UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India

UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that is on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The programme catalogues, names, and conserves sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity.


As of April 2009, 878 sites are listed: 678 cultural, 174 natural, and 26 mixed properties, in 145 states. Italy is home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites to date with 43 sites inscribed to the list. India had 28 World Heritage Sites listed by UNESCO.

Agra Fort (1983)
Ajanta Caves (1983)
Ellora Caves (1983)
Taj Mahal (1983)
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
Sun Temple, Konarak (1984)
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
Kaziranga National Park (1985)
Keoladeo National Park (1985)
Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
Elephanta Caves (1987)
Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
Sundarbans National Park (1987)
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993)
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008)
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
Red Fort Complex (2007)

Agra Fort

Within a radius of 3 km, on the banks of the river Yamuna, rises the crescent-like Agra Fort. Designed and built by Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is surrounded by a 70 ft high wall. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces including the Jahangiri Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am and Moti Masjid.

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Agra Fort

The for ahs four gates and enclosed by a double barricaded wall of red sand stone. Many buildings were constructed within the fort of which very few remain till date. One of the most significant ones is the multi-storeyed Jahangiri Mahal built by Akbar for his wife Jodha Bai.

The Mahal is reached through an impressive gateway and its inner courtyard consists of beautiful halls, profuse carvings on one, exquisitely carved heavy brackets, piers and crass beams. Most of the panels in the eastern hall are decorated with the Persian styles stucco paintings in gold and blue it is believed that a century later, most of the structures were dismantled by Shajhan and were replaced with white marble pavilions covered with intricate inlay work. Of which the most prominent ones are-the Diwan-i-khas, the Muausam Burj and the Shaha Burj. Away from the waterfront he built the Moti Masjid and the Diwan-i-AM.

Tourist information

Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset, Entry fee for those above 12 years: Rs 5. Free entry on Fridays.

Ajanta Caves

It was as late in the 19th century that a party of British officers discovered the Ajanta caves on the banks of the Vaghora river, Maharashtra, that of long lay buried in the debris of time.

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Ajanta Caves

These 30 caves were built to offer seclusion to the Buddhist monks, who lived, taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Vihara which were the seat of learning and natural movement.

Ajanta offers a rich tapestry of images that speak of places, royalty, culture and tales of everyday life of ancient India. Many of the Ajanta caves hold panels that illustrate stories from the Jatakas. From numerous images of Buddha to nymphs and princesses and various other characters, the Ajanta engravings are an unmatched visual treat.

These caves are either chaitya halls (prayer halls), or viharas (places of residence for the monks). Cave 19 consists of a courtyard with one entrance to the cave in the form of a pillared portico. On the façade are numerous sculptures of the Buddha.

Cave 26 consists of splendid carvings of which the most impressive one is the seven meters long sculpture of the reclining Buddha-the Parinirvana, along the left side of the wall. Another magnificent marvel is the depiction from the life of the Buddha, depicting his victory over Mara or the ‘evil one’.

Tourist information

Open from 09 hours to 17 hours (except Mondays). Entry fee for those above 12 years: Rs 5. Free entry on Fridays.

Access

Locates in Maharashtra, 100 km from the city of Aurangabad, Aurangabad can be reached by flight or train or even be motored down to from Manmad. If one is adventurous enough, one can even take the road from Mumbai, via Nasik to Aurangabad.

Where to stay

Hotels are available to suit all budgets at Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Shirdi, Nasik, Dhule, Aurangabad, etc. The Maharashtra tourism development corporation holiday resort near Auranagabad railway station, the Ajanta travelers lodge at the caves and the Maharashtra tourism development corporation holiday resort at Fardpur (about 4 km from Ajanata ) provide clean and comfortable accommodation.

Suggested Viewing time : 2.5 hour on a guided tour.

Ellora Caves

Ellora is the finest example of cave temples with almost 34 caves with intricate interiors and ornamental facades. Carved during the 350 A.D and 700 A.D., the rock temples and monasteries represent three faiths-Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

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Ellora Caves

Cave 10 is a Chaitya-hall (prayer hall) and is popularly known as ’Viswakarma’ cave has figurines of river goddesses adorning its entrance. The Dumer Lena cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Among the viharas (residences of the monks), Cave 5 is the largest. The most impressive vihara is the three storeyed cave called `Tin-Tala`.

The Kailasa temple in cave 16 is a masterpiece in itself. The temple that took nearly 100 years to be completed, is decorates with themes and incidents from the puranas. Consisting of exquisite carvings, the cave temple is the most striking one amongst the other of one single rock, the temple looks like freestanding structural southern type temple.
The exterior of the temple is richly carved with niches, plasters, windows as well as images of deities, mithunas (erotic male and female figures) and other figures.

Most of the deities at the left of the entrance are Shaivaite (followers of Lord Shiva) while on the right hand side the deities are Vaishnavites (followers of Lord Vishnu).

