India is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for their cultural, historical, or natural significance. There are currently 38 World Heritage Sites in India, out of which we have selected 10 best Heritage Sites that tops our list.
Let's start exploring the list of top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
1. Taj Mahal, Agra
Brief Description: The Taj Mahal, is the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site in Agra, India. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Every year millions of travelers visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, in fact the Taj Mahal comes at the first place to visit in the list of every traveler visiting India for the first time. The construction of Taj Mahal started in 1632 AD and completed in 1648 AD, with the mosque, the guest house and the main gateway on the south, the outer courtyard and its cloisters were added subsequently and completed in 1653 AD. Two other UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can be visited in Agra, are Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
Date of Inscription: 1983
Best time to visit Taj Mahal, Agra - October to April is the best time to visit Taj Mahal in Agra as the weather in India remains cool in those months, although Agra can be visited throughout the year.
Entrance Fee to the Taj Mahal (Taj Mahal remains closed on every Friday):
- For Indians - INR 480/Person - Weekdays except Friday
- For Foreigners/NRI - INR 1600/Person (Approx USD 22) - Weekdays except Friday
- For SAARC/BIMSTEC - INR 740/Person (Approx USD 10) - Weekdays except Friday
How to reach Agra?:
- By Air - Agra can be reached through flights from most of the Major Airports in India, including New Delhi.
- By Train - Agra can be reached by train from New Delhi railway station, and many other major railway stations. More details can be found on Indian Railways website.
- By Road - Agra is very easily accessible from New Delhi by road. The distance between New Delhi and Agra is approx 220 Km, and it takes around 3.30 hour to reach Agra from New Delhi.
View Packages - Agra Tour Packages
2. Group of Monuments at Hampi, Karnataka
Brief Description: Hampi is an ancient village, and the last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar, in the south Indian state of Karnataka. It's dotted with numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagara Empire. Its fabulously rich princes built Dravidian temples and palaces which won the admiration of travellers between the 14th and 16th centuries. Among these, the Krishna temple complex, Narasimha, Ganesa, Hemakuta group of temples, Achyutaraya temple complex, Vitthala temple complex, Pattabhirama temple complex, Lotus Mahal complex, can be highlighted.
Date of Inscription: 1986
Best time to visit Hampi - Winter Season from October to March is the best time to visit Hampi, as the weather remains pleasant. The highest temperature remains 32C, and the lowest temperature is about 12C.
Entrance Fee at the Group of Monuments at Hampi:
- For Indians - INR 40
- For Foreigners/NRI - INR 600 (USD 8.5 Approx)
- For SAARC/BIMSTEC - INR 40 (USD 0.6 Approx)
How to reach Hampi?:
- By Air - The nearest airport is at Bellary, about 60 km from Hampi. The nearest International airport is Bengaluru, about 350 Km away.
- By Train - The nearest railway station is at Hospet, about 15 Km from Hampi.
- By Road - Hampi is easily accessible from Bengaluru (about 350 Km away) or Bellary (about 60 Km away) by road.
View Packages - Hampi Tour Packages
3. Sun Temple, Konark
Brief Description: Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Sun temple at Konark about 35 kilometres northeast from Puri on the coastline of Odisha, India. The temple is attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE. Konark Sun Temple, is a monumental representation of the sun god Surya's chariot; its 24 wheels are decorated with symbolic designs and it is led by a team of six horses.
Date of Inscription: 1984
Best time to visit Konark - Winter Season from October to March is the best time to visit Konark, as the weather remains pleasant.
Entrance Fee at the Konark Sun Temple:
- For Indians - INR 40
- For Foreigners/NRI - INR 600 (USD 8.5 Approx)
- For SAARC/BIMSTEC - INR 40 (USD 0.6 Approx)
How to reach Konark?:
- By Air - The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport at Bhubaneswar, about 65 km from Konark.
- By Train - The nearest railway station to Konark is in Puri around 35 Km away.
- By Road - Konark is easily accessible from Bhubaneswar (about 65 Km away), and Puri (about 35 Km away) by road.
