Wonders of the World and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites know India as their home.
In the land of monuments, temples, forts and palaces, there are no equal attractions. The ancient architectural artistry, detailed workmanship from centuries ago are gems of marvel. While all may not have the spectacular beauty of the world's favourite love monument, they are nonetheless majestic in their own right.
Agra Fort and Taj Mahal- Agra
Spectacular even by the highest standards, these magnificent monuments, especially the Taj Mahal, inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have humbled many and left even more awe-inspired by their sheer beauty. The Agra Fort built by the Great Emperor Akbar is located by the west bank of India. The bastioned fortress built out of red sandstone is surrounded by a deep moat, once filled with the waters from Yamuna. The fort complex house several opulent palaces and reception rooms. There is smooth marriage of marbled palaces within the red sandstone fortress and this pleasing blend is certainly a visual treat. The Taj Mahal, the most famous love monument- a mausoleum for an emperor who loved his wife even beyond death. The marbled building is also one of the first monuments to break away from the traditional red sandstone building material which was favoured by previous Mughal rulers. This symbol of everlasting love is filled with great artistry and ornate details, with lavish interior to mark the great love the emperor had for his late wife. The reason for its birth and its opulence has silenced many in reverence for the ancient attraction.
Victoria Terminus- Mumbai
In a land filled with monuments with intricate carvings and exquisite artwork of South Asian origins, one stunning building stands proud with Victorian Gothic architecture. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Victoria Terminus in the Agra region of India is an exquisite extravaganza of domes and arches. Built to commemorate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, the station, now known as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, is the headquarters of the Central Railway. Stone carvings and sculptures found on windows, screens all around the building are amazing and attention grabbing. Stained glasses throughout are another sight to behold in this grand building.
Jama Masjid and Red Fort- Delhi
Jama Masjid of the Old Delhi is a spectacular sight of three imposing domed mosque with twin minarets guarding the central arch. Emperor Shah Jahan had constructed it on a natural mound in the 17th century, and it took more than 5 years to complete building this magnificent mosque. The Red Fort, which is the translation for its name, Lal Qila, is a grandiose monument as it had evolved and progressed with the different emperors' reign. First commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan and completed nearly a decade later, with additional phases extended through the Mughal reign by subsequent rulers. Recognized as a poignant symbol of the country's nationhood, one historic moment within the grand walls, was the rising of the national flag when India first became independant in 1947.
Hampi Monuments
Said to be the most 'evocative ruins' of India, Hampi at Karnataka is a grandiose site, having been the last Hindu capital of the great Vijayanagar (City of Victory) kingdom. Enjoying its peak during the 16th century, with a flourishing trade from the spice and cotton trades, this city's location had natural defences in the form of rocky ridges and granite boulders. Bestowed with all beauty of a medieval city, the intricate palaces and temples of Dravidian architecture were renowned and admired by many from various parts of the world. Left to be looted after the conquest by the Deccan sultans, the remnants, in the Sacred and Royal Centres, of the great capital still continue to captivate visitors. Vitthala Temple, the grandest religious monument in the Sacred Centre is still mesmerizing with its exceptional sculptural details. At the Royal Centre, The Lotus Mahal with its Hindu and Islamic architectural influences and the famed Elephant stables with their imposing domes are some of the ancient gems from the past. An apt reminder of an ancient culture and city with its former glory, this sprawling site is another Indian addition to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Khajuraho and other marvellous temples
There are numerous groups of spectacular temples, from India, in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. They are the Sun Temple in Konark, Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar, Pattadakal Hindu Temples and Jain sanctuary in Karnataka, the Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu, among others. All are peerless and have stood test of time, still looking as majestic as they did during their hey days. Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh are another worthy addition to the acclaimed list. Built during the flourishing times of the Chandela Dynasty between the 9th and 10th centuries, the original group of 85 temples represents an artistic and cultural renaissance encouraged by the patronage of the generous rulers. Each temple can boast of its own exquisite sculptural embellishments and artistry. The most prominent of the temples is the Kandariya Mahadev Temple whose 30m spire towers over its counterparts in physical size and the harmonious juxtaposition of goddess and beasts with warriors and musicians on its ancient walls. Less credited but not any less significant are the Dilwara Jain Temples in Mount Abu, Delhi. The facade, the pillars and walls are filled with stunning sculptures and intricate carvings that will simply takes one's breath away, being surrounded by such surreal beauty.
