Complete List of 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India for APSC

World Heritage Sites in India 2023 : 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Upcoming Assam Competitive Exams

The number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India has grown to 42 with the ‘Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala‘ finding a place in the coveted list on 18th September, Monday.

Santiniketan, the famed place in West Bengal where poet Rabindranath Tagore built Visva-Bharati over a century ago, earned the UNESCO tag on Sunday.

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

List of Latest UNESCO Sites in India 2023

In this article we have provided you most important list of latest UNESCO Sites in India 2023 for APSC. So, read these most important UNESCO Sites in India for the upcoming UPSC – APSC Prelims & Mains exam as well as other govt exams.

In order to succeed in the prestigious competitive examination, it is important that the aspirant has access to the latest updated 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Specially the toppers of UPSC/APSC recommend that aspirant start their preparation with the latest India GK topics such as World Heritage Sites in India for the upcoming exams.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India for APSC

If you are preparing for any Government Exam you can expect one or two questions from the most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, Creation Year. We have covered all the 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India for APSC in this article. Have a look at the Complete list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

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List of 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India 2023 Important

There are 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Till September 2023, India has 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites but now India has 42 world heritage properties overall, which includes 34 in the cultural category, 07 in the natural category and 01 mixed property.

Presently, India has the sixth largest number of (UNESCO) sites in the world. The countries that have 42 or more world heritage sites are Italy, Spain, Germany, China and France. 

Latest World Heritage Sites in India 2023

CULTURAL CATEGORY :: 34 nos

NATURAL CATEGORY :: 07 nos 

MIXED PROPERTY :: 01 nos

Well here is the complete list of 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India 2023 :: 

Natural World Heritage Sites in India

No.	Natural World Heritage Site	State	Year of Notification	Area (In Km2)
1	Kaziranga National Park	Assam	1985	429.96
2	Keoladeo Ghana National Park	Rajasthan	1985	28.73
3	Manas Wildlife Sanctuary	Assam	1985	391.00
4	Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers	Uttarakhand	1982 2005	630.00 87.50
5	Sunderbans National Park	West Bengal	1984	1,330.10
6	Western Ghats	Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala	2012	1,60,000.00
7	Great Himalayan National Park	Himachal Pradesh	2014	905.4

Cultural World Heritage Sites in India

S No.	Name of Cultural World Heritage Site	State	Year of Notification
1	Agra Fort	Uttar Pradesh	1983
2	Ajanta Caves	Maharashtra	1983
3	Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi	Madhya Pradesh	1989
4	Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park	Gujarat	2004
5	Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Formerly Victoria Terminus)	Maharashtra	2004
6	Churches and Convents of Goa	Goa	1986
7	Elephanta Caves	Maharashtra	1987
8	Ellora Caves	Maharashtra	1983
9	Fatehpur Sikri	Uttar Pradesh	1986
10	Great Living Chola Temples	Tamil Nadu	1987
11	Group of Monuments at Hampi	Karnataka	1986
12	Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram	Tamil Nadu	1984
13	Group of Monuments at Pattadakal	Karnataka	1987
14	Hill Forts of Rajasthan	Rajasthan (Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambhore, Amber Sub-Cluster, Jaisalmer, Gagron)	2013
15	Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi	Delhi	1993
16	Khajuraho Group of Monuments	Madhya Pradesh	1986
17	Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya	Bihar	2002
18	Mountain Railways of India	Tamil Nadu	1999
19	Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi	Delhi	1993
20	Rani-Ki-Van (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat	Gujarat	2014
21	Red Fort Complex	Delhi	2007
22	Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka	Madhya Pradesh	2003
23	Sun Temple, Konarak	Orissa	1984
24	Taj Mahal	Uttar Pradesh	1983
25	The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur	Rajasthan	2010
26.	Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) at Nalanda	Rajasthan Bihar	2016
27.	The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement	Chandigarh	2016
28.	Historic City of Ahmedabad	Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India	2017
29.	Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles	Mumbai, Maharashtra	2018
30.	The Walled City of Jaipur	Rajasthan	2019
31.	Dholavira	Gujarat	2021
32.	Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple	Telangana	2021

33. ‘Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala’ (constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries in Karnataka).

