UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

UNESCO had declared a list of World Heritage Sites that includes 922 sites of cultural and natural importance. Spread over 152 member countries of UNESCO, these 922 sites include 711 cultural sites, 183 natural sites and 28 sites of mixed importance. There are 28 sites in India that have been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, among which 23 sites are of historical importance while 5 sites are of natural importance.

Let us now take a detailed tour of all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Agra Fort

Not very far from Taj Mahal, Agra Fort is one of the many marvels of Mughal architecture built during the 16th century. Totally made of red sandstone, Agra Fort is often referred to as the Red Fort of Agra. The Fort has a 2.5 km long wall that surrounds the city from which the Mughal emperors used to rule. Within the Agra Fort there are several palaces like the Khas Mahal and Jahangir Palace. Not only that, the fort also houses a couple of mosques and the audience hall famously known as Diwan-i-Khas.

Agra-Fort

Ajanta Caves

The caves at Ajanta have sculptures and paintings dedicated to Lord Buddha and his teachings. The natural colours used in those religious paintings are very rich in their texture and still appear almost as new with no signs of fading. The style of the paintings and sculpture reflect artistic expertise. The original Ajanta caves date back to 1st and 2nd century BC while the ones added by the Gupta rulers date back to 5th and 6th century AD.

Ajanta-Caves

Ellora Caves

This is a temple complex consisting of 34 monasteries and temples dedicated to various religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The Ellora Caves are rock monuments built in the wall of a high cliff and cover an area of almost 2 km. Built near Aurangabad, between the period of 600 AD to 1000 AD, Ellora caves reflect architectural brilliance along with religious tolerance.

Ellora-Caves-Aurangabad

Taj Mahal

Situated in Agra, Taj Mahal is an architectural wonder made totally of white marble by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz. Built between the period of 1631 and 1648, this mausoleum houses the tomb of Shah Jahan’s wife Mumtaz.

Taj-Mahal-Symbol-of-Love

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

These are a group of rock monuments and temples made by the kings of the Pallava dynasty during the 7th and 8th centuries. Built along the South Indian Coromandel coast, this group of monuments include rock temples depicting chariots and they are known as rathas. Along with that, there are mandapas and giant sculptures such as the temple of Rivage and Descent of the Ganges. Most of the temples here are dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Mamallapuram–Temples galore

Sun Temple, Konark

Depicting the chariot of sun god Surya, the Sun Temple at Konark from the 13th century is considered as one of the architectural masterpieces of Orissa. Situated along the shore of Bay of Bengal, this chariot representation of Surya consists of 24 wheels adorned with various forms of design and the chariot is shown to be pulled by 6 horses.

Sun-Temple-Konark

Churches and Convents of Goa

The churches and convents of Goa reflect the Portuguese style of architecture as Goa was the Portuguese capital of India. There are several famous churches in Goa that showcases the influence of Christianity on India through its Manueline, Baroque and Mannerist forms of art. Among all these churches and convents, the most renowned one is the Church of Bom Jesus and it houses the tomb of St. Francis Xavier.

Church-in-Goa

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire during the rule of Emperor Akbar. This city of victory was founded by Akbarduring the latter half of the 16th century. Housing several palaces like Jodha Bai Palace, audience halls like Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas and monuments like Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri showcases the Mughal form of architecture.

Fatehpur-sikri

Group of Monuments at Hampi

The monuments and temples at Hampi were built by the last Hindu rulers of Vijayanagar. The temples and palaces reflect Dravidian form of architecture and highly attracted travellers during the period of 14th and 16th century.

Hampi-Karnataka

Khajuraho Group of Monuments

Built by the rulers of the Chandella dynasty, Khajuraho group of temples and monuments are an architectural as well as sculptural masterpiece. The temples that remain have been divided into 3 groups and are dedicated to Hinduism and Jainism. The Temple of Kandariya had been adorned with numerous sculptures that reflect the rich artistic face of Indian art and sculpture.

Khajuraho-Temple

Elephanta Caves

Often referred to as the ‘City of Caves’, Elephanta Caves are rock sculptures and architectures dedicated to the cult of Shiva. Situated on an island near Bombay, these caves are famous for their high sculptural reliefs inside the monuments.

