The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value to cultural or natural heritage which have been nominated by countries which are signatories to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.^[1] Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty, are defined as natural heritage.^[2] India accepted the convention on 14 November 1977, making its sites eligible for inclusion on the list.^[3]

Fatehr Sikri

Agra

Kaziranga National Park

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

Sanchi

Bhimbetka

Khajuraho

Bodh Gaya

Delhi

Champaner-Pavagadh

Goa

Keoladeo

Ajanta Caves

Ellora Caves

Mumbai

Chola Temples

Mahabalipuram

Hampi

Nilgiri

Darjeeling Railway

Kalka–Shimla

Great Himalayan National Park

Pattadakal

Konark Sun Temple

Rani ki vav

Ahmadabad

Nanda Devi

Sundarbans

Khangchendzonga

Nalanda

Jaipur

Ramappa

Dholavira

Chandigarh

Santiniketan

Location of World Heritage Sites in India. Green dots indicate some of the sites in the Western Ghats (39 sites in total). Blue dots are the Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Yellow dots are the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas. Agra, Mumbai and Delhi each have three sites, Jaipur has two.

There are 42 World Heritage Sites in India. Out of these, 34 are cultural, seven are natural, and one, Khangchendzonga National Park, is of mixed type. India has the sixth-most sites worldwide. The first sites to be listed were the Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and Taj Mahal, all of which were inscribed in the 1983 session of the World Heritage Committee. The most recent sites listed were Santiniketan and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, in 2023.^[3] At different times, two sites were listed as endangered: the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was listed between 1992 and 2011 due to poaching and the activities of Bodo militias,^[4] and the monuments at Hampi were listed between 1999 and 2006 due to risks from increased traffic and new constructions in surroundings.^[5] One site is transnational: The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier is shared with six other countries.^[6] In addition, India has 57 sites on its tentative list.^[3]

UNESCO lists sites under ten criteria; each entry must meet at least one of the criteria. Criteria i through vi are cultural, and vii through x are natural.^[7]

