UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India | Updated List 2025

India is the 7th largest country by land area and the most populous nation in the world. It is home to a highly diverse population, with hundreds of languages, communities, and traditions. The country’s geography ranges from the Himalayan mountains to coastal beaches, from dense forests to deserts, making it one of the most varied landscapes on Earth. There are many remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India that reflect the country’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Disclaimer

The information in this article is based on trusted sources, including the official UNESCO website, and is updated as of 2025. We have tried our best to give correct and complete details. However, the number of World Heritage Sites in India or their categories may change in the future. New sites may be added, and some information may be updated over time. For the most accurate and latest details, please check the official UNESCO website.

As of 2025, there are 43 UNESCO-listed sites in the country, including 35 cultural, 7 natural, and 1 mixed site. These places have global importance and highlight the diverse heritage of India. In this updated guide, we explore each site and understand why they are recognized by UNESCO.

UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is a global body that works to promote education, science, culture, and the protection of heritage.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that has special cultural, historical, scientific, or natural value. These sites are considered important for all of humanity, not just the country they belong to. They can include monuments, buildings, cities, forests, mountains, lakes, parks, or any location that is unique and worth preserving.

UNESCO gives this recognition to help protect these sites for future generations. Being listed often brings international attention, increases tourism, and helps with conservation efforts. The goal is to make sure these valuable places are maintained, respected, and not lost over time.

Benefits of Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Getting recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site brings many advantages, both for the site and for the country:

  1. Global Recognition: The site gains international importance and becomes known to people around the world. This helps spread awareness of its cultural or natural value.
  2. Tourism Boost: UNESCO status often attracts more tourists, both domestic and international. This can help local businesses and support the local economy.
  3. Funding and Support: The site may receive financial help, expert advice, and technical support from UNESCO and other international bodies for conservation and maintenance.
  4. Preservation and Protection: Being listed brings more attention to protecting the site. It encourages governments to take better care of it and create long-term plans for its safety.
  5. Educational Value: These sites are used as learning examples for schools, researchers, and tourists. They help educate people about history, architecture, nature, and heritage.
  6. Pride and Cultural Identity: It creates a sense of pride among local communities and strengthens their connection to cultural or natural history.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India - Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal: 7 - 8 million visitors annually

How a Site Becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India?

Not every historic or natural place gets added to the World Heritage list. There is a careful process to decide which sites deserve this global honour. Here’s how a place becomes one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:

  1. Nomination by the Indian Government: The Indian government first selects a site and sends a detailed proposal to UNESCO. This only happens if the site is already on India’s official Tentative List – a list of possible future World Heritage Sites.
  1. Expert Review: Once nominated, international experts review the site. UNESCO works with groups like ICOMOS (for cultural sites) and IUCN (for natural sites) to check the site’s importance and condition.
  1. Meeting UNESCO Criteria: To be chosen, a site must meet at least one of UNESCO’s ten criteria. These cover things like cultural value, natural beauty, historical importance, or uniqueness.
  1. Final Decision by UNESCO: After the evaluation, the World Heritage Committee meets to decide whether the site will be added to the list. If approved, it will become an official UNESCO World Heritage Site in India.
  1. Protection and Care: Even after being listed, the site must be protected. India has to take care of the site and send regular reports to UNESCO about its condition and any threats it might face.

How Many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India?

As of March 2025, there are 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. These are special places chosen by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) because they are valuable to all of humanity. Out of the 43 sites, 35 are cultural, 7 are natural, and 1 is a mix of both. These sites show India’s long history, deep traditions, and rich natural beauty.

India’s Global Position in World Heritage Sites

India ranks 6th in the world for having the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Countries like Italy, China, France, Germany, and Spain are ahead. Across the globe, UNESCO has listed over 1,200 such places.

These include ancient structures, unique landscapes, and places that are important both naturally and culturally. India adds new sites from time to time, showing its growing role in protecting global heritage.

