India is a beautiful country with a wide variety of breathtaking locations, from magnificent historical buildings to various natural heritage sites. Many places worldwide have received recognition from the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Value Convention for their cultural heritage. India is sixth in the total number of world heritage sites, with 38 such structures.
Here are a handful of the places that tourists visiting the country shouldn’t miss:
- Taj Mahal, Agra
Emperor Shah Jahan erected the Taj Mahal as a monument to Begum Mumtaz Mahal, his third wife. It is a flawless white marble architectural landmark next to the Mughal Gardens. It was built in 16 years by thousands of artisans under the direction of Chief Architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri and is recognised as a masterpiece.
- Khajurao, Madhya Pradesh
The Khajurao is a collection of structures built during the Chandela era and situated in Madhya Pradesh. It is renowned for its distinctive artistic architecture that dates back to the tenth century. Out of the original 85 temples built, there are today only 22 left.
- Jaipur’s Pink City
Jaipur, a fortified city in Rajasthan, was built utilising Vedic grid patterns. Ancient Hindu, contemporary Mughal, and western cultures may all be seen in the city’s urban planning. The city was first constructed as commercial capital and is a nexus of a commercial, artisanal, and traditional centre.
- Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra
On Elephanta island in Mumbai harbour are a collection of sculptured caves known as the Elephanta Caves. It dates to the fifth century and comprises two Buddhist and five Hindu caves. The building is distinguished by sculptures made of rock-cut stone.
- Sundarbans, West Bengal
The Sundarbans, a national park and a tiger reserve, are the most extensive mangrove forests in the world. It is situated in the Sundarbans Ganges river delta and was formed from sediment from the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. The Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodiles, and various birds call its deep mangrove woodlands home.
- Fatehpur Sikri
Emperor Akbar constructed Fatehpur Sikri, also called the City of Victory. It consisted of a collection of mosques, monuments, and temples designed in Mughal architecture and was built like a city with several monuments, structures, palaces, open areas, and courts. The property has several well-known tourist attractions, including the Jama Masjid, the Buland Darwaza, the Panch Mahal, and the Tomb of Salim Chishti.
- Monuments at Hampi, Karnataka
These monuments are located in the Karnataka town of Hampi. It comprises Dravidian temples and palaces and is situated along the banks of the Tungabhadra river. Travellers admired it in the 14th and 16th centuries, and it continues to be a crucial hub for Hindus and Jains’ culture and religion.
- Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha
A well-known temple, the Konark Sun temple, was constructed to resemble the sun deity Surya’s chariot and is situated on the Bay of Bengal shore. Sandstone was used in its construction, and lovely stone sculptures adorned it. King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty oversaw its construction.
