India’s 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions

1 The Taj Mahal

If you want to know what love can do, you should visit the Taj Mahal in India. It is also one of the world’s best-known examples of it. Mumtaz Mahal was Emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite wife. When she died in 1631, work began on the most beautiful mausoleum in the world. It took 20,000 people until 1648 to finish.

The Taj Mahal is made mainly of white marble. It has arches, minarets, an onion-shaped dome, and black calligraphy around the entrance. To its beauty, delicate floral patterns and stones like jade, lapis lazuli, diamonds, and mother of pearl.

Dawn or dusk are the best times to go because the lighting changes so much that it changes everything. Take a picture of the Taj Mahal’s reflection in the Yamuna River if you can. It’s a great (and safe) way to remember and show off your picture.

2 The City of Varanasi 

Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest cities with people living there today. It was built in the 8th century BC. This holy city is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. It has long been linked to the mighty Ganges River, one of the faith’s most important symbols.

Varanasi has a lot to offer, not the least of which is the chance to explore the Old Quarter next to the Ganges, which was built in 1780. This isn’t all: The New Vishwanath Temple, with its seven separate temples, is also worth seeing.

Bathing in the Ganges is essential to Hindus, and many places called “ghats” have stairs that lead to the water where people bathe before they pray. They are Dasashvamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat, the two largest ones. The latter, where the Ganges and Asi rivers meet, is especially holy.

Also worth seeing is the Banaras Hindu University, which was founded in 1917 and more than a million books are housed in this library ever since. The Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, which has a vast collection of miniature paintings, sculptures, palm-leaf manuscripts, and local history displays, is also worth visiting.

3 Harmandir Sahib, which means “Golden Temple”

An important place in Sikh history and culture, Ram Das built amritsar in 1577. Here, Harmandir Sahib is the main thing to look at. It opened in 1604 and is still called the “Golden Temple” because of its beautiful gold decorations.

One of India’s most important Sikh shrines is the Golden Temple. It was built in a mix of Hindu and Islamic styles. Its lower part is made of marble, and it has a lotus flower, which is a symbol of purity for Sikhs. It also has a lotus flower on top, which symbolizes purity for Sikhs.

Visitors are also impressed by the temple’s beautiful design and spiritual atmosphere, which is made even more spiritual by the prayers from the Sikh holy book recited and broadcast throughout the complex.

All visitors are welcome to come and enjoy one of the 50,000 free meals served every day.

4 Jaisalmer: The Golden City

People call the Golden City of Jaisalmer the “Golden City” because most of its buildings are made of yellow sandstone from the Thar Desert. It’s a beautiful old city that stands out from the desert’s dunes. The city of Jaisalmer, also known as the “Golden Fort,” was once a strategic point. Today, the city is full of beautiful old mansions, impressive gateways, and the massive Jaisalmer Fort, high above the town.

The fortress also has many palaces, temples, and fine old homes. 99 bastions and massive gates lead to the central courtyard, where you’ll find the seven-story Maharaja’s Palace. The palace was built in the early 1500s, and different rulers expanded it until the 19th century. There are parts of the court that are open to the public, like areas with beautiful tiles from Italy and China and stone doors carved with intricate designs.

In addition, several Jain temples date from the 12th century to the 16th century. Each one has beautiful marble and sandstone images and palm-leaf manuscripts and brightly painted ceilings. Gyan Bhandar, a 1,000-year-old library with many 16th-century manuscripts and other things, is also worth a look.

5 New Delhi’s Red Fort 

As the seat of Mughal power from 1648, until it was destroyed in 1857, the Red Fort in New Delhi was built by Shah Jahan. It was named after the red sandstone used in its construction. It covers more than two square kilometers, surrounded by a large moat.

There are many exciting things about this fort, like its two most large gates: the Lahore Gate (its main entrance) and its Delhi Gate, which the Emperor once used for ceremonial procession.

A 17th-century covered bazaar called Chatta Chowk is one of the best parts of a trip. It has everything from jewelry to silk clothes and souvenirs and food. You can also explore the fort on your own.

Hot Tip: Try to stay for the sound and light show each evening at the fort. Several historical events are depicted during the show.

6 Mumbai is the gateway to India

Gateway of India is a must-see when you visit Mumbai, and you can’t miss it! It stands 26 meters tall and looks out over the Arabian Sea. In 1911, King George V and his wife, Queen Mary, came to the city, and this beautiful piece of architecture was built to honor them. It was opened with a lot of pomp and ceremony in 1924, and for a while, it was the tallest building in the city.

The Gateway of India, made of yellow basalt and concrete, was also the scene of a less joyful procession of British soldiers in 1948 when India became independent. These days, the vast archway is as popular with locals and tourists as it is with tourists.

After you visit the Gateway of India, head over to the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower next door for a delicious High Tea, this is a fun thing to do in Mumbai because the Taj Mahal opened in 1903.

7 The Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad

Work began on Hyderabad’s Mecca Masjid (Mecca Mosque) in 1614 under Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the ruler at the time. It took almost 80 years to finish.

This beautiful mosque is big enough to fit 10,000 worshipers inside. 15 big arches and pillars made of black granite slabs were built. The slabs were tried to drag to the spot by massive cattle trains that supposedly had 1,400 bulls.

The name comes from the bricks above the main gate brought from Mecca. This impressive complex has the main gate, a vast plaza, and a large artificial pond as some of its highlights. There’s also a room with the hair of Prophet Mohammed in it so that you can see it.

