Top 10 World Heritage Sites in India | Names: There are several UNISCO world heritage sites in India ranging from architectural marvels to natural wonders. There might be a number of architectural prodigies in a country but only a few of them hold universal importance. It is observed to create awareness about the need to protect the heritage and the values of our different cultures. It also acknowledges the achievement of organizations and communities like the international council on monuments and sites for working. Here in this article, we pick the top 10 world heritage sites in India that every adventure must visit.
Top 10 World Heritage Sites in India
S.No | Name | Location |
1 | Taj Mahal | Agra |
2 | Hampi | Karnataka |
3 | Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra |
4 | Ellora Caves | Aurangabad |
5 | Khajuraho | Madhya Pradesh |
6 | Churches and Convents | Goa |
7 | Mahabodhi Temple Complex | Bihar |
8 | Sun Temple | Konarak, Odisha |
9 | Red Fort | Agra, Uttar Pradesh |
10 | Jantar Mantar | Jaipur |
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is considered to be the greatest architectural achievement in Indo-Islamic architecture. It was built by the ruler Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died after giving birth to her fourteenth child. The construction of the Taj Mahal was started from the year 1631 to 1648. There are four entrances and every people should visit the Taj Mahal to walk along with the reflecting pool with fountains.
Hampi
Hampi is a village and is the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire and a center of religion, trade, and culture which makes it one of the greatest heritage sites in India. Achyutaraya temple, vittala temple, anegondi, Krishna temple complex, lotus mahal complex, and zananas are the attractions. The Virupaksha temple here is also must visit and you will forget about your busy life and worries and get relax.
Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad are among the first Indian monuments to be designated UNESCO world heritage sites. There are 31 rock-cut sculptures, paintings, and Buddhist shrines. Some caves were temples and others were monasteries. The greatest achievements of the Gupta period are the refined lightness of the decorations, the balance of the composition and the beauty of the female figures place the paintings.
Ellora Caves
Ellora caves are situated about 29 km from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It contains 34 caves and the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist sculptures and architecture for religious and cultural tolerance across Indian since time immemorial. Of the 34 temples and monasteries, 12 are Buddhist, 17 Hindu located in the central part, and 5 Jain located in the northern part of the site. These caves are remarkable for their sculptures and architecture and contain some of the most beautiful works of Indian art.
Khajuraho
Khajuraho is located in the northern Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It contains over twenty temples in Nagara style temple architecture dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries which makes it one of the heritage sites in India. The temples are built of sandstone, and each consists of three main elements the entrance, the ceremonial hall, and the sanctuary. Khajuraho is divided into two areas where the main groups of temples are located in the western which includes Hindu temples, and the eastern which includes Jain temples.
Churches and Convents
In the year 1510, the Portuguese explorer Afonoso de Albuquerque conquered Goa, an Indian federal state located on the west coast of the Indian subcontinent. The former center of the Portuguese Empire illustrates the evangelization of Asia with its monuments that had an impact on the spread of the Manueline style, mannerism, and baroque to all Asian Countries where missions were established. The Indo- Portuguese style of the churches and convents of Goa makes it one of the fascinating heritage sites in India.
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya
The Bodh Gaya is located in Bihar and the temple was first built by Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC while the present temples date from the 5th and 6th centuries AD. The temple is mostly made of bricks and is one of the oldest brick temples in India. Bodh Gaya is a small village, it has temples and monasteries from other nations that have a Buddhist tradition like Japan, Thailand, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Sun Temple
Sun Temple is located in Konarak, Odisha, and is another unique architectural marvel that you must visit. It was built during the reign of King Narasingha Deva in the year 1238 to 1264. The entire temple is aligned along the path of the sun across the sky, in an east-west direction, and divided into several organized spatial units. The innovative scheme is in line with the Government’s vision to transform the ancient Sun Temple in Odisha and the historic Konarak Town into Surya Nagri.
Red Fort
It is famous for its Persian, Timuri, and Indian architectural influences, the Red Fort was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate the move of the royal court from Agra to Delhi, and his founding of the city of Shahjahanabad. It is known as the centerpiece of historic Old Delhi, Red Fort is also located close to the sprawling Jama Masjid complex.
Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is located in Jaipur and UNESCO world heritage site is built in west-central India by Maharajah Sawaii Jai Singh II, the ruler of the kingdom of Amber. He incorporated elements from early Greek and Persian observatories into his designs. There are about 20 main instruments designed for the observation of astronomical positions that represent one of the most significant and best preserved historic observations in India.
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