Starting from 1983 UNESCO has identified them as the popular 'World Heritage Sites'. There are currently 22 cultural i.e. natural and historical sites in India. Other than that 10 - 12 sites are waiting recognition.

Taj Mahal:
Seventh Wonder of the World (1983) Taj Mahal is one of the most outstanding architectural creations of the world. For centuries it has inspired musicians, painters and poets to try and capture its flawless beauty in word, songs and colors. Taj Mahal is situated in the city of Agra, in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a tribute of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Arjumand Bano Begum who predeceased him. This white marble structure with its four characteristics minrates is the post card symbol of the India. It is said to have been built over the period of more than 17 years, using the money and labor on an unimaginable scale. .

Timings : 8 am to 7 pm
Entry Fee : RS 750 (Foreigners), Rs 15 (Indians)
Closing Day : Friday
Nearest Railway Station : Agra Cantt.
Nearest Airport : Kheria Airport
Best time to visit : October to March

Fatehpur Sikri : (1986)
An emperor builds the glorious city in oder to honor the penniless saint, makes it the capital of the Mughal empire and then, for kabbalistic reason abandons it. Fatehpur (City of Victory) is the city that Akbar forgot. Just after 14 years, the monuments of Akbar's great started losing their charm. Buland Darwaza (Gate of Grandeur), Panch Mahal (Five storied Palatial structure)and house of Raja Birbal are some of the main highlights of the city. Fatehpur Sikri is the greatest example of Mughal architecture, noted for its awe inspiring beauty.

Entry Fee : Rs 485 (Foreigners), Rs 50 (Indian)
Nearest Railway Station : Agra Cantt.
Best Time to Visit : November to February

Agra Fort : (1983)
The high, red sandstone walls of the mighty Mughal citadel - Agra Fort looks down upon the famed mausoleum Taj Mahal over the Yamuna river. Popularly referred to as the 'Red Fort', it is one of the earliest surviving Mughal monuments in the city. It is believed that Babur laid out the gardens here but of now no signs of them remains. Mughal emperor Akbar made Agra his capital and constructed this monolithic red sand tone fort. Built in the period of more than eight years with the combined efforts of more than a million mansons, it was renovated to its present shape by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and harbors a numerous other ornate structures.

Timings : 7am to 6 pm
Entry Fee : Rs 520 (foreigners), Rs 20 (Indians)
Open on all Days
Nearest Railway Station : Agra Cantt.
Nearest Airport : Kheria Airport
Best Time to Visit : October to March

Qutab Minar : (1993) Qutab Minar is one the tallest monuments of the world. It is located in the Qutab Complex, amidst the ruins of several Hindu temples which were earlier destroyed and their stones were further used in the construction of Qutab Minar complex. In 1193 Qutubuddin Aibak laid the foundation of this monument, which was later on completed 1386 by Firuz Shah Tughluq. The other important structure in the complex includes Quwwatu'l-Islam Masjid, Tomb of Iltutmish and Quwwatu'l-Islam (The Mighty of Islam).

Attractions of Qutab Minar : Qutb Festival (Classical dance festival held in October) and Phoolwalon Ki Sair (September)
Entry Fee :Rs 250 (foreigners) and Rs 10 (Indians)
Days to Visit : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station : New Delhi/ Nizamuddin

Red Fort : (2007)
In 1639, when Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan shifted his capital from historical town of Agra to Delhi, he built Red Fort. Popularly referred to as 'Lal Quila', it is the largest of Delhi's monuments. The major attractions inside are Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private), Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public), Khas Mahal (Imperial Chambers), Zenana (Women's Chambers), Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) and the Hayat Bkash Bagh (Garden).

Entry Fee : Rs 150 (foreigners), Rs 10 (Indians)
Nearest Railway Station : Old Delhi
Days to Visit : Open on all days

Humayun's Tomb : (1993)
Humayun's Tomb is the earliest surviving Mughal monument in India. Humayun's Tomb was commissioned by Haji Begam in 1569 after the fourteen years of Humayun's death. It is he ultimate example of the Mughal style of architecture. Which was inspired by Persian architecture. It is the first garden tomb in India, which inspired several other architectural innovations, including the Taj Mahal.

