Our Favourite Places to Visit in India
India is well known for having one of the most prominent cultural histories, as well as it’s widespread religious beliefs. India is the second most populated country in the world, with over 1.2 billion people, and this means that there are thousands of different architectural feats, hundreds of different types of cuisine, and all different kinds of art. India is a wonderful place to visit as any tourist, and it’s no wonder that tourism in India is growing rapidly. (India received 23.3 million foreign and domestic tourists in 2016.) India has numerous different attractions to visit, including the iconic Taj Mahal, Gateway of India and the Lodi Gardens. Here are some of our favourite places to visit in India.
- The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a world-renowned mausoleum that was commissioned in 1632 by the Emperor of the Mogul Empire, Shah Jahan, as a tomb to house his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal itself was built with glistening white marble and is a magnificent building to look at. The Taj Mahal is over 350 years old, and it is still one of India’s most celebrated structures, and the grounds compliment the fine scenery that you will see when you go there. The Taj Mahal is also a UNESCO world heritage site, so there are many tour guides to show you the Taj Mahal and allow you to experience the trip in its full. If you go to the Taj Mahal, the breathtaking building and wonderful insight from a tour guide into the building’s history will be well worth the visit, just make sure you bring sunglasses to prevent the glare from the white marble and the sunlight.
The Taj Mahal
2. The Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is an arch monument that was built during the 20th century. It is located in Bombay, India, and it was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911 (although it was only completed in 1924.) This imposing archway incorporates Islamic-style architecture, and the basalt archway faces out to Mumbai Harbour from the top of the Apollo Bunder. The Gateway of India has been referred to as the “Taj Mahal of Mumbai”, and for good reason. You will definitely enjoy the beautiful view of the sea, stretching out in front of the iconic Taj Mahal Palace, (which is a hotel.) The Gateway of India is free of charge and has many good cafes and restaurants nearby. People flock together in the Gateway of India, and it is just a great place to visit, and a wonderful experience for anybody who enjoys fine architecture.
Lodi Gardens
3. The Lodhi Gardens
The Lodhi Gardens is a park situated in New Delhi. Lodi Gardens are one of the pleasantest green spaces in Delhi, with hundreds of different types of flowers and trees that are labelled so tourists can recognise each one of them. Lodhi Gardens is spread over 90 acres, and it contains multiple different tombs, including the tomb of Sikander Lodi, (built in 1517 by his son) who was the second ruler of the Lodi Dynasty. The Lodhi Gardens is protected by the Archeological Survey of India, and the Lodhi Gardens is a hotspot for Delhites who are going for an early morning walk. It is a breathtaking garden of flowers that are in full bloom, and you would forget that you are in the middle of a city. If you are in New Delhi, the Lodhi Gardens is a place to go, relax, and just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and mood.
Lodhi Gardens
4. Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The biggest landmark in the city believed to be one of the very few “living forts” in the world. Jaisalmer Fort is a former city, and for the better part of 800 years was the former city of Jaisalmer. There is still nearly 1/4th of the city’s population still living there. This is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan, built in 1156 AD by the Rajput Rawal. The fort has massive yellow sandstone walls, camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. For this reason, Jaisalmer Fort is also known as “Golden Fort”. In 2013, at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee, Jaisalmer Fort, along with 5 other forts of Rajasthan, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jaisalmer Fort Jaisalmer fort looks utterly spectacular from the outside, and once you are within the walls of the fort it continues to shine. Beautifully preserved and full of shops, dwellings, restaurants and accommodation you really get the feeling that you have stepped back in time wandering around the narrow alleyways.
Jaisalmer Fort
5. Mehrangarh
Mehrangarh also referred to as “Mehran Fort”, is located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It is one of the largest forts in India, and definitely one of the best preserved. Built around 1460 by Rao Jodha, this fort is situated 125 metres above the city and is enclosed by massive walls. A stunning and sprawling fort set on a hill that was really a royal home. The rooms inside the Mehrangarh Fort are converted to a museum which documents the rich history of the ‘Rathores’ elaborately in the form of paintings, attires, arms, etc. The museum is considered as one of the most well-stocked museums in Rajasthan.Your tour of the museum will take you into the private living arrangements of Indian Kings and their royal consorts and wives. The architecture is well preserved and intricate, and the museum’s pieces are well curated and tell an intimate story about the royal household. It is absolutely fascinating, and any history fans will absolutely love Mehran Fort.
Mehrangarh
6. River Ganges
The river Ganges is one of the most well-known rivers in the world, being over 2500 km long and passing through India and Bangladesh. It is the third largest river by discharge, and millions of Indian people depend on it for their daily needs. Three towns holy to Hinduism, Haridwar, Prayah and Varanasi attract thousands of tourists and pilgrims to the River Ganges to take a dip in it. This is done because cleaning yourself in the river Ganges is believed to “cleanse oneself of sin and help attain salvation.” The rapids of the Ganges are very popular for river rafting, especially during the Summer months, and there are many beautiful walkways that go across the Ganges for the benefit of tourists. An ancient highway that connected kingdoms, its shores are lined with majestic palaces, historic battlegrounds, and remote villages that offer up a slice of Indian life you won’t find in the big cities. The River Ganges is great and you can even take a ride in a boat which will carry you around it and show you how the people in the villages near the Ganges live.
River Ganges
Thank you for reading about our 6 favourite places to visit in India.
