Top best historical tourist attractions in India
If you are very choosy and would love to explore historical places of India then this list of Top best historical tourist attractions in India 2013 would definitely help your better half to the good old golden days of India. Experience the alluring architecture built by Great Emperors who ruled India and breath in the air of momentous ancient days. As, India – the land of rich cultures, traditions, languages, landscapes, monuments, heritage, fascinating religious structures, exotic cities and endless collection of place to tourist destinations to explore stretching from the snow capped high mountains of the Himalayas to the tropical greenery of Kerala, from the Thar Desert to the sacred Ganges. Here we list out some of the top best historical tourist attractions that are worldwide famous and you should not miss if you want to explore India to its best.
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal in Agra – Standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna is an enormous mausoleum of white marble, built between 1632 and 1653 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to enshrine the remains of Begum Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the masterpieces of Mughal architecture, and one of the great tourist attractions in India and the world’s busiest tomb that signifies and glorifies human love.
Taj Mahal, the epitome of love and romance with its voluptuous curves of domes and arches, ramrod lines of minarets, pillars and calligraphic frames and friezes, reflecting pools, extensive attractive gardens with flowering trees and bushes, the delicate symmetry and colors that will never fade is magical looming like mirage at daylight and sunset, glittering white at noon, pearly silver moonlight that leaves one enthralled and captivated.
Varanasi Temples:
Varanasi (Kashi or Banaras) situated on the banks of the River Ganges is known as the city of temples and learning sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains and is also considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world that is almost 3,000 years old with great pilgrimage significance. Varanasi homes about 2,000 temples all nearby Ganga Ghat and thus enshrines the very essence of Hinduism with popular Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the new Vishwanath temple, the Sankat Mochan temple, the Durga temple, the Kal Bhairav temple, the Mritunjaya temple.
Visit Varanasi and breathe in the fresh air of Ganges!!!
Jaisalmer Fort:
Jaisalmer Fort – the world’s only living fort and largest fort built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rao Jaisal admist the golden stretches of the great Thar Desert. Jaisalmer Fort also known as the Goldern Fort or Sonar Quila is the breathtaking monument built in 3 layered yellow sandstone walls to defense the fort from enemies. The fort is classically styled in royal fashion and constructed huge to envelope a whole township consisting of havelis, temples, residential complexes of the armies and traders, the intricately carved outdoors and interiors, walls and ceilings, sculptural filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions, beautiful balconies reveals the majestic nature of medieval culture.
Rajasthan is the gateway to unleash the ancient art of royal Rajput kingdoms!!!
Harmandir Sahib
Harmandir Sahib better known as the Golden Temple is one of the awe-inspiring tourist attractions in India located in Amritsar. The golden temple was started by Guru Ram Dast in 16th century but later Maharaja Ranjit Singh has covered the upper floors of the temple with gold making the temple one of the most visited temples in India with thousands of piligrims visiting the place every day. The Golden Temple has a unique Sikh architecture with four entrances from all four directions representing the central religious heritage, glory and identity for not only but for everyone irrespective of cast, creed or race can seek spiritual solace, pray, and get blessings symbolizing human brotherhood and equality.
Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves are the 3rd-century caves that exhibit the fine art of Buddhist art and architecture comprising beautiful fresco paintings depicting Buddha’s life and incarnations on the walls and ceilings that include geometric patterns, floral and ornamental motifs, and variety of animals, birds and plants. There are in total 30 caves that are cut and designed beautifully from the volcanic lava of the Deccan of which 5, 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are “Chaitya-Grihas” and the rest are “Sangharamas” or Viharas (monasteries) of which cave 26 has prominence and considered to be the most significant ornate sculptures ever built.
Aurangabad is the gateway to explore these ancient artworks!!!
Ellora Caves
The Ellora caves dates back to the old golden days of 350 AD to 700 AD, the finest specimens of cave temple architecture that reflect the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The interiors of the cave are exclusively adorned with intricate interiors and ornamental facades.
There are 34 caves in number of which 12 caves are dedicated to Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain of which the most mesmerizing structure is the magnificent Kailash Temple hewn out of a single rock and is three storey high, while the grand sculpture of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, with his full might has set a landmark in Indian art.
The interiors of the cave are exquisitely adorned and offer a wealthy tapestry of sculptures that talk about the ancient kingdoms, culture, tales, regime of royalties, battlefields to sailing ships, city, streets, teeming animal-filled forests to snow-capped mountains and loads more.
Aurangabad is the gateway to explore these ancient artworks!!!
Hampi
Hampi is one of the most fascinating historical sites in South India housing the Virupaksha, Lakshmi Narasimha, Hemakuta Hill, Big Shivlinga and Vithala temples, the city’s rocky landscape, dotted with ancient temple ruins, makes for a unique climbing experience. The Virupaksha Temple built in the 7th century AD under the Vijayanagara rulers in the city of Hampi is one of the oldest interruptedly functioning Hindu temples of pilgrimage constructed in the ancient style of architecture where the temple has a 49m high tower and the temple complex shrines with erotica statues.
Other tourist attractions include Achyutaraya Temple, Preksha temple, Anegondi, Anjeynandri Hill, and loads of other temples that together makes Hampi a religious hub.
Fatehpur Sikri:
Fatehpur Sikri serves as the one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendor built by Akbar one of the greatest Mughal Emperor in 15th century in honor of the Sufi Saint – Shaikh Salim Chisti. The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri embodies the noble vision, ideas and artistic views of Akbar’s mind. The Buland Darwaza, the 15 storey gateway is one of the highest gateways of India erected in typical Mughal architecture with several Quranic Calligraphy inscriptions on its pillar was built to honor Akbar’s victor over Deccan.
Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chishti with finest art works of carved jaalis, stone pierced screen, geometric designs adds grandeur to the monument.
Do not miss to visit the grand structures of Diwan-i-Khas, Anup Talo, Panch Mahal, and Palace of Jodha Bhai to unleash alluring prolific and versatile Indo-Muslim composite architecture style.
Source: http://honeymoontrip.in/
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