View Packages - Konark Tour Packages
4. Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh
Brief Description: Built during the Chandella dynasty between 950 and 1050, the Khajuraho Group of Temples, are Hindu & Jain temples located in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures. The exquisitely carved stone temples are famous for the images of the Kama Sutra and, with 22 temples in total spread over 20 square kilometers, make a truly spectacular sight. Here Kandariya Mahadev temple is the most popular and beautiful massive structure. It is a magnificent peace of artistic sculptural work.
Date of Inscription: 1986
Best time to visit Khajuraho - Winter Season from October to March is the best time to visit Khajuraho, as the weather remains pleasant.
Entrance Fee at the Khajuraho Group of Temples:
- For Indians - INR 40
- For Foreigners/NRI - INR 600 (USD 8.5 Approx)
- For SAARC/BIMSTEC - INR 40 (USD 0.6 Approx)
How to reach Khajuraho?:
- By Air - Khajuraho Airport is the nearest airport to Khajuraho which connects to several major cities in India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Bhopal etc.
- By Train - Khajuraho has its own railway station but a very few trains halt here, however is directly connected to Delhi by rail. Other major railway station near to Khajuraho is Mahoba, which is around 65 km away from Khajuraho, and all the major trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, and other major Indian cities halt here.
- By Road - Khajuraho is easily accessible from to other cities in Madhya Pradesh via road.
View Packages - Khajuraho Tour Packages
5. Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad
Ellora Caves, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the largest rock-cut Hindu temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Hinduism in particular and few Buddhist and Jain monuments with Artwork dating from the 6001000 CE period.
About Ajanta Caves: The Buddhist Caves in Ajanta are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state in India.
Date of Inscription: 1983
Best time to visit the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad - Winter Season from October to March is the best time to visit Ajanta & Ellora Caves, as the weather remains pleasant.
Entrance Fee at the Ajanta and Ellora Caves:
- For Indians - INR 40
- For Foreigners/NRI - INR 600 (USD 8.5 Approx)
- For SAARC/BIMSTEC - INR 40 (USD 0.6 Approx)
How to reach Aurangabad?:
- By Air - Aurangabad Airport is the nearest airport to Aurangabad which connects to several major cities in India, including New Delhi, & Mumbai.
- By Train - Aurangabad has its own railway station which is well connected to important Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad etc.
- By Road - Aurangabad is very well connected by road. There are good bus service and cabs available.
View Packages - Aurangabad Tour Packages
6. Great Living Chola Temples, Thanjavur
Brief Description: The Great Living Chola Temples, India, were built by kings of the Chola Empire, which stretched over all of south India and the neighbouring islands. The site includes three great 11th- and 12th-century Temples: the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur was built by Rajaraja the Great, Chola in 1010 CE. The Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram, built by Rajendra I, was completed in 1035. Its 53-m vimana (sanctum tower) has recessed corners and a graceful upward curving movement, contrasting with the straight and severe tower at Thanjavur. The Airavatesvara temple complex, built by Rajaraja II, at Darasuram features a 24-m vimana and a stone image of Shiva. The temples testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.
Date of Inscription: 1987
Best time to visit Thanjavur - Winter Season from October to March is the best time to visit Thanjavur, as the weather remains pleasant.
Entrance Fee at the Great Living Chola Temples:
- For Indians - No Entrance Fee
- For Foreigners/NRI - No Entrance Fee
- For SAARC/BIMSTEC - No Entrance Fee
How to reach Thanjavur?:
- By Air - Tiruchirappalli International Airport is the nearest airport to Thanjavur which connects to Indian, as well as International cities.
- By Train - Trichy Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Thanjavur which connects to major Indian cities.
- By Road - Thanjavur is very well connected by road. There are good bus service and cabs available.
View Packages - Thanjavur Tour Packages
7. Hill Forts of Rajasthan
Brief Description: The serial site, situated in the state of Rajastahan, includes six majestic forts in Chittorgarh; Kumbhalgarh; Sawai Madhopur; Jhalawar; Jaipur, and Jaisalmer, have been clustered as a series and designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ecclectic architecture of the forts, some up to 20 kilometres in circumference, bears testimony to the power of the Rajput princely states that flourished in the region from the 8th to the 18th centuries.
