A UNESCO World Heritage Site is an area or landmark that is legally protected by an international convention administered by UNESCO. UNESCO designates World Heritage Sites based on their cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of significance. India is home to several incredible destinations that have been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some of these sites include the world-renowned Taj Mahal and the ancient Ellora caves, which hold great significance and represent India's rich history, artistic achievements, and architectural wonders. Each site offers a fascinating glimpse into India's glorious past and has its own unique story to tell. Exploring these sites is like taking a trip back in time and is an excellent way to appreciate the cultural diversity of the country. Here we highlight the top UNESCO World Heritage sites in India that you simply must visit.
The Taj Mahal in Agra is a majestic monument that is difficult to describe with mere adjectives and synonyms. It is grand, imposing, statuesque, and stunning, to name a few words that come to mind. The emperor Shah Jahan built this monument to immortalize his love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The monument, made of white makrana marble, is a perfectly symmetrical structure that has stood the test of time. It has rightfully held a place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 1983. Not many know that the Taj was ranked as the world's second most popular landmark, receiving an impressive 22 million Google searches between August 2022 and July 2023.
Getting There
The closest domestic and international airport to Agra is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. You can hire a cab, book a taxi or take a bus to Agra from here. The city is well connected by rail to rest of India. The nearest railway station is the Agra Cantonment junction and it is at an about 3.6 km distance from the city.
Did you know there are more than 10,000 sites around India where you can see ancient murals carved into rock chambers and cave walls? Much like ancient art galleries, they offer a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors. The Ellora and Ajanta Caves are popular tourist attractions in Maharashtra's Marathwada region. The Ellora Caves are renowned for their intricate rock-cut temples and monasteries representing Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. These caves have been around since the 6th to the 10th century CE, and they exhibit an impressive diversity in architecture and sculpture. The entire complex is awe-inspiring, but the Kailasa Temple is particularly magnificent and stands out as a prime example of rock-cut architecture in India. You can read more about it here. The Ajanta Caves are a testament to exquisite Buddhist art and sculptures. It houses 29 ancient rock-cut caves that date back to the 2nd century BCE, and it showcases intricate carvings and paintings depicting Buddha's life.
Getting There
Aurangabad airport is the closest airport to the sites. It is well-connected to the major cities of the country. Aurangabad Railway Station is the nearest railhead.
The Khajuraho group of temples is a testament to the outstanding temple art and architecture of northern India during the rule of the Chandela dynasty in the 10th and 11th centuries CE. These temples are spread over 6 square kilometers and include 23 structures, including one that is partially excavated. They are part of the western, eastern, and southern clusters of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments. These temples are remarkable examples that showcase the originality and extraordinary craftsmanship of Nagara-style temple architecture. Today, only about 20 temples remain, forming three distinct groups that represent both Hinduism and Jainism. Check here for our guide to visiting Khajuraho.
Getting There
Khajuraho Airport connects the town with major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Varanasi. From the airport, taxis and auto-rickshaws are available to reach the temples, located about 5 kilometers away. The nearest railway station is Khajuraho Railway Station, 5 kms away, connected to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
With its remarkable heritage and distinctive landscape, Hampi has captivated history enthusiasts and adventurers for decades. From the acclaimed Lotus Mahal, with influences from Indo-Islamic architecture to the Royal Gaj (elephant stables) and the Virupaksha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, this historically rich region of Karnataka has a wealth of treasures. Check here for our guide to the hidden gems of Hampi.
Getting There
The nearest airport is in Vijaynagar (38 km) and/or Hubli (143 km) from Hampi. The nearest train station is Hospet (13 km).
Gaya, situated in the historical state of Magadh (modern-day Bihar), is an ancient city mentioned in the Ramayana. It offers a perfect escape into peace and tranquillity. As a religious and pilgrimage site, it provides the relaxing shade of peepul and banyan trees alongside the banks of the Falgu River. The destination showcases the cultural richness of the major powers of ancient India, such as the Maurya, Gupta and Pala empires. This is where Gautama Buddha walked and preached and travellers like Fa-Hien visited. At a distance of about 9 km from Gaya is the Land of Enlightenment—Bodh Gaya. A site of Buddhist pilgrimage where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under a peepul tree, which still stands tall, Bodh Gaya offers a monastic escape to its travellers. The old Mahabodhi Temple, which was commissioned by King Asoka in 260 BC, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The place was renamed Bodh Gaya, and the tree (now claimed to be in its fourth or fifth generation) became known around the world as the Bodhi Tree. In fact, the full-moon day on which Shakyamuni attained enlightenment is now known as Buddha Purnima. Check here for our guide to Gaya.
Getting There
Bodh Gaya can be accessed through its international airport, which is served by airlines like Druk Air, Thai Airways, and Air India. Or you can opt to fly to Patna, which is 110 km away, and then take a train, bus, or taxi to reach Bodh Gaya. The nearest railway station is Gaya Junction, which is only 13 kilometers from Bodh Gaya.