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World Heritage Sites

Site	Image	Location (state)	Year listed	UNESCO data	Description
Ajanta Caves		Maharashtra	1983	242; i, ii, iii, vi (cultural)	The caves at Ajanta represent a collection of Buddhist art from two periods. The first monuments date to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE and were created by the followers of Theravada Buddhism. Further monuments were added in the 5th and 6th centuries CE, during the Vakataka dynasty, by the followers of Mahayana Buddhism. The monuments are masterpieces of Buddhist art and exerted strong artistic influence in India and the broader region, especially in Java.[8]
Ellora Caves		Maharashtra	1983	243; i, iii, vi (cultural)	The Ellora Caves comprise 34 temples and monasteries that were cut into a 2 km (1.2 mi) long basalt cliff between the 7th and 11th centuries. As they were built by followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, they illustrate the religious tolerance of the period when they were constructed. The largest temple is the Kailasa Temple (pictured), which is elaborately decorated with sculptures and paintings.[9]
Agra Fort		Uttar Pradesh	1983	251; iii (cultural)	Agra Fort is a 16th-century Mughal imperial fortress in Agra. It got its present layout under the Emperor Akbar. The complex contains several palaces (Jahangiri Mahal pictured), audience halls, and two mosques. Stylistically, it is one of the high points of Indo-Islamic architecture, with influences of Persian and Timurid architecture.[10][11]
Taj Mahal		Uttar Pradesh	1983	252; i (cultural)	The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Indo-Islamic architecture. It was built in Agra on the bank of the Yamuna river as a mausoleum of Mumtaz Mahal, the Persian wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, between 1631 and 1648. It was designed by Ustad Ahmad Lahori and built in white marble inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones. The tomb is surrounded by four free-standing minarets. The complex also includes the main gate, a mosque, a guesthouse, and surrounding gardens.[12]
Sun Temple, Konârak		Odisha	1984	246; i, iii, vi (cultural)	This Hindu temple was built in the 13th century and is one of the finest examples of Kalinga architecture. It represents the chariot of the solar deity Surya: on the outer sides, it has 24 wheels carved of stone and richly decorated, being pulled by six horses. Other decorative motifs include lions, musicians, dancers, and erotic scenes.[13]
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram		Tamil Nadu	1984	249; i, ii, iii, vi (cultural)	The monuments around the town of Mamallapuram were built in the 7th and 8th centuries, under the Pallava dynasty. There 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. The artistic expression of the monuments was influential in the broader region, including Cambodia, Vietnam, and Java.[14]
Kaziranga National Park		Assam	1985	337; ix, x (natural)	Kaziranga is located in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River. It is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the world, home to the world's largest population of the Indian rhinoceros (pictured), as well as tigers, Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, and the Ganges river dolphin. The wetlands are important for migratory bird species.[15]
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary		Assam	1985	338; vii, ix, x (natural)	The sanctuary along the Manas River covers grasslands on floodplains and forests, both in lowlands and in hills. The area is a biodiversity hotspot and home to several endangered species, including the Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephant (pictured), wild water buffalo, tiger, sloth bear, pygmy hog, Gee's golden langur, and Bengal florican. The forests are constantly being renewed after floods and changes in the river courses. Between 1992 and 2011, the site was listed as endangered due to poaching and the activities of Bodo militias.[16][4]
Keoladeo National Park		Rajasthan	1985	340; x (natural)	Initially a duck-hunting reserve for Maharajas, Keoladeo is a man-made and man-maintained wetland. It is important both for migratory and resident birds, especially waterbirds. Over 350 species of birds have been recorded, including 15 species of herons, the Siberian crane, and the greater spotted eagle. Pictured here is a group of bar-headed geese and demoiselle cranes flying together in the park. The park is also protected under the Ramsar Convention.[17]
Churches and Convents of Goa		Goa	1986	234; ii, iv, vi (cultural)	Old Goa was the capital of Portuguese India, a colony that lasted for 450 years until 1961. The site comprises seven churches and convents that were built in the 16th and 17th centuries in the Gothic, Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque styles, but which were also adapted to suit local techniques and resources. They spread architectural influences to Asian countries where Catholic missions were established. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, where Saint Francis Xavier is buried, is pictured.[18]
Khajuraho Group of Monuments		Madhya Pradesh	1986	240; i, iii (cultural)	This site comprises 23 temples, both Hindu and Jain, that were built in the 10th and 11th centuries, during the Chandela dynasty. The temples are built in the Nagara style. They are richly decorated with stone carvings and sculptures that depict sacred and secular motifs, including depictions of domestic life, musicians, dancers, and amorous couples. A detail from the Lakshmana Temple is pictured.[19]
