TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - India is famous for the Taj Mahal, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists visiting India often prioritize the white marble mausoleum in Agra as a primary tourist destination. However, many other historical buildings in India are worth visiting.
In addition to the Taj Mahal, other popular but less explored UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India include the pink city of Jaipur and the Sun Temple in Konark. Other lesser-known historical heritage sites in India are hidden in remote corners, far from the usual tourist routes. Yet, these lesser-known sites have equally intriguing historical, cultural, and natural significance.
Here are some UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India that are interesting despite being less popular:
1. Khangchendzonga National Park
This national park and biosphere reserve is located in Sikkim. It is not just a stunning landscape with alpine meadows and serene lakes, but also home to a diverse collection of flora and fauna, glaciers, and monasteries. In Sikkim's culture, this place is considered a sacred site with many hidden treasures and high spiritual value, as reported by the Times of India.
Khangchendzonga National Park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. It covers an area of 1,784 square kilometers with a unique combination of lowlands, steep valleys, and snow-capped mountains, including the world's third-highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga.
2. Rani Ki Vav
Rani Ki Vav is a stepwell with intricate carvings and beautiful pillars. Its design naturally keeps it cool even in the scorching summer. Located on the banks of the Saraswati River, it is one of the oldest and best stepwells in Gujarat. The descending staircase leads through several levels with carved pillars and over 800 sculptures, mostly of Vishnu avatars, along with striking geometric patterns.
According to information from Gujarat Tourism, this stepwell was built in 1063 by Rani Udayamati in memory of her husband, Bhimdev I. It was initially buried under mud and rediscovered in the 1940s, then restored by the Archaeological Survey of India in the 1980s. The stepwell has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014.
3. Pattadakal Temple Complex
The temples in Pattadakal are situated on the banks of the Malaprabha River in Karnataka. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is evidence of the rich Chalukya architecture during the 7th and 8th centuries. There are 10 main temples, including Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna, Sangameswara, Galaganatha, Kashi Visweshwara, Papanatha, and others, as reported by Karnataka Tourism.
Pattadakal showcases temple architecture from the Dravida, Arya, and combining both styles, making it an open-air museum of ancient Indian temple architecture. It also served as a ceremonial center for the anointing and coronation of kings. Additionally, the Archaeological Survey of India within the Pattadakal temple complex manages a sculpture gallery.
4. Great Himalayan National Park
According to information from the official website Great Himalayan National Park, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 due to its extraordinary significance for biodiversity conservation. It is home to over 1,000 plant species, including medicinal plants, 31 mammal species, 209 bird species, amphibians, reptiles, and insects in this national park in Himachal Pradesh. There are also four globally threatened mammal species and three bird species, including the western tragopan and musk deer.
Pattadakal, Karnataka, India. Unsplash.com/Ananya Anand
5. Santiniketan
Santiniketan is located in rural West Bengal. Established by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1901, this center for education and culture embraces learning in nature, artistic expression, and holistic development. Rabindranath Tagore realized his dream of a university town, leading to the establishment of Visva-Bharati University in 1921. In addition to its academic and cultural significance, Santiniketan captivates visitors with its stunning natural beauty.
6. Keoladeo National Park
Keoladeo National Park is located in eastern Rajasthan. Once a royal hunting ground, the park has become a bird sanctuary, hosting thousands of migrating birds, including the rare Siberian crane. The best time to see migratory birds is during the winter.
7. Rock Shelters Bhimbetka
Rock Shelters Bhimbetka is located at the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains, on the southern edge of the central Indian plateau. It houses prehistoric cave paintings over 30,000 years old. The cultural traditions of the inhabitants of twenty-one adjacent villages closely resemble those depicted in the paintings, according to information from the Ministry of Culture website of India.
8. Mahabodhi Temple
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in Bihar. It includes a grand temple that is 55 meters high, along with six other sacred sites associated with the life and enlightenment of Lord Buddha. It is one of India's oldest brick-built Buddhist temples, constructed in the 5th or 6th century AD.
As one of India's four most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations, this complex hosts daily rituals, prayers, and colorful festivals celebrated by Buddhists worldwide. The centuries-old traditions of offering, chanting, and meditation continue to thrive here, preserving the living heritage of the Buddhist religion in India.
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