One of the oldest civilizations in the world, India is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage. Ancient as well as medieval rulers left behind a vast treasure of majestic monuments.
Taj Mahal
The historical magnificence of the Taj Mahal can make anyone speechless. A person will fall short of words in describing the beauty of this wonderful architecture. This epitome of love was built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the finest examples of the Mughal architecture and has elements from different architectural styles such as Persian, Islamic, Turkish and Indian. The construction of Taj Mahal began in 1631 AD and the mausoleum was completed by 1648 AD. It is built with white marble which reflects the variations of light during different times of the day. This wonderful monument is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Gomateshwar
The statue of Bahubali, also known as Gomateshwar, is situated on a hill in Shravanabelagola near Mysore. Built by the minister and commander of Ganga dynasty, Chamundaraya in the 10th century AD, it is about 57 feet in height. Lord Bahubali was the son of the first Jain Tirthankar and his statue is carved out from one single piece of granite. Since centuries, Shravanabelagola has been a pilgrimage centre for thousands of devotees from across the world. Pilgrims visit the statue to attend an event Mahamastakabhisheka, which is held once every 12 years. This gigantic statue is considered as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. The government of India has proposed the statue as a World Heritage Site.
From palaces and forts to temples, mosques and churches, to giant monuments and buildings, India surely establishes itself as one of the perfect tourist destinations for those who love to explore the ancient times and relive that era!
Sri Harmandir Sahib
Sri Harmindir Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple or Sri Darbar Sahib, is the holy shrine of the Sikhs located in Amritsar, Punjab. Guru Arjan Dev laid the foundation stone of Harmandir Sahib on 3 January 1588 and installed the Adi Granth in 1604. In 1764, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia rebuilt the gurdwara and in the 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered its upper portion with gold. This gold-plated upper storey is crowned with a dome which is in the shape of an inverted lotus. This inverted lotus symbolises the concerns of the Sikhs towards the problems prevailing in the world. The Golden Temple is visited by millions of pilgrims and tourists from around the world.
Konark Sun Temple
The Sun Temple at Konark, Odisha, was built in the 13th century and is one of the most magnificent examples of religious architecture in India. King Narasimhadeva of Eastern Ganga Dynasty is believed to have built this temple around 1250 AD. It is in the shape of a chariot with carved wheels, walls and pillars. Unfortunately, major portions of the temple are now in ruins. The architecture of this temple follows the Kalinga style. It is made from Khondalite rocks and is placed in a way that the first rays of the sun at the time of sunrise fall on the main entrance of the temple.
Hampi
The village of Hampi is a located in the ruins of Vijayanagara city, which was earlier the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. The ruins and the temples in Hampi are known as the Group of Monuments. The main centre of pilgrimage in Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple was built in the 7th century AD. It is an important pilgrimage site for the devotees of Lord Shiva and attracts large numbers of tourists and pilgrims. The annual chariot festival celebrated in the month of February is a popular event. Some other important temples in Hampi are Achyutara Temple, Hazara Rama Temple, Krishna Temple and Vittala Temple.
Khajuraho
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a set of different Hindu and Jain temples located in Madhya Pradesh. The temples are believed to have been built between 950 and 1050 AD at the time of Chandella dynasty. Therefore, the architecture of the temples, monuments and sculptures highlight the rich cultural period of the Chandella rule. These temples are popular for their arts and sculptures. Majority of these sculptures depict the activities of everyday life and also the mythical stories about the spiritual values of the Hindus. Every year in the month of February, a dance festival is organised in Khajuraho which features several Indian classical dance forms. These temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are visited by many tourists every year.
Nalanda
Nalanda or the Nalanda Mahavihara is an ancient Buddhist monastery in Magadha (now Bihar). The site was a great centre of learning from the fifth to the 12th century. Nalanda flourished during the reign of several rulers such as Gupta Empire, Harshavardhana and Pala Empire. The Nalanda School also attracted students from neighbouring countries such as China, Korea, Tibet and the Central Asian region. It is a popular tourist destination and attracts a number of visitors from India and abroad.
Apart from the above mentioned wonders of India, given below is a list of some other important landmark places which are culturally and historically important.
- Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
- Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya, Bihar
- Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi
- Qutb Minar, Delhi
- Red Fort, Delhi
- Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat
- Buddhist Monuments, Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
- Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
- Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
- Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra
- Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
- Great Living Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu
- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
- Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
- Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
- Great Himalayan national Park, Himachal Pradesh
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Last Updated on : May 19, 2015