Group of Monuments at Hampi		Karnataka	1986	241bis; i, iii, iv (cultural)	Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire until its abandonment after its sacking and pillaging by the Deccan sultanates in 1565. For about 200 years, it was a prosperous multi-cultural city that left several monuments in the Dravidian style as well as the Indo-Islamic style. The remains include religious and secular buildings and defensive structures. The Vitthala Temple is pictured. A minor boundary modification of the site took place in 2012. Between 1999 and 2006, the site was listed as endangered due to risks posed by increased traffic and new constructions.[20][5]
Fatehpur Sikri		Uttar Pradesh	1986	255; ii, iii, iv (cultural)	For about a decade in the second half of the 16th century, Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Akbar, until the capital was moved to Lahore in 1585 and the city was mostly abandoned. The site comprises a large collection of monuments and temples in the Mughal style, such as the Jama Masjid (the gate to the mosque, the Buland Darwaza, pictured), the Panch Mahal palace, and the Tomb of Salim Chishti.[21]
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal		Karnataka	1987	239rev; iii, iv (cultural)	This site comprises nine Hindu temples and one Jain temple that were built in the 7th and 8th centuries under the Chalukya dynasty. They were constructed in the Badami Chalukya style that blends influences from northern and southern India. The Temple of Virupaksha is pictured.[22]
Elephanta Caves		Maharashtra	1987	244rev; i, iii (cultural)	The cave complex, located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai Harbour, was constructed mainly in the 5th and 6th centuries, with remains of human occupation dating back to the 2nd century BCE. The temples are dedicated to Shiva. The caves are decorated with stone carvings, some of them colossal. A statue of Trimurti Shiva, flanked by the dvarapalas, is pictured.[23]
Great Living Chola Temples		Tamil Nadu	1987	250bis; ii, iii (cultural)	This site comprises three Hindu temples built in the 11th and 12th centuries under the Chola dynasty. They represent some of the best examples of Dravidian architecture of the Chola period. They are made of stone and decorated with stone and bronze sculptures. Initially, only the Brihadisvara Temple (pictured) was listed as a World Heritage Site; two other temples, the Brihadisvara Temple and the Airavatesvara Temple were added in 2004, after which the site was renamed to its current name.[24][25]
Sundarbans National Park		West Bengal	1987	452; ix, x (natural)	The national park covers the Indian part of the Sundarbans, the delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. It is the world's largest and richest mangrove forest, with about 78 recorded mangrove species. It is a biodiversity hotspot, home to a large population of Bengal tigers (one pictured), as well as an important habitat for the Irrawaddy dolphin and Ganges river dolphin, several species of birds and sea turtles. In Bangladesh, the Sundarbans is listed as a separate World Heritage Site.[26][27]
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks		Uttarakhand	1988	335bis; viii, x (natural)	This site comprises two areas in the West Himalayas, the Valley of Flowers National Park (pictured) and the Nanda Devi National Park. There are different types of high-altitude habitats, from high mountain peaks (Nanda Devi at 7,817 m (25,646 ft) is India's second-highest mountain) to alpine meadows. In addition to numerous mountain plant species, the area is home to the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear, and bharal. Nanda Devi NP was originally listed alone in 1988; the Valley of Flowers NP was added in 2005.[28][29]
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi		Madhya Pradesh	1989	524; i, ii, iii, iv, vi (cultural)	Sanchi is one of the oldest extant Buddhist sanctuaries and was instrumental in the spread of the religion through the Indian subcontinent. It became important under Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Empire in the 3rd century BCE. The remains of a pillar from the period are preserved. Stupas (Stupa 1 pictured), palaces, temples, and monasteries are preserved in different states of conservation, mostly dating to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE. The city declined in importance in the 12th century.[30]
Humayun's Tomb, Delhi		Delhi	1993	232bis; ii, iv (cultural)	The tomb of the Mughal emperor Humayun was constructed in the 1560s and represents the first example of a garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent, introducing the elements of Persian gardens. The monumental double-domed mausoleum represents a leap in Mughal architecture and is an architectural predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The complex includes several smaller tombs from the period. A minor boundary modification took place in 2016.[31]
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi		Delhi	1993	233; iv (cultural)	The complex comprises several early Islamic India monuments from the 13th and 14th centuries when the Delhi Sultanate established power there. They include the Qutb Minar, a 72.5 m (238 ft)-high minaret (pictured), the Alai Darwaza gateway, the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque where several stone pillars from previous Hindu temples were repurposed, the Iron pillar, and several tombs and other monuments.[32]
Mountain Railways of India		West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh	1999	944ter; ii, iv (cultural)	This site comprises three mountain railways built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to provide access to towns in the highlands. They represent a technology transfer in a colonial setting; the construction involved building bridges and tunnels to cross difficult terrains. The railways supported further human settlement of the areas they linked to and are still fully operational. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was initially listed alone in 1999. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was added in 2005, and the Kalka–Shimla railway (pictured) in 2008.[33]
