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Top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
Written by February 15, 2024

Top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

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India has long been home to powerful kingdoms, great rulers, spiritual gurus and diverse cultures – each leaving behind stunning works of art, architecture and engineering as a legacy for future generations.

Ellora’s 34 Buddhist caves dating back to the 5th and 8th century CE, Hindu temples dating between 7th and 10th century, and Jain shrines from 9th and 11th century CE are architectural treasures to behold. This article covers the top 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites in India.

1. Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal, built of white marble by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, took 22 years to complete – featuring intricate stonework, garden designs, calligraphy, calligraphic inlaid gems and much more!

The site comprises a mosque, guesthouse and cloisters set amidst lush gardens – making it one of the most visited tourist spots in India. It is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the premier tourist spots.

Taj Mahal faces many risks, from pollution from nearby factories and mass tourism to increased pollution levels from tourists visiting it. To safeguard it from further threats, an area covering 10,400 sq km around it has been designated to safeguard it against pollutants.

2. Agra Fort

Agra Fort, situated 2.5 kilometers west of its more celebrated counterpart Taj Mahal, is an Agra Fort built from red sandstone by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 16th-century. Now recognized by UNESCO World Heritage, Agra Fort stands as an invaluable addition to India.

Akbar had Badalgarh rebuilt with red sandstone from Barauli, Dhaulpur district, Rajasthan over eight years. Some 4,000 builders worked daily on it to construct iconic structures such as Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Sheesh Mahal, Khas Mahal and Moti Masjid – renowned architectural marvels that house iconic structures that remain standing today.

3. Ajanta Caves

Ajanta Caves have had an enormous influence on Buddhist religious art. Excavated between the 2nd century BCE and 1st century AD, these caves fall into two categories: chaitya halls (chaityas) and viharas (monasteries).

Caves 9, 10, 19 and 26 at Ajanta are among the most significant of its 30 caves, boasting intricate paintings depicting scenes from Jataka tales that tell of Buddha’s previous lives.

These paintings from India’s Gupta period exhibit remarkable sophistication in depicting human and divine figures, along with refined composition that would influence later artists along the Silk Roads.

4. Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves are a stunning example of second-wave rock-cut architecture. Boasting over 34 Ellora Caves featuring Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples – including Kailasanatha in Cave 16 designed to look like Mount Kailash in the Himalayas with twice as much space than Parthenon at Athens – are truly impressive works.

The coexistence of structures from three religions at this site symbolizes India’s religious tolerance at that time. Jain caves featured some of the most intricate ornamentation; cave 6 held one of the most notable statues at the site: goddess Tara with her characteristic expression and peacock attribut. Artists likely worked simultaneously excavating rocks and carving interiors.

5. Maharashtra

Maharashtra is known for its vibrant culture, so it comes as no surprise that five World Heritage Sites exist here. From temples that resemble poetry written in stone to majestic forts that tell stories of military triumphant, Maharashtra provides plenty of historical sites that will keep history buffs thoroughly engaged.

Mumbai or Bombay as it’s often known is home to a World Heritage Site that seems frozen in time: Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus – once known as Victoria Terminus – stands as an impressive example of Victorian Gothic architecture while Kaziranga National Park, famed for being home to endangered one-horned rhinoceroses, boasts a wide array of fauna and flora as well.

6. Sun Temple

Temple to the Sun God in India’s architectural heritage stands as an outstanding testament. Situated near Puri on Odisha state’s coastline, it features 12 pairs of ornamented wheels on a gigantic chariot design conceived as its centerpiece.

Built during the 13th century CE, one of India’s best-known monuments and an extraordinary work of sculpture. According to textual evidence, Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty likely commissioned its construction.

Complex features also include a dance pavilion (natya mandapa) with a pidha deula roof and assembly hall for mass gatherings, as well as an iconic stone lion that is believed to have crushed King Narasimhadeva’s war elephants during battle.

7. Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri, an unassuming red-sandstone city located near Agra in northern India, served as the Mughal empire’s capital city for 10 years during early 16th century. Distinguished by combining Hindu designs with Islamic Mughal styles – most prominently visible throughout its structures such as Jama Masjid and Palace of Mariam-uz-Zamani (known as ‘Mary of the Age’), as well as Tomb of Salim Chishti – its architecture made Fatehpur Sikri famous.

The complex’s architectural design exhibits many key design principles, such as asymmetry, multiple axes, enclosure and changes in scale. A visit to the site also showcases grandiose monuments such as Buland Darwaza gate, 5-story Panch Mahal and carved Diwan-e-Khas hall – each which bear witness to these principles of design.

8. Uttar Pradesh Qutb Minar and its Monuments

Qutb Minar is one of India’s premier historical monuments. Crafted from red sandstone by Muslim conquerors in celebration of their victory against Rajput rulers, later used by muezzins calling people for prayer at Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque nearby.

The monument stands as an outstanding example of Indo-Islamic architecture, combining elements from both Islamic and Indian styles. With its fluted design, inscriptions, and tranquil surroundings it makes a must-visit site for history enthusiasts.

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