34. Santiniketan, the famed place in West Bengal where poet Rabindranath Tagore built Visva-Bharati.

Mixed Word Heritage Sites in India

S No.	Name of Mixed World Heritage Site	State	Year of Notification
1	Khangchendzonga National Park	Sikkim	2016

Criteria for UNESCO World Heritage Sites :

1. Human creative genius.

2. Interchange of values.

3. Testimony to cultural tradition.

4. Significance in human history.

5. Traditional human settlement.

6. Heritage associated with events of universal significance.

7. Natural phenomena or beauty.

8. Major stages of Earth’s history.

9. Significant ecological and biological processes.

10. The significant natural habitat for biodiversity.

Key points about UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India :

1. Ajanta Caves

Famous for Buddhist Rock-cut Cave Monuments. It is richly decorated with Paintings and Frescoes like Sigiriya Paintings.

2. Ellora Caves 

Jain and Hindu Temples and Monasteries. These caves were excavated out of Hills, and it is a rock-cut Architecture.

3. Agra Fort 

This is one of the most prominent monumental structures by the Mughal empire.

4. Taj Mahal 

This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. King Shahjahan had built this structure in the memory of his third wife Begum Mumtaz Mahal.

5. Sun Temple 

This temple is famous for the traditional style of Kalinga Architecture.

6. Mahabalipuram Monuments

This monument is famous for the Mahabalipuram Largest. Open Air Rock Relief, Mandapas, Chariot Temples, It is a Pallava Dynasty Architecture.

7. Kaziranga National Park

Famous for Worlds 2/3rd population of Great One-Horned Rhinoceroses. It has the highest density of Tigers in the World, Wild Water Buffalo, Elephants, Swamp Deer, and the park is also recognized as the Important Bird Area.

8. Keoladeo National Park

This National Park is popular for Man-Made Wetland Bird Sanctuary, Hotspot for Ornithologists, and Siberian Cranes.

9. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary is famous for Project Tiger Reserve, Biosphere Reserve and Elephant Reserve

10. Churches and Convents of Goa

It is famous for Rome of the Orient, First Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque Art Forms in Asia, First Latin Rite Mass in Asia.

11. Monuments of Khajuraho 

This monument is popular for a group of Jain and Hindu Temples. It is situated 175 km southeast of Jhansi. Well known for their Nagara style symbolism and erotic Figures and sculptures.

12. Monuments of Hampi

Prosperous kingdom of Vijayanagar. The ruins at Hampi depict the fine Dravidian style of art and architecture. The most important heritage monument in this site is the Virupaksha Temple.

13. Fatehpur Sikri

It structure constitutes of four main Monuments. The Jama Masjid, The Buland Darwaza,
Panch Mahal or Jada Baai ka Mahal, Diwane-Khas, and Diwan-eaam.

14. Elephanta Caves

It is popular for Buddhist and Hindu caves. It is situated on Island in the Arabian Sea. And has Basal Rock Caves, and Shiva Temples.

15. Great Living Chola Temples

This temple is popular for Chola Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Bronze Casting.

16. Pattadakal Monuments

It is popular for its Chalukya style of architecture that originated in Aihole and blended with the Nagara and Dravidian styles of architecture.

17. Sundarbans National Park

This National Park is popular as Biosphere Reserve, Largest Estuarine Mangrove Forest, Bengal Tiger, and Salt-Water Crocodile.

18. Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Park

It is famous for Snow Leopard, Asiatic Black Bear, Brown Bear, Blue Sheep, and Himalayan Monal, World Network of Biosphere.

19. Monuments of Buddha

It is popular for Monolithic Pillars, Palaces, Monasteries, Temples Mauryan Architecture, Ye Dharma Hetu Inscriptions.

20. Humayun’s Tomb

It is popular for the Precursors to the Taj Mahal and Mughal Architecture. It constitutes a Tomb, a Pavilion, any Water Channels, and A Bath

21. Qutub Minar and its Monuments

Includes Qutub Minar, Alai Darwaza, Alai Minar, Qubbat-ul-Islam Mosque, Tomb of Iltumish, and Iron Pillar.

22. Mountain Railways of Darjeeling, Kalka Shimla & Nilgiri

The mountain railways of India comprise of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri
Mountain Railway, and the Kalka-Shimla.

23. Mahabodhi Temple

An important religious center for the Buddhists as this was the place where Mahatma Buddha attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya is considered as the holiest pilgrimage spot for the Buddhists.

