World Heritage Day 2025, Theme, History, and Heritage Sites in India

Celebrate World Heritage Day 2025 on April 18th, focusing on protecting heritage sites from disasters. Learn about its history and heritage sites in India.

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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.

Read the article World Happiness Report 2025 here.

World Heritage Day 2025

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.

World Heritage Day Theme

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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World Heritage Day History

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.

Check out the article Important Days in April 2025.

World Heritage Sites in India

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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World Heritage Day FAQs

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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