India is a colorful and dynamic land of surprising and astonishing contrasts where both modern and traditional worlds combine! India is the seventh-largest country in terms of area and is known to be the second-largest by population. India is loaded with a rich heritage as it’s stuffed with different religions and cultures.
The main attraction for travelers involves the lucky chance to experience a series of sacred places and spiritual encounters; on the other hand, nature lovers will have the pleasure of enjoying its lush vegetation, exotic beaches, exquisite wildlife sanctuaries, and so much more!
Right from the spectacular Agra’s Taj Mahal to the divine sites in North region, to sacred places of Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, to Golden Temple in Amritsar, the visitors and travelers of this exotic nation will explore a pile of cultural, spiritual, and historical reserves.
So, here’s the list of top 10 tourists places in India
1. Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad
Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad is one of the largest mosques in the world; also, one of India’s oldest. In 1614, its construction started during the reign of Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah. He approximately took 80 years to finally complete it.
The holy place is big enough to shelter 10,000 worshippers at a time. The massive 15 arches & pillars of this elegant mosque are made of single black granite slabs. This stunning complex features huge plaza, main gateway, a huge man-made pond, & a beautiful room which houses Prophet Mohammad’s hair.
Other noteworthy features involve inscriptions taken from the Quran. Other notable features are the doors, arches, the impeccable main hall’s roof, cornices situated all around the entire structure of the mosque, & decorations and floral motifs over the arches.
2. Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Madurai
One of the best tourist places in India in the South is the Periyar National Park and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by a lake which was built in 1895 by the British Engineers. This was built to supply water to Madurai City and also for irrigation purposes.
In 1934, the National park was established. This park houses diverse species of mammals which includes elephants, otters, boar, long-tailed macaque plus over 20 Bengal Tigers.
One of the most popular activities here is “Bird Watching”. Here, you can witness the constant view of beautiful bird species like hornbills, kingfishers, storks, darters, & racket-tailed drongos, and so many more species of lovely butterflies.
The ultimate way to enjoy the astounding mountain backdrop of the park is to have a guided walk of the jungle or to go for a lake cruise. In the jungle safari here, you’ll be lucky enough to encounter elephant herds and will witness other fauna from the heightened watchtowers including other viewing platforms.
Travel Tip: Make sure you stop at the tea, spice, or coffee plantations for an outing.
3. Harmandir Sahib
Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple is one of the main tourist places in India. It’s one of the most significant holy places to Sikh religion.
The temple was found in 1577 and its construction was initiated by Guru Ramdas Ji in the 16th-century. In the 19th-century, the upper floors of Harmandir Sahib were coated by Gold. It’s a marvelous temple which is always packed with thousands of devotees, pilgrims from across the nation.
Amritsar is one of the top historical places in India which is a significant hotspot of Sikh culture and its history. The temple was opened in 1607 and the name Golden Temple was given for its eye-catching gold decoration.
The temple was constructed in two styles namely, Hindu and the Islamic Styles; its marble section features decorations of animal motifs, fancily decorated inlaid floral; while the huge golden dome of the temple signifies a lotus flower, which is the symbol of Sikhs’ Purity.
Further to its beautified design, there’s an extra awesome effect created by the continuous enchanting prayers from the holy book of the Sikhs and which is broadcasted throughout the complex.
4. Jaisalmer: The Golden City
The city is named as the Golden City because most of the buildings in the city are made of yellow sandstone. Jaisalmer’s Golden City is a spring of gorgeous archaic architecture which rises from Thar Desert’s dunes.
In today’s time, the city is jam-packed with bright and dazzling old mansions, superb gateways, and the huge Jaisalmer Fort also called the Golden Fort. An old daunting fort, made in the 12th century.
Apart from its palaces, pleasant old homes and temples, and the castle boast 99 strongholds/citadels accompanying huge gates which leads to its main courtyard; the place where you will find the 7-storeyed Maharaja’s Palace.
This palace offers an open section to the public, which includes beautifully embellished tiles imported from China & Italy. These tiles are having intricately carved doors, made of stone.
Also, there are several Jain temples which are having their presence right from the 12th to the 16th century; each temple was adorned with beautiful sandstone images, fine marble & manuscripts on palm leaf, in addition to bright-colored ceilings.
