Friday, April 18, 2025

World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS)- April 18


Heritage is not only history. Rather a shared consciousness of humanity. Whenever we look at historical sites, it lifts our mind from the current geo-political factors.”

~ Prime Minster Narendra Modi

World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), is celebrated on April 18 every year. Its goal is to encourage individuals and local communities to cherish their cultural heritage. In addition to monument preservation, the day seeks to raise public awareness of the diversity and fragility of cultural assets.

The theme for World Heritage Day 2025 is "Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 Years of ICOMOS Actions”.

As of October 2024, there are 1,223 World Heritage Sites across 196 countries (952 cultural, 231 natural, 40 mixed).

India has 43 World Heritage Sites, with Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Ajanta, and Ellora Caves among the first listed in 1983.

S.NoName of SitesYearLocation
1Ajanta Caves1983Maharashtra
2Ellora Caves1983Maharashtra
3Agra Fort1983Agra
4Taj Mahal1983Agra
5Sun Temple1984Orissa
6Mahabalipuram Monuments1984Tamil Nadu
7Kaziranga National Park1985Assam
8Keoladeo National Park1985Rajasthan
9Manas Wildlife Sanctuary1985Assam
10Churches and Convents of Goa1986Goa
11Monuments of Khajuraho1986Madhya
Pradesh
12Monuments of Hampi1986Karnataka
13Fatehpur Sikri1986Agra
14Elephanta Caves1987Maharashtra
15Great Living Chola Temples1987Tamil Nadu
16Pattadakal Monuments1987Karnataka
17Sundarbans National Park1987West Bengal
18Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Park1988Uttarakhand
19Monuments of Buddha1989Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
20Humayun’s Tomb1993Delhi
21Qutub Minar and its Monuments1993Delhi
22Mountain Railways of Darjeeling, Kalka
Shimla & Nilgiri
1999Darjeeling
23Mahabodhi
Temple
2002Bihar
24Bhimbetka Rock Shelters2003Madhya Pradesh
25Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus2004Maharashtra
26ChampanerPavagadh Archaeological Park2004Gujarat
27Red Fort2007Delhi
28Jantar Mantar2010Delhi
29Western Ghats2012Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra
30Hill Forts2013Rajasthan
31Rani Ki Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell)2014Gujarat
32Great Himalayan National Park2014Himachal Pradesh
33Nalanda2016Bihar
34Khangchendzonga National Park2016Sikkim
35Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex)2016Chandigarh
36The Historic City2017Ahmedabad
37Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles2018Mumbai
38The Pink City2019Jaipur
39Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple2021Telangana
40Dholavira2021Gujarat
41Santiniketan2023West Bengal
42Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somananthpura2023Karnataka
43Modiams2024Assam

World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS)- April 18

Heritage is not only history. Rather a shared consciousness of humanity. Whenever we look at historical sites, it lifts our mind from the cu...