List of 15 Indian Contenders for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site

The 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. World Heritage Committee launched the Global Strategy for heritage list in India for the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage sites. Tentative list of India’s world heritage sites in order to qualify for inclusion are Temples at Bishnupur,Golden Temple, Lotus Temple, Mughal Gardens and River Island of Majuli etc.

1. Temples at Bishnupur, West Bengal

Bishnupur town is famous for the terracotta temples and the balucheri sarees, located in Bankura district, a part of Burdwan Division. The town has the oldest brick temple in India along with Jor-Bangla Temple,Rasmancha,Pancha Ratna Temple,Madanmohan Temple and Chhinnamasta Temple.

2. Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar

Sri Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple is the holiest shrine of the Sikh and also home to the Akal Takht, one of the one of five takhts of the Sikh religion. The gurdwara is surrounded by the Sarovar, a large lake or holy tank and one of the most famous and must visit Gurdwaras in India.

3. Qutb Shahi Monuments, Hyderabad

The tombs of the Qutb Shahi are 21 beautiful domed granite tombs, located close to the famous Golkonda Fort near Hyderabad. Qutb Shahi Tombs structures built on a raised platform and surrounded by pointed arches with landscaped gardens.

4. Glorious Kakatiya Temples and Gateways, Warangal

Swayambhu Temple and Ramappa temple are two most important pieces of architecture found in the ancient capital of the Kakatiya dynasty. Glorious Kakatiya Temples and Gateways contains 3 serial sites of Warangal fort Swayambhu temple and Keerthi Thoranas,Thousand pillars temple Hanumakonda and Ramappa Temple of Palampet.

5. Lotus Temple, Delhi

Lotus Temple is located in New Delhi, built in the shape of a lotus flower and known for awesome architecture and great historical importance. The Lotus Temple has won numerous architectural awards and referred as the most visited building in the world.

6. Mughal Gardens, Kashmir

Kashmir is one of the most beautiful Mughal gardens in India. It was built by the Mughals in the Persian style of architecture. These group of Mughal gardens includes Nishat Gardens, Shalimar Bagh,Chashma Shahi,Verinag Garden,Achabal Garden and Pari Mahal.

7. Santiniketan, West Bengal

Santiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. It was established by Rabindranath Tagore. Santiniketan host many social and cultural events such as holy festival known as Poush Mela, Basanta Utsav, Magh Mela and Barsha Mangal.

8. River Island of Majuli, Assam

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Majuli is known as the biggest river island in the world, formed by Brahmaputra and Subansiri River in Assam. The island is one of the top natural wonders of India and a bird lover’s paradise, best time to visit Majuli is between November to March.

9. Mandu Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh

(Jahaj Mahal, Mandu)

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Mandu is one of the ruined city in India, located in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh and known for rich and varied history of Pashtun architecture. Mandu Group of Monuments comprises Rewa Kund, Hindola palace, big gates,Jahaz Mahal and Baz Bahadur’s Palace.

10. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala, Karnataka

Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas are located in the foothills of the hilly and forested terrain of the Western Ghats. The most remarkable architecture of Hoysala temples are carved stone temples dedicated to sculptures of Ganesha, Hindu God Shiva, and exquisite architecture.

11. Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kerala

The beautiful Padmanabhapuram Palace is an old palace located at Thiruvananthapuram in Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu). Padmanabhapuram palace complex comprises several structures such as Performance Hall, four-storeyed mansion, Thekee Kottaram, and Queen Mother’s Palace.

12. Excavated Remains, Nalanda

Nalanda was a large Buddhist monastery in the ancient kingdom, The remains of Nalanda has eleven monasteries and six major brick temples. Structures of Nalanda includes Buddhist sculptures, Marichi,Ganesha, Prajnaparamita, found during the excavations conducted by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

13. Mattanchery Palace, Ernakulam

Mattancherry Palace is one of the historic monuments of Kerala, situated at Mattancherry (Ernakulam district). The Palace is declared a centrally protected monument and home to best traditions of Portraits of the Rajas of Cochin, Hindu temple art, and rare examples of traditional Kerala flooring.

14. Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath

Sarnath is one of the four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha,located near the sacred city of Varanasi. The ancient buildings and structures at Sarnath comprises Ancient Buddhist monasteries,Ashoka Pillar,Archeological Museum,Dharmarajika Stupa and Dhamek Stupa (one of the tallest Buddhist Stupa in India).

15. Cellular Jail, Andaman Islands

Cellular Jail or Kala Pani is a prison in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Political prisoners of Indian freedom movement are sent to this jail during the regime of the English. The Cellular Jail is located at Port Blair and today the complex serves as a national memorial monument.