The whole temple consists of a shrine with a linga at the rear of the hall with a Dravidian sihhara, a flat-roofed mandapa supported by sixteen pillars, a separate porch of Nandi surrounded by an open-court entered through a low gopura. There are two dhvajastambhas (pillars with the flagstaff) in the courtyard. The grand sculpture of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailsasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, with his full might is landmark in Indian art.

All the carvings are clone in more than one level. The lower storey consists of several large shrines while the gallery along the three sides at the rear contains huge sculpted panels. A two-storeyed gateway on the west side provides access to the main temple and the Nandi Mandapa, both on the same level, and is approximately seven metres high.

The lower storeys of the main temple as well as the Nandi shrine are solid and cannot be entered. Stone bridged carved from the living rock connect the Nandi pavilion and the entrance porch of the temple. The main temple has a southern style superstructure. The lower storey has almost life sized elephants carved as it they are holding up the temple.

The Jaina Caves (30 to 34) are massive, well-proportioned, decorated and mark the last phase of the activity at Ellora.

Tourist information

Open from sunrise to sunset (except Mondays), Entry fee for those above 12 years. Rs.5, Free entry on Fridays.

Best time to visit

The season extends all round the year. Although the best season to visit Ajanta & Ellora is from October to March.

Access

Is located 30 km from Aurangabad, which is well connected from Mumbai and Delhi via Manmad by rail. Aurangabad can also be reached by road from Mumbai, Pune, Nasik and Shirdi.

Where to stay

Hotels are available to suit all budgets at Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Shirdi, Nasik, Dhule, Aurangabad, etc.

The Maharashtra tourism development corporation holiday resort near Aurangabad railway station, the Ajanta travelers lodge at the caves and the Maharshatra tourism development corporation holiday resort at Fardpur (about 4km from Ajanta) provide clean and comfortable accommodation.

Suggested Viewing time : Half a day to visit all the caves. The main attraction is the Kailasanatha temple. Daulatabad fortress is on the way is worth visiting.

Taj Mahal

Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal. It is a sublime experience of the greatest love story ever told. Today, India’s most fascination and beautiful masterpiece, this perfectly symmetrical edifice is set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of the Yamuna.

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Taj Mahal


The Taj was built to enshrine the remains of Begum Mumtaz Mahal, the consort of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Built by the Persian architect Ustad Isa, the Taj has the verses of the Holy Quran inscribed on it, with the gate being crowned by 22 small domes.

Renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty, Taj counts among man’s proudest creations. The Taj has been constructed on 313 square feet marble platform that stands above sandstone. The entire portion is enclosed within a high boundary wall with broad octagonal pavilions at the corners.

The most elegant dome of the monument has a diameter of 60 feet that rises 80 feet over the building. Semi-precious stones are inlaid in to the marble in beautiful patterns and with superb craftsmanship in a process known as pietra dura. Within the dome lies the jewel-inlaid cenotaph of the queen.

The Taj in all its timeless beauty is still the inspiration of poets and painters, writers and photographers. The dome is made of white marble, but the tomb is set against the plain across the river and it is this background that works its magic of colors that, through their reflection, change the view of the Taj.

So perfect are proportions of the Taj, so exquisite its workmanship, that it has been described as having been designed by giants and finished by jewelers.

Tourist information

Open from sunrise to 19 hours. Entry fee for those above 12 years : Rs.15. Free entry on Fridays.

Best time to visit : From November to February.

Access : Agra is connected to Delhi by air. One can also use the Taj express or the Shatabdi to get there. One can even drive or bus it ( 204 km from Delhi).

Where to stay

Agra has a wide range of hotels and resthouses. The luxury hotels provide air conditioned accommodation. UPSTDC’s tourist complex, Taj Khema near the Taj Mahal offers accommodation in tents and deluxe rooms. There is a UPSTDC tourist Bungalow as well. Hotels and restaurants offer both Indian, Continental and Chinese food. Mughlai cuisine is Agra’s speciality. There is an ITDC restaurant near the Taj.

Places to visit : Itmad-us-daula’s Tomb, Chini-ka-rausa, Ram Bagh, Agra fort, Fatehpur Sikri (36 km, another a world heritage site).

Mamallapuram Group of monuments

Lying 58 km south of Chennai, this group of sanctuaries, founded by the pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. These monuments are specially known for their rathas (temples in the form of chariots), manadapas (cave sancturies) and giant open-air reliefs.
The famous Shore Temple, one of the oldest in South India, stands on the sea shore with its paved forecourts.

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Shore temple, Mamallapuram

Another wonder is Arjuna’s Penance, which is the world’s largest bas-relief. This 27 meter long as 8 meter high massive rock panel is titled after Arjuna, the hero of the Indian epic ‘Mahabharata’.

The ‘Decent of the Ganga’, which is another interpretation of the bas-relief, is a brilliant composition in stone. Myriad ornamental figures of celestial beings are known adorning the divine spectacle. Among the other exclusive frescoes are recreations of the Panchatantra tales.