Also, be sure to witness the well-preserved and well-maintained library, called Gyan Bhandar, which dates back 1,000 years old. The library contains antiquities and manuscripts which dates back to 16th-century.
5. The Red Fort, New Delhi
The Red Fort in 1648 was built by the famous Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. The fort is magnificently shaped in the crescent form in New Delhi. It’s got its name after astonishing sandstones, red in color were used to build this architecture. The fortress stretches its boundaries in two-plus sq. kilometers. And the whole of the citadel is surrounded by a huge moat.
The 2 largest gates are its highlighting points for tourists, which are: The impactful Lahore Gate and the other one is intricately designed Delhi Gate.
Lahore Gate is the main entrance of the fort whereas Delhi Gate was once made in use by Mughal Emperor for ceremonial parades.
An exciting thing to explore here while your visit to Red Fort is discovering Chatta Chowk. This is the 17th-century bazaar where you can shop everything right from silk garments to jewelry along with delicious food items to antique souvenirs. Also, you can have a sneak peek into the marvelous shining white marble place known as “Hall of Public” or the “Diwan-i-Am”, where Shah Jahan acknowledged his subjects.
Travel Tip: If possible, you can stick yourself to the beautiful light and sound shows held here during the evening.
6. Ellora Caves
The art of the cave has been taken to another level at Ellora Caves. It’s one of the world’s largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes. Ellora is adorned with 100 caves, although just 34 of them are open to visitors.
The largest monolithic excavation of single rock is having its beautiful presence at Kailash Temple. It pushes its boundaries equivalents double the size of Athens’ Parthenon. Ellora caves are dedicated to Hindu, Jainism and Buddhist idols.
7. Mehrangarh Fort
The Mehrangarh Fort is the largest, most rigid-looking, most impressive fort in India, situated on a hill above Jodhpur. The fort was built as a defense mechanism in the mid-15th century, visitors even now can still witness cannonball symbols at one of the 7 entrances. It’s one of the most beautiful historical places in India.
Once the visitors step inside the fort’s walls, they’ll witness elegant, beautifully decorated castles. The museum of the fort comprises of an extraordinary collection of musical instruments, royal cradles, costumes, and palanquins. The ramparts, the location where the old cannon is situated, offers mind-boggling Jodhpur views.
8. Hawa Mahal
This breathtaking red sandstone is a five-story architecture which holds its position right in Jaipur’s heart. Hawa Mahal is one of the best tourist places in India which attracts so many tourists all round the year with a unique purpose. The Mahal is also called “Palace of the Wind”.
It’s the palace from where the royal women used to have a hidden view to the outside happenings of the street while they are inside of the mahal. For this, the palace features 953 windows and it’s shaped pyramidically. Each window of the palace is designed intricately. It was constructed in 1799 and is considered as the classic Rajputana architectural example.
9. Mysore Palace
Mysore Palace is one of the top tourist places in India. The tourists visiting the Mysore Palace will have an awe-inspiring experience at India’s second most popular tourist attraction.
The 7 fortresses which make the “Mysore Palace complex” are nothing less than what we call as spectacular. The Wodeyars were the rulers in Mysore from the year 1399 to 1950. In 1399, their authentic palace was built, and the present palace had the finishing touch in 1912. The current new palace is a fusion of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles. The complex is 3-stories high; it includes marble domes shaded in deep pink and one ivory tower. The palace is the ultimate host of the annual cultural and arts festival, Dashara celebrated annually.
10. Ajanta Caves
The rock-cut Ajanta caves are the ancient monuments which date back to the 2nd-century BC. The brilliant and historically glittering Ajanta caves were prohibited in about 650 AD and were in the state of “forgotten” until 1819 when a hunting party of Britishers fell upon them.
Their remoteness contributed to the preservation state in which a few of their paintings persist even today.
Well-preserved scenery depicts everything, right from the battlefields to city streets, sailing ships, and overflowing fauna-filled forests to snow-wrapped mountains. Aurangabad City is the gateway to exquisite Ajanta Caves along with giving equal competition to the miraculous Ellora Caves.
So, what are you waiting for? Well, pack your bags to step onto the above top 10 tourist places in India.
