India is a country with rich historical monuments that show the stories of yesteryear and reflect the richness of Indian heritage and culture in equal measure. Over the course of time and over decades, various monuments and sites have been erected due to the gradual change in culture and heritage. These monuments, which were built by the kings of that time, still dominate the respective regions with their landmarks. Since the country was previously the seat of some early cultures, there were some well-established kingdoms, great rulers, spiritual gurus, and more. The interesting thing is that these rulers left their mark and rich heritage in the form of some significant historical attractions. Many of them have been classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.

1. Taj Mahal, Agra (Recognized in 1983)
Taj Mahal, India’s most famous architectural jewel of the Mughal era, is probably the most beautiful attraction that you should not miss during a trip to India. The breathtaking white marble structure of the Taj Mahal shows the spectacular architectural style of the Mughal era, which is also a symbol of Shah Jahan’s eternal love for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

2. Khajuraho Monument (Group Recognized in 1986)
Khajuraho is located in the heart of India – Madhya Pradesh – and is home to religious temples that reflect the architectural skills of the Rajput Chandela dynasty craftsmen. Khajuraho is often traversed by the Golden Triangle of India and therefore attracts travelers from all over the world.

3. Sun Temple, Odisha (recognized in 1984)
The Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha dates from the late 13th century and was built in the form of a giant Ratha (chariot) and dedicated to the sun god. Because of its magnificent carved features with detailed handicrafts, this monument makes it look radiant.

4. Mahabalipuram (Recognized in 1984)

In the temple district of Mahabalipuram is the largest temple site in the world, which describes the Hindu idea of paradise on earth. Today, approximately 1,500-year-old temple city is a place of pilgrimage to which people from all over the world travel.

5. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra (Recognized in 1983)

If you are on a Maharashtra Heritage trip and plan to visit the Ellora Caves, you will take home an exceptional travel experience. These caves are a group of Buddhist, Hindu and Jainist caves built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

6. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra (recognized in 1983)

The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad Maharashtra date from the 2nd century BC. These Buddhist caves are considered one of the most fascinating artistic activities of the old days. It represents the art of ancient India. The special painting of the artists at that time is used as inspiration by many painters of today.

7. Great Living Chola Temple (recognized in 1987)

The Great Living Chola Temples are a group of three temples that were built during the Chola Dynasty and show the splendor of the mighty Chola monarchy. The group of three temples consists of the Brihadishvara Temple, the Airavateshvara Temple, and Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple.

8. Kaziranga National Park, Assam (recognized in 1985 )

is a paradise for nature lovers. 70% of the world’s largest rhinos and other wild animals live here. The national park and its beautiful landscape and pleasant surroundings offer the most beautiful view of nature and wildlife.

9. Hampi (Recognized in 1986)

Hampi (Vijayanagar) is a small but Historical town in the State of Karnataka, where there are a lot of ruins with artistic sculptures. These ruins are the remains of the former city of Vijayanagara, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. This place was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Due to the location in a surrealistic landscape – especially when the sun is low in the sky – there is a special atmosphere, which is not easy to describe, but which long-standing travelers to India can rave about for hours.

10. Red Fort, Agra recognized in 1983)
The Agra Fort i(s located on the banks of the Yamuna River and is surrounded by red sandstone structures. The castle was said to be the royal palace of the Mughal dynasty who ruled in Agra at the time.

11. Fatehpur Sikri, Agra (Recognized in 1986)
A former Mughal capital before being abandoned by Akbar due to the complete failure of the water supply system. A visit to Fatehpur Sikri is a must during the Agra trip. Its impressive structures that adorn the city are a must for tourists.

12. Qutb Minar, Delhi (Recognized in 1993)
Qutb Minar is the most notable tourist attraction in Delhi, built by Qutab-ud-Din Aibak as a victory tower to commemorate Mohd Ghori’s triumph. It is the tallest monument in Delhi and the second tallest minaret in India, a relic of the Delhi Sultanate.

13. Buddhist Sanctuary near Sanchi (Recognized 1989)
The Buddhist sanctuary near Sanchi is located in central India. There are the oldest Buddhist stupas in India – they are over 2,000 years old. Stupas symbolize the sacred tree of life and enlightenment in Buddhism. The local stupa is 17 m high and is considered the ideal type of Buddhist stupa. It is a massive, windowless reliquary and alone fulfills a symbolic function.

14. West Ghats (Recognized in 2012)

The West Ghats Mountains are parallel to the Arabian Sea and are located on the west coast of India. The mountains traversing through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The length of the mountains is approximately 1,500 km. The highest mountain in the Western Ghat is the 2,635 high Doddabetta in the southern part of the West Ghate in the Nilgiri mountains. The Famous Dudhsagar Falls is also located on Western Ghat.

15. Old Goa Churches (Recognized in 1986)

The Cathedral Se Catedral, founded in 1511 by Alfonso de Albuquerque, which is the largest building in the city of Old Goa, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the tomb of St. Francis Xavier and the Convent of St. Francis from Assisi (a mosque rebuilt in 1661) the Church of St. Cajetan, a small edition of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome. To visit all Churches in a day, book a trip to old goa offer tripraja.com.

These are all the most famous tourist attractions of the great Indian heritage that showcase the art of past centuries. So when you prepare your vacation all-inclusive in India, you need to include it in your travel planning to learn about the stunning architectural design and glorifying past that lie behind the walls of these historic wonders in India.

Info – Featured Photo by Kal k