Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Must-see monuments!

Among the 30 cultural UNESCO heritage sites in India, The taj Mahal-stands out!

This magnificent ivory-white love shrine is the most adored world wonder in India. It is one fascinating sight to behold! So is the Great Pyramid of Giza, Machu Picchu in Peru and oh the Roman Colosseum! Unique Gems of human creativity and capability at it’s best.

Do you wish to explore more such mysteries?

Do you wish to touch marvels of ancient innovation?

Innovation so striking in comparison to our glass panels and skyscrapers.

Here’s a catalogue of the top 5 UNESCO heritage sites in India. Exciting backpacking destinations in India like Goa and Hampi take you back to the 14th and 16th centuries. Walk down the lanes of the past visiting charming churches of Old Goa with Goa Tour Packages. Switch dynasties with sightseeing at Hampi, witness monuments out of Persian chronicles!

Are you ready to add some wonder and wisdom to your next travel story?

Konark Sun temple, another world heritage site in India is itself about 800 years old!

Put on your adventure boots for your treasure hunt along the epic trails of Incredible India! The selected world heritage sites in India will connect you to thousands of years of mysteries and history.

• Ajanta Ellora Caves
• Portal City: Aurangabad, Maharashtra‎, India.
• Takes you back to 600 to 1000 AD
• Nearest airport: Chikalthana Airport of Aurangabad.
• WOW Factor: Kailash Temple, carved out of one single rock, from top to bottom.

The iconic Kailasha temple at Ellora caves is made of hammers and chisels, only. It took 100 years to complete it! At 266 ft high, it is the largest monolithic sculpture in the world.

The Kailash Temple at Ellora is dedicated to Shiva, a Hindu deity. Other cliffs at Ellora are adorned with spectacular Buddhist and Jain Shrines. Ajanta Caves, 75km away from Ellora, showcases beautiful Buddhist caves.

• Who should visit?

A visit to this world heritage site in India, will let you soak in a peaceful picture. A picture of art, religion, science, and empires coming together to create wonderfully. It is refreshing to have this experience in today’s time. Spiritual seekers, religious people along with architecture and history enthusiasts will enjoy most.

• Mahabalipuram, the historic town.
• Portal City: Tamil Nadu, India
• Takes you back to 7th- and 8th-century.
• Nearest airport: Chennai international airport
• WOW Factor: Shore temple. Stunning Beaches. Underwater treasures, Stone carvings.

One of the most ancient towns in India, it is about a half-hour drive southwest of Chennai. The site has 40 Hindu monuments marked with grand carvings of granite. A UNESCO heritage site since 1984, it portrays fine examples of intricate carvings and ancient craftsmen skills.

Shore temple is a graceful and beautiful sight. Believed to be one of the legendary Seven Pagodas as seen by ancient marines, it arouses a lot of mystery. Stay entertained with the folklore and ancient myths attached to it as you take a tour around.

Descent of the Ganges also known as Arjuna’s Penance is a sculpture of Pink Granite.

It traces tales from Indian Epics like Mahabharata.

• Who should Visit?

If you’d love to laze around by the beach and make the most of cultural exploits of centuries ago. You should visit Mahabalipuram. It is an ideal beach resort vacation destination with plenty of attractions to explore. Sri Krishna’s Butter Ball is another site that fascinates everyone along with classical dance and drama festivals. Currently, Archaeologists are looking to unravel more underwater treasures here.

You can also visit the largest seashell museum in India!

• Khajuraho, the erotic temple.
• Portal City: Madhya Pradesh, India
• Takes you back to 950 AD and 1050 AD
• Nearest airport: Khajuraho Airport.
• WOW Factor: Orignal artistic spiral superstructures and Erotic Sculptures.

Khajuraho temple is a unique creation. One of a kind fusion of art, sculpture, religion and culture. You will see ancient Indian expressions on sexuality, eroticism and emotional fulfilment in life. This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is more than 1000 years old. It is one of the best-preserved monuments of antiquity in India.

The erotic sculptures adorning the walls of this ‘Shikhara temple style’ temple revel in the beauty of human form.

• Who should visit?

This tantalizing UNESCO world heritage site in India attracts all kinds of travelers to its majestic doors. A must-visit for artists and art lovers. You are sure to experience a spark of inspiration!

The site stretches for about 6 km with 22 old Hindu and Jain temples. It offers a collection of original artwork expressing the varying stages of everyday life. Carved in shades of pink and pale yellow, this group of monuments is an absolute delight for the photographer’s eye.

• Bodh Gaya, the set of Gautama’s enlightenment.
• Portal City: Bihar, India
• Takes you back to the 5th and 6th centuries
• Nearest airport: Patna Airport/Gaya Airport
• WOW factor: Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple’ Bodhi Tree and an 80-foot statue of Lord Buddha.

The pursuit of happiness and the search for Nirvana remains a common aspiration of wanderers of the past and seekers of today. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, it is one of the four most important Buddhist holy places. Less than a 4-hour drive from the capital of Bihar, Patna, there are dozens of Buddhist monasteries to see and discover.

Vajrasana the seat of Buddha’s enlightenment. The atmosphere of the “diamond throne” is calm and peaceful. It’s an aura, unmatched by any other site in India.

• Who should visit?

Longing for an escape from the same old same old?

If you’ve been contemplating taking a life-altering vacation. Bodh Gaya will not disappoint. It allows you to drop all the stress and worries of work life. There are many meditation programs and also the soothing silence to help you reinvent yourself. If you have been waiting for your ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ moment, This is it!

Nearby visit to the Great Shanti Stupa at Sanchi, is not one to be missed. Especially by those who wish to follow in the footsteps of Buddha.

• Hill Forts of Rajasthan
• Portal City: Udaipur/Jaipur
• Takes you back to 8th century to the 16th century
• Nearest airport: Jaipur International Airport/Udaipur Airport.
• WOW, factor: Extraordinarily beautiful. The most sophisticated and evolved examples of Rajput military architecture.