Quick Facts
- First Sites (1983): Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and Taj Mahal.
- Latest Additions (2023-24): Moidams (Assam), Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (Karnataka) and Santiniketan (West Bengal).
- Only Mixed Site: Khangchendzonga National Park (Sikkim).
- State with Maximum Sites: Maharashtra.
1. Mixed World Heritage Site
Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)
Located in the heart of the Himalayan range in northern India (State of Sikkim), it includes a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers, and spectacular, snow-capped mountains covered with ancient forests, including the world’s third-highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga.
2. Natural World Heritage Sites (7 Sites)
Great Himalayan National Park (2014)
Characterized by high alpine peaks, alpine meadows, and riverine forests. It provides a habitat for the snow leopard and Himalayan brown bear.
Western Ghats (2012)
Older than the Himalayas, this mountain chain represents geomorphic features of immense importance with unique biophysical and ecological processes.
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)
Famous for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the home of rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear.
Sundarbans National Park (1987)
The world's largest mangrove forest reserve. It is famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Kaziranga National Park (1985)
Inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses.
Keoladeo National Park (1985)
Formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, it is a famous avifauna sanctuary that plays host to thousands of birds, especially during the winter season.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
A Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve, and a biosphere reserve. Famous for the roofed turtle, hispid hare, and golden langur.
3. Cultural World Heritage Sites (Select List)
Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty (2024)
The burial mounds of the Ahom kings and queens in Charaideo, Assam. It reflects the unique funerary traditions of the Ahom dynasty which ruled Assam for 600 years.
Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (2023)
Comprises three temples: Chennakeshava (Belur), Hoysaleswara (Halebidu), and Keshava (Somanathapura), known for their star-shaped plans and intricate stone carvings.
Santiniketan (2023)
Established by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, it represents a shift towards an open-air education system and a meeting point of global cultures.
Dholavira: A Harappan City (2021)
One of the most remarkable and well-preserved urban settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization, known for its sophisticated water management system.
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple (2021)
Famous for its floating bricks and intricate carvings. It is the only temple in India named after its sculptor, Ramappa.
Jaipur City (2019)
The "Pink City" founded by Sawai Jai Singh II, known for its grid-based town planning and Vedic architecture.
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)
A collection of 19th-century Victorian Neo-Gothic public buildings and 20th-century Art Deco buildings in Mumbai.
Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017)
The first city in India to be inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (2016)
Remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE.
Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) (2014)
Designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water. It is featured on the ₹100 currency note.
Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
Includes six majestic forts: Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer.
Jantar Mantar (2010)
An astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century, featuring the world's largest stone sundial.
Red Fort Complex (2007)
Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it represents the zenith of Mughal creativity.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (2004)
Formerly Victoria Terminus, it is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India.
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
Features prehistoric cave paintings that provide evidence of human life on the Indian subcontinent from the Stone Age.
Mahabodhi Temple Complex (2002)
One of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, specifically the place where he attained Enlightenment.
Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008)
Includes Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Kalka Shimla Railway.
Other Notable Cultural Sites
- Humayun’s Tomb (1993): Delhi. The first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent.
- Qutb Minar (1993): Delhi. Built in the early 13th century.
- Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989): Madhya Pradesh.Oldest Buddhist sanctuary.
- Elephanta Caves (1987): Maharashtra. Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Great Living Chola Temples (1987): Tamil Nadu. Built by kings of the Chola Empire (Brihadisvara, Gangaikondacholapuram, Airavatesvara).
- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987): Karnataka. Famous for Chalukya style of architecture.
- Churches and Convents of Goa (1986): Goa. Indicates the evangelization of Asia.
- Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986): Madhya Pradesh. Famous for Nagara-style architecture and erotic sculptures.
- Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986): Karnataka. Remnants of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- Fatehpur Sikri (1986): Uttar Pradesh. "City of Victory" built by Emperor Akbar.
- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984): Tamil Nadu. Pallava architecture, famous for Raths and Mandapas.
- Sun Temple, Konark (1984): Odisha. 13th-century temple designed as a colossal chariot of the Sun God.
- Agra Fort (1983): Uttar Pradesh. A 16th-century Mughal monument.
- Ajanta Caves (1983): Maharashtra. Masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
- Ellora Caves (1983): Maharashtra. A complex of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monasteries.
- Taj Mahal (1983): Uttar Pradesh. The jewel of Muslim art in India.