40 unesco world heritage sites in india

Join Cultural Samvaad’s WhatsApp Community India that is Bharat boasts of unfathomable tangible and intangible cultural heritage and natural heritage. Her stunning landscapes, infinite biodiversity and unending coastlines have nurtured the oldest continuous civilisation on earth. The kaleidoscope of monuments, sculptures and paintings that dot her land stand as testimony to the grand vision and unrelenting enterprise of her sons and daughters for millennia. Till date, 40 of India’s cultural, natural and mixed sites have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List. Of these 40 sites, 32 are cultural sites, 7 are natural sites and 1 is a mixed site. This is Cultural Samvaad’s attempt at presenting a bird’s eye view of the 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. We hope that both students and lay people find it useful. Ajanta Caves 30+ Buddhist chaityas and viharas excavated between the 2 nd century BCE and 6 th century CE, these masterpieces of rock-cut architecture house unparalleled, breath-taking paintings and sculptures. Ajanta Caves were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983 and are situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. E llora Caves A unique ensemble of 34 rock-cut caves extending over 2 kms and excavated between the 5 th and 12 th centuries CE, the Ellora sanctuary houses exquisite temples and monasteries dedicated to the three ancient Indic faiths – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The structures at the site include the breath-t...

Agra Fort: In the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, the Red Fort has been a historical palace that remained the primary residence of the Mughal emperors until 1638. Afterwards, they shifted their capital from Agra to Delhi. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. It is nearly 2.5 kilometre northwest of the famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. This powerful fortress is enclosed inside 2.5 kilometres long walls, which makes it the imperial city of the rulers. It has several palaces inside the fort such as Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal and audience halls such as Diwan-i-Khas with two alluring mosques. (Photo credit: UNESCO) Ajanta Caves: First Buddhist cave at Ajanta dated to the 2nd and 1st centuries. More caves were added to this original group during the 5th and 6th centuries CE in the Gupta period. The Ajanta Caves are Buddhist rock-cut monasteries and temples located near Ajanta village in Maharashtra. The temples are made up of hollowing granite cliffs on the inner side of a 70-foot ravine in the Wagurna River valley around 105 kilometres northeast of Aurangabad. It is a site of great scenic vicinity. The caves are of utmost cultural importance as the paintings and architecture show the Buddhist culture. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. (Photo credit: UNESCO/Bruno Poppe) Ellora Caves: It is a series of 34 magnificent rock-cut temples in Maharashtra. They are located near the village Ellora 30 kilometres northwest of Aurangabad and around 80...

The 18th of April is recognised worldwide as World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites. This day is honoured differently all across the world with events including conferences, roundtable discussions, visiting monuments and historical places, and newspaper articles. We’re marking the day by celebrating all the heritage sites in India that make our country an iconic one. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization honoured the day for the first time in 1983. (UNESCO). During the 22nd UNESCO General Session, it was designated as a global event. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the diversity and cultural heritage of people around the world. Several locations with cultural and natural significance were recognised by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, which was formed in 1972. India now holds 40 World Heritage Sites, placing it sixth in the world. According to UNESCO, there are 32 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and 1 mixed site. Table of Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 40 Iconic Heritage Sites In India That Are Listed Under UNESCO World Heritage Sites 1. Taj Mahal, Agra Image | Unsplash In 1983, India’s Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A magnificent landscape surrounds this beautiful white marble tomb on the Yamuna River’s banks. In honour of his adored wife, Mumtaj Mahal, the Mug...