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India joined the World Heritage Convention in 1977. With 45 inscribed properties, it is among the leading countries worldwide in terms of World Heritage Sites. India ranks 6th worldwide and 2nd in Asia by number of World Heritage Sites. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage. One of these properties is shared with neighboring countries, demonstrating cooperation across borders in heritage conservation.

India as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: November 14, 1977

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1985-1991, 2001-2007, 2011-2015, 2021-2025

Total of Mandate Years: 20

Total of Mandates: 4

WHC Electoral Group: IV (Asia/Pacific)

World Heritage Sites in India (45)

Cultural: 37 | Natural: 7 | Mixed: 1

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

World Heritage Inscription Timeline

1983
Agra Fort
1983
Ajanta Caves
1983
Ellora Caves
1983
Taj Mahal
1984
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
1984
Sun Temple, Konârak
1985
Kaziranga National Park
1985
Keoladeo National Park
1985
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
1986
Churches and Convents of Goa
1986
Fatehpur Sikri
1986
Group of Monuments at Hampi
1986
Khajuraho Group of Monuments
1987
Elephanta Caves
1987
Great Living Chola Temples
1987
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
1987
Sundarbans National Park
1988
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
1989
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
1993
Humayun's Tomb, Delhi
1993
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
1999
Mountain Railways of India
2002
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya
2003
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
2004
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
2004
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)
2007
Red Fort Complex
2010
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
2012
Western Ghats
2013
Hill Forts of Rajasthan
2014
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
2014
Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat
2016
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar
2016
Khangchendzonga National Park
2016
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement
2017
Historic City of Ahmadabad
2018
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
2019
Jaipur City, Rajasthan
2021
Dholavira: a Harappan City
2021
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana
2023
Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
2023
Santiniketan
2024
Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty
2025
Maratha Military Landscapes of India
2026
Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath

Tentative World Heritage Sites (70)

  • Serial Nomination of Buddhist Triangle Sites of Odisha · submitted: December 22, 2025
  • Naga Hill Ophiolite · submitted: August 27, 2025
  • Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar · submitted: August 27, 2025
  • Geological Heritage of St’ Mary’s Island Cluster · submitted: August 27, 2025
  • Meghalayan Age Caves · submitted: August 27, 2025
  • Natural Heritage of Erra Matti Dibbalu · submitted: August 27, 2025
  • Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills · submitted: August 27, 2025
  • Natural Heritage of Varkala · submitted: August 27, 2025
  • Salkhan Fossil Park, Sonbhadra · submitted: June 4, 2025
  • Kanger Valley National Park · submitted: February 11, 2025
  • Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs · submitted: February 11, 2025
  • Serial nomination for Ashokan Edict sites along the Mauryan Routes · submitted: February 11, 2025
  • Serial nomination of Chausath Yogini Temples · submitted: February 11, 2025
  • Serial nomination of Gupta Temples in North India · submitted: February 11, 2025
  • The Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas · submitted: February 11, 2025
  • Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh · submitted: February 8, 2024
  • Khooni Bhandara, Burhanpur · submitted: February 8, 2024
  • Rock Art Sites of the Chambal Valley · submitted: February 8, 2024
  • The Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhojpur · submitted: February 8, 2024
  • The Gond monuments of Ramnagar, Mandla · submitted: February 8, 2024
  • The historic ensemble of Dhamnar · submitted: February 8, 2024
  • Serial nomination of Coastal Fortifications along the Konkan Coast, Maharashtra · submitted: January 3, 2024
  • Sun Temple, Modhera and its adjoining monuments · submitted: December 13, 2022
  • Rock-cut Sculptures and Reliefs of the Unakoti, Unakoti Range, Unakoti District · submitted: December 13, 2022
  • Vadnagar – A multi-layered Historic town, Gujarat · submitted: December 13, 2022
  • Geoglyphs of Konkan Region of India · submitted: February 17, 2022
  • Jingkieng jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes · submitted: February 17, 2022
  • Sri Veerabhadra Temple and Monolithic Bull (Nandi), Lepakshi (The Vijayanagara Sculpture and Painting Art Tradition) · submitted: February 17, 2022
  • Iconic Riverfront of the Historic City of Varanasi · submitted: April 13, 2021
  • Temples of Kanchipuram · submitted: April 13, 2021
  • Hire Benkal, Megalithic Site · submitted: April 13, 2021
  • Bhedaghat-Lametaghat in Narmada Valley · submitted: April 13, 2021
  • Satpura Tiger Reserve · submitted: April 13, 2021
  • The historic ensemble of Orchha · submitted: April 15, 2019
  • Garo Hills Conservation Area (GHCA) · submitted: July 26, 2018
  • Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area · submitted: March 11, 2016
  • Cold Desert Cultural Landscape of India · submitted: April 15, 2015
  • Sites along the Uttarapath, Badshahi Sadak, Sadak-e-Azam, Grand Trunk Road · submitted: April 15, 2015
  • Evolution of Temple Architecture – Aihole-Badami- Pattadakal · submitted: February 9, 2015
  • Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Cellular Jail, Andaman Islands · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Iconic Saree Weaving Clusters of India · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Apatani Cultural Landscape · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Monuments of Srirangapatna Island Town · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Chilika Lake · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Padmanabhapuram Palace · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Sites of Saytagrah, India’s non-violent freedom movement · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Thembang Fortified Village · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Narcondam Island · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Ekamra Kshetra – The Temple City, Bhubaneswar · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • The Neolithic Settlement of Burzahom · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Archaeological remains of a Harappa Port-Town, Lothal · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Mountain Railways of India (Extension) · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Chettinad, Village Clusters of the Tamil Merchants · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Bahá'í House of Worship at New Delhi · submitted: April 15, 2014
  • Delhi - A Heritage City · submitted: May 22, 2012
  • Mughal Gardens in Kashmir · submitted: December 13, 2010
  • The Qutb Shahi Monuments of Hyderabad Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Charminar · submitted: September 10, 2010
  • Silk Road Sites in India · submitted: January 20, 2010
  • Neora Valley National Park · submitted: May 26, 2009
  • Desert National Park · submitted: May 26, 2009
  • Namdapha National Park · submitted: March 15, 2006
  • Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch · submitted: March 15, 2006
  • River Island of Majuli in midstream of Brahmaputra River in Assam · submitted: March 2, 2004
  • Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab · submitted: January 5, 2004
  • Temples at Bishnupur, West Bengal · submitted: July 3, 1998
  • Mattanchery Palace, Ernakulam, Kerala · submitted: July 3, 1998
  • Group of Monuments at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh · submitted: July 3, 1998
  • Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh · submitted: July 3, 1998

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile India

Official Name: Republic of India

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Southern Asia

UNESCO Region: Asia and the Pacific

Capital: New Delhi

Population (2024): 1,450,935,791

Land Area: 2,973,190 km²

Currency: Indian rupee (INR)

Country Data Sources

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

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