Top 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

On Monday 18th of April, World Heritage Day was celebrated. I am late though in celebrating the day. Wanted to share the top 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites in India. India is truly a country wrapped with eccentric beauty and ancient historical glory that is unparalleled and alluring. It has unlimited places to visit each with its unique attractions, drawing thousands of visitors every year.

I feel proud to think about the innumerable monuments, buildings, caves, educational institutions, etc which are part of the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in India. Here goes my top picks.

Taj Mahal

Located in Agra, this awesome, stunning, and majestic monument is a symbol of love. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan had created this magnificent monument for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. It proudly occupies the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in India. The intricate designs, marvelous sculpture works, and architectural carvings are a treat to the eyes.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves

The 29 caves of Ajanta and 34 caves of Ellora are a true picture of the artistic skills of the ancient craftsmen and artists. The elaborate paintings and incredible sculptural designs are a testimony to the fact. It is an astonishing display of architectural and eternal charm belonging to three different religious sects – Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. The caves are on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in India.

Keoladeo National Park

The Park was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in India in 1985. It is one of the popular bird-watching destinations in the country. You can find a plethora of bird species in the park namely ducks, pelicans, geese, cranes, hawks, eagles, larks, flycatchers, shanks, stints, wagtails, warblers, pipits, and wheat eaters.

Hampi

It is a city filled with ancient monuments, temples, beautiful structural remains, street markets, and several other artifacts belonging to the empire of Vijayanagara. You will feel a sense of grandeur as you walk past the streets of the city, portraying the beautiful history of India. Its inclusion in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in India is deserving.

Pattadakal

It is a temple town in Karnataka, comprising 10 temples symbolizing the aura and charm of the Chalukya dynasty. Created between the 7^th and 8^th century AD, the intricate design and rich architecture of the temples entice tourists from the different regions of India. rapped within Hindu mythological facts and tales, they are architecturally attractive and interesting too.

Sunderbans

One of the prominent forests of the country; listed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites in India. Spread across an area of 40,000 sq. km, it houses 78 species of mangrove trees and many species of birds and animals. The forest is famous for the inhabitance of the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Jaipur

The pink city of Jaipur in Rajasthan is an iconic tourist destination adorned by forts, museums, gardens, lakes, and many more captivating locations. The key attractions of the city are Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Amber Fort, Albert Hall Museum, City Palace, Jaigarh Fort, and Nahargarh Fort.

Kaziranga National Park

The park houses the highest number of rhinos. ts flora and fauna lure millions of wildlife lovers and nature admirers from different parts of India and the world. Surrounded by the plains of Brahmaputra, the park acts as a healthy habitat for innumerable species of animals and birds.

Elephanta Caves

Elephanta Caves is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in India. It is essentially a collection of caves comprising images of Lord Shiva carved out of stone. Historians believe that the caves date back to the 5^th and 7^th centuries. You can find the figures of Nataraja, Sadashiva, and Yogishvara portraying the various Hindu mythological characters.