There’s no doubt that India’s wide range of ancient forts and temples stand tall and proud, glistening in the sunlight as some of the country’s greatest sights to see. Beyond the obvious allure of the Taj Mahal, there are many lesser-known places that are well worth a visit. I could never list them all here but read on for my shortlist of some of the best buildings and monuments to look out for…
I distinctly remember traveling in India with some friends from the USA and what amazed them (coming from a relatively new country) was just how old some of India’s monuments actually were. If you’re visiting India for the first time (and sightseeing is your kind of thing) then there’s no doubt you should start your trip in Delhi and plan a tour through the regal desert state of Rajasthan. I would say that within 10 -14 days you could take on a comfortable tour that captures many of the key sights worth seeing.
THE TAJ MAHAL (AGRA)
Let’s just start with the most obvious! The Taj Mahal earns every grain of it’s popularity because it simply is so beautiful! Everyone loves a good story (especially a love story) and the devotional tale that goes with the construction of this site is entirely inspirational, making a visit here even more special. I won’t share that story with you now, as you’re guaranteed to be approached by a local travel guide who will tell you all about it when you visit. Enjoy 🙂 !
The Golden Temple (Amritsar)
Another obvious choice (and the temple of my forefathers) is the stunning Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). The temple is a holy shrine and the most famous pilgrimage site for followers of the Sikh religion. It’s beautifully constructed with embroidered gold panels and an elaborate onion-shaped dome on top that contains 750kg of gilded gold! Remember this is a holy place and respect should be shown at all times. Photography is prohibited within the temple and visitors must remove their shoes, wash their feet and cover their heads at all times. The golden temple is just one part of a wider complex that includes several other monuments dotted around the site, including a Sikh museum. The temple even has clean and well-appointed guest rooms available, which can be rented for a small fee on a first-come-first-served-basis (check availability on site when visiting).
Bahai Temple (Delhi)
This stunning temple perhaps doesn’t fit the bill of being an historical sight (constructed in 1986) but gets a mention in my list for not only being a fantastic piece of architecture, but more so because of the significance behind the Bahai faith. Until visiting this site, I hadn’t actually heard about the Bahai faith, but I’m so glad I did, for wouldn’t the world be such a wonderful place if we could take a page out of their book! In essence the Bahai faith believes and promotes the oneness of God. They embrace, accept and welcome all religions and faiths. I highly recommend a visit to this site where you can visit the information centre and learn more about the Bahai faith.
Khajuraho Monuments (Madhya Pradesh)
Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, the Khajuraho monuments are a group of temples and monuments located in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. They are most notable for their distinct nagar-style architecture and erotic statues. If you’re planning to visit some of the best safari parks for tiger spotting in India (located in Madhya Pradesh) then these temples are a must place to visit along the most popular route from Delhi.
Hampi Monuments (Karnataka)
Another one of India’s listed World Heritage Sites by UNESCO is the village of Hampi with its beautiful monuments and temples. Hampi is built amongst the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. The village is a stunning place to spend a few days amongst the rocks and boulders, busy bazaars and ancient ruins that lurk in almost every corner. In recent years Hampi has become a popular hangout spot for backpackers, which (depending on your traveling tastebuds) could be a good or bad thing. Nonetheless it’s an impressive place to visit and pretty easy to reach from most of the main beach resorts of the south, making it a good choice if you want a change of scene from sea, sunsets and sand.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves
The Ajanta and Ellora caves are perhaps less popular compared to many of the northern landmarks, but in no way does this make them any less extravagant. Located almost in the middle of nowhere (approximately 250 miles from Mumbai) the caves have been elaborately carved into the hillside rock and are guaranteed to take your breath away. The carvings in Ajanta are entirely Buddhist whereas the carvings at Ellora are a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain. Both locations are listed as UNESCO world heritage sites and are approximately 40 miles apart, which (at a squeeze) could be accomplished in the same day.