Category: Monuments

India is one of the many countries famous for tourism. This is because each state is famous for its individual tourist attraction. The natural wonders, tranquil places, rich history, and architecture are the main sights to enjoy in India. The monuments in India are sculpted with much brilliance that they are a marvelous sight. Let us consider the top 25 famous monuments and landmarks.

1. Taj Mahal

Located on the Southern bank of the Yamuna River City of Agra, the Taj Mahal is a large mausoleum complex constructed with white marble and semi-precious metals listed today as one of the wonders of the world. This magnificent white marble structure built in 1632-1653 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan is a place rich of history.

2. Mysore Palace

Ranked as the most famous attraction in India after the Taj Mahal, this palace is not only a historical palace but is also a royal residence. It boasts of majestic buildings and monuments worth a visit.

3. Konark Sun temple

With the shape of a giant chariot, this temple, considered as one of the seven wonders of India, is dedicated to the Sun God and is well known for elaborate stone carvings that cover the whole structure.

4. India Gate

Formally known as All India War Memorial, this feature strikingly resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and is located in New Delhi. This feature is considered as the pride of Delhi and was built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during World War 1. The building is made of red stone which rises in stages to form a huge molding. On the walls of the monument, there are over 70,000 names of Indian soldiers in whose memory it is built. At the base of the gate, there is another memorial that was added after independence. This is the eternal flame, Amar Jawan Jyoti, that was lit to commemorate the unknown soldiers who died serving the nation.

On the 26^th January of every year, this historical site stands to witness the Republic Day parade in which diverse defense technology is displayed.

5. Lake Palace

Formerly a summer place in the royal dynasty of Mewar, this palace converted five-star luxury backwater resort is located in the middle of Lake Pichola. This majestic heritage allows for a breathtaking view of hills and the glorious sunset in each of the rooms.

6. Hawa Mahal

This magnificent structure constructed by red and pink sandstone is the most distinct landmark in Jaipur ( Top 15 things to do in Jaipur ). The ‘palace of winds’ as it is commonly referred to as is a delicately honeycombed hive with a giddy series of five floors.

This royal structure was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799.

7. Golden Temple

Located in the city of Amritsar, the temple is the holiest shrine of the Sikhs. Since the temple is surrounded a man-made lake with diverse tropical fish, you will literally have to walk on water to get to the temple.

 It is also a symbol of openness and acceptance. This is evident by the entrance openings on four different sides of the temple. As a result, people of all races and creed are allowed to seek spiritual comfort and religious fulfillment. It also represents the distinct heritage and glory of the Sikhs.

8. Humayun’s Tomb

The first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent is a place rich in history. Built nine years after the death of the Mughal Emperor Humayun following a fall from the stairs as an initiative by his widow, this majestic place has been declared as a world heritage by UNESCO.

The grand structure is built primarily in red sandstone with white marble double domes of 6m long with a brass final ending in crescent. This spectacular edifice is rich in Persian architecture and even though its grandeur gradually diminished because of a lack of maintenance funds, efforts have been made to restore it to its former glory.

9. Hampi Monuments

This site has several elaborate sculptures and carvings that allow all who visit to get the feel of the rich Indian tradition and culture. It is the second largest city in the world with several other monuments. ( 11 Awesome Things to do in Hampi )

10. Qutub Minar

The site is considered as the earliest Islamic monuments in India. It has groups of funerary buildings that are famous for their Indo-Islamic architectural display of early India achievements. Standing at 120m tall, it is the tallest brick minaret in the world. This has been made with very high-quality materials. The iron pillar for example, that stands in this complex has been standing tall without rusting for over 2000 years.

11. Khajuraho Temples

This cluster of temples is a famous series of elaborate and beautiful sculptures which mostly depict the life of the common man at the time it was built: from farming, pottery to women putting on makeup.

12. Mahabodhi Temple

The spectacular all-brick site marks the spot where the Buddha first attained enlightenment. Being one of the most sacred sites in all of Buddhism, numerous people are interested to learn more about its rich history. For many people in various creeds, going for a pilgrimage is a sacred duty. For Buddhists on the other hand, the journey to a holy site is part of their immense quests for enlightenment. This temple houses a large statue covered in gold and dressed in bright orange robes of the Buddha meditating with his right hand touching the earth. Buddhists believe that the Gautama reached enlightenment at this position.

13. Ajmer Fort

This site is one of the most famous forts in Rajasthan ( 10 Best Things To Do In Rajasthan ). The fort is an integration of both the Hindu and Muslim architecture. It also has a gate that leads to the private places of the kings.

14. Swaminarayan Akshardham

This is one of the largest temples in India that has history reflecting on the rich Indian spiritual life, culture and architecture. It is glorified as an eternal place of devotion, tranquility, and purity. There is a glorious garden at the temple complex.

15. Brihadeeshwara Temple

Known as a living temple, this most popular South Indian temple is majestic evidence of the Tamil architecture, built as a dedication to Shiva, the third God in the Hindu Triumvate.

16. Gateway of India

Built during the British rule in India, this historical monument was built as a triumphal arch to honor the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai ( Best Weekend Gateways from Mumbai ).