The Mandapams (porticos) are grand specimens of art. Scooped out of soild rock from a hillside, each mandapam depicts exclusive carvings rich in detail. A serene pastoral scene at the Krishna mandapam shows Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan mountain, to protect his kinsfolk from the wrath of the Rain God Indra. The Varaha cave portrays the two avatars (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, a Varaha and Vamana. The Mahishasuramardini Cave which shows the Goddess Durga killing a demon and Lord Vishnu in his cosmic clumber are particularly remarkable. Yet another marvel of sculptural excellence are the Five Rathas, monolithic temples dedicated to Hindu Gods. They are also known as the Pancha Pandava Rathas.

Tourist Information

Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above 12 years : Rs.5, free entry on Fridays.

Best time to visit : December & January

Access : Nearest Airport is at Chennai (49 km). Rail links to Chennai, Kanchipuram and Arkonam. Road links to Chennai, Pondicherry and Bangalore. Can be reached by road through State Tourism buses or taxis.

Where to stay : Temple bay Ashok beach resort, Hotel Tamilnadu, Silver Sands, Ideal Beach Resort.

Places to visit : Rock cut caves, Arjuna’s Penance, Rathas & The shore temple.

Konark Sun Temple

The Sun temple of Konark, also known as Black Pagoda, is the crowning glory of the temple architecture of ancient Orissa. Built in A.D. 1250, during the reign of the Eastern Ganga king Narasimhadeva-I, centuries of myth and legend shroud its history. The design is the celestial chariot of the Sun God pulled by seven exquisitely carved ornamented horses, strained of twelve wheels on either side. The huge monolithic wheels represent time, unity, completeness, justice, perfection and movement and each wheel stands for a fortnight and each horse a day of the week. The walls of the temple contain superb carving of divine, semi divine, human and animal figures amidst floral and geometric ornamentations.

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Sun Temple

Although the main sanctum is in ruins, the 39 meter high audience hall, the dance hall and the ruined temple of Chhaya Devi are still there. Two horses and two monolithic elephants, exhibit the dynamism of the sculpture.

Tourist information

Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above 12 years Rs.5, free entry on Fridays.

Best time to visit : November to February

Access : It is well connected by all weather motorable roads to Puri, Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state. It is 65 km from Bhubaneswar, 35 km from Puri and 85 km from via Pipli. The nearest railheads from Konark are Bhubaneswar and Puri.

Where to stay : Konark offers various government approved accommodations at Panthanivas, travelers lodge, inspection bungalow, Yatri Nivas etc.

Places to visit : Karuna, Chaurasi, amachandi, Astranga, kakarapur, Pipli (a village famous for handicrafts - colourful canopies, beach umbrellas, hand bags etc).

Manas Reserve, Assam

The Manas river divides the lush, mixed deciduous forests that run through Indian to Bhutan. On both sides, the habitat is zealously protected as it house not less than 20 species of birds and animals that are highly endangered. Manas, 391 sq km in area, is also the primary habitat of the rare golden langur.

Tourist Information

Best time to visit : Nov to Mar

Prominent fauna : Golden Langur, wild buffalo, hispid hare, capped langur Indian one-horned rhinoceros, water buffalo gaur, hog deer, tiger

Access : By road: Nearest airport is Huwahai (186 km). Nearest town/railhead is Barpeta road (41 km).

Where to stay : Tourist lodge and forest bungalow

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra river, in Assam, Kaziranga is one of the last strongholds of the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros. With open country, covered mostly with elephant grass, Kaziranga gives the visitor a chance to see the fauna at fairly close quarters.

Tourist Information

Area: 430 sq km

Best time to visit : November to March

Access : Nearest town is Bokaghat (23Km) by Road , Nearest railhead-Mariani (115 km) and nearest airport is Jorhat (95 km).

Where to stay : Forest lodge, rest houses, forest bungalow.

Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur

The rich aquatic plant animal life in the shallow, fresh water marsh of Bharatpur has been attracting resident and migratory aquatic birds in thousands since times immemorial. There are over 353 species, belonging to 56 families. The Siberian cranes visit all other waters in India, except the marshes of Keoladeo.

For the number and variety of birds to be seen, Keoladeo is matches. Being a unique bird place, the UNESCO has recognizes it as a world heritage site. The park is now India’s best water-bird sanctuary. It is truly a paradise of feathered life which provides unlimited opportunities to the bird watches, wildlife photographers, landscape painters, writers on nature and researches.

Tourist Information

Area: 29 sq km

Best time to visit : October to February

Prominent fauna : Egrets, darters, cormorants, grey herons, stroks, pheasant tailed and bronze-winged jacanasm greylag geese, Siberian cranes during winter. Also nilgai, chital, sambar, black bucks, pythons.

Access : 3 km from Bharatppur city, Agra 55km, New Delhi 212 km. Connected by a good network of road and rail. Nearest airport is Agra.

Where to stay : ITDC Bharatpur forest lodge, forest guest house, Saras tourist bungalow