Jantar Mantar- Jaipur
Rajput ruler Sawai Jai Singh II, an avid astronomer had built five observatories, known as Jantar Mantar (meaning instruments for calculation) across India. Among these, the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, the largest of the observatories is proven to be best preserved. Noted as 'expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts' by a 'scholarly prince' during the last years of the Mughal Empire, this 'realistic and logical (stone) landscape is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tours to this astronomical site will allow visitors to view close hand the intricate mechanism of the constructed instruments. The instruments, referred as yantras, include those measuring altitude of the sun (Ram Yantra), sundial to calculate Jaipur's time to the accuracy of 20 seconds (Laghu Samrat Yantra), among other gigantic structures, imposing and stealthily functioning.
Goan beaches
Stretches of pristine beaches with sun-baked sand and wonderful waves are legendary in the coastal state of Goa. Its location by the Bay of Bengal makes it a perfect travel destination for beach tourists. Distinct from other region of India, Goa's community is an infusion of European influence, largely result of the various colonial rules. It will not be uncommon to see people with different ancestry enjoying the same sun, sea and sand in Goa. The beach raves in North Goa are famed for serious partying while the quieter South Goa is preferred by those seeking solitude by the waves.
Varanasi Ghats
Varanasi, also known as Kasi by locals and Benares is located on the west bank of the sacred Ganges River. It is the quintessential Hindu holy city where thousands of devotees travel to congregate for various religious rites and prayers, one of the main rituals being the ablution of one to attain salvation. These religious ceremonies are conducted on the river banks which are stone steps- known as ghats- leading to the sacred river. With more than 90 ghats located on a long stretch by the river, the amazing structures nearby, which include towers, turrets and temples and large gathering of believers chanting and praying, it is never a dull moment at the ancient Varanasi Ghats.
Mamallapuram
With a rich past as a flourishing port-city in the 7th century, Mahabalipuram or also known as Mamallapuram is now a spectacular site of rock cut caves and monolithic shrines, mostly of rathas which are religious processional chariots. The classic examples of the ancient Pallava art are clearly displayed in each intricate Panch Ratha in the complex of stunning structures. Hindu deities and the protagonists of the epic Mahabhratha are beautifully brought to life in stone form. Be it foreign and secular visitors or Hindu believers who travel to this fascinating site, all on tour are inevitably enchanted by the craftsmanship and the scenes depicted.
Fatehpur Sikri near Agra
Akbar's Mughal capital for some ten years is a fine specimen of a walled city whose architecture is an intrinsic infusion of Hindu and Islamic styles. This blend is another evidence of Akbar's enlightened tolerance for all religions. The city grew from the initial lofty buildings and public housing constructed in honour of the famous Sufti saint, Salim Chishti who had blessed the emperor with the prediction of a son, the future emperor Jahangir. As the first Mughal planned city, it soon evolved into clearly defined private and public areas within the imperial complex. Built with the traditional red sandstone, there are many remarkable gazebos, palaces and pavilions within this 'City of Victory'. The Turkish Sultana's House whose dado panels and delicately sculpted walls give this ornate pavilion a wooden look, the Panch Mahal - a five-storeyed open sandstone pavilion, the Diwan-i-khas, a private hall with unique architectural styles and religious motifs and the renowned Jama Masjid, known to be one of the biggest mosques in India are fine examples of the uniform architectural designs of the highest quality from the Mughal civilization. Their astounding beauty and cultural significance had led them to be inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
The list of India's attractions can be endless as it is truly a land of incredible beauty and history. The rich heritage left by the talented people of the past, has resulted in a treasure trove for the present population. It is a land brimming with wealth from centuries ago, now grappling with current times. One can be assured that with such a landmass, the historic gems will always remain part of the modern landscape in the future.