Art Deco, short for the French Arts décoratifs, is an architectural and decorative arts movement that emerged in Europe and the United States during the 1920s and '30s. Mumbai boasts many beautiful buildings with this architectural style, dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries. The Art Deco edifices, with their cinemas and residential buildings, blend Indian design with Art Deco imagery, creating a unique style that has been described as Indo-Deco. The "Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai" is a UNESCO-inscribed World Heritage Site located in the heart of South Mumbai. The site is a collection of 92 buildings constructed in four distinct architectural styles - Victorian Gothic, Neoclassical, Indo-Saracenic and Art Deco. Out of these, 76 buildings are Art Deco in style. Spread over 66.34 hectares, the site includes well-known urban areas such as S. P. Mukherjee Chowk (Wellington Fountain), Oval Maidan (park) and Marine Drive (waterfront) within its core area. The cultural district of Kala Ghoda and Flora Fountain, a historic landmark, are also located along the periphery of this beautiful ensemble. Check here for a guide to the Art Deco buildings of Mumbai.
Incidentally, the Victorian-Gothic and Deco buildings of Mumbai are the third site in the Maximum City to receive the UNESCO tag, after the popular Elephanta Caves and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
Getting There
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport has excellent domestic and international flight connections. Mumbai is also well-connected to the rest of India by train, with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus being the most popular station in the city.
Chandigarh, also known as "The City Beautiful," is a modern and well-planned city located in North India. It was designed by the famous Swiss architect, Le Corbusier, who envisioned a city that would balance nature and modern urban living. Although Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier's works survive in 11 countries across four continents, UNESCO chose the sites in seven countries on three continents, which, according to them, "attest to the internationalisation of architectural practice across the entire planet," implemented over half a century.
One of the attractions in Chandigarh that no visitor misses out on is the Capitol Complex, an over 100-acre government compound that contains, among other things, the Palace of Assembly or Legislative Assembly, Secretariat, High Court, Open Hand Monument, Geometric Hill and Tower of Shadows. In 2016, when UNESCO decided to inscribe a selection of works by world-renowned architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, better known as Le Corbusier, as a testimonial to the invention of a new architectural language that made a break with the past, the Capitol Complex was part of the list.
Getting There
The airport is located around 11 km away from the downtown area. Taxis are readily available for transportation to and from the airport. Chandigarh is connected to New Delhi via railway, with Chandigarh Railway Station situated 8 km away from the city center in Sector 17.
The Hoysala temples of Karnataka are a magnificent testament to the architectural and artistic prowess of the Hoysala dynasty, which ruled over the Deccan region in Southern India from the 10th to the 14th century. These temples, known for their intricate and ornate style, are scattered across the modern-day state of Karnataka, with their most notable concentration in regions like Belur, Halebidu, and Somnathapura. What sets the Hoysala temples apart is their stunning architecture, characterised by intricate stone carvings and sculptures depicting mythological stories, deities, animals, and scenes from daily life. The temples typically follow a star-shaped plan known as "vimana," which features multiple shrines, intricate towers, and an open-pillared hall called "mandapa."
Getting There
To reach this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka, start by flying into cities like Bengaluru or Mysuru. From there, plan an itinerary covering Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathapura. Travel by road, renting a vehicle or using public transportation like buses to reach these temple towns. Belur and Halebidu are close, while Somanathapura requires a transfer from Mandya.
Santiniketan is an area that includes both a university called Viswa Bharati and an expanding township called Bolpur. It is located 212 km away from Kolkata. In 1901, Nobel laureate and poet Rabindranath Tagore founded a small school in Santiniketan based on the philosophy of back-to-nature education. The school was established in an ashram-style abode founded by his father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore. With time, the school grew into the university called Viswa Bharati. Check here for our guide to Santiniketan.
Getting There
The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, in Kolkata is the nearest airport. The Bolpur railway station is the nearest railhead, and connected to Kolkata by daily trains.
Stretching across the Gangetic delta, the Sunderbans is shared by India and Bangladesh. Located along the southern tip of West Bengal, the Indian Sundarbans region consists of 4,200 sq km of reserved forests along with 5,400 sq km of non-forest area. Of this, the Sundarban Tiger Reserve is spread over 2,585 sq km. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has also been tagged a Global Biosphere Reserve. Kolkata is the gateway to this waterworld. Check here for our guide to this incredible mangroves delta.
Getting There
Kolkata is the nearest airport and the gateway to the Sunderbans. There are several entry points to the forest. Canning town, the headquarters of the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (Project Tiger), can be reached by road and suburban rail from Kolkata. Besides, from Kolkata, one can also drive up to the boat jetties in Sonakhali, Dhamakhali and Godkhali for onward journeys by boat.