Elephanta-Caves

Great Living Chola Temples

These are a group of temples built by the South Indian rulers of the Chola dynasty during the 11th and 12th centuries. The most notable temples among this group include the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and Thanjavur and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. The architecture of these temples reflects the achievements of the Chola kings and that has been neatly portrayed through artistic brilliance in sculptures, bronze casting and paintings.

Brihadeeswarar-Temple

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal

The temple complex at Pattadakal in Karnataka was built by the Chalukya rulers during the 7th and 8th centuries. There are 9 Hindu temples and 1 Jain temple in this complex and their architectural style showcases a wonderful blend of North Indian and South Indian forms of architecture. The most notable temple among this group is the Temple of Virupaksha.

Pattadakal-Temples

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi

Situated just 40 km away from Bhopal, Sanchi is one of the most ancient sites of religious importance for the Buddhists and consists of several Buddhist monasteries, sanctuaries, monolithic pillars and palaces from the 1st and 2nd centuries BC.

Sanchi-Stupa

Humayun’s Tomb

Built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1570, Humayun’s Tomb is Indian subcontinent’s first garden-tomb.

Humayun-Tomb

Qutab Complex, Delhi

This complex of monuments in South Delhi was built in the 13th century. The most renowned monument is the Qutb Minar, the 72.5 m high red sandstone tower built by Qutb-uddin Aibak. The other notable monuments in this complex include the Ala-i-Darwaza and Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. All these monuments portray Indo-Muslim form of architecture.

Qutab-complex

Mountain Railways of India

Mountain Railways of India include 3 hill passenger railway sites that are the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka Shimla Railway.

Nilgiri-Toy-Train

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya

This site is one of the four holy sites for the Buddhists as Lord Buddha attained his enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. This site contains several temples and monasteries dedicated to Lord Buddha and the first temple of the complex dates back to 3rd century BC.

Mahabodhi-Temple–Bodhgaya

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka

Located in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains, there is a cluster of 5 natural rock shelters. These rock shelters date back to the Mesolithic period and features several rock paintings depicting the lifestyle of the people who used to live in these shelters.

Bhimbetka

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park

This site in Gujarat consists of several unexcavated archaeological and historic heritage monuments from the pre-historic period and also a hill fortress, palaces, agricultural structures, religious buildings and residential buildings from the period of 8th to 14th centuries.

Champaner & Pavagadh, Gujarat

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai

This heritage site depicts the successful blending of traditional Indian architectural themes with Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. Featuring a stone dome, pointed arches and turrets, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus witnessed the fusion of Indian and British cultures as the British architects worked with the Indian craftsmen.

Chhatrapati-Shivaji-Terminus-Mumbai

Red Fort Complex

Built as the fort of the Mughal Empire’s capital city Shahjahanabad, Red Fort is an example of Mughal architecture which reached its peak during the rule of Shah Jahan. Although the palace fort’s planning is of Islamic prototype, the architecture of several buildings in the complex reflects a strong blend of Timurid, Hindu and Persian styles.

Red-Fort

Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory that was built during the 18th century. Featuring about 20 fixed instruments, Jantar Mantar was built for the purpose of observing astronomical positions with the naked eye.

Jantar-Mantar

Kaziranga National Park

The Kaziranga National Park is home to the largest number of one-horned rhinoceros, in the whole world. Located in Assam, this national park provides a natural habitat to several animals such as panthers, elephants, bears, tigers and a large number of birds. This park is considered as one of the very few sites in India that have not been disturbed by human presence.

Kaziranga-National-Park

Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur

This national park once used to be the site of duck-hunting for the Maharajas. The Keoladeo National Park now acts as a wintering area for several exotic aquatic birds from various countries such as Siberia, Afghanistan, China and Turkmenistan. Among the 364 bird species that have been recorded in this park, the Siberian crane is the most notable bird to have visited this park during winters.

Keoladeo-national-park-Bharatpur

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in the Himalayan foothills, the grasslands and tropical forests of Manas Wildlife Sanctuary serve as the home to several rare animal species such as the pygmy hog, Indian elephant, tigers and the Indian rhinoceros.