17. Jama Masjid

Considered to be the largest and most magnificent mosque present in India, the Jama Masjid boasts of its rich architecture and is an articulate reminder of the Mughal religious zeal.

This spectacular mosque that was constructed in 1644 to 1656 by Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. The mosque and its courtyards have a commanding view of the surrounding area which makes it a spectacular feature.

18. Varanasi Ghats

The ghats are a site of diverse rituals performed on the waters of the holy Ganges River that includes the Ganga Arti. These chaotic ghats are a sure display of humanity.  

19. Lutyens’ Delhi

The central district of Delhi hosts beautiful neoclassical buildings and government functionaries. Designed by a British architect, the Rashtrapati Bhawan is home to India’s president.

20. Victoria Memorial

Dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria, this museum is a must see. The large marble building with spectacular gardens and a royal gallery is a sure amazing sight. It was built to honor Queen Victoria’s 25-year reign in India.

This majestic white-marble structure is filled with a diverse collection of remnants from the British Empire rule in India. It also houses a museum of memorabilia with a British and Indian heritage such as a collection of oil paintings and watercolors by renowned European artist such as Emily Eden and Charles D’oyly among many others. The largest collections of the Daniells paintings are also housed in the Victoria Memorial.

21. Jantar Mantar

This is a place full of the Rajasthan’s emperors’ scientific legacy. The site boasts of 19 different astronomical instruments that include the world’s largest stone sundial. This is a remarkable monument of astronomical advancement that shows the thirst of scientific knowledge in Indians from a long time in the past.

 There are structures that were designed to determine the longest and shortest days of the year in addition to determining the exact moment of noon in various locations far from Delhi. The main purpose of this observatory was to predict the movements of the sun moon and the planets.

22. Jaisalmer Fort

Located on the edge of the Thar desert, this fort emerges from the desert dunes like a mirage above the city.

23. Ellora Caves

This religious site is the largest temple cave complex in the world. It showcases the world’s largest monolithic excavation. The caves are an ecumenical site that brings Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists together.

This world heritage site is made up of monuments carved from the local cliff rock in the 6^th and 7^th century. It has a structure, the Kailasa temple, that boasts of spectacular monuments and is the world’s largest rock-cut. As the name suggests, this temple was a dedication to Shiva as a replicate of his earthly palace.

24. Fatehpur Sikri

This is a well-preserved example of Mughal architecture featured with harem quarters, courts, a mosque, and royal palaces. It is rich with a Persian influence.

25. Brindavan Gardens

This garden is located in the Mandya district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It lies adjoining the Krishnarajasagara Dam which is built across the river Kaveri. This place looks gorgeous in the evening time. It’s one of the important landmarks in India.

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On July 2016, we landed in the resort town of Siem Reap, in north-western Cambodia. The name Siem Reap means Siam Defeated reminds us of the centuries-old conflict between Khmer and Siamese. The first monument to visit in Siem Reap was the ruins of Angkor Wat. 

What makes Angkor Wat a Site to visit in Siem Reap? There is much historical significance to this temple.  Khmer King Suryavarman built this temple in the early 12th century. Initially dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple gradually transformed to a Buddhist Temple by the end of the 12th century.

 The temple is built entirely of sandstone by Khmer architects. The Angkor Wat Temple picture appears in the national flag of Cambodia because of its historical significance. Today, this iconic temple is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most important archaeological landmarks of South-East Asia.

The temple is representation of Mount Meru, the home of the devas in Hindu mythology.The heart of the temple is the central tower.

The tower can be reached by a steep staircase to see the statue of Vishnu at the top. At that time, King venerated god Vishnu. Therefore, the statue of Vishnu was put at the top.  The entire temple is surrounded by a big wall. 

Since 1990, Angkor Wat has seen an increase number of tourist. With the steady growth of tourism, Angkor Wat has become of the most visited monuments in South East Asia. Approximately 5 million visited Angkor in 2016 and the number keeps increasing year after year.

When we visited Angkor, we took a guided tour. We had a small team of five people along with our tour guide. The Angkor visit reminded us of the influence of Indic religions (particularly Hinduism and Buddhism) in South and South-East Asia. One of the nicest things about this tour was having a wonderful tour guide, who was able to explain to us about the detailed history of the temple in fluent English. 

Here are some of the important points you need to consider before going there.

• The peak season is from November to February

• It is always better to visit Angkor Wat during the daytime and before sunset.

• Entry pass to Angkor cost around $20 a day.

• Tuk-Tuks is a great way to get around Angkor Wat.

• Other popular temples near Angkor Wat are Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Thom.

After our tour, we had good Cambodian food. One good point I noted about Siem Reap was that every restaurant (small or big) had a Wi-Fi connection. This made it easy for us to communicate via the social channels with our friends and family (as most tourists did not have a SIM card). Another interesting thing I found in Siem Reap was that every transaction (small or big) was done in US Dollar which made life easier for us to estimate the price.

It is good to visit Angkor by planning in advance. With increase in tourist arrivals, sometimes it may be challenging to get a good room or tour operators.  If you book everything in advance it would make your travel easy and you can cover Siem Reap in 2-3 days.

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