Date of Inscription: 2013
Best time to visit Rajasthan - Winter Season from October to March is the best time to visit Rajasthan, as the weather remains pleasant.
Entrance Fee at the Hill Forts of Rajasthan:
- For Indians - INR 10 to INR 100
- For Foreigners/NRI - INR 100 to INR 600 (From USD 1.5 to USD 8.5)
- For SAARC/BIMSTEC - INR 10 to INR 100 (From USD 0.14 to USD 1.5)
How to reach Rajasthan?:
- By Air - There are 2 major airports in Rajasthan, 1st in Jaipur and 2nd in Udaipur, which are well connected to major Indian cities, i.e, Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Bengaluru etc.
- By Train - Almost all major cities in Rajasthan have railway station, which are well connected via Indian Railway, i.e, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer etc.
- By Road - Rajasthan is very well connected by road. There are good bus service and cabs available.
View Packages - Rajasthan Tour Packages
8. Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
Brief Description: The Mahabodhi Temple or the Mahabodhi Mahavihar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is about 96 km from Patna, Bihar state, India. It is an ancient, but much rebuilt and restored, Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
Date of Inscription: 2002
Best time to visit Bodh Gaya - Winter Season from October to March is the best time to visit Bodh Gaya, as the weather remains pleasant.
Entrance Fee at the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya:
- For Indians - No Entrance Fee
- For Foreigners/NRI - No Entrance Fee
- For SAARC/BIMSTEC - No Entrance Fee
How to reach Bodh Gaya?:
- By Air - Gaya is the nearest airport which is around 20 Km away from Bodh Gaya.
- By Train - Gaya Junction is the nearest rail head to Bodh Gaya, which is around 15 Km away.
- By Road - A main road connects the town of Bodh Gaya to the city of Gaya.
View Packages - Bodh Gaya Tour Packages
9. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Brief Description: Founded by the Pallava kings, the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the coastal resort town of Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is known especially for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva.
Date of Inscription: 1984
Best time to visit Mahabalipuram - Winter Season from October to March is the best time to visit Mahabalipuram, as the weather remains pleasant.
Entrance Fee at the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram:
- For Indians - INR 10
- For Foreigners/NRI - INR 250
- For SAARC/BIMSTEC - INR 10
How to reach Mahabalipuram?:
- By Air - Chengalpattu Junction is the nearest railway station to Mahabalipuram. It connects Chennai and various parts of Tamil Nadu by express and mail trains. You can hire a taxi from Chengalpattu Junction to reach Mahabalipuram.
- By Train - Chengalpattu Junction is the nearest railway station to Mahabalipuram. It connects Chennai and various parts of Tamil Nadu by express and mail trains. You can hire a taxi from Chengalpattu Junction to reach Mahabalipuram.
- By Road - Mahabalipuram is very well connected by road. There are good bus service and cabs available. You can hire a taxi from Chennai airport to reach Mahabalipuram.
View Packages - Mahabalipuram Tour Packages
10. Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, West Bengal
Brief Description: The Sundarbans covers 10,000 km2 of land and water (more than half of it in India, the rest in Bangladesh) in the Ganges delta. It contains the world's largest area of mangrove forests. A number of rare or endangered species live in the park, including tigers, aquatic mammals, birds and reptiles.
Date of Inscription: 1987
Best time to visit The Sundarbans - Winter Season from October to March is the best time to visit The Sundarbans, as the weather remains pleasant.
Entrance Fee at The Sundarbans:
- For Indians - INR 100
- For Foreigners/NRI - INR 300
- For SAARC/BIMSTEC - INR 300
How to reach Sundarbans?:
- By Air - Kolkata Airport is the nearest airport to The Sundarbans, around 166 Km away.
- By Train - Railway Station in Canning is the nearest railway station to The Sundarbans, which is around 48 Km away. There are trains from Kolkata to Canning.
- By Road - To reach the Sundarbans, tourist can opt from the various motor boats available at Namkhana, Sonakhali, Raidighi, and Najat, which is well connected to Kolkata via road.
View Packages - Sundarban National Park Tour Packages
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