Hampi
Stone Chariot Hampi, Karnataka

Types of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

  1. Cultural Sites (35)
    Cultural sites highlight India’s history, art, religion, and architecture. These include old cities, temples, forts, and monuments that show how people lived and believed in the past.
    Examples: Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), Sun Temple (Odisha)

The Royal Bengal tiger in Sundarbans
The Royal Bengal tiger in Sundarbans
  1. Natural Sites (7)
    Natural sites are known for their wildlife, forests, and landscapes. These areas are protected for their beauty and biodiversity.
    Examples: Kaziranga National Park (Assam), Sundarbans (West Bengal), Western Ghats (South India)
  2. Mixed Site (1)
    Mixed sites are special because they are important both culturally and naturally.
    Example: Khangchendzonga National Park (Sikkim) — This park has rare animals, high peaks, and spiritual value for local communities.

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Here is the detailed list of all 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, showing their type, location, state, and grouped by the year they were recognized.

No.Name of SiteLocation (City)State/UTYear Inscribed
1Agra FortAgraUttar Pradesh1983
2Ajanta CavesAurangabadMaharashtra1983
3Archaeological Site of Nalanda MahaviharaNalandaBihar2016
4Buddhist Monuments at SanchiSanchiMadhya Pradesh1989
5Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological ParkChampaner/PavagadhGujarat2004
6Chhatrapati Shivaji TerminusMumbaiMaharashtra2004
7Churches and Convents of GoaOld GoaGoa1986
8Dholavira: a Harappan CityDholaviraGujarat2021
9Elephanta CavesMumbaiMaharashtra1987
10Ellora CavesAurangabadMaharashtra1983
11Fatehpur SikriFatehpur SikriUttar Pradesh1986
12Great Living Chola TemplesThanjavurTamil Nadu1987, 2004
13Group of Monuments at HampiHampiKarnataka1986
14Group of Monuments at MahabalipuramMahabalipuramTamil Nadu1984
15Group of Monuments at PattadakalPattadakalKarnataka1987
16Hill Forts of RajasthanChittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaipur, etc.Rajasthan2013
17Historic City of AhmedabadAhmedabadGujarat2017
18Humayun's TombDelhiDelhi1993
19Jaipur CityJaipurRajasthan2019
20Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) TempleMuluguTelangana2021
21Khajuraho Group of MonumentsKhajurahoMadhya Pradesh1986
22Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh GayaBodh GayaBihar2002
23Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom DynastyCharaideoAssam2024
24Mountain Railways of IndiaDarjeeling, Ooty, Kalka-Shimla(West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh)1999, 2005, 2008
25Qutb Minar and its MonumentsDelhiDelhi1993
26Rani-ki-Vav (Queen’s Stepwell)PatanGujarat2014
27Red Fort ComplexDelhiDelhi2007
28Rock Shelters of BhimbetkaRaisenMadhya Pradesh2003
29Sacred Ensembles of the HoysalasBelur, Halebidu, SomanathapuraKarnataka2023
30SantiniketanBirbhumWest Bengal2023
31Sun TempleKonârakOdisha1984
32Taj MahalAgraUttar Pradesh1983
33The Architectural Work of Le CorbusierChandigarhChandigarh2016
34The Jantar MantarJaipurRajasthan2010
35Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of MumbaiMumbaiMaharashtra2018
36Great Himalayan National Park Conservation AreaKulluHimachal Pradesh2014
37Kaziranga National ParkGolaghat, NagaonAssam1985
38Keoladeo National ParkBharatpurRajasthan1985
39Manas Wildlife SanctuaryBaksa, ChirangAssam1985
40Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National ParksChamoli, PithoragarhUttarakhand1988, 2005
41Sundarbans National ParkSouth 24 ParganasWest Bengal1987
42Western GhatsMultiple LocationsMaharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu2012
43Khangchendzonga National ParkNorth SikkimSikkim2016

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India | Updated List 2025 - References

Additional Reading

For further reading on Trusted Facts on Travel, Health, Sports, Tech etc., consider the following:

  1. 10 Best Fruits for Weight Loss & How to Eat Them for Fast Results
  2. Top 10 Best-Selling Books of All Time in the World History
  3. Walking Palm Tree – The Amazing Tree in the Rainforests
  4. Future Inventions That Could Change the World Forever
  5. 8 Chiranjeevis in Hinduism – Immortals (Chiranjivi) and Their Significance

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top