Sathodi Falls in the Western Ghats. Credits: Sarangib
While some of you might have heard of the sites listed down here, there's a fair chance that you didn't know that these are actually listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. For someone who came in late, a World Heritage Site is selected and recognised by the United Nations on the basis of its "cultural, historical, scientific or any other form of significance". These sites are preserved and protected by UNESCO and international treaties.
There are 35 such sites in India, that include the usual suspects such as Taj Mahal, Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb, etc. But there are many more incredible sites that most of us aren't aware of. Hence, I'm listing down seven of the most surreal UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India you had absolutely no idea about:
Credits: Karneek Vyas
You may have heard of the mountain peak alright, but the national park (or the biosphere reserve) located in Sikkim is no less important. It is the latest Indian entry on the heritage list. The 1784 sq. km-large site is home to an outstanding variety of flora and fauna, mountains, plains, glaciers, valleys, and much more. Mt. Kanchenjunga here is the subject of many a folklore and myths that have impacted the formation of various fundamental Sikkimese ideologies. The national park is a heaven for nature lovers and bird-watchers.
Where is it: Sikkim
Why visit: To see Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain peak in the world.
How to reach: Nearest airport is in Bagdogra, Darjeeling, which is 222km away. Nearest railway station is Siliguri Junction, which is 221km away. You can take public buses or hire private taxes from the airport as well as the railway station.
Became a heritage site in: 2016
Read more here.
Churches and Convents of Goa
Credits: Timothy Neesam
Goa is the unofficial beach capital of India, but that doesn't mean the state is any less geographically or culturally significant in other aspects. The churches and convents of Goa provide a fair depiction of evangelisation in Asia through their baroque architecture and rusty art inside. The Church of Bom Jesus is arguably the most renowned of the lot because it houses the tomb of the influential 15th century Catholic Missionary St. Francis-Xavier, attracting thousands of religious and non-religious tourists every year. The area also once served as the capital of Portuguese India, till it was abandoned in the 1800s due to a plague.
Where is it: 10km from Panaji, Goa
Why visit: If you're interested in exploring the ruins of the area that served as the "center of the Christianisation in the East". The churches are pretty well-maintained as well.
How to reach: Nearest airport is Dabolim, which is 24 km away. Nearest railway station is Karmali Station, which is just 3 km away. You can take public buses or hire private taxes from the airport as well as the railway station.
Became a heritage site in: 1986
Read more here.
Western GhatsCredits: Tornado Twister
The Western Ghats are also known as Sahyadris in Hindi, which literally translates to "the benevolent mountains". The colloquial christening must have been done owing to how important they are in terms of biophysical and ecological processes that take place through the entire western coast of the Indian peninsula. Surprisingly, the Western Ghats are even older than the Himalayas, which is a testimony to their significance in moderating the climate of the region. The mountain chain is approximately 1,600km long and runs through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Where is it: Everywhere between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu on the Indian west coast.
Why visit: The mountain chain is home to at least 325 species of flora and fauna that are universally endangered.
How to reach: Travel to any of the states listed above via whichever medium of transport and you will be able to spot them.
Became a heritage site in: 2012
Read more here.
Credits: Solaris Girl
Deriving its name from Mahabharata's Bhima, Bhimbetka is widely believed to be the beginning of the Indian Stone Age. These natural Palaeolithic rock shelters are located inside the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh and have been preserved amazingly well since over 100,000 years ago. The shelters display paintings enabling modern archeologists and anthropologists to understand how man lived and behaved in the prehistoric times.
Where is it: Located in the Raisen district, which is 45km away from Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh.
Why visit: This is home to the earliest races of human life on the Indian subcontinent.
How to reach: Both, the nearest airport and railway station, are located in Bhopal. You can take public buses or hire private taxes from the airport as well as the railway station.
Became a heritage site in: 2003
Read more here.
Credits: DSM888
Rani-Ki-Vav is an intricately constructed stepwell on the banks of River Saraswati, which is replete with secular and mythological imagery sculpted all over. The site has inexplicably gone under the radar these past few years. School textbooks barely ever mention the name of this extremely important site of cultural heritage and the government of Gujarat never took any effort to promote it either. But its recent inception to the World Heritage Sites list has suddenly catapulted it back to fame. The story of its origins is also very fascinating as it is believed to have been built by the widowed queen Udayamati in memory of her deceased husband Bhima in the 11th century AD.
Where is it: Patan, Gujarat
Why visit: To witness the panache of the Maru-Gurjara style of architecture. Also because it was named the "Cleanest Iconic Place" in India in 2016.
How to reach: Nearest airport is in Ahmedabad, which is 130km away. Nearest railway station is in Mehsana, which is 41km away. You can take public buses or hire private taxes from the airport as well as the railway station.
Became a heritage site in: 2014
Read more here.
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
Credits: Ashwin Kumar
Although Pattadakal has gradually become an important tourist site in Karnataka, most, even natives living nearby, do not yet know this. The Group of Monuments in this tiny village include Hindu and Jain Temples from 7th and 8th centuries and all of these were constructed by the master craftsmen of Chalukya dynasty. The most famous of the lot is the Temple of Virupaksha, which was built by Queen Lokamahadevi in 740 AD; the temple marks a high point in terms of a melange of northern and southern forms of architecture.
Where is it: Bagalakote, Karnataka
Why visit: The place is of historical, archeological, cultural as well as religious importance.
How to reach: Nearest airport is in Belgaum, which is 180km away and is well-connected with Mumbai and Chennai. Nearest railway station is in Badami, which is 22km away. You can take public buses or hire private taxes from the airport as well as the railway station.
Became a heritage site in: 1987
Read more here.
Great Living Chola Temples
Credits: Aravindan Ganesan
Staying put in south to end our list, the Great Living Chola Temples were built between the 11th and 12th centuries by the Chola dynasty. The list comprises three temples, namely Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. The temples are an immaculate proof of the dexterity of design, architecture, sculpture painting and bronze casting of the Cholas.
Where is it: Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholisvaram, and Darasuram are all in Tamil Nadu
Why visit: The magisterial 24-m tall vimana and Shiva's stone image at the Airavatesvara temple complex are examples of detailed architecture at its finest.
How to reach: Both, the nearest airport and railway station, are located in Chennai. You can take public buses or hire private taxes from the airport as well as the railway station.
Became a heritage site in: 1987
Read more here.
If you have just been introduced to some or most of these locations, do not be saddened for you are not alone in this circumstance. In fact, be happy that you now have seven new locations to add your ever-blooming personal list called "Places to visit before I die". However, if you have already been to any of these destinations before, please share your experience with your fellow travellers in Tripoto community. We are already proud of you, but make us more proud by writing your trip.
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