UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (2025): Complete Guide, State-Wise List, Map & Travel Insights

India’s cultural depth and ecological richness make it one of the world’s greatest heritage destinations. With 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — including ancient temples, Mughal masterpieces, Buddhist caves, wildlife sanctuaries, mountain parks, and living cultural landscapes — the country offers an extraordinary blend of history, architecture, spirituality, and biodiversity.

This master guide gives you the complete list (updated: 2025), divided into cultural, natural, and mixed heritage; a state-wise distribution; an up-to-date tentative list; and practical travel insights for planning trips to India’s most iconic heritage wonders.

Complete 2025 List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

India officially has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, comprising:

36 Cultural Sites
7 Natural Sites
1 Mixed Site
60+ sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List (India has one of the largest tentative inventories globally)

Below is the consolidated list, arranged by category for easy reference.

Cultural World Heritage Sites in India

These 36 sites reflect India’s history of dynasties, religions, art schools, architectural innovation, and living traditions. They span thousands of years — from the Indus Valley Civilization to the British Raj.

Cultural Sites (with inscription years):

Agra Fort (1983) – Uttar Pradesh
Ajanta Caves (1983) – Maharashtra
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (2016) – Bihar
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989) – Madhya Pradesh
Champaner–Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004) – Gujarat
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (2004) – Maharashtra
Churches and Convents of Goa (1986) – Goa
Dholavira: A Harappan City (2021) – Gujarat
Elephanta Caves (1987) – Maharashtra
Ellora Caves (1983) – Maharashtra
Fatehpur Sikri (1986) – Uttar Pradesh
Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004) – Tamil Nadu
Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986) – Karnataka
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984) – Tamil Nadu
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987) – Karnataka
Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013) – Rajasthan
Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017) – Gujarat
Humayun’s Tomb (1993) – Delhi
Jaipur City (2019) – Rajasthan
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple (2021) – Telangana
Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986) – Madhya Pradesh
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002) – Bihar
Maratha Military Landscapes of India (2025) – Multiple states
Moidams – Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty (2024) – Assam
Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008) – West Bengal, Himachal, Tamil Nadu
Qutb Minar Complex (1993) – Delhi
Rani-ki-Vav (2014) – Gujarat
Red Fort Complex (2007) – Delhi
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003) – Madhya Pradesh
Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (2023) – Karnataka
Santiniketan (2023) – West Bengal
Sun Temple, Konark (1984) – Odisha
Taj Mahal (1983) – Uttar Pradesh
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (2016) – Chandigarh
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010) – Rajasthan
Victorian Gothic & Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018) – Maharashtra

Natural World Heritage Sites in India

India’s natural heritage includes tiger reserves, wetlands, Himalayan ecosystems, mangrove forests, and biodiversity hotspots.

Natural Sites (7)

Kaziranga National Park – Assam
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary – Assam
Keoladeo National Park – Rajasthan
Sundarbans National Park – West Bengal
Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Parks – Uttarakhand
Western Ghats – 4 Indian states
Great Himalayan National Park – Himachal Pradesh

These sites protect everything from Bengal tigers and one-horned rhinos to high-altitude alpine meadows, coral reef ecosystems, and ancient mountain landscapes.

Mixed World Heritage Sites

Khangchendzonga National Park – Sikkim

India’s only mixed site, recognised for both its natural landscapes and its deep cultural association with Sikkimese cosmology and indigenous traditions.

State-Wise Distribution of UNESCO Heritage Sites in India

This section is extremely useful for trip planning.

