List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra Till 2026
Explore the complete list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra till 2026, including Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves, Western Ghats, and Mumbai heritage architecture. Discover their history, UNESCO recognition year, cultural significance, and why these iconic sites matter globally.
Maharashtra is the country of rich cultural heritage, old architecture, and great natural landscapes. Some heritage sites globally recognisable are found within the state; these sites include artistic, architectural and ecological heritage of India.
There are 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, and among these, 7 of them, which are located in Maharashtra, are cultural and natural sites of interest.
These historically significant monuments, cave complexes and landscapes are a monument of thousands of years of artistic genius, traditions, colonial architecture, and biodiversity. The heritage sites of Maharashtra have ancient rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora, and all the way up to modern railway architecture of Mumbai display the role that the state played in world history and culture.
Today, in this article, we will explore the current list of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra as of 2026.
Also Read: List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Uttar Pradesh Till 2026
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra Till 2026
Currently, Maharashtra has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which include Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Western Ghats, Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai, and Maratha Military Landscapes of India.
Below in the table, all its details with the date and under which category it comes are given.
| S.No. | Site | Location (State) | Date | Type |
| 1. | Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra | 1983 | Cultural |
| 2. | Ellora Caves | Maharashtra | 1983 | Cultural |
| 3. | Elephanta Caves | Maharashtra | 1987 | Cultural |
| 4. | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) | Maharashtra | 2004 | Cultural |
| 5. | Western Ghats | Maharashtra | 2012 | Natural |
| 6. | Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai | Maharashtra | 2018 | Cultural |
| 7. | Maratha Military Landscapes of India | Maharashtra | 2025 | Cultural |
Source: UNESCO
Brief overview of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Maharashtra
1. Ajanta Caves
Source: UNESCO
Below is the table given with important key facts about the Ajanta Caves:
| Category | Details |
| Location | Aurangabad district, Maharashtra |
| Period | 2nd century BCE to around 6th century CE |
| Religious Significance | Buddhist monasteries and prayer halls |
| UNESCO Status | Declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 |
| Architecture | Rock-cut cave architecture carved into a horseshoe-shaped cliff |
| Famous For | Ancient murals, paintings, and sculptures depicting the life of Buddha |
| Total Caves | 30 caves, including monasteries (Viharas) and prayer halls (Chaityas) |
| Importance | One of the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian Buddhist art |
2. Ellora Caves
Source: UNESCO
Below is the table given with important key facts about Ellora Caves:
| Category | Details |
| Location | Aurangabad district, Maharashtra |
| Period | Between 6th and 10th centuries CE |
| UNESCO Status | Declared World Heritage Site in 1983 |
| Religious Diversity | Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples |
| Total Caves | 34 caves |
| Most Famous Structure | Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) |
| Architecture | Massive monolithic rock-cut architecture |
| Significance | Demonstrates religious harmony and artistic excellence |
3. Elephanta Caves
Source: UNESCO
Below is the table given with important key facts about Elephanta Caves:
| Category | Details |
| Location | Elephanta Island near Mumbai |
| Period | Around 5th to 8th century CE |
| UNESCO Status | Designated a World Heritage Site in 1987 |
| Religious Theme | Primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva |
| Famous Sculpture | Trimurti (three-headed Shiva statue) |
| Architecture | Rock-cut cave temples with intricate carvings |
| Access | Reached by ferry from the Gateway of India |
4. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus(formerly Victoria Terminus)
Source: UNESCO
Below is the table given with important key facts about Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus:
| Category | Details |
| Location | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Built By | British architect Frederick William Stevens |
| Construction Period | 1878–1887 |
| Architecture Style | Victorian Gothic Revival with Indian influences |
| UNESCO Status | Declared a World Heritage Site in 2004 |
| Function | Major railway headquarters and transport hub |
| Historical Importance | Symbol of Mumbai’s colonial architectural heritage |
5. Western Ghats
Source: UNESCO
Below is the table given with important key facts about the Western Ghats:
| Category | Details |
| Type | Natural World Heritage Site |
| UNESCO Recognition | 2012 |
| Spread | Across six Indian states, including Maharashtra |
| Ecosystem | Tropical forests, rivers, and mountain ecosystems |
| Biodiversity | One of the world’s eight “hottest biodiversity hotspots” |
| Wildlife | Home to many endemic species of plants and animals |
6. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
Source: UNESCO
Below is the table given with important key facts about Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai:
| Category | Details |
| Location | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| UNESCO Status | Designated World Heritage Site in 2018 |
| Architecture Style | Combination of Victorian Gothic and Art Deco |
| Area | Around the Oval Maidan area in South Mumbai |
| Key Buildings | Bombay High Court, University of Mumbai, Marine Drive Art Deco buildings |
| Significance | Represents architectural transition from colonial Gothic to modern Art Deco |
7. Maratha Military Landscapes of India
Source: UNESCO
Below is the table given with important key facts about the Maratha Military Landscapes of India:
| Category | Details |
| UNESCO Status | Inscribed in 2025 |
| Type | Cultural |
| Location | Several forts across Maharashtra |
| Historical Period | Associated with the Maratha Empire |
| Famous Forts | Raigad, Pratapgad, Shivneri, and other hill forts |
| Significance | Demonstrates advanced military architecture and strategic hill fort planning |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra—Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Western Ghats, Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai, and Maratha Military Landscapes of India—stand as timeless symbols of India’s rich cultural and natural heritage. These globally recognised sites reflect centuries of artistic excellence, architectural brilliance, and ecological importance, attracting historians, scholars, and visitors from around the world.
Prabhat Mishra is a Subject Matter Expert and digital journalist with an extensive background in the competitive exam landscape and over 4 years of experience in education, national and international news, and current affairs. Over his tenure with top knowledge platforms like Mentorship India, IAS BABA, IAS SARTHI, and now Jagran Josh, he has a deep understanding of government exams like UPSC and State PCS, including UP and Bihar, as he has already qualified for the UPPCS 2022 Mains and Bihar 68th Mains. With his core expertise in history, polity, geography & current affairs, he specialises in creating well-researched, aspirant-centric content and simplifying complex topics for competitive examinations.
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