These 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Used To Be Temples In Ancient India

1. Khajuraho Monuments, Madhya Pradesh

[{"selector":"#anim-5a83225b-6d34-498a-bbb4-cf82312494b4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46788e34-8fb0-4766-bff1-e1875f512225","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 206.91356%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Madhya Pradesh features exquisitely carved Hindu and Jain temples from the Chandela dynasty. Credits: Unsplash

2. Sun Temple, Odisha

[{"selector":"#anim-9916e048-77e2-432c-8a16-ace50a5a6c64","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf1bd7ec-e767-4dda-b08a-d23d8106bf7e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 659.13565%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha represents a colossal chariot of the Sun God with intricate stone carvings. Credits: Unsplash

3. Mahabalipuram Monuments, Tamil Nadu

[{"selector":"#anim-78133640-1204-4bd6-b1a3-4c09439e2805","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c4f1f009-d48b-4e98-a89e-aaf7716a9213","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 206.91356%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu includes ancient shore temples and rock-cut sanctuaries from the Pallava period. Credits: Unsplash

4. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu

[{"selector":"#anim-e64d23e2-f1cf-44dd-8a61-7ac38cbfc288","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4828601e-1ae6-433f-8670-f7cfbfd71986","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 631.35786%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu stands as a magnificent example of Chola architecture. Credits: Unsplash

5. Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu

[{"selector":"#anim-590cebf0-b8d5-4876-93bc-0f469d847bf9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13e765d3-1ec3-40e5-a21f-92bd88edf0aa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 633.58012%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Great Living Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu, including Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram, showcase the dynasty's architectural mastery. Credits: Unsplash

6. Hampi Monuments, Karnataka

[{"selector":"#anim-4c099982-35fd-4f86-becb-6d716887981b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c3acb9e3-b4f9-40db-aa9a-1f54157ff4ef","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 206.91356%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Group of Monuments at Hampi in Karnataka features temple ruins from the prosperous Vijayanagara Empire. Credits: Unsplash

7. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra

[{"selector":"#anim-8218c6a8-cfef-4cfe-acbf-043285f4047f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-955d1042-1555-4e09-9830-44c4552674fb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 241.50323%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Elephanta Caves near Mumbai house ancient rock-cut temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Credits: Unsplash

8. Pattadakal Monuments Karnataka

[{"selector":"#anim-2b417785-e51b-4b91-8216-8e810780f1ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2927eddd-c08e-4745-a5fa-946f04e9386f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 206.91356%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Group of Monuments at Pattadakal in Karnataka exemplifies Chalukyan temple architecture from the 7th and 8th centuries. Credits: Unsplash

[{"selector":"#anim-6b2c4076-d0a0-4863-ac30-f60685b0b480","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a31b100-5a87-4078-8248-efa4331b76ad","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 1298.37968%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Have you visited any of these? Credits: Unsplash