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya		Bihar	2002	1056rev; i, ii, iii, iv, vi (cultural)	The Buddhist temple complex marks the site where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. The present temple dates to the 5th and 6th centuries CE (during the Gupta period) and was built upon a previous structure commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. The temple is 50 m (160 ft) high and made of brick. It had a substantial influence on the development of architecture in the following centuries. After centuries of abandonment and neglect, the temple was extensively restored in the 19th century.[34]
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka		Madhya Pradesh	2003	925; iii, v (cultural)	This site comprises five clusters of rock shelters in the foothills of the Vindhya Range. They contain rock paintings from the hunter-gatherer societies of the Mesolithic to the historical period. The nearby villages still maintain some cultural practices similar to those depicted in the paintings.[35]
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)		Maharashtra	2004	945rev; ii, iv (cultural)	The historic terminal train station in Mumbai was built in the late 19th century. It was designed by Frederick William Stevens in the Victorian Gothic style, drawing influences from Italian Gothic architecture and combining them with influences from Indian traditional buildings. It symbolized the wealth of Mumbai as a major commercial port within the British Commonwealth.[36]
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park		Gujarat	2004	1101; ii, iv, v, vi (cultural)	The site contains remains from several periods, from the Chalcolithic to the remains of Champaner, a short-lived capital of the Gujarat Sultanate in the 16th century. Important buildings include the Hindu temple Kalika Mata, Jain temples, and Jama Mosque (pictured) which features both Hindu and Muslim architectural elements, and the remains of water-managing systems, fortifications, and 14th-century temples.[37]
Red Fort Complex		Delhi	2007	231rev; ii, iii, vi (cultural)	The Red Fort was built under Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the mid-17th century. It represents the zenith of Mughal architecture, blending the elements of Indo-Persian culture with Timurid elements. Its architecture had a strong influence on later palaces and gardens in the region. The Red Fort was also the setting of historical events; it was sacked and partially repurposed by the British, and it was the site where the independence of India was first celebrated. The Delhi Gate is pictured.[38]
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur		Rajasthan	2010	1338; iii, vi (cultural)	The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is India's most significant historic astronomical observatory. It dates from the early 18th century and was built by Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh. There are about 20 astronomical instruments that were designed and built for naked eye observations of the positions of stars and planets. It also served as a meeting point for different scientific cultures.[39]
Western Ghats		Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu	2012	1342rev; ix, x (natural)	The Western Ghats is a mountain range that runs along the western coast of the Indian subcontinent. It is covered with montane forests. The area is a biodiversity hotspot and home to endangered species such as the Bengal tiger, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, and Nilgiri langur. In terms of evolutionary history, the area is important given the breakup of Gondwana in the early Jurassic period, after which India was an isolated landmass until its collision with the Eurasian Plate. The World Heritage Site comprises 39 individual properties.[40]
Hill Forts of Rajasthan		Rajasthan	2013	247rev; ii, iii (cultural)	This site comprises six forts: the Chittor Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort, Amber Fort (pictured), and Jaisalmer Fort, which were constructed between the 8th and 18th centuries by Rajput kingdoms. They are eclectic in style, with elements of Sultanate and Mughal architecture, and were influential on the later styles of the Maratha Empire. They are situated in different settings; for example, Ranthambore is in a forest, and Jaisalmer is in a desert.[41]
Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen's Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat		Gujarat	2014	922; i, iv (cultural)	Rani-ki-Vav is one of the finest examples of a stepwell, an elaborate type of well where groundwater is accessed through several levels of stairs. It was constructed in the 11th century, during the Chaulukya dynasty, on the banks of the Saraswati River in the city of Patan. It has seven levels, each decorated with stone carvings and sculptures depicting religious and secular themes and literary works. After the change in the river course in the 13th century, it was no longer in use and got covered with silt, which allowed for its preservation.[42]
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area		Himachal Pradesh	2014	1406rev; x (natural)	The national park covers habitats from alpine peaks of the Himalayas above 6,000 m (20,000 ft) to alpine meadows and riverine forests below 2,000 m (6,600 ft). In total, there are 25 types of forests recorded, and they have rich floral and faunal assemblies, including numerous species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. It is home to endangered species such as the western tragopan and musk deer.[43]