Manas-Wildlife-Sanctuary

Sundarbans National Park

Home to the endangered Royal Bengal Tigers, the Sundarbans National Park is shared by India and Bangladesh. Covering an area of almost 10000 km2 including land and water, Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest and lies in the Ganges delta. Other than the tigers, crocodiles, aquatic mammals, birds and several other animals are also found here.

Sunderbans

Nanda Devi/Valley of Flowers National Parks

Valley of Flowers National Park offer awesome picturesque view and meadows of alpine flowers besides acting as home to several rare wild animals such as snow leopard, blue sheep, brown bear and the Asiatic black bear. Situated in the West Himalayas, this national park serves as a zone of transition between the Great Himalayas and the Zanskar ranges.

Valley-of-flowers

India is truly remarkable and list of heritage sites will keep increasing over the period of time. Start your journey today to see all historical monuments in this lifetime.

Places to watch the sunset in India

Watching the sunset from a beautiful vantage point is highly emotive and a perfect sunset can be the single most memorable thing about a destination. Whether its sunsets along the coasts or behind lush mountains, it’s all possible in India. With an impressive west facing coastline and hill stations perched in the mountains, India has a large array of wonderful exotic backdrops for the most beautiful daily phenomena in the world. We take you to seven top destinations to experience the best sunsets in India.

1. Fort Cochin

The famous Chinese fishing nets in the central square of Fort Kochi often define the landscape of this quaint town. There is nothing like a beautiful sunset with the silhouettes of fishermen working at these nets to get the catch home and have a lucrative evening. The fishermen also let the tourists give a helping hand to enjoy the experience.

Sunset-in-Cochin

2. Goa

As the sun sets down on Goa, you know it’s time to hit the watering hole. Watch the last of the football matches and people taking runs on the Goan beaches and then lie on the comfortable beach loungers and watch the sky turn orange as the sun sets.

Sunset-in-Goa

3. Rann of Kutch

The Rann of Kutch is celebrated for its vast dry lands full of nothingness. A traveller’s dream, it looks even more fantastic as the sun sets on the arid landscape. Still not explored by many, take a trip to Kutch and enjoy the culture and simple living in the desert region of the country.

Great-Rann-of-Kutch-Sunset

4. Sunset in Wayanad

The warm glow of the sun is a pleasant respite in the hilly and lush green terrains of Wayanad in North Kerala. It’s great to see the sun settle in the forests of the region, while the receding light makes for great photo-opportunities.

Sunset-in-Wayanad

5. Varkala Cliff Top Sunset

Varkala is a great destination for beach lovers. Tucked away off the main highway between Trivandrum and Kollam, the beach of Varkala is overlooked by a massive cliff. Little shops and cafes join the cliff side from where you can enjoy a clear sunset.

Sunset-in-Varkala

6. Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal in Agra is spectacular at any time of day, but especially popular on full moon nights. If you can’t visit on a full moon night, ensure that you stay till the monument is shut at sunset. As the sun goes behind the massive minarets and the main structure, the myriad colours of the sky make an exquisite backdrop to the Taj Mahal.

Sunset-from-Taj-Mahal-Agra

7. Kashid Sunset

Not far from Mumbai, Kashid is a relatively new destination for travellers, discovering it’s beautiful beaches and wonderfully lonely spots. Catch the sunset in this Maharashtrian coastal wonder.

Sunset-in-Kashid

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Uttar Pradesh Tourism: Shopping in Agra

In Agra visitors focus on seeing the main attractions, the grand Taj Mahal and it’s adjoining monuments are the definite highlights of the city. However, Agra is also a good place to also take out some time to hit the shops. A whole variety of souvenirs can be found, from street stalls to large emporiums. Here is our guide to help you plan where to shop in Agra.

Outside the Taj Mahal for Marble Inlay Work 

The famous inlay work on table tops and other parts for home furnishings hard goods are popular with travellers from around the world. The East gate of the Taj opens out into a row of shops which specialize in this work. A variety of quality and prices can be found here depending on your budget. The good part is that since these marble prices are heavy, the shop owners ship it to your address at an additional cost. With some disappointing experiences, it’s wise to hold some payment for these till you receive the shipment. Kalakriti is one of the known shops for this. They may be slightly over priced but are known for the variety and reliability. They also have interesting jewellery options and carpets. A one stop shop if you may want to call it that!