In the land of monuments, temples, forts and palaces, there are no equal attractions. The ancient architectural artistry, detailed workmanship from centuries ago are gems of marvel. While all may not have the spectacular beauty of the world's favourite love monument, they are nonetheless majestic in their own right.
Agra Fort and Taj Mahal- Agra
Spectacular even by the highest standards, these magnificent monuments, especially the Taj Mahal, inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have humbled many and left even more awe-inspired by their sheer beauty. The Agra Fort built by the Great Emperor Akbar is located by the west bank of India. The bastioned fortress built out of red sandstone is surrounded by a deep moat, once filled with the waters from Yamuna. The fort complex house several opulent palaces and reception rooms. There is smooth marriage of marbled palaces within the red sandstone fortress and this pleasing blend is certainly a visual treat. The Taj Mahal, the most famous love monument- a mausoleum for an emperor who loved his wife even beyond death. The marbled building is also one of the first monuments to break away from the traditional red sandstone building material which was favoured by previous Mughal rulers. This symbol of everlasting love is filled with great artistry and ornate details, with lavish interior to mark the great love the emperor had for his late wife. The reason for its birth and its opulence has silenced many in reverence for the ancient attraction.
Victoria Terminus- Mumbai
In a land filled with monuments with intricate carvings and exquisite artwork of South Asian origins, one stunning building stands proud with Victorian Gothic architecture. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Victoria Terminus in the Agra region of India is an exquisite extravaganza of domes and arches. Built to commemorate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, the station, now known as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, is the headquarters of the Central Railway. Stone carvings and sculptures found on windows, screens all around the building are amazing and attention grabbing. Stained glasses throughout are another sight to behold in this grand building.
Jama Masjid and Red Fort- Delhi
Jama Masjid of the Old Delhi is a spectacular sight of three imposing domed mosque with twin minarets guarding the central arch. Emperor Shah Jahan had constructed it on a natural mound in the 17th century, and it took more than 5 years to complete building this magnificent mosque. The Red Fort, which is the translation for its name, Lal Qila, is a grandiose monument as it had evolved and progressed with the different emperors' reign. First commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan and completed nearly a decade later, with additional phases extended through the Mughal reign by subsequent rulers. Recognized as a poignant symbol of the country's nationhood, one historic moment within the grand walls, was the rising of the national flag when India first became independant in 1947.
Hampi Monuments
Said to be the most 'evocative ruins' of India, Hampi at Karnataka is a grandiose site, having been the last Hindu capital of the great Vijayanagar (City of Victory) kingdom. Enjoying its peak during the 16th century, with a flourishing trade from the spice and cotton trades, this city's location had natural defences in the form of rocky ridges and granite boulders. Bestowed with all beauty of a medieval city, the intricate palaces and temples of Dravidian architecture were renowned and admired by many from various parts of the world. Left to be looted after the conquest by the Deccan sultans, the remnants, in the Sacred and Royal Centres, of the great capital still continue to captivate visitors. Vitthala Temple, the grandest religious monument in the Sacred Centre is still mesmerizing with its exceptional sculptural details. At the Royal Centre, The Lotus Mahal with its Hindu and Islamic architectural influences and the famed Elephant stables with their imposing domes are some of the ancient gems from the past. An apt reminder of an ancient culture and city with its former glory, this sprawling site is another Indian addition to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Khajuraho and other marvellous temples
There are numerous groups of spectacular temples, from India, in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. They are the Sun Temple in Konark, Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar, Pattadakal Hindu Temples and Jain sanctuary in Karnataka, the Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu, among others. All are peerless and have stood test of time, still looking as majestic as they did during their hey days. Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh are another worthy addition to the acclaimed list. Built during the flourishing times of the Chandela Dynasty between the 9th and 10th centuries, the original group of 85 temples represents an artistic and cultural renaissance encouraged by the patronage of the generous rulers. Each temple can boast of its own exquisite sculptural embellishments and artistry. The most prominent of the temples is the Kandariya Mahadev Temple whose 30m spire towers over its counterparts in physical size and the harmonious juxtaposition of goddess and beasts with warriors and musicians on its ancient walls. Less credited but not any less significant are the Dilwara Jain Temples in Mount Abu, Delhi. The facade, the pillars and walls are filled with stunning sculptures and intricate carvings that will simply takes one's breath away, being surrounded by such surreal beauty.
