World Heritage Sites in India: Complete and Updated List

• Two landmark decisions were taken during the 44th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Fuzhou, China, with the inscriptions of the Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana and Dholavira: A Harrapan City, Gujarat on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple received its inscription as a World Heritage Site on 25 July and Dholavira: A Harrapan City was inscribed on the World Heritage List today, XX July, bringing India’s number of World Heritage sites to 40.

India's 39th World Heritage Site:-  Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana

• Popularly known as the Ramappa Temple, Rudreshwara is located in the village of Palampet in Telangana.
• It is the main Shiva temple in a walled complex built during the Kakatiyan period (1123–1323 CE).
• The distinctive Vimana of the temple is made of lightweight porous ‘floating bricks,’ which reduced the weight of the roof structures. The building features decorated beams and the temple’s magnificent sculptures illustrate regional dance customs and Kakatiyan culture.
• The site is located close to the Ramappa Cheruvu, a Kakatiya-built water reservoir, placing it in a unique natural setting of the surrounding forested areas and agricultural lands. 

India's 40th World Heritage Site:- Dholavira: A Harrapan City, Gujarat 

• The ancient city of Dholavira is one of the most remarkable and well-preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE (Before Common Era).
• Discovered in 1968, the site is set apart by its unique characteristics, such as its water management system, multi-layered defensive mechanisms, extensive use of stone in construction and special burial structures.
• Of note is also the art associated with the city – artefacts of various kinds such as copper, shell, stone, jewellery of semi-precious stones, terracotta, gold, ivory have been found at the site. In addition, the interregional trade links associated with Dholavira, have also been acknowledged as contributing to the shared heritage of humanity. 
• The two newly inscribed World Heritage Sites offer great insight into the knowledge and ways of life of earlier societies, customs, and communities.  

World Heritage Sites in India

• A World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by UNESCO for its special cultural or physical significance. The list of World Heritage Sites is maintained by the international 'World Heritage Programme', administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
• This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
• India has 40 world heritage sites that include 32 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site.

List of India's World Heritage Sites:-

In Cultural Properties Area (32):

1. Agra Fort (1983)
2. Ajanta Caves (1983)
3. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016)
4. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
5. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
6. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
7. Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
8. Elephanta Caves (1987)
9. Ellora Caves (1983)
10. Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
11. Great Living Chola Temples (1987,2004)
12. Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
13. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
14. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
15. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
16. Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017)
17. Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993)
18. Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019)
19. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana (2021)
20. Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
21. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
22. Mountain Railways of India (1999,2005,2008)
23. Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
24. Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)
25. Red Fort Complex (2007)
26. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
27. Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
28. Taj Mahal (1983)
29. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016)
30. The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
31. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)
32. Dholavira: A Harrapan City (2021)

In Natural Properties Area (7):

1. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)
2. Kaziranga National Park (1985)
3. Keoladeo National Park (1985)
4. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
5. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988,2005)
6. Sundarbans National Park (1987)
7. Western Ghats (2012)

In Mixed Properties (1):

1. Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)

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