Entry Fee : US$5 (foreigners) and Rs 10 (Indians)
Nearest Railway Station : New Delhi/ Nizamuddin
Nearest Airport : Indira Gandhi International Airport

Bhimbetka Cave : (2003)
The popular rock shelter Bhimbetka caves, lies 45 km from south of Bhopal, harboring exquisite Stone Age Rock Paintings dating back to 9,000 years. It is believed that the place was renovated as the parlor of Bhima, the great hero of the mythological Mahabharata. The paintings that are portrayed here are handiwork of pre-historic cavemen, depicting scenes from the everyday life.

Entry Fee : US $ 5 (foreigners), and Rs 14 (Indians)
Days to Visit : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station : Bhopal (55km)

Buddhist Monuments of Sanchi : (1989)
The elephantine, red dome on the hill top dominates the peaceful countryside malignant majesty. More than other heritage monuments, the Great Stupa at Sanchi typify the spread Buddhist faith in India. Sanchi is the popular Buddhist pilgrimage destination, located in the district of Raisen in Madhya Pradesh. The ruins of Buddhists temples and monasteries that lie across the hill recall the time when Buddhism spread across the monasteries at Sanchi pullulated with monk worshipers.

Entry Fee : Rs 5
Days to Visit : Open on all days, Friday is free
Nearest Railway Station : Sanchi

Khajuraho Group of Temples : (1986)
The state of Madhya Pradesh is popular throughout the world for the temples of Khajuraho built in 10th and 11th centuries, whose internal and external walls are adorned with recherche stone carvings portraying every face and mood of life, from divine to the erotic, the one stop of reverend. Khajuraho temple is the also the venue of popular 'Festival of Classical Dances' held in the month of February on the annual basis in which foremost celebrities of dance perform against the outstanding backdrop of the floodlit temples.

Entry Fee : US$ 5 (foreigners), Rs 10 Indian
Days to visit : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station : Khajuraho (inaugurated in 2008)

Elephanta Caves : (1987)
A heritage cave on a tiny island, in the middle of Mumbai harbor, houses one of the most outstanding examples of the ancient rock cave architecture. Although not as popular as Ajanta or Ellora caves, the Elephanta Caves, located at the distance of 10 km from Gateway of Mumbai, are worth a visit. The huge rock cut cave temple complex is dedicated to lord Shiva and was created in the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta kings who ruled the area between 757 -973 AD.

Timings : 9 am to 5:30 pm
How to reach there : Ferry from Gateway of India

Ajanta Caves : (1983)
In 1819, group of Britishers on a tiger haunt in the jungles of the western deccan, all of sudden spotted their prey, on the far corner of the loop in the Waghora river. High up on the horseshoe shaped cliff, the officers spotted the tiger, outlined against the carved frontage of the cave. Upon investigation, the haunters discovered a series of rock cut carved caves, each more dramatic than the other one. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, Ajanta caves are famous for their pseudo-fresco and relief sculptures. Lord Buddha teachings and Jataka tales, constitute the principle theme of the caves of Ajanta.

Timings : 9 am to 5 pm
Entry Fee : US$10 (foreigners), (RS 10)Indians
Days to visits : Open on all days (except Mondays and National Holidays )
Nearest Railway Station : Jalgaon (55km) and Bhusaval (65km)
Nearest Airport : Chikalthana airport

Champaner Pavagarh : (2004)
Located at the distance of 50 kms from Vadodra, Champaner Pavagarh, is an inspiring amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim style of architecture. The Pavagarh hill was the renowned site of the famous Rajput fortress constructed by Solanki Kings of Gujarat, followed by Khichi Chauhans.

Entry Fee : RS 5
Days to visits : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station : Vadodra (51kms)

Ellora Caves : (1987)
Tucked at the curve of the Charnadari Hill in the Deccan is the series of glorious temples and monasteries cut out of the mountainside. Located on the popular north south trade route or dakshinapatha, the ancient mountain village of Verul - converted today to the Ellora village- was once the well known stopover for traders and pilgrims, who plied the route to the western ports. There are total of 34 Ellora caves out of which 12 are Buddhist caves, 17 are Hindu caves and 5 are Jain caves.