Jantar Mantar- Jaipur
Rajput ruler Sawai Jai Singh II, an avid astronomer had built five observatories, known as Jantar Mantar (meaning instruments for calculation) across India. Among these, the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, the largest of the observatories is proven to be best preserved. Noted as 'expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts' by a 'scholarly prince' during the last years of the Mughal Empire, this 'realistic and logical (stone) landscape is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tours to this astronomical site will allow visitors to view close hand the intricate mechanism of the constructed instruments. The instruments, referred as yantras, include those measuring altitude of the sun (Ram Yantra), sundial to calculate Jaipur's time to the accuracy of 20 seconds (Laghu Samrat Yantra), among other gigantic structures, imposing and stealthily functioning.
Goan beaches
Stretches of pristine beaches with sun-baked sand and wonderful waves are legendary in the coastal state of Goa. Its location by the Bay of Bengal makes it a perfect travel destination for beach tourists. Distinct from other region of India, Goa's community is an infusion of European influence, largely result of the various colonial rules. It will not be uncommon to see people with different ancestry enjoying the same sun, sea and sand in Goa. The beach raves in North Goa are famed for serious partying while the quieter South Goa is preferred by those seeking solitude by the waves.
Varanasi Ghats
Varanasi, also known as Kasi by locals and Benares is located on the west bank of the sacred Ganges River. It is the quintessential Hindu holy city where thousands of devotees travel to congregate for various religious rites and prayers, one of the main rituals being the ablution of one to attain salvation. These religious ceremonies are conducted on the river banks which are stone steps- known as ghats- leading to the sacred river. With more than 90 ghats located on a long stretch by the river, the amazing structures nearby, which include towers, turrets and temples and large gathering of believers chanting and praying, it is never a dull moment at the ancient Varanasi Ghats.
Mamallapuram
With a rich past as a flourishing port-city in the 7th century, Mahabalipuram or also known as Mamallapuram is now a spectacular site of rock cut caves and monolithic shrines, mostly of rathas which are religious processional chariots. The classic examples of the ancient Pallava art are clearly displayed in each intricate Panch Ratha in the complex of stunning structures. Hindu deities and the protagonists of the epic Mahabhratha are beautifully brought to life in stone form. Be it foreign and secular visitors or Hindu believers who travel to this fascinating site, all on tour are inevitably enchanted by the craftsmanship and the scenes depicted.
Fatehpur Sikri near Agra
Akbar's Mughal capital for some ten years is a fine specimen of a walled city whose architecture is an intrinsic infusion of Hindu and Islamic styles. This blend is another evidence of Akbar's enlightened tolerance for all religions. The city grew from the initial lofty buildings and public housing constructed in honour of the famous Sufti saint, Salim Chishti who had blessed the emperor with the prediction of a son, the future emperor Jahangir. As the first Mughal planned city, it soon evolved into clearly defined private and public areas within the imperial complex. Built with the traditional red sandstone, there are many remarkable gazebos, palaces and pavilions within this 'City of Victory'. The Turkish Sultana's House whose dado panels and delicately sculpted walls give this ornate pavilion a wooden look, the Panch Mahal - a five-storeyed open sandstone pavilion, the Diwan-i-khas, a private hall with unique architectural styles and religious motifs and the renowned Jama Masjid, known to be one of the biggest mosques in India are fine examples of the uniform architectural designs of the highest quality from the Mughal civilization. Their astounding beauty and cultural significance had led them to be inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
The list of India's attractions can be endless as it is truly a land of incredible beauty and history. The rich heritage left by the talented people of the past, has resulted in a treasure trove for the present population. It is a land brimming with wealth from centuries ago, now grappling with current times. One can be assured that with such a landmass, the historic gems will always remain part of the modern landscape in the future.
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