India has always been a land of elusive
mysteries in the heart of western travelers. There are places, people
and traditions that can leave you awestruck and speechless and change
the way you know the world. Filled with many fascinating architectures
and monuments, India is one of the birthplaces of ancient spirituality
and has a sacred and mystic vibe that you never felt anywhere else.
Whether you are a tourist seeking Sunday amusements on a cozy beach or a
thrilling adventure on some primeval forest, India has it all in store
for you. It is a land of such great diversity and contrast that it has
often been said that “If you have seen India you have seen the entire
world”. But even if you have seen the entire world, India can still
surprise you and send chills down your spine. Here are 10 top tourist
attractions in India that you must visit in a trip of India:
10. The Golden City of Jaisalmer
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Located in the state of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer is a magnificent desert
town that resembles a city made out of gold especially during the dusk.
The yellow sandstones that have been used in most of its buildings
reflect a mesmerizing glow in the sun. It has been used as an outpost in
the past and had great strategic values. Today, the city is filled with
many magnificent mansions and old houses. The skyline of Jaisalmer is
dominated by a massive 12th century Jaisalmer fort rising above the Thar
Desert. Adorned with 99 bastions with enormous gates and a wondrous
Palace for the Maharaja, it is a sight for the sore eyes. Thus, this
golden city is one of the most popular tourist attractions in India.
9. Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad
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India is a place where countless civilizations left their mark. And
the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad is the perfect testimony to the impressive
Muslim heritages in India. It was build during the time of Mohammed
Quli Qutub Shah and took nearly 80 long years to be completed. The 15
arches and pillars made out of granite slabs were dragged by cattle
trains containing no less than 1,400 bulls. Visitors are impressed by
its massive gateway, a lavish plaza, a peaceful little pond. Thus, Mecca
Masjib is one of the finest tourist attractions in India.
8. Kanha National Park
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India is home to some of the best Tiger reserves in the world. And
Kanha National Park is one of the finest among them. This place served
as the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s famous novel “The Jungle Book”.
Here forests filled with Sal trees, Bamboos and long grassy meadows
provide the perfect atmosphere for the thrill of spotting a tiger. So,
Kanha National Park has to be one of the never-miss tourist attractions
in India.
7. The Red Fort, New Delhi
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The Mughal Empire was one of the finest empire to ever exist in India
and a lot of India’s architectural heritages link to that time. Red
Fort is one such extraordinary establishment. It was constructed by
Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648 to be the center of Mughal power and it
remained so for more than 200 years. It is called the Red Fort because
of the fascinating Red Sandstones used in its construction. Most
impressive features of the Fort include its two immense gates, a
charming 17th century bazaar and a marvelous hall made out of white
marbles. Thus, this magnificent fort is one of the most popular tourist
attractions in India.
6. The Beaches of Goa
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Goa is absolutely a remarkable destination for those who love
beaches. The Beaches of Goa are located on India’s western coastline by
the Arabian Sea. The coastline extends for more than 60 miles and is
home to some of the most romantic and pretty beaches in the entire
world. These beaches have their uniqueness and offer a great variety of
fun. The quiet and calm Agonda and Palolem Beach, Jam-packed and sports
friendly Calangute Beach, heaven for yoga and spa Mandrem, Morjim,
and Ashwem beaches; all offer remarkable and magnificent experiences.
So, Goa Beaches are always among some of the best India tourist
attractions.
5. The Ellora Caves, Aurangabad
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Located 29 kilometer northwest to the city of Aurangabad, the Ellora
caves are magnificent archeological sites that represent a marvelous
religious harmony that once existed in India. These caves have temples
that were built between the 5th and the 10th centuries by Buddhist,
Jain, and Hindu monks. You can find awe-inspiring carvings of Buddha in
the Buddhist caves build between 5th to 7th centuries. Thus, these caves
are some of the finest tourist attractions in India.
4. Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Madurai
If you wish to get lost in the nature and watch wild animals roaming
freely in the proximity of a peaceful lake and mountainsides then
Periyar National Park in Madurai is the perfect place. The lake was
engineered by the British and turned the place into south India’s most
popular tourist destination. Aside from herds of elephants, wild bears,
otters and nearly 20 Bengal tigers the park is also home to mane
fascinating species of birds. A guided tour in the Jungle can be very
thrilling. So, this wildlife sanctuary is one of the most thrilling
tourist attractions in India.
3. Harmandir Sahib: The Golden Temple of Amritsar
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The Harmandir Sahib is yet another fine example of a magical harmony
among many religions in India. Known as the golden temple of Amritsar
for its dazzling gold decorations, the Harmandir Sahib was built by Ram
Das in 1577. It is the most prominent shrine for the Sikh population of
India. The temple reflects both Hindu and Islamic architectural styles
and attracts people from many religious faiths. It is a very revered
place by all and offers the tourists a very enriching experience. Thus,
it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in India.
2. The Holy City of Varanasi
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If you want to experience the spiritual majesty of India, then the
Holy City of Varanasi is a must see place. With origins dating back to
the 8th century, this is probably the oldest city in the world that is
still well populated. The most prominent feature here is the Ganges
River with about 100 ghats is the city. It is considered holy by the
Hindu people and they bath here before prayers. Also many people come
from far away to bath in the river to reach spiritual purity. The
ancient “Old Quarter” of the city is also worth exploring. So, this holy
city is one of the most visited tourist attractions in India.
1. The Taj Mahal
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The Taj Mahal is the building that symbolizes India and is perhaps
one of the most beautiful architectural structures in the entire world.
It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a testimony to his eternal love
for his wife Mumtaz after she passed away. The construction begun in
1631 and it took 20,000 workers for over a span of 22 years to build
this impeccable mausoleum. White marble was mostly used in its arches,
minarets and the onion shaped domes that make it truly beautiful to look
at. Other valuable stones and gems include diamonds, lapis, jade,
lazuli and pearls. The colors created by the changing lights at dusk and
dawn, render the Taj Mahal indescribably breathtaking. It has often
been said that there are two kinds of people in the world; those who
have seen the Taj Mahal and those who are yet to see it. It truly is a
symbol of eternal love. So, Taj Mahal is unquestionably holds the top
spot of this list of 10 top tourist attractions in India.
Photo by vil.sandi
Courtesy: Travel & Pleasure
