India is known throughout the world for its great history and unique cultures bringing together multitudes of cultures and religions. It is undoubtedly a land apart, filled with different colors, mysteries and exotics. By visiting this country, you will be able to witness a variety of festivals, customs, religions, sounds as well as sights. Not just this, the amazing country comprises of various natural splendors like Himalayas on the extreme north, thriving tropical jungles with exotic wildlife and a splendid coastline with golden beaches in the south.
If you are planning to visit India on your next vacation, here is a list of 10 must see travel attractions in the country.
1. Agra (Taj Mahal)
Everyone who has heard about India would surely have heard about the magnificent Taj Mahal. It took twenty one years of hard work by over a thousand skilled workmen to build up this amazing monument signifying eternal love. It was actually built by the Mogul Emperor named Shah Jahan in loving memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal. The monument is world-renowned for its structural as well as aesthetic perfection. Its design is based on Garden of Paradise, a well known Islamic concept. The city also houses various other travel destinations such as Fatehpur Sikri, Agra fort, and Akbar’s Tomb. Many of these monuments are World heritage sites.
Situated at a distance of 200 kms from Delhi, it is easily accessible by road, rail and air. Here you can also find hotels to suit every budget, ranging from cheap hotels to luxury ones.
2. Khajuraho
Khajuraho, the second most frequented place in India, by tourists from all around the world, is a place comprising of numerous temples featuring ancient erotic sculptures. It is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. These temples are known throughout the world for their uninhibited carvings and sculptures depicting different sexual acts, and erotic carvings and sculptures. These temples are built using sandstones and feature extremely precise and metaphorical carvings, down to the level of jewelry worn by these sculptures and figures.
3. Goa
Goa is well known all around the globe for its beautiful beaches. It is regularly frequented by both foreign as well as domestic tourists, particularly during the monsoon season. It is famous for its splendid beaches, unique history, amazing cuisine as well as rich culture. It offers multitude of activities to all its visitors from swimming, water sports, crab hunting, fishing, trekking and rocking nightlife. It is also quite famous for its spectacular parties during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. The amazing smells of the rain drenched soil in the country side is sure to blow your mind. Its ancient churches are also worth experiencing any day.
4. Delhi
Being the capital city, it is the heart of the country, comprising of everything that one can dream of in a city. The city comprises of various historical monuments like India Gate, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple and other, many of them being in the list of World Heritage sites developed by UNESCO. Rashtrapati Bhawan is the official resident of the Indian President, as well as an architectural masterpiece. Cannaught Place, built by the British during their reign in India, is not the biggest hub for shopping in the city as well as the most important commercial center.
You can find all kinds of the hotels in the city, from cheap to expensive ones. The Indira Gandhi International Airport connects it to most major cities of the world through numerous flights.
5. Mumbai
Mumbai is the entertainment as well as the commercial centre of the country. It houses various famous Tourist spots including Gateway of India, Elephanta caves, Haji Ali mosque, and various beautiful beaches. It is popularly known as the city of million dreams, as well as the ‘city that never sleeps’. Being the financial capital of the country, it has made a distinct place for itself in the world map. It is well connected to the rest of the country as well as with the entire world through flights, road and railways. Whether you are visiting the city for business purposes or on vacation, you will not be disappointed as there is something for everyone here.
You can get a wide variety of choices when it comes to hotels and accommodation. You can choose a luxury hotel on the banks of Arabian Sea or a cheap hotel somewhere in the middle of the city.
6. Jaipur
Jaipur, the capital of the Western state of Rajasthan, houses a large number of tourist places and historical sites such as Amber fort, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jaigarh fort, Rambagh Palace and Chand Baori stepwell. Fondly known as ‘Pink city’, it is one of the most adored destinations of Rajasthan Tourism. It is world renowned for its magnificent havelis, historical forts, vivid festivals, vivacious culture, as well as delectable cuisine. It is visited by people from around the world to witness the royal legacy of Indian sovereigns of the bygone era.
7. Varanasi
Located on the bank of Ganges River, Varanasi is a pilgrimage place for the Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. The place is a good example of the opulence of Indian culture. It is also the center of learning and tradition, being one of the oldest inhibited cities in the world. It is known to be the place enshrining the true essence of Hinduism. The most important place to visit in the city is its Ghats offering a bathing platform in the Ganges River to the pilgrims. The Manikarnika Ghat, Tulsi Ghat and Dasaswamedh ghat are the most famous ones. The Kashi Vishwanath temple devoted to Lord Vishnu is the center of all pilgrim activities.
8. Kerala: God’s Own Country
Kerala, the enchantingly beautiful land, is fondly called God’s own country, due to its spectacular beauty. Its sandy beaches, amazing hills stations, blue lagoons, enchanting waterfalls, picturesque valleys and breathtaking backwaters make it the most popular tourist attraction, particularly for the honeymooners. A boat journey through the magical and tranquil backwaters in Kerala is sure to make your vacations the most memorable one.
You will be able to find all kinds of hotels in the city, ranging from basic cheap accommodations to resorts and 5 star boutiques. It is well connected with Mumbai and Delhi through daily flights.
9. Udaipur
Udaipur is rightly considered to be the most romantic city in India. It is an extremely charming city that captivates its visitors with various attractions like the City Palace Hotel, Lake Palace hotel, Jagdish temple and Sahelion ki Bari. Its skyline is filled with amazing temple spikes, traditional Indian architecture and domes, against the backdrop of Lake Pichola.
10. Ajanta and Ellora Caves
Located in the state of Maharastra, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves are a group of 34 caves comprising of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples and monasteries, built around the 10th century. The Ajanta caves have been carved out of a crescent shaped rock face, and contain various splendid art sculptures and paintings. The main attractions behind these caves is the incredibly detailed art work carved on walls within the caves, depicting Buddhist influenced construction and architecture. The oldest of these caves dates back to 200 BC.
These are just a few of the numerous tourist destinations in the beautiful country of India. The entire country is filled with beautiful palaces, forts, temples, monuments, churches, mosques, world heritage sites, waterfalls, beaches, wildlife sanctuaries and a lot more. A tour of the world can never be complete without visiting India and its various tourist destinations.