Marble-Carving-in-Agra

Sadar Bazaar for Shoes 

Agra is famous for its traditional leather handicrafts and shoes. The narrow winding streets of Sadar Bazaar not only provide the perfect exploratory backdrop for a shopper but also great bargains. Lose any inhibition to bargain here as the prices are inflated. Belle shoes and flip flops are available here in many colourful designs and price ranges. Ensure that you take a rickshaw and not try and get your car here.

Sadar-Bazaar-for-Shoes

Street Sellers for Perfume

The one thing you will definitely find on the go is a small perfume bottle. Many local sellers carry these on them and will meet you on the streets and also restaurants. The bottles do not cost more than Rs 100/- so do not pay more than that. These are small but very potent and not everyone has an instant liking to them. A drop is enough to last for a month.

Perfume-Seller-Agra

Taj Mahal Replicas Everywhere!

One of Agra’s most popular souvenirs these will be in your face everywhere! Proactive sellers will walk up to and try and give you a replica for posterity. Be aware that all of these are not made from pure marble. Most of them will be made from alabaster and therefore deserve alabaster prices!

Tajmahal-Replica

Malls in Agra for Shopping, Leisure and Entertainment

There are a few malls in Agra but they are largely for local consumption. As a traveller your shopping experience might be more enjoyable in the bustling markets and not showroom lined malls but Agra is home to several large fully air conditioned shopping malls equipped with modern facilities such as a multiplex, variety of well known shops and numerous eating options in the food courts. Your options include:

• TDI Mall, Plot No-3-D, Taj Mahal Road
• Ashok Cosmos Mall, 119-120/8, Sanjay Place
• Pacific Taj Mall, Plot No. 3E,Taj Nagari Scheme, Phase-I, Fatehbad Road

TDI-Agra

Government Emporiums for Fixed Prices 

If you are worried about haggling at local markets and prefer a ‘fixed price’ style of shopping then visit the government emporiums in Agra. Popular options include purchasing carpets and artwork. You may be able to get a discount for purchasing multiple items.

• Gangotri, U.P. Govt. Handicrafts Emporium, Taj Mahal Complex
• U.P. Handloom, Sanjay Place, Hari Parbat, M.G. Road
• UPICA, Sanjay Place, Hari Parbat, M.G. Road
• U.P. Handicraft Palace, Fatehabad Road

The Monument of Everlasting Love - Taj Mahal

There is no greater and more inspirational love story thanthe one that lies at the foundation of perhaps the most lavish mausoleum ever build in history. The Taj Mahal Standing at 180 feet tall, the Taj Mahal is located on the bank of River Yamuna, in the heart of the small town of Agra in India. This town was once the capital of the Mughal Empire between the 16th and the 18th centuries and the Taj Mahal, argubaly the finest example of Mughal architecture, is on of the main reason why people flock to this sleepy town each year.

The story behind Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal was once described by Sir Edwin Arnold, an English poet, as `not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passion of an emperor's love wrought in living stones.` No description could been more apt. The name `Taj Mahal` means `Crown Palace` in the Persian language, but it is also said to be abbreviated form of the name of the woman who had inspired it. Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor at that time, erected the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife, Arjumand Bano Begum, who was better known as Mumtaz Mahal, or `Distinguished of the Palace’. 

Mumtaz Mahal died while giving birth to their fourteenth child. The story has it that before her death, she extracted four promises from the emperor– first, he should build a monument in her memory; second, he would marry again after her death; third, he would always be kind to their children; and fourth, he would visit her tomb on the anniversary of her death each year. After her death, Shah Jahan was reportedly inconsolable and dedicated the rest of his life to building the most magnificent monument possible for his late wife – and what monument it was. 


Construction began in 1631 and took 22 years to complete, with a workforce of more than twenty thousand men and one thousand elephants. The building materials were transported from all over India and central Asia. It was primarily built of white marble, in some parts inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones such as jasper, lapis lazuli and sapphire. The whole building consists of a complex of inter-connected parts, with the white-domed mausoleum containing the tombs forming the centerpiece. 