Entry Fee : Free except to Kailasa temple. For Kailasa temple it is US $ 10 and Rs 10 for the Indians.
Days to visits : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station :Aurangabad (31 km)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus : (2004) Popularly referred to as the Victoria Terminus or Bombay VT, this grand British era railway terminus is the busiest one in India. After Taj Mahal it is the most photographed monument in India. In 1996 it was renamed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

Entry Fees : Rs 5 (price of railway platform)
Days to visits : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station : Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Mumbai

Hampi : (1987)
The ascetic, impressive site of Hampi was the last capital of the great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar. Its rich princes built Dravidian group of temples and forts which won the admiration of tourists between the 14th and 16th centuries. Seized by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, the city was plundered over for six months before being abandoned.

Entry Fees : US $5 (foreigners), RS 10 (Indians)for Vittala temple, Zenana Enclosure and the Elephanta stables. Admission fee to the other side (more than Rs 50)
Days to visits : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station : Hospet (13km)

Great Living Chola Temples : (1987)
In the 10th and the 12th century, Cholas -the mighty empire rulers, erected some beautiful temples in Tamil Nadu, out of which Brihadeeshvara temple at Thanjavur are listed by USESCO as the World Heritage Site Another Brihadeeshvara temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram was the creation of his illustrious son Rajebdra Chola I. The Airavatesvara temple in Darasuram, named after Lord Indra (white elephant), was built by Rajaraja Chola II in 12th century.

Entry Fee : Free
Days to visits : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station : Thanjavur Junction

Churches and Convents of Goa :
The convents and churches of goa built in the 16th and 17 century are are perfect example of European style of architecture in India. The popular Church called St. Cajetan is constructed upon the original design of Rome's St. Peter's. Also featuring in the group are Assisi Church, Chapel of St. Augustine, The Basilica of Bom Jesus and St. Francis.

Entry Fee : Free
Days to visits : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station : Margoa

Monuments Complex at Pattadakal : (1987)
This 8th century fascination of consecrated architecture, Pattadakal temple in the city of Karnataka was built the Chalukya kings. Chalukyas were famous Shivites. There are mainly eight temples, including one Jain Shrine. The most poular of them is the Virukpaksha temple which was built by Queen Lokamahadevi in 745 as an tribute to Lord Shiva.

Entry Fee : Rs 5 (free on Friday)
Nearest Railway Station : Badami (24km)

Mahabalipuram Temple : (1984)
Mahabalipuram temple complex is the open air museum of ancient sculptures and religious monuments. The Pallava Kings of Kanchi, who ruled in the Tamil country from 3rd to 9th century , were popular patrons of art, music, architecture and scholarship. Teir second capital namely Mahabalipuram, become the setting for grand theme based sculptures and architecture.

Entry Fee : US $5 (foreigners), RS 10 (Indians)
Days to visits : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station :Chengalpattu (29km)

Mahabodhi Temple (Bodh Gaya) : (2002)
Lord Buddha (566 -486 B.C.), attained enlighenment below the Bodhi tree near today's Gaya in ihar in 526 B.C. Later on Bodh Gaya became the famous religious detination with the spread of Buddhism in Asia. Entry Fee : Free Days to visits : Open on all days Nearest Railway Station : Gaya (16 km) Sun Temple Konark : Konark, popular village in Orissa, is well nown for its 13th century architectural wonder - the Sun temple. This black granite temple was accredited by King Narasimhadeva I (1236 -1264). The temple was formed as an recherche 12 wheeled chariot of Sun God, being pulled by seven horses.

Entry Fee : US $5 (foreigners), RS 10 (Indians)
Days to visits : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station : Puri (31 km)

Mountain Railways of India : (1999) When Britishers started developing hill stations in India, they were facing problem as to ow connect them meaningfully with the plains. This purpose was solved through construction of 'Mountain Railway' that was an engineering marvel. UNESCO has recognized the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway , Kalka Shimla Railways and Nilgiri Mountain Railway as the popular World Heritage Site.

Entry Fee : Free, for rides and fares applicable)
Days to visits : Open on all days
Nearest Railway Station : New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, Kalka to Shimla, Meetupalayam to Udagmandalam