alai Darwaza, Alai Minar, Qubbat-ul-Islam Mosque, Tomb of Iltumish, and the Iron Pillar.

Mountain Railways of Darjeeling, Kalka Shimla & Nilgiri

• These mountain railways include the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and the Kalka-Shimla Railway.

Mahabodhi Temple

• An important Buddhist religious center, the Mahabodhi Temple is where Mahatma Buddha attained enlightenment, making Bodh Gaya a significant pilgrimage spot.

Bhimbetka

• Bhimbetka is famous for its rock paintings within natural rock shelters, stone age inscriptions, and being linked to the Mahabharata as the sitting place of Bhima.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

• This impressive railway terminus serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways and is renowned for its Gothic style architecture, as well as being associated with the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai.

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park

• This park houses the only complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city and contains ancient Chalcolithic Indian sites dating back to the Stone Age era.

Red Fort

• Red Fort is a striking monument showcasing a blend of Persian, Timuri, and Indian architectural styles, constructed using red sandstone. It includes the iconic Moti Masjid.

Jantar Mantar

• Famous for its architectural astronomical instruments, the Jantar Mantar was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II and is the largest observatory of its kind.

The Western Ghats

• The Western Ghats are recognized as one of the "Hottest Biodiversity Hotspots" in the world, encompassing numerous national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserve forests.

Hill Forts

• These six majestic forts in Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort, Amber Fort, and Jaisalmer Fort are famous for their unique Rajput military defense architecture.

Rani Ki Vav

• Rani Ki Vav is an exquisite example of ancient Indian architecture, constructed during the time of the Solanki dynasty.

Great Himalayan National Park

• Home to diverse fauna and flora, including rare species like the snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, and Himalayan tahr, this park is part of the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspots.

Nalanda

• Nalanda was a renowned center of learning and a Buddhist monastery from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE.

Khangchendzonga National Park

• This national park is famous for its rich flora and fauna, occasionally offering sightings of the elusive snow leopard.

Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex)

• Recognized as a World Heritage Site for its outstanding contribution to the Modern Movement.

The Historic City

• A walled city on the banks of Sabarmati, where communities following Hinduism, Islam, and Jainism have coexisted for centuries.

Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles

• A collection of 94 culturally significant buildings located in Mumbai's Fort Area.

The Pink City

• Jaipur, also known as the Pink City, is renowned for its magnificent forts, palaces, temples, and museums, as well as local handicrafts and trinkets.

Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple

• Located in Palampet Village, Telangana, the Ramappa Temple is known for its lightweight porous bricks called floating bricks.

Dholavira

• Dholavira is one of the most prominent sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, situated in the Kutch district of Gujarat, showcasing impressive architectural remains.