Which Indian State Has the Most World Heritage Sites? Full List and Details

India has 43 sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites as of 2025. That’s more than any country in South Asia and among the top ten globally. But not all states carry the same weight when it comes to preserving these treasures. The question isn’t just about numbers-it’s about history, architecture, and cultural continuity. So which Indian state holds the crown?

Uttar Pradesh Leads with 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Uttar Pradesh is the clear leader, home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. That’s more than any other state in India. These aren’t just old buildings-they’re living monuments that shaped the subcontinent’s identity.

• Agra Fort: The red sandstone fortress where Mughal emperors ruled, later held captive by Shah Jahan as he built the Taj Mahal.
• Taj Mahal: The world’s most famous symbol of love, built between 1632 and 1653 using marble from Rajasthan and precious stones from across Asia.
• Fatehpur Sikri: A ghost city built by Akbar in 1571, abandoned just 14 years later due to water shortages, yet perfectly preserved.
• Humayun’s Tomb: The first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, built in 1570, and the direct inspiration for the Taj Mahal.
• Khajuraho Group of Monuments: Temples covered in intricate carvings of gods, dancers, and everyday life, built between 950 and 1050 AD.
• Sanchi Stupa: The oldest stone structure in India, built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, later expanded with elaborate gateways.
• Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara: The ancient university that drew scholars from China, Tibet, and Persia between the 5th and 12th centuries.

No other state comes close. Uttar Pradesh’s concentration of sites spans the Mauryan, Gupta, and Mughal eras-making it the single most important region for understanding India’s layered past.

Second Place: Maharashtra with 5 Sites

Maharashtra holds five UNESCO sites, all concentrated in the western Deccan region. These reflect a blend of Buddhist, Hindu, and colonial history.

• Ajanta Caves: 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments from the 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE, filled with frescoes that survived over 2,000 years.
• Ellora Caves: A unique mix of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples carved vertically into a cliff face between the 6th and 10th centuries.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: A 19th-century Victorian Gothic railway station in Mumbai that still operates as a major transit hub.
• Western Ghats: A biodiversity hotspot stretching across six states, with 39 protected areas in Maharashtra alone.
• Victorian and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai: A rare urban collection of 19th-century British colonial buildings next to 1930s Art Deco apartments.

Maharashtra’s strength lies in its diversity-from ancient cave temples to colonial architecture. But it still falls short of Uttar Pradesh’s density and historical range.

Third Place: Rajasthan with 4 Sites

Rajasthan’s four sites are all tied to its desert kingdoms and royal traditions.

• Jaipur City: The planned city founded in 1727, designed with grid streets and pink sandstone buildings, still fully inhabited.
• Jantar Mantar, Jaipur: A collection of 19 astronomical instruments built in 1734, still accurate enough to track celestial movements.
• Chittorgarh Fort: The largest fort in India, covering 700 acres, with a history of resistance and sacrifice spanning centuries.
• Khilawat Complex, Dholpur: The 16th-century palace complex of the Kachhwaha rulers, showcasing Rajput architecture.

While Rajasthan’s sites are visually stunning and well-preserved, they’re mostly from the medieval and early modern periods. They lack the deep chronological spread seen in Uttar Pradesh.

Other States with Multiple Sites

Several other states have two or three sites, but none reach the top tier.

• Madhya Pradesh: Two sites-Khajuraho (shared with UP) and Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (actually in Tamil Nadu-this is a mistake in some listings; MP has only Sanchi and Bagh Caves, but only Sanchi is listed under UP).
• Tamil Nadu: Two sites-Great Living Chola Temples (Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Darasuram) and Mahabalipuram.
• Delhi: Three sites-Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb (shared with UP), and Qutub Minar.
• Karnataka: Two sites-Group of Monuments at Hampi and Western Ghats (shared).

Delhi’s three sites are all in one city, but it’s a Union Territory, not a state. Tamil Nadu’s Chola temples are architecturally significant, but only count as one entry under UNESCO’s grouping.

Why Uttar Pradesh Dominates

Uttar Pradesh’s lead isn’t accidental. It was the political and cultural heartland of India for over 2,000 years. From the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka to the Mughal Empire under Akbar and Shah Jahan, the region was the center of power, religion, and art.

The Ganges River basin provided fertile land, trade routes, and spiritual significance. Cities like Varanasi, Agra, and Sanchi became pilgrimage centers long before modern borders existed. The state didn’t just accumulate heritage-it actively shaped it.

Compare that to states like Gujarat or Odisha, which have one or two major sites. They’re rich in history, but their influence was regional, not empire-defining. Uttar Pradesh’s sites represent the entire arc of Indian civilization-from early Buddhism to Mughal grandeur.

What This Means for Travelers

If you’re planning a heritage tour of India, Uttar Pradesh should be your first stop. You can visit the Taj Mahal in the morning, explore Fatehpur Sikri’s empty courtyards by noon, and end the day at Sanchi’s ancient stupas under sunset-all within a 300-kilometer radius.

Other states offer depth, but Uttar Pradesh offers breadth. You don’t need to fly across the country to see India’s most important monuments. One state holds the key to its soul.

What’s Next? New Sites on the Horizon

India submitted five new sites for UNESCO consideration in 2024. Among them is the Chola-era temples in Thanjavur (already listed), but also new proposals like the Hoysala temples of Halebidu and Belur in Karnataka and the historic city of Ahmedabad (already listed in 2017).

There’s also a strong push to include the Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh and the archaeological remains of Lothal in Gujarat. But none of these are likely to surpass Uttar Pradesh’s lead in the near future.

For now, the title remains firmly in the hands of Uttar Pradesh. It’s not just about quantity-it’s about the weight of history concentrated in one place.