Maharashtra – 5 Sites

Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta, CST Railway Station, Victorian Art Deco Ensemble

Madhya Pradesh – 3 Sites

Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Khajuraho

Rajasthan – 3 Sites

Hill Forts, Jaipur, Jantar Mantar

Uttar Pradesh – 3 Sites

Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri

Delhi – 3 Sites

Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb

Tamil Nadu – 3 Sites

Chola Temples, Mahabalipuram, Western Ghats entry

Gujarat – 4 Sites

Rani ki Vav, Dholavira, Champaner, Western Ghats (shared)

West Bengal – 2 Sites

Sundarbans, Santiniketan

Assam – 3 Sites

Kaziranga, Manas, Charaideo Maidams

Karnataka – 2 Sites

Hampi, Pattadakal

Goa – 1 Site

Churches & Convents of Goa

Odisha – 1 Site

Konark Sun Temple

Bihar – 2 Sites

Mahabodhi Temple, Nalanda

Himachal Pradesh – 1 Site

Great Himalayan National Park

Uttarakhand – 1 Site

Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers

Sikkim – 1 Mixed Site

Khangchendzonga National Park

More states feature multiple tentative list sites, covered below.

📋 UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in India (Updated: December 2025)

India maintains one of the largest UNESCO Tentative Lists globally, representing heritage properties identified for their potential Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). Inclusion on the Tentative List is a mandatory prerequisite for future nomination to the World Heritage List.

As per UNESCO’s official Tentative List (last revised 22 December 2025), India has 70 properties on its Tentative List, spanning cultural, natural, and mixed heritage categories.

🆕 Most Recent Additions (2025)

Serial Nomination of Buddhist Triangle Sites of Odisha (22/12/2025)
Naga Hill Ophiolite (27/08/2025)
Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar (27/08/2025)
Geological Heritage of St. Mary’s Island Cluster (27/08/2025)
Meghalayan Age Caves (27/08/2025)
Natural Heritage of Erra Matti Dibbalu (27/08/2025)
Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills (27/08/2025)
Natural Heritage of Varkala (27/08/2025)
Salkhan Fossil Park, Sonbhadra (04/06/2025)
Kanger Valley National Park (11/02/2025)
Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs (11/02/2025)
Serial Nomination for Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes (11/02/2025)
Serial Nomination of Chausath Yogini Temples (11/02/2025)
Serial Nomination of Gupta Temples in North India (11/02/2025)
The Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas (11/02/2025)

🏛 Additions from 2024

Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh (08/02/2024)
Khooni Bhandara, Burhanpur (08/02/2024)
Rock Art Sites of the Chambal Valley (08/02/2024)
The Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhojpur (08/02/2024)
The Gond Monuments of Ramnagar, Mandla (08/02/2024)
The Historic Ensemble of Dhamnar (08/02/2024)
Serial Nomination of Coastal Fortifications along the Konkan Coast, Maharashtra (03/01/2024)

🏺 Sites Added between 2019–2022

Sun Temple, Modhera and its Adjoining Monuments (13/12/2022)
Rock-cut Sculptures and Reliefs of Unakoti (13/12/2022)
Vadnagar – A Multi-layered Historic Town, Gujarat (13/12/2022)
Geoglyphs of the Konkan Region of India (17/02/2022)
Jingkieng Jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes (17/02/2022)
Sri Veerabhadra Temple & Monolithic Bull (Nandi), Lepakshi (17/02/2022)
Iconic Riverfront of the Historic City of Varanasi (13/04/2021)
Temples of Kanchipuram (13/04/2021)
Hire Benkal Megalithic Site (13/04/2021)
Bhedaghat–Lametaghat in Narmada Valley (13/04/2021)
Satpura Tiger Reserve (13/04/2021)
The Historic Ensemble of Orchha (15/04/2019)

🌿 Long-Standing Tentative List Sites (2004–2018)

Garo Hills Conservation Area (GHCA) (26/07/2018)
Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area (11/03/2016)
Cold Desert Cultural Landscape of India (15/04/2015)
Sites along the Uttarapath / Grand Trunk Road (15/04/2015)
Evolution of Temple Architecture – Aihole–Badami–Pattadakal (09/02/2015)
Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate (15/04/2014)
Cellular Jail, Andaman Islands (15/04/2014)
Iconic Saree Weaving Clusters of India (15/04/2014)
Apatani Cultural Landscape (15/04/2014)
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam (15/04/2014)
Monuments of Srirangapatna Island Town (15/04/2014)
Chilika Lake (15/04/2014)
Padmanabhapuram Palace (15/04/2014)
Sites of Satyagraha – India’s Non-violent Freedom Movement (15/04/2014)
Thembang Fortified Village (15/04/2014)
Narcondam Island (15/04/2014)
Ekamra Kshetra – The Temple City, Bhubaneswar (15/04/2014)
Neolithic Settlement of Burzahom (15/04/2014)
Archaeological Remains of the Harappa Port-Town, Lothal (15/04/2014)
Mountain Railways of India (Extension) (15/04/2014)
Chettinad – Village Clusters of the Tamil Merchants (15/04/2014)
Bahá’í House of Worship at New Delhi (15/04/2014)

