India Journey

UNESCO India – Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

In the Charanandri Hills of India, carved directly into the side of a basalt cliff, are a collection of monasteries and temples known as the Ellora Caves. These structures are some of the finest examples of their type and represent the religions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The exact dates of the caves are in question, though the timeline of 400 CE to 1000 CE is suggested. It is known that Ellora became the preferred site of cave dwellings of this kind after the abandonment of the Ajanta Caves. The Ellora Caves were put on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1983.

UNESCO India – Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh

In the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains, surrounded by dense forests, are the remains of a past that reaches back as far as 100,000 years ago. The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka contain evidence of some of the first human presence in all of India. These natural shelters number in excess of 200 at the site with hundreds of others in nearby locations. Many of the caves are decorated with paintings that show the legacy of their previous occupants. The rock shelters were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List in 2003.

UNESCO India – Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

In the Ganges delta, bordering on the Bay of Bengal, lies the Sundarbans National Park – more than 6000 square miles of wetlands, criss-crossed with an extensive system of waterways. More than half of this national park is in India while the rest lay in Bangladesh. Sundarbans is a lush wetland landscape, containing the world’s largest mangrove forests and constantly shifting and changing from the heavy rains and tides. The Sundarbans National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1987.

UNESCO India – Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

Approximately 65 miles north-east of the world-famous site of Ellora, in India, lay a semi-circular cliff within the forested Sahyadri Hills. Within the face of this volcanic stone, Buddhists carved out temples from as early as the 2^nd century BCE and as late as the 5^th century CE. The Ajanta Caves were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

UNESCO India – Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

As the first Mughal-styled garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent, Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi is a unique site that represents a major turn in the development of India’s architecture. It was destined to become the first in a long line of similar tombs, culminating in the masterpiece that is the Taj Mahal. Humayun’s Tomb was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1993.

UNESCO India – Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

In ages gone by, knowledge of the heavens and the stars was an important political tool. Originally, this was a primarily religious pursuit, but as times changed it became a scientific pursuit which demonstrated the power of a leader by his mastery over science. In Jaipur, India, lies the Jantar Mantar, one of the most extensive astronomical observatories in the world. The site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2010.

UNESCO India – Fatehpur Sikri, Utter Pradesh

It is “The City of Victory”, Fatehpur Sikri, though despite the victory it was named for, it would be a true city for less than 15 years. Created as the capital of the Mughal Empire by Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned shortly after its completion due to an inability to provide water for its residents. UNESCO named Fatehpur Sikri a World Heritage Site in 1986.

UNESCO India: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

At the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas lies the vast expanse of grasslands, hills and tropical forests that make up the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. It is part of the Manas Tiger Reserve and is the most bio-diverse region in all of India. Many species that have not managed to survive elsewhere still roam the sanctuary, protected so that future generations may experience their unique beauty. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

UNESCO India – Elephanta Caves, Elephanta Island

Elephanta Island is a small piece of land, around 5 square miles in total area, in the Sea of Oman. It can be easily accessed via ferry from nearby Mumbai. This island is home to one of the most elaborate and beautiful monuments of Hindu culture to be found anywhere. The site of the Elephanta caves was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

UNESCO India: Taj Mahal, Agra

Located in the city of Agra, the Taj Mahal is one of the most spectacular examples of architecture in the world. It is a compilation of Persian, Turkish and Indian designs that rests on the right bank of the Yamuna River amidst a vast garden. Built during the years 1632-1648, this structure measures nearly 200 feet to a side. The Taj Mahal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

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