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar		Bihar	2016	1502; iv, vi (cultural)	Nalanda Mahavihara was a Buddhist ancient higher-learning institution established in the 5th century and lasting until its sacking in the 13th century. However, some archaeological remains also date back to the 3rd century BCE. The remains include shrines and stupas, viharas (residential and educational buildings), and artworks in different materials. Both the architectural solutions and educational approaches were influential in other similar institutions in the broader region.[44]
Khangchendzonga National Park		Sikkim	2016	1513; iii, vi, vii, x (mixed)	The national park is located around Mount Khangchendzonga, the world's third highest mountain (8,586 m (28,169 ft)). It is a sacred mountain in Tibetan Buddhism, where the area is considered a beyul, a sacred hidden land. It is home to ethnically very diverse Sikkimese communities. From the natural perspective, the area comprises various habitats, from high mountains with glaciers to old-growth forests, and is rich in animal and plant species.[45]
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement*		Chandigarh	2016	1321rev; i, ii, vi (cultural)	This transnational site (shared with Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Japan) encompasses 17 works of Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. Le Corbusier was an important representative of the 20th-century Modernist movement, which introduced new architectural techniques to meet the needs of the changing society. The Chandigarh Capitol Complex is listed in India. It is the central part of the city of Chandigarh and is designed in line with the principles of a radiant city. The Palace of Assembly is pictured.[6]
Historic City of Ahmadabad		Gujarat	2017	1551; ii, v (cultural)	The city of Ahmedabad was founded by Ahmad Shah I in 1411 to serve as the capital of the Gujarat Sultanate. It was the meeting place of many religions (Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Judaism), which resulted in a unique urban fabric. The architecture is based on timber, and the typical neighbourhoods are called pols, densely packed traditional houses with gated streets. Important buildings from the Sultanate period include the Bhadra Fort city walls, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque (pictured) and numerous mosques, tombs, and shrines.[46]
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai		Maharashtra	2018	1480; ii, iv (cultural)	This site comprises two assemblies of buildings in Mumbai from the British Empire era. Public buildings in the Victorian Gothic style from the second half of the 19th century adapted Gothic Revival elements for the Indian climate, introducing features such as balconies and verandas. The Bombay High Court building is pictured. The Art Deco buildings date to the early 20th century and include cinema halls and apartment buildings. See also Art Deco in Mumbai.[47]
Jaipur City, Rajasthan		Rajasthan	2019	1605; ii, iv, vi (cultural)	Jaipur was founded by the Rajput ruler Jai Singh II in 1727. The city was built with a grid plan, inspired by ancient Hindu and Western ideals, in a departure from the medieval architecture of the region. It was a strong trade centre and home to craftsmen and artists. Important buildings and sites include the Hawa Mahal palace (pictured), Govind Dev Ji Temple, City Palace, and Jantar Mantar, which is listed as a separate World Heritage Site.[48]
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana		Telangana	2021	1570; i, iii (cultural)	The Hindu temple, dedicated to Shiva, was constructed in the first half of the 13th century under the Kakatiya dynasty. It is decorated with stone carvings and sculptures in granite and dolerite that depict regional dance customs. In line with Hindu practices, the temple is constructed in a way that blends harmonically with the environment.[49]
Dholavira: a Harappan City		Gujarat	2021	1645; iii, iv (cultural)	Dholavira was one of the centres of the Harappan Civilisation from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE, in the Bronze Age. The remains include a walled city and a cemetery, and there are remains of buildings and water management systems. The city's location was chosen because of nearby sources of precious minerals. The city had trade connections with other cities in the region and as far as Mesopotamia. The site was rediscovered in 1968.[50]
Santiniketan		West Bengal	2023	1375; iv, vi (cultural)	Santiniketan was founded as an ashram by Debendranath Tagore in the second half of the 19th century and then developed into a university town for Visva-Bharati University. It is connected to the life and philosophy of Debendranath's son Rabindranath Tagore, the leading figure of the Bengali Renaissance. The prayer hall is pictured.[51][52]
Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas		Karnataka	2023	1670; i, ii, iv (cultural)	Three Hoysala temples - the Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu and the Keshava temple (pictured) in Somanathapura, dating between the 12th and 14th centuries. Hoysala architecture combined the elements of Dravidian architecture with influences from northern India. The temples were built by the followers of Vaishnavism and Shaivism and they are richly decorated with stone sculptures and carvings. The Chennakeshava Temple in Belur is still an important pilgrimage site.[53][54]

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In addition to sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, member states can maintain a list of tentative sites that they may consider for nomination. Nominations for the World Heritage List are only accepted if the site was previously listed on the tentative list.^[55] India lists 57 properties on its tentative list.^[3]

• List of Intangible Cultural Heritage elements in India
• National Geological Monuments of India
• Monuments of National Importance of India
• List of rock-cut temples in India
• List of forts in India
• List of museums in India
• Tourism in India