🕰 Earliest Tentative List Entries

Delhi – A Heritage City (22/05/2012)
Mughal Gardens in Kashmir (13/12/2010)
Qutb Shahi Monuments of Hyderabad (10/09/2010)
Silk Road Sites in India (20/01/2010)
Neora Valley National Park (26/05/2009)
Desert National Park (26/05/2009)
Namdapha National Park (15/03/2006)
Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch (15/03/2006)
River Island of Majuli, Assam (02/03/2004)
Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar (05/01/2004)
Temples at Bishnupur, West Bengal (03/07/1998)
Mattanchery Palace, Kerala (03/07/1998)
Group of Monuments at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh (03/07/1998)
Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh (03/07/1998)

Editorial Note

Inclusion on UNESCO’s Tentative List indicates national recognition of a site’s heritage value and potential Outstanding Universal Value. Sites may remain on the Tentative List for many years while conservation frameworks and nomination dossiers are strengthened.

🌱 UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in India (2025)

Beyond monuments and historic cities, India’s heritage is also preserved through UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, which recognises landscapes where nature conservation and human life coexist sustainably.

📊 India & UNESCO Biosphere Reserves

As of 2025, 13 Indian Biosphere Reserves are part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).

These reserves function as living laboratories for:

Biodiversity conservation
Climate-change adaptation
Indigenous knowledge systems
Sustainable tourism & livelihoods

🌿 List of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India

Biosphere Reserve	State(s)	Year
Nilgiri	TN, Kerala, Karnataka	2000
Gulf of Mannar	Tamil Nadu	2001
Sundarbans	West Bengal	2001
Nanda Devi	Uttarakhand	2004
Nokrek	Meghalaya	2009
Pachmarhi	Madhya Pradesh	2009
Similipal	Odisha	2009
Achanakmar–Amarkantak	Chhattisgarh, MP	2012
Great Nicobar	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	2013
Agasthyamalai	Kerala, Tamil Nadu	2016
Khangchendzonga	Sikkim	2018
Panna	Madhya Pradesh	2020
Cold Desert	Himachal Pradesh	2025

📌 Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (Himachal Pradesh) is India’s latest UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve, protecting high-altitude Trans-Himalayan ecosystems, glaciers, and pastoral cultures.

🌏 Why Biosphere Reserves Matter for Travellers

Unlike national parks alone, biosphere reserves:

Include core, buffer, and transition zones
Support local & tribal communities
Encourage low-impact eco-tourism
Preserve traditional livelihoods, food systems, and crafts

Top Biosphere Reserves for Responsible Tourism

Nilgiri – tribal culture, Western Ghats biodiversity
Sundarbans – mangroves & tiger landscapes
Panna – tiger safaris + river ecosystems
Khangchendzonga – sacred Himalayan landscapes
Cold Desert – high-altitude nomadic culture

🎭 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in India (2025)

UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list celebrates living traditions — practices that communities continue to perform, transmit, and adapt across generations.

India’s ICH elements include rituals, festivals, performing arts, craftsmanship, and spiritual knowledge systems, forming the emotional and cultural core of Indian civilization.

📊 India’s Intangible Heritage Count

As of 2025, India has 16 UNESCO-inscribed Intangible Cultural Heritage elements.