24. Bhimbetka

It is famous for Rock Paintings within Natural Rock Shelters, Stone Age Inscriptions, Sitting Place of Bhima (Mahabharata).

25. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

It is popular for central Railways Headquarters, Terror Attacks on Mumbai in 2008, Gothic Style Architecture.

26. Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park

This place is the only complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal city. The park also houses some of the ancient Chalcolithic Indian Sites, from the Stone Age era.

27. Red Fort

It is popular for Shahjahanabad, Persian, Timuri and Indian Architectural Styles, Red Sandstone Architecture, Moti Masjid.

28. Jantar Mantar

Famous for Architectural Astronomical Instruments, Maharaja Jai Singh II, Largest of its kind Observatory.

29. The Western Ghats

Famous for Among World’s Ten “Hottest Biodiversity Hotspots”. Includes many National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Reserve Forests.

30. Hill Forts

This place is famous for its unique Rajput Military Defense Architecture. It includes six majestic forts in Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort, Amber Fort, and Jaisalmer Fort.

31. Rani Ki Vav

It is an explicit example of fine Ancient Indian architecture which is constructed during
the time of the Solanki dynasty.

32. Great Himalayan National Park

It is home to about 375 fauna species and several floral species, including some very rare
species of plants and animals such as blue sheep, snow leopard, Himalayan brown
bear, Himalayan Tahr, musk deer spruces, horse chestnuts, and huge alpine meadows.
It is a part of the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspots.

33. Nalanda

A centre of learning and a Buddhist monastery from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE.

34. Khangchendzonga National Park

The national park is famous for its fauna and flora, with snow leopard being occasionally sighted.

35. Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex)

Recognized as a World Heritage Site as part of an outstanding contribution to the Modern Movement.

36. The Historic City

A walled city on the banks of Sabarmati where communities following Hinduism, Islam, and Jainism have co-existed for centuries.

37. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles

It is a collection of 94 buildings of great cultural importance, located in the Fort Area of Mumbai.

38.  The Pink City

Jaipur is home to many magnificent forts, palaces, temples, and museums and also filled to the brim with local handicrafts and trinkets.

39. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple

The Ramappa Temple is situated in Palampet Village, Telangana. The temple is estimated to be at least 800 to 900 years old. The temple is especially known for lightweight porous bricks which are known as floating bricks.

40. Dholavira

Dholavira is an architectural site situated in the Kutch district of Gujarat. It is one of the most prominent Indus Valley Civilisation sites.

41. Santiniketan

Santiniketan, the cultural and educational hub founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has earned a coveted spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This recognition marks a significant milestone for India and celebrates the enduring legacy of this unique institution located in Bengal’s Birbhum district.

42. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala

The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas consist of a collection of Hoysala temples constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries in Karnataka, primarily dedicated to Hindu deities like Shiva and Vishnu, with some also devoted to the Jain faith.

The complete list of 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India 2023 is an important General Knowledge topic for APSC Prelims & Mains exam. The question from this topic can be asked in the General Awareness section. Candidates preparing for any Government exam such as UPSC, State PCS, Railway, Banking, and SSC must learn the list given in this article.

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GK on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India :

1. Which city of India has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site recently?

Ans : Dholavira of Gujarat, the first site of ancient Indus Valley Civilization is the latest addition to the list from India, it was inscribed in July 2021

2. How many World Heritage Sites are there in India in 2022?

Ans : There are 40 World Heritage Sites located in India. These include 32 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and 1 mixed-criteria site.

3. What is the theme of World Heritage Day 2022?

Ans : Heritage and Climate

4. How many World Heritage Sites are there in the world 2022?

Ans : There are currently 1,154 sites on the World Heritage List.

5. Which state has highest Unesco World Heritage Sites in India?

Ans : Maharashtra

6. Who announced 18th April as the World Heritage Day?

Ans : The International Day for Monuments and Sites was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on 18 April 1982 and approved by the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983.

7. Which city is known as Heritage city of India?

Ans : Ahmedabad

8. Which continent has the most world heritage sites?

Ans : Europe and North America

9. Where is UNESCO headquarters?

Ans : Paris, France

10. Which is the cultural capital of India?

Ans : Kolkata

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