The work of art called the Taj Mahal

Surrounding the complex is a formal Mughal garden divided into four parts called the `charbagh’ - measuring 300m x 300m with sunken landscapes, flowerbeds, raised pathways, avenues of trees, fountains, water courses and pools. A long marble water tank in the centre before the main building reflects it perfectly in the water. Walls made of crenellated red sandstone surrounds the complex and its garden, except on the side that faces the river. The main gateway, called the `darwaza’, forms the entrance into the garden, its archways mirroring the mausoleum’s and sporting similar design elements and calligraphic adornment. Further towards the end, two grand red sandstone buildings stand on the sides of the mausoleum, mirroring each other: one is the mosque and the other one is the `answer’ or `jawab’. The main differences between these two buildings is that unlike the mosque, the jawab contains no `mihrab’ – a niche in the wall facing the Mecca, and where the mosque’s black marble floor is decorated with the outlines of 569 prayer rugs, the jawab has intricate geometric patterns.

The main structure of the Taj Mahal – the mausoleum itself - stands on a square plinth. One of its most magical attractions is that it seems to continually change colour: in the moonlight, it glows silvery white, while during sunset, the stones are suffused with a warm pink glow and during sunrise, a golden tinge. Standing two stories tall, it is topped with a marble dome about 35 metres in height, which is capped with a gilded finial. Flanking the mausoleum are four marble pillars or minarets, each more than 40 metres in height and incorporating the same design elements as the main building. The minarets were constructed slightly out of plumb, so that in the event of an earthquake which may bring about the collapse of the building, the minarets would fall away from the tomb.

The Taj Mahal is a combination of Indian and Persian elements, with strong Islamic influences as well as early Mughal architecture. As you wander through the complex, you can see the uniformity in the design and decorative elements used throughout the complex. Some of the most detailed and intricate work can be found within the building itself. Geometric designs decorate the insides of the domes, and intricate carvings can be seen on the pillars. The entrance archways are decorated with calligraphies depicting selected verses from the Qur’an. The builders’ attention to detail was exacting to an extraordinary degree: for instance, when the calligraphies were etched, the optical perspective of the viewer was taken into account, and the calligraphers made sure to increase the size and spacing of the letters as they reached higher, so that to the viewer down below, everything looked even and uniform.

The focal point of the entire mausoleum is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, which sits in the exact centre of the structure, deep within the mausoleum. Beside the ornate central tomb is a second tomb, the single object that disturbs the symmetry of the entire complex. This second tomb is for the Emperor, Shah Jahan himself. An octagonal marble screen featuring intricate designs pierced onto its surface surrounds the tombs within. These ornate tombs are only replicas of the real ones, which are situated deep within the underground chamber, exactly beneath their replicas. Calligraphic inscriptions on the marble caskets (which are inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones) identify the bodies that lay beneath. 


The legends surrounding Taj Mahal

According to popular Indian legend, Shah Jahan ordered everyone who was involved in the building of Taj Mahal to be blinded and their arms amputated, so that nothing as magnificent would ever be built again. Soon after the completion of the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his own son Aurangzeb, and locked up in the nearby Agra Fort. It was here that he spent the rest of his days forlornly gazing out the window at the monument he had lovingly built for his wife.

When he died, his son had him buried next to his wife in the Taj Mahal, an act seen not as an honour to his father’s love for his wife, but to spite his magnificent creation, as this move had indirectly caused a blemish to the otherwise perfectly symmetrical building.

It was also believed that an identical building was supposed to be built on the other side of the river, across the Taj Mahal. This building was to be built out of black marble, and was supposed to be the final resting place of Shah Jahan himself, but his son took over the throne before the `Black Taj’ could be built. The ruins of dark-coloured marble that can be found across the river were believed to be the unfinished base for the `Black Taj’.

The town of Agra can be reached via express train from India’s capital, New Delhi, which takes about one and a half hour. Immerse yourself in the magic of the Taj Mahal, preferably in the company of a loved one. 

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