🎶 List of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage from India

Intangible Cultural Heritage Element	Year
Vedic Chanting	2008
Ramlila – Performance of the Ramayana	2008
Kutiyattam (Sanskrit Theatre)	2008
Ramman (Garhwal Ritual Theatre)	2009
Mudiyettu (Kerala Ritual Theatre)	2010
Kalbelia Folk Songs & Dances	2010
Chhau Dance	2010
Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh	2012
Sankirtana (Manipuri Ritual Singing)	2013
Thatheras of Jandiala Guru (Metal Craft)	2014
Yoga	2016
Nawruz (Multinational)	2016
Kumbh Mela	2017
Durga Puja in Kolkata	2021
Garba of Gujarat	2023
Deepavali (Festival of Lights)	2025

📌 Deepavali’s inscription in 2025 makes it the latest addition, recognising its pan-Indian, community-based, and inter-generational cultural significance.

📌 Baul Songs (UNESCO-Recognised Tradition)
Baul songs are inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2008) under Bangladesh’s nomination. The tradition is practiced across Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, and has deeply influenced Bengali spiritual thought, music, and literature, including the works of Rabindranath Tagore.

🪔 Why Intangible Heritage Is Crucial

Unlike monuments, intangible heritage:

Lives through people, performance, and participation
Strengthens community identity
Keeps traditions relevant, not frozen
Drives festival-based cultural tourism

High-Impact Cultural Tourism Events

Kumbh Mela – world’s largest human gathering
Durga Puja – urban cultural spectacle
Garba – community dance tourism
Ramlila – seasonal heritage performances
Deepavali – pan-India cultural travel season

🧶 UNESCO Safeguarding & Living Heritage Initiatives in India

Beyond formal inscriptions, UNESCO also works closely with governments and communities to safeguard living cultural traditions under the framework of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

These safeguarding initiatives focus on:

Transmission of traditional knowledge
Strengthening community livelihoods
Women empowerment
Sustainable and responsible cultural tourism

⭐ Flagship UNESCO Model in India: Rural Craft and Cultural Hubs (RCCH) – West Bengal

West Bengal is UNESCO’s only large-scale, fully documented RCCH implementation in India.
This decade-long programme is implemented by UNESCO New Delhi in partnership with the Government of West Bengal, and is widely cited by UNESCO as a replicable national model.

Why West Bengal Is the Flagship

Only Indian state with a decade-long RCCH programme
Direct implementation under UNESCO New Delhi
Operates at state-wide, multi-district scale
Frequently referenced by UNESCO as a model for other regions

Scale & Impact in West Bengal

20 districts
35 Intangible Cultural Heritage value chains
14 Rural ICH Centres & community museums
Nearly 50,000 beneficiaries (majority women artisans)

Major Living Heritage Traditions Safeguarded in West Bengal

Patachitra (scroll painting & storytelling)
Dokra metal casting
Terracotta art (including Bankura traditions)
Chhau masks & mask-making traditions
Wooden mask traditions
Kantha embroidery
Baluchari saree weaving
Murshidabad silk weaving
Madur weaving (natural fibre mats)
Shitalpati weaving (cool mats)
Jute and bamboo-based crafts
Folk and ritual performance traditions

🔗 Read detailed coverage:
West Bengal’s UNESCO-Recognized Heritage, Living Traditions & Rural Crafts → (internal link)

Other Indian States: UNESCO-Supported ICH Safeguarding (Non-RCCH)

Apart from West Bengal’s flagship RCCH programme, UNESCO also supports Intangible Cultural Heritage safeguarding in other Indian states, primarily through capacity-building, documentation, policy advisory, and community-based projects aligned with the 2003 Convention.

Nature of UNESCO Engagement in Other States

❌ Not RCCH-branded programmes
✔ Convention-aligned safeguarding initiatives
✔ Training, documentation, and policy support
✔ Community-level heritage transmission

Indicative Areas of Engagement

Kerala – ritual theatre & performing arts traditions
Manipur – ritual singing, drumming, and dance forms
Odisha & Jharkhand – folk dances and mask traditions
Rajasthan & Gujarat – craft and handloom clusters
North-East India & Central India – indigenous and tribal cultural practices

These initiatives vary in scale and structure, but together they contribute to strengthening India’s national ecosystem for safeguarding living cultural heritage.

