Celebrate World Heritage Day 2025 on April 18th, focusing on protecting heritage sites from disasters. Learn about its history and heritage sites in India.
theIAShub | 15 Apr, 2025 | 2395 | 0 |
World Heritage Day 2025 is a very special day. It is also called the International Day for Monuments and Sites. This day is celebrated every year on 18th April. The main aim of this day is to protect human heritage. It also helps people understand the importance of old buildings, places, and sites that tell us stories from the past.
This day is not just about celebration. It is also about learning and saving old buildings and sites that are important for history, culture, and science. Today, many people and groups worldwide come together to talk, learn, and take action to protect such places.
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World Heritage Day 2025 will be observed on 18th April, just like every year. This day is also called the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS). It is meant to raise awareness about the importance of old and valuable places around the world. These places include buildings, natural areas, and cultural spots that help us understand our history and identity.
Also Read: World Earth Day.
Every year, a special theme is chosen for this day. The theme for World Heritage Day 2025 is:
“Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 Years of ICOMOS Actions.”
This theme shows that many old sites are in danger. Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and fires, and human conflicts like wars and fights, can damage these places. So, we must be ready and learn how to save our heritage in such times.
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The idea of celebrating World Heritage day came in the year 1982. It was started by a group called ICOMOS. ICOMOS means the International Council on Monuments and Sites. A year later, in 1983, this idea was approved by UNESCO at its 22nd General Conference.
Since then, World Heritage Day or International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS) is celebrated on 18th April every year. The goal is to make everyone aware of the need to take care of old monuments and sites.
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As of the year 2024, India has 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are very old and special places that show India’s rich culture, art, nature, and history. Some of them are beautiful buildings, while others are natural areas like forests and parks.
The first World Heritage Site in India was Agra Fort, which was added to the list in 1983. In the same year, Taj Mahal, Ellora Caves, and Ajanta Caves were also added by the World Heritage Committee.
The latest site added to the list is the Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty. This site shows how the Ahom kings buried their important people in big mounds. It is an important part of India’s past.
| Sl. No. | Site | State | Year |
| 1 | Agra Fort | Uttar Pradesh | 1983 |
| 2 | Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra | 1983 |
| 3 | Ellora Caves | Maharashtra | 1983 |
| 4 | Taj Mahal | Uttar Pradesh | 1983 |
| 5 | Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram | Tamil Nadu | 1984 |
| 6 | Sun Temple, Konarak | Odisha | 1984 |
| 7 | Kaziranga National Park | Assam | 1985 |
| 8 | Keoladeo National Park | Rajasthan | 1985 |
| 9 | Manas Wildlife Sanctuary | Assam | 1985 |
| 10 | Churches and Convents | Goa | 1986 |
| 11 | Fatehpur Sikri | Uttar Pradesh | 1986 |
| 12 | Group of Monuments at Hampi | Karnataka | 1986 |
| 13 | Khajuraho Group of Monuments | Madhya Pradesh | 1986 |
| 14 | Elephanta Caves | Maharashtra | 1987 |
| 15 | Great Living Chola Temples | Tamil Nadu | 1987 & 2004 |
| 16 | Group of Monuments at Pattadakal | Karnataka | 1987 |
| 17 | Sundarbans National Park | West Bengal | 1987 |
| 18 | Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks | Uttarakhand | 1988 & 2005 |
| 19 | Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi | Madhya Pradesh | 1989 |
| 20 | Humayun’s Tomb | Delhi | 1993 |
| 21 | Qutb Minar and its Monuments | Delhi | 1993 |
| 22 | Mountain Railways of India (Darjeeling, Nilgiri, Kalka–Shimla) | WB, TN, HP | 1999, 2005, 2008 |
| 23 | Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya | Bihar | 2002 |
| 24 | Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka | Madhya Pradesh | 2003 |
| 25 | Champaner–Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Gujarat | 2004 |
| 26 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) | Maharashtra | 2004 |
| 27 | Red Fort Complex | Delhi | 2007 |
| 28 | The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur | Rajasthan | 2010 |
| 29 | Western Ghats | KA, KL, MH, TN | 2012 |
| 30 | Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, etc.) | Rajasthan | 2013 |
| 31 | Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) | Gujarat | 2014 |
| 32 | Great Himalayan National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 2014 |
| 33 | Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara | Bihar | 2016 |
| 34 | Work of Le Corbusier (Modern Architecture) | Chandigarh | 2016 |
| 35 | Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim | 2016 |
| 36 | Historic City of Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 2017 |
| 37 | Victorian Gothic & Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai | Maharashtra | 2018 |
| 38 | Jaipur City | Rajasthan | 2019 |
| 39 | Dholavira: a Harappan City | Gujarat | 2021 |
| 40 | Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple | Telangana | 2021 |
| 41 | Santiniketan | West Bengal | 2023 |
| 42 | Sacred Ensemble of Hoysalas | Karnataka | 2023 |
| 43 | Moidams – Mound-Burial System of Ahom Dynasty | Assam | 2024 |
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The theme of World Heritage Day 2025 is "Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 Years of ICOMOS Actions." This theme tells us that many old sites are in danger because of natural disasters and human conflicts. It also says that we should learn how to protect these sites.
World Heritage Day was started by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in the year 1982. Later, in 1983, UNESCO agreed to celebrate this day every year.
There are three main types of heritage. Cultural heritage includes things like buildings, paintings, music, and festivals. Natural heritage includes forests, rivers, mountains, and animals. Mixed heritage includes places that have both cultural and natural value.
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