There are many World Heritage Sites in India that have recognition of UNESCO or United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. These places have been selected by UNESCO for the historical, cultural and artistic or natural heritage that they represent and the parameters for the selection of these sites have been decided by UNESCO at the World Heritage Convention held in 1972.

As described by the UNESCO Convention, World Heritage Sites that are cultural in nature are monuments, groups of buildings and site. World Heritage sites could also be natural sites that have exceptional natural features and geographical formations. Till date UNESCO World Heritage Sites has declared a list of 911 sites all over the world in 152 countries out of which there are 711 cultural heritage sites 180 natural sites and 20 mixed sites that are both cultural and natural.

The UNESCO World Heritage Convention has been signed by 187 countries including India.

The first two heritage sites to gain entry in the World Heritage List in1983 were the Agra Fort and the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Since then 27 more sites have been added to the list, the last natural site from India that has entered the list in 2012 is the mountain range in peninsular India; Western Ghats. 23 of the 29 sites included are cultural sites and the remaining six are natural sites.

Top 5 World Heritage Sites of India

Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal at Agra in Uttar Pradesh is one of the top heritage sites in the world and is a monument from the 17th century AD. Taj Mahal is really a mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal.

Taj Mahal is a wonderful example of Persian and Indian architecture and is built from pure white marble from Makrana in Rajasthan. Millions of visitors come to admire this beautiful edifice every year from India and abroad. The best months to visit are October, November and February when Agra and the surrounding places have the most pleasant climate. Taj Mahal, Agra is 150 kms from Delhi...See More Details

Ajanta Caves: Ajanta Caves situated in the district of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India consists of thirty rock-cut made Buddhist cave monuments dated back from second century BCE till 480 or else 650 CE. The government Archaeological survey Department of India credited the sculptures and paintings of this caves to be the "finest surviving illustrations of the great Indian art, especially painting", those are the magnum opus of the religious Buddhist art displaying the Buddha figures and depicting Jataka tales. Construction of this cave was carried out in two sections, initially the work was started in second century BCE, whereas the second section was done around 400-650 CE...See More Details

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi: Sanchi Buddhist Monuments near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh are remnants of the oldest major Buddhist center in India dating back to the 2nd and 3rd century BC and which was active until the 12th Century AD. Temples, monasteries, stupas, platforms are scattered over the place and contain sculptures, tablets made from metal or clay with inscriptions...See More Details

Sun Temple: Konark Sun Temple at Konark in the Puri district of Odisha State was built by the King Narsimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in the 13th-century. The Sun Temple is called the Black Pagoda since it is made in black granite. The area around the Sun Temple has other ancient buildings also in ruinsand has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Konark Dance Festival, a festival of Indian Classical Dance forms is held here every year in December and is a sight to behold as the classical dances are performed with the ruins of the temple as a backdrop...See More Details

Hampi: Hampi is part of the ancient Vijayanagar, the capital of the erstwhile Vijanagar Empire in Karnataka State. Built on the banks of the River Tungabhadra, Hampi was the centre of power for more than two hundred years from 1336 to 1565 AD. The ruins of the many palaces, temples and other buildings still exist and the whole site has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The nearest town is Hospat 10 kms away and Bangalore the state capital is 360 kms away...See More Details

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