Monuments of India

Varanasi GhatsGhats in Varanasi are the most holiest places of the city situated along with the banks of holy river Ganges. There are around 85 Ghat in the holiest city and used for Ganges Aarti, bathing, cremation and morning meditation. The burning Ghats of Varanasi are the most popular tourist attraction, during the Aarti of river Ganges at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Varanasi also known as Banaras and Kashi is one of the oldest living city of India as well as in the world.

Taj MahalThe Taj Mahal, a beautiful white marble Monument located in the city of Agra on the banks of the holy river Yamuna in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Taj Mahal is the finest example of combines elements of Mughal,Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles. It is one of the eight wonders of the world and the jewel of Muslim art in India. Fatehpur Sikri is another historic site in the state, the first planned city of the Mughals.

Harmandir SahibThe Golden Temple is known as Harmandir Sahib is a Sikh Gurdwara located in the Amritsar, Punjab. Shri Darbar Shaib is the holiest shrine and most famous pilgrimage place for Sikhs. Harmandir Sahib is one of the most sacred places in India, a Holy Granth Sahib is always present inside the temple.

Mahabodhi TempleThe Mahabodhi Temple or Great Awakening Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the Gaya district of Bihar state. Mahabodhi Mahavihara Bodhgaya Temple is one of the ancient and most important shrines of  Buddhist in India. The site contains a Mahabodhi Tree,Lord Buddha stupa and the monastery called Bodhimanda Vihara. Mahabodhi Temple is count on one of the 7 wonders of India.Nalanda is another Historic Monuments site in the state.

Brihadishwara Temple

Brihadishwara Temple also called Periya Koyil or Big Temple is one of the India’s largest temple located in the Thanjavur at the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Rajarajeswaram temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the best temple build by Cholas along with Airavatesvara Temple. Brihadishwara Temple and Airavatesvara Temple are two World Heritage in Tamil Nadu India.

Shore TempleThe Shore Temple is situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal at Mahabalipuram,in the state of Tamil Nadu. Shore Temple is the oldest structural rock cut temple in south India built with blocks of granite. The shrines are dedicated to great God Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Mahabalipuram is world famous for number of Monuments, which are UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bahai TempleThe Lotus Temple of Delhi is called Bahai Temples, situated near kalka Ji.Lotus Temple is a house of Worship for every religion and best place for meditation and peace. Bahai Faith is spiritual unity of all humankind, there are eight continental Houses of Worship have been built around the world. Lotus Temple is one of them and the prominent attraction in Delhi.

Hawa MahalThe great monuments of the royal Rajputs of Rajasthan, Hawa Mahal also Palace of Winds is situated in the heart of pink city and the capital of Rajasthan,Jaipur. The pyramid shape five-story palace is constructed by red and pink sandstone by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh for women’s of royal families. Hawa Mahal is one of the major tourist attraction of Jaipur as well as in the royal state Rajasthan.

Chhatrapati Shivaji TerminusChhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or Victoria Terminus is a historic railway station situated in the dream city of India Mumbai,Maharashtra. Victoria Terminus is one of the most busiest railway station in India and headquarters of the Central Railways. Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai, a five-star hotel is another Historical Monuments located in Mumbai city.

Victoria MemorialThe Victoria Memorial Hall is located in the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata and dedicated to Queen Victoria. Victoria Memorial is one of the major tourist attraction of Kolkata and serves as a museum with great collection of manuscripts,paintings and sculptures of the British period. Victoria Memorial was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in India.

Qutub MinarQutub-Minar in red and buff standstone is the highest tower in India. It has a diameter of 14.32m at the base and about 2.75m on the top with a height of 72.5m.Qutb-u'd-Din Aibak laid the foundation of Qutab Minar in AD 1199 for the use of Mu'azzin (crier) to give calls for prayer and raised the first storey, to which were added three more storeys by his successor and son-in-law, Shamsu'd-Din IItutmish (AD 1211-36).

Red Fort (Lal Qila)

Shah Jahan, famed not only for his leadership capabilities but also for his great architectural accomplishments, was one of the greatest rulers of the Mughal Dynasty in India. In 1638 when the emperor moved the capital of India from Agra to Delhi, a new royal palace was constructed. Known as the Red Fort (Lal Qila), it was begun around 1640 and completed by 1648.

Khajuraho TemplesLocation of the site: Khajuharo, Madhya Pradesh

Famous For: Khajuraho is well known for erotic art sculptures and carved temples and Dance FestivalSignificance: World Heritage SiteNearby attractions: Panna Wildlife SanctuaryEven if situated in the middle of nowhere, the Khajuraho temple complex site is one the most popular places both foreign and Indian tourists. Temples of Khajuraho hold the attention of a visitor with their sculptural art, which is so exquisite and intricate, that one cannot even dream of cloning it now. Perfect in execution and sublime in expressions these Khajuraho temples are a dedication to the womanhood. The artist's creative instincts have beautifully captured various facets and moods of life in stone.

Ajanta CavesLocation of the site:99-km From Aurangabad, MaharashtraSignificance: World Heritage SiteTotal Caves: 30Dates Back to: 2nd Century BC To 6th Century AD.

The state of Maharashtra is blessed with a rich heritage of ancient monuments and exquisite architectural marvels representing different phases of development in the art and architectural style. The prime rock-cut architectural examples of the cave temples that are spread all over the state are the caves of Ajanta and Ellora.

Elephanta CavesLocation: Near MumbaiCarved Between: 9th And 12th Centuries ADDesignated As: World Heritage SiteFamous For: Lord Shiva templeElephanta anciently known as "Gharapuri" or the Fort Town, the island capital of Konkan Mauryas, is celebrated for its colossal image of Maheshamurti with three heads each representing a different form. Later the Portuguese took possession of the island and as

they first found a monolith elephant the island was named Elephanta.

CharminarCharminar, a splendid piece of architecture standing in the heart of the hyderabad city built by Quli Qutub Shah, in 1591. This magnificent monument is the unique symbol of Hyderabad. Charminar is often called as "The Arc de triomphe of the East". It is considered as the legendary masterpiece of Qutub Shahi's.Charminar derives its name from four intricately carved minarets, The four graceful minarets literally meaning 'Four Minars', soar to a height of 48.7m each, above the ground. It is located amidst the colourful shops of Lad Bazaar with its glittering traditional

bangles in the old city. Enormous in its size, this imposing monument of India exudes a charm that is more than 400 years old.