The past never comes back, but the buildings built during that period, the literature written, keep them alive forever. All these things are heritage for any country. The identity of any country, the information about its civilization can be known from these heritages only.

It is very important to know what, when and where events happened in the past. World Heritage Day is celebrated every year for the purpose of keeping these events and civilizations in existence.

The pages of the past have been decorated somewhere in books and somewhere in buildings. We are proud that UNESCO has included 40 places of India in the list of world cultural heritage sites.

These sites are recognized by UNESCO for their outstanding cultural significance, historical importance, and architectural value. They represent the diverse cultural heritage of India and attract millions of visitors every year.

Now, lets know about 8 of these 40 UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site.

Taj Mahal

One of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture made of white marble. Emperor Shah Jahan built it in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, on the banks of the Yamuna river in Agra. It took over 20 years and an estimated cost of 32 million Indian rupees to complete, which would be equivalent to approximately 58 billion Indian rupees today. The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture globally and is often referred to as the "Jewel of Muslim Art in India."

Ajanta and Ellora caves

The Ajanta Caves, located in the Aurangabad district, are an excellent example of breathtaking cave architecture in India. Tourists from all over the world visit these caves, which were carved into the mountain range. The discovery of these caves dates back to 1819 when a British officer named John Smith stumbled upon them. The Ajanta caves consist of 29 caves, while the Ellora caves have 34. These caves are a remarkable specimen of ancient architectural heritage with remarkable sculptures and murals that are truly extraordinary. The best time to visit these caves is right after the monsoon season, as the lush greenery of the jungle and the River Waghora add to the scenic beauty. The weather is also pleasant during this time, and it is common to spot deer in this part of the jungle.

Sun Temple, Konark

Surrounded by many stories and mysteries, this 700-year-old temple is a home to many intriguing secrets. From the enigmas behind the closed entrance gate to the ghostly spirits of dancers who lived here over a century ago, the temple is a hub of fascinating mysteries. According to Abul Fazl, the renowned court historian of Akbar, the Sun Temple was built during the reign of King Narasimha I (1238-1264 AD) on a vast 12-acre land near the Bay of Bengal by spending the entire revenue of the kingdom for 12 years (1556-1605 AD). It was constructed using black granite and took 12 years to complete. Experts suggest that the design was made to allow the first rays of the sun to fall on the main entrance. Today, the rays of the sun falling on the wheels placed inside the temple, which act as sundials, can be used to tell the time.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments

You may have come across sensual images at some point in your life, but it is quite surprising when these images are displayed on temples. The stunning ancient temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, India, are world-renowned for their exquisite erotic carvings and sculptures. Khajuraho is a city with a long history located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Legend has it that the city was named after a time when a massive garden of date palm trees thrived here. Khajuraho has several ancient temples dedicated to Hindu and Jain deities, which are considered some of the most beautiful and famous historical monuments in India. These temples are collectively known as the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which were built between 885 AD to 1050 AD during the reign of the Chandela dynasty. The construction of these temples was initiated by Raja Chandra Varman, the first ruler of the Chandela dynasty.

Group of Monuments at Hampi

Hampi is a historic site located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the northern part of Karnataka, India. It was built during the reign of Vijayanagara rulers, Harihara and Bukkaraya, and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sacred centre of Hampi includes various monuments such as the Hampi Bazaar, Achyuta Raya Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Courtesans Street, and Sasivekalu Ganesha. One of the most popular attractions in Hampi is the Ranga Mantapa, which features fifty-six musical pillars that emit different musical notes when gently tapped with ones thumb. These pillars are made of solid granite and stand 3.6 meters tall. Hampi experiences dry and moderate weather throughout the year, but the best time to visit is during the winter months, from October to March.

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka

Bhimbetka of Madhya Pradesh is famous for its caves. Which is located in Raisen district of MP. Thousands of years old caves are present here which testify to the ancient history of this place. It is said that this is the place where Pandavas spent their exile. This settlement of primitive humans is situated in the rocks of Vindhya range inside Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary. At the same time, the reason behind calling this place Bhimbaithaka is that the Pandavas spent their exile here. Bhima was the heaviest among the Pandavas. That is why this place came to be known as Bhimbetka. Some historians say that eight thousand years ago, primitive man started farming and rearing animals and made many things here from what he saw. The tribals used to roam here for many kilometers and used to make paintings on the rocks. The surprising thing is that the colors used in these paintings are still the same today.

Qutub Minar and its Monuments, Delhi

The Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world and located in the city of Delhi, India, in the Mehrauli area. It was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and completed by Iltutmish, then restored by Firoz Shah Tughlaq after it was damaged in an accident in 1369. According to one theory, the original name of the Qutub Minar was the Vishnu Stambh and was built by Emperor Chandragupta Vikramaditya courtier, Bakhtiyar Kaki, who was a Sufi saint.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

The former name of CST was Victoria Terminus. It represents the Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India.
British architect F. W. Stevens built and designed it.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is a monument of immense historical significance, boasting one of the most impressive railway stations of the world. Each day, over three million visitors pass through its doors. Originally named Victoria Terminus in 1887 to commemorate the fiftieth year of reign of Queen Victoria, the station was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in 1996 to honor the Maratha empire founder. It is now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus as of 2017.

Designed by British architect F W Stevens, this architectural masterpiece features a striking stone dome, a cantilevered staircase, ornate turrets, graceful columns, pointed arches, soaring vaulted ceilings, and an array of expansive sculptures and carvings. The main gate of the building is flanked by two columns adorned with sculptures of a seated lion representing Britain and a crouching tiger representing India.