Editorial Note

The Rural Craft and Cultural Hubs (RCCH) programme is a UNESCO-supported safeguarding initiative under the 2003 Convention.
It is not a World Heritage Site or an Intangible Cultural Heritage inscription.

🧭 India’s Complete UNESCO Heritage Landscape (2026)

UNESCO Category	Count
World Heritage Sites	44
Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)	13
Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements	16+1
Tentative World Heritage Sites	60+

Together, these show that India’s heritage is not only about monuments, but also about ecosystems, rituals, festivals, knowledge systems, and living traditions.

Best UNESCO Heritage Circuits in India (Travel Itineraries)

A. The Golden Triangle Heritage Circuit (5–6 Days)

Delhi → Agra → Jaipur
Perfect introduction to India’s cultural history.

B. Central India Buddhist & Tribal Heritage Trail (7 Days)

Sanchi → Bhimbetka → Khajuraho → Chanderi → Orchha

C. Maharashtra Cave Wonders (6 Days)

Ajanta → Ellora → Elephanta → Mumbai Architecture Route

D. South India Temple and Coast Circuit (7–10 Days)

Chola Temples → Mahabalipuram → Hampi → Pattadakal

E. Eastern India Nature & Culture Circuit (5–7 Days)

Sundarbans → Santiniketan → Bishnupur Terracotta → Kolkata Heritage

F. Himalayan Natural Heritage Circuit (7–12 Days)

Valley of Flowers → Nanda Devi Biosphere → GHNP → Khangchendzonga National Park

Best Time to Visit India’s Major UNESCO Heritage Sites

Winter (October–March): Most cultural sites; ideal climate
Summer (April–June): Himalayan sites, high-altitude treks
Monsoon (July–September): Western Ghats, Valley of Flowers, Konark greenery

Each site has its own unique seasonal charm, but winter remains the most traveller-friendly period across most of India.

Why UNESCO Sites Matter: Understanding OUV (Outstanding Universal Value)

Every World Heritage Site is selected based on:

OUV – Outstanding Universal Value

A site must represent something exceptional for all humanity — historically, architecturally, culturally, or ecologically.

Integrity & Authenticity

Structures must be real, intact, and preserved thoughtfully.

Protection & Management

A strong conservation plan must be in place.

Cultural / Natural Criteria

From representing human creativity to biodiversity richness, UNESCO evaluates sites on 10 global criteria.

UNESCO Selection Process

A country proposes a site for the Tentative List.
Detailed nomination dossier is prepared.
UNESCO evaluates it through advisory bodies.
Final decision is taken by the World Heritage Committee.
After inscription, the site must maintain conservation standards.

India regularly updates its list and invests in conservation upgrades — as seen in current efforts at Sirpur, which is under active restoration to support its UNESCO nomination.

Latest UNESCO-Related Updates from India (2024–2025)

Charaideo Maidams (Assam) gained strong recognition and are widely treated as India’s newest UNESCO site.
Sirpur (Chhattisgarh) is undergoing major infrastructure, conservation, digital-exhibit and management upgrades to strengthen its UNESCO bid.
Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (Himachal Pradesh) received global conservation recognition and is being discussed for future UNESCO status.
India is preparing multiple sites from Odisha, Maharashtra, and Karnataka for nomination cycles.

These updates make heritage tourism one of India’s fastest-growing travel sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does India have in 2025?

India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Q2. Which Indian state has the most UNESCO sites?

Maharashtra leads with 5 sites.

Q3. Which is the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site of India?

Maratha Military Landscapes of India (2025) are widely recognised as the latest major addition.

Q4. How many natural heritage sites does India have?

India has 7 natural sites.

Q5. What is a Tentative UNESCO Site?

These are sites proposed by India and awaiting evaluation.

This Master UNESCO Hub Guide acts as your comprehensive gateway to exploring all heritage treasures of India — with links to deeper state-wise guides, travel itineraries, and updated information as new UNESCO recognitions emerge.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India