7 Well Known Landmarks In India

From the serene beauty of Kashmir in the North to the cozy boat houses of Kanyakumari in the South, India is filled with diverse beauties which make it one of your favorite countries to visit. Its rich historical and cultural background make it all the more appealing. There are numerous ancient monuments which are still tourist hot-spots. If you are an architectural geek or just simply amused by seeing historically opulent places, this list of landmarks will guide you in the right direction. It is difficult to narrow down or serially categorize which landmark is worth visiting and which one isn’t. They are all so special in their own specific ways! You get to see a clear diversification as you move from North to South, or from East to West. The North is filled with picturesque ice-clad mountains, the South is magnificently endowed with a large number of temples and beaches, the West is known for the grand ‘havelis’ or palaces, and the East is the most culturally profound part of India. Let us see what are the main eye-catchers as you breezily look over this bountiful country.

# The Taj Mahal

This landmark deserves the top spot because it is not only visually the most attractive, but also a spectacle of undying, eternal love. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz in 1648. It is a marked Wonder of the World, famous all over the globe. The ivory-white marble shines beautifully in sunlight and will make you keep staring at this august monument. Visiting this landmark should be on your bucket-list!

# The Red Fort

This historic fort is nestled in Delhi and has been the residence to several Mughal Emperors till the year 1856. It is another UNESCO World Heritage Site which now been transformed into a museum. It is a top tourist destination in not only Delhi, but all over India. It is also called “Lal Qila” and is architecturally splendid to look at. It was built under the reign of Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor in 1648 (within 8 years 10 months and 25 days).

# The Golden Temple

Seated in the heart of Amritsar, the Golden Temple is one the most photogenic and beautiful landmarks in India. It is formally known as Sri Harmandir Sahib but due to the layers and layers of golden leaves that cover the exterior, it hence renamed. It is primarily a Sikh temple and the holiest gurudwara in the world. People go here for pilgrimages and find themselves at peace here. It is a symbol of Sikh equality and brotherhood and is a must go for all.

# The Varanasi Ghats

The constant hustle-bustle and chaos on the Ghats of Varanasi make it all the more alive. It is one of the iconic places in the whole of India where you will feel spiritually fulfilled and moved. On the banks of the Ganges, there are several rituals performed including the famous ‘ganga-aarti’. Every evening there is a giant flame lit by the priests and the river is worshiped. Even though it might be a chaotic mess, you will enjoy your time there around men wearing saffron-colored robes and chanting mantras.

# Fatehpur Sikri

The town was built by one of the greatest Emperors that the world has seen- Akbar. It is located in Agra with a cluster of red sandstone buildings in the center of this small town. This place is kept in a good condition even today. The Buland Darwaza gate leads the entrance to Jama Masjid. Diwan-e-aam, Jodha Bai’s palace and many other such historically famous places are all inside this small town. For people who have watched Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar know about these little details all too well. This town is historically and culturally extremely rich, and is a must visit for all!

# Ajanta and Ellora Caves

They are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites set in Maharashtra. Ajanta caves consist of Buddhist rock-cut monuments, around 29 of them. Ellora caves are of the largest rock-cut monastery temple-caves. They are a blend of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. They are like temple complexes that were built around 600-1000 C.E. They are both so breathtakingly beautiful that they mark themselves as a very important landmark in India.

# The Victoria Memorial

Built in the early 20th century in Kolkata, West Bengal, it was dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. It shows the mastery of British architecture which is also quite distinctly seen in other parts of the city too. the white-marbled beauty was built in the Indo-Saracenic revivalist style. It is now reduced to a museum and a tourist spot, but it has rich cultural history too. As you go through Victoria Memorial, you will see various different tokens from the days of the past preserved for us. Queen Victoria’s certain possessions are also a part of it, like her writing desk and chair.