When UNESCO included Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar to its list of World Heritage sites recently, I sat down and counted how many world heritage sites I have seen so far.
There are 28 world heritage sites in India, of which five are in the category of ‘natural’ sites and others are in ‘cultural’ category. Agra (Fatehpur Sikir, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort) and Delhi (Humayun’s Tomb and Red Fort) share the rare honour of hosting three sites in their surroundings. I have seen 12 of the sites in the list. I have been very close to two other monuments – Fatehpur Sikri and Humayun’s Tomb, though I haven’t managed to go in and visit these places. While I did not find enough time to fit in Fatehpur Sikri in my quick dash through Agra, Humayun’s Tomb has remained some sort of a jinx. During each visit to Delhi, I think of paying a visit to the tomb but it has never happened. In two occasions I even walked next the tomb’s compound walls and yet haven’t had the time to go inside. Besides the twelve I have visited, I have also seen Mt. Nanda Devi from a distance. The mountain is a part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, a world heritage monument. I guess I can taken it as the thirteenth world heritage site I have seen but not visited! There is another site that I visited but did not see! When I went to Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar, it was under restoration and was covered with scaffolding. I decided not to go in. So here is my list of thirteen, in alphabetical order.
1. Agra Fort
2. Churches and Convents of Goa
3. Great Living Chola Temples
4. Group of Monuments at Hampi
5. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
6. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
7. Khajuraho Group of Monuments
8. Mountain Railways of India
9. Qutb Minar and its monuments, Delhi
10. Red Fort Complex
11. Taj Mahal
12. Kaziranga National Park
13. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
Your stories have been around the next level of ‘travel writing’, beyond the mundane trip-to-x kind of place which folks like me write :-).
Actually now I write more of hotel reviews, I am very close to becoming a hotel-booking-guy I guess, if not for your travel stories.
Thanks for sharing the list and the brilliant photos. My count is close to yours. I think a plan to visit ALL places would make a good travel excuse (or a story) :-)
Sikri and Humayun’s place are not to be missed.
thanks again.
Thanks Nandan. When and if you do become a hotel booking guy, please remember this poor man and donate a few rooms.. ;)
Yes, hopefully I will see Humayun’s Tomb very soon, though I would not say that with Fatehpur Sikri.
Yes. Most certainly. :-)
Thanks for sharing information about heritage sites.This is really helpful and tells how many heritage sites are present in India. Out of the total heritage sites, I have visited around 6.
Thanks.
Thank you Saurabh.
Dear Arun,
Great Work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Mahesh.
hmmm my list is still in single digit !Thx for sharing these Nice pics
Thank you Manish.
Arun,
You made all of us do some counting and a sort of reality check :-)
My count is 8.
Most interesting part of these heritage sites is the elevation in the kind of care and attention they grab. I was stunned by the very well kept Khajurao. I think I can say the same for Fatehpur Sikri.
Thanks for giving the glimpses of these beautiful places. A request, please keep the count to 12 as I think you should not include Nanda devi in the list. Its just my humble trial to keep you within reach. I am sure you will understand my ill-intentions ;-)
Thank you Manish. 12 or 13, I will definitely go deeper into Nanda Devi Natl Park. :)