New Delhi: India has always been a land of unity in diversity. Every state in India is adorned with various cultures, religions, customs, languages, attire, festivals, and traditions, yet they all merge harmoniously into the Indian way of life. The diversity of India is unique, and the Indian people, with the spirit of mutual respect, are at the heart of its continuity to date. Recently, India took a prominent step to safeguard and showcase its rich natural and cultural heritage on the global stage.
India now proudly hosts 69 heritage sites under UNESCO, with the new addition of 7 natural heritage sites from across the country. In a remarkable move to strengthen national pride by protecting its rich historical sites, on September 12, 2025, the Press Information Bureau announced the inclusion of seven new natural heritage sites in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. These 69 beautiful Indian heritage sites, listed under UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, stand tall as a testament to India’s determination to preserve and promote its natural and cultural legacy, making it a global tourist destination.
7 Natural Indian sites enter the tentative list of world heritage sites of UNESCO
- Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
One of the unique volcanic formations found in India, the Deccan Traps were formed by colossal volcanic eruptions almost 66 million years ago. Today, this landscape is known to have the largest lava formations on Earth, which provides evidence for the extinction of dinosaurs.
Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
- Geological Heritage of St. Mary’s Island Cluster, Karnataka
These coastal islands in Udupi have rare columnar basaltic salt formations from the late Cretaceous period, which are around 85 million years old.
Geological Heritage of St. Mary’s Island Cluster, Karnataka
- Meghalayan Age Caves, Meghalaya
Nestled in the lap of limestone-rich Khasi hills of Meghalaya, this historic cave system is a global time marker for the beginning of the Meghalayan Age. Describing the Holocene Epoch, the Meghalayan Age caves, especially the Mawmluh, explain the climate and geological transition over time.
Meghalayan Age Caves, Meghalaya
- Naga Hill Ophiolite, Nagaland
One of the best historic places in India, the Naga Hills is a prominent geographical site that offers deep insights into tectonic processes and mid-ocean ridge dynamics. These stunning hill ranges expose the rare ocean-crush and upper-mantle rocks pushed up onto land.
Naga Hill Ophiolite, Nagaland
- Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills), Andhra Pradesh
If you are a history lover, Erra Matti Dibbalu offers great insights into the paleo-climatic stories. The visually striking red sand formations in the site are not only a tourist attraction but also a treasure of Earth’s climatic history and dynamic evolution.
Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills), Andhra Pradesh
- Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh
Answering many geographical mysteries, Tirumala Hills feature the natural Arch ‘Silathoranam’ and the Eparchaean Unconformity, rocks over 1.5 billion years old.
Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh
- Varkala Cliffs, Kerala
Adorning Kerala’s coastline, these beautiful Varkala cliffs have a history of the Warkalli Formation of the Mio-Pliocene period. This place also has natural springs and stunning erosional landforms that act as a historic reminder by the sea.
Varkala Cliffs, Kerala
Chhath Mahaparva: Now a UNESCO-recognised cultural festival?
While seven new ancient heritage sites of India are now being recognised under UNESCO’s tentative list of the world heritage sites, the Ministry of Culture also made a significant move to recognise one of the most important festivals celebrated in India – Chhath Mahaparvha.
Recently, the Union Culture Ministry of India organised a meeting with the diplomats from the United Arab Emirates, Suriname, and the Netherlands to seek their support to nominate Chhath Mahaparva for UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Culture Heritage of Humanity under the 2003 convention.
Chhath Puja is a major festival celebrated in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh, as well as in Nepal. The four-day festival is spent worshipping the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya. On the first day of Chhath Puja, purification and preparation of food are done, followed by a rigorous fast of Kharna, and lastly ends with a morning offering and evening offering known as Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya respectively. Chhath Puja reflects the deep connection between the communities and earth’s natural elements, such as rivers, ponds, land, and the sun.
Chhath Mahaparva is nominated for UNESCO-recognised intangible heritage festival
However, it is important to note that a festival is included on UNESCO’s list only after carefully scrutinising the festival, its customs, community involvement, and the tradition. Following the nomination of Chhath Puja, the Bihar state government has appointed the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). In addition, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is also contributing to the process. Folk songs, oral traditions, sculptures, photographs and writings are being collected to ensure the festival’s intangible practices are dexterously represented.
The back-to-back nominations of India’s heritage sites and cultural festivals to be under the UNESCO-recognised list showcase the rich tapestry of India that makes it a global attraction. If the nominations move forward successfully, it will not only safeguard India’s heritage and culture for future generations but also help India gain global status.