UNESCO World Heritage sites in India (Full list 2024)

India / By / December 31, 2023

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates a site as “World Heritage” if it is considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. India is a country with a rich history. Presence of numerous World Heritage Sites in India is no surprise.

There are currently 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The following is a list showing all of them.

Full list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Group of Monuments at Hampi
Group of Monuments at Hampi

Cultural sites in India inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list

  1. Agra Fort (1983)
  2. Ajanta Caves (1983)
  3. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016)
  4. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
  5. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
  6. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
  7. Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
  8. Dholavira: a Harappan City (2021)
  9. Elephanta Caves (1987)
  10. Ellora Caves (1983)
  11. Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
  12. Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)
  13. Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
  14. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
  15. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
  16. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
  17. Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017)
  18. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)
  19. Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019)
  20. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana (2021)
  21. Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
  22. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
  23. Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008)
  24. Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
  25. Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)
  26. Red Fort Complex (2007)
  27. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
  28. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (2023)
  29. Santiniketan (2023)
  30. Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
  31. Taj Mahal (1983)
  32. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016)
  33. The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
  34. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)

Natural sites in India inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list

  1. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)
  2. Kaziranga National Park (1985)
  3. Keoladeo National Park (1985)
  4. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
  5. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)
  6. Sundarbans National Park (1987)
  7. Western Ghats (2012)

Mixed sites in India inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list

  1. Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)

(Also read: National parks in India – full list)

Indian sites added in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023

In 2023, two new sites were added –

  1. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
  2. Santiniketan

Indian sites added in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021

  1. Dholavira: a Harappan City
  2. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana

Indian sites added in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019

Jaipur City, Rajasthan was the sole addition in 2019.

What are the oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India?

Agra Fort, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, and Taj Mahal are the oldest additions from India. The four sites were added in 1983.

Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple
  • Telangana’s Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021.
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
  • The iconic Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Deodar forest in Great Himalayan National Park
Deodar forest in Great Himalayan National Park
  • Great Himalayan National Park, a natural heritage site in India.
Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, one of the Great Living Chola Temples
  • The Harappan city of Dholavira became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021.
Scroll to Top