Inscriptions from the Quran can be found on many of the arches and doors, on the roof of the main hall, the cornices around the whole mosque structure, and the beautiful top of the main entrance. Make sure to look for the beautiful floral patterns and friezes that cover the arches.

8 Amer Fort, Jaipur

During the reign of Maharaja Man Singh I, the Maharaja built a fortified palace called Amer Fort. It has been the capital of the city of Jaipur for a long time. The fort is carved into the rock in the middle of the hillside. You can get there on foot, but it’s a steep climb, or you can take a bus from the town below (better still, let an elephant do the work).

The best things to see are the Jaleb Chowk, the first courtyard with its many decorated elephants, and the Shila Devi Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess of war. Also worth mentioning is the Hall of Public Audience (Diwan-i-Am), next to it. It has beautiful walls and terraces where monkeys like to hang out.

Also, the Hall of Pleasure (Sukh Niwas) has a lot of flowerbeds and a water channel used to cool water. The Temple of Victory (Jai Mandir) has a lot of decorative panels, colorful ceilings, and great views of the palace and the lake.

Jai Singh built Jaigarh Fort in 1726; it is just above Amer Fort. It has tall lookout towers, strong walls, and the world’s most giant wheeled cannon. Check out the walled Old City of Jaipur, three fully restored gates and beautiful bazaars. Also, check out the City Palace, a vast complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings.

9 Beaches on the island of Goa

Goa has long been known in India as the place to go for a great beach vacation, but only recently has it been discovered by tourists from other countries. The western coast of the state, which looks out over the Arabian Sea, has a lot of beautiful beaches. Some of the world’s most beautiful beaches can be found on Goa’s more than 60 miles of coastline. Each one has its unique appeal.

Agonda Beach is an excellent place to go for people who want to be alone. On the other hand, Calangute Beach is the most commercial and crowded beach in the area. Rich Indians and Westerners alike like to go to the shores of Mandrem, Morjim, Ashwem if they want to stay at posh resorts, go on yoga retreats, or go on spa vacations. Goa’s Palolem beach is another one of the state’s most popular. It’s in a beautiful place.

Go to the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary while you’re in the state of Goa to see some wildlife. This excellent location is home to a diverse range of nature. It also has a lot of thick forests.

You can get to Divar Island by boat if you’re in Old Goa. Among the things to see are Piedade, a typical Goan village and home to a church with interesting stucco work, Baroque plaster decorations, altars,, and beautiful countryside views.

10 Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Madurai

One of the most popular places to visit in South India is the Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, centered around a lake built by British engineers in 1895. The lake was used for irrigation and to provide water for the city of Madurai.

This beautiful park was opened in 1934, and it is home to many different kinds of mammals, like Indian elephants, wild boar, otters, the lion-tailed macaque, and more than 20 tigers. Many people enjoy bird-watching, and there are often sightings of species like darters and storks and many different kinds of butterflies.

The best way to see the park’s beautiful mountain scenery is to go on a lake cruise or a guided jungle walk. The latter gives visitors the chance to see elephant herds and other wildlife from watchtowers and viewing platforms.

11 The Agra Fort

The Agra Fort, also known as Agra’s Red Fort, was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 as a military structure. Later, Shah Jahan added to it, making it even more beautiful.

The Amar Singh Gate, which is less than two kilometers from the Taj Mahal, is the entrance to the fort. It has a low outer wall and a dog-leg design to confuse attackers. Once you’re inside, you’ll see two large sandstone buildings, the Akbari Mahal and the Jahangiri Mahal, which are the largest private homes in the complex.

Also, the Khas Mahal (Private Palace), with its copper roof, and the Anguri Bagh (Grape Garden), a jigsaw-shaped Mughal garden with many beautiful fountains and water channels as well as screens that once provided a private area for the Emperor and his guests. Even more interesting is the Musamman Burj tower, which later became Shah Jahan’s prison until he died.

12 Ellora Caves in Aurangabad

A great way to get away from Mumbai, which is about 300 kilometers to the west, is to visit Ellora Caves built by Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu monks between the 5th and 10th centuries and are well worth visiting the trip.

UNESCO has made this collection of 34 carved monasteries, chapels, and temples a world heritage site. They were built near each other as a sign of the religious tolerance standard in India at this time in history.

Of the Buddhist monasteries’ caves, many shrines show carvings of Buddha and saints from the 5th to 7th centuries. The Carpenter’s Cave, which is thought to be one of the best in India, is one of the best.

There was no need for scaffolding because the Hindu caves are much more complicated and were carved from the top down, so it was unnecessary. The Kailasa Temple is the best of these. It is a vast rock-cut temple that looks like Mount Kailasa and has to be cut out of 200,000 tons of rock.

13 Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh Fort dominates the old city of Jodhpur. It was constructed in the 15th century to defend the residents of the “Blue City.”

Mehrangarh was built on top of a huge rock. Its vast walls are almost impossible to get through. Access is through seven beautiful gates, such as Jaya Pol and Fateh Pol (the latter still bears scars from cannon attacks).

Visiting the fort’s courtyards and palaces, as well as a museum with a great collection of Maharaja-related artifacts, are two of the best parts of a trip. There are eight city gates, a lovely old clock tower, and many markets in the historic center of Jodhpur. You can buy everything from vegetables to sweets to spices and handiwork in these markets.

14 The River Ganges

One of India’s most important natural wonders has been the Ganges River, or “Ganga” after the Hindu goddess. It has been called this for a long time. It’s also one of the most popular things to do in India. Indians come from all over the country to participate in religious ceremonies, and tourists come to see the beauty of this vast river.

While there are many cities along the river, the city of Varanasi is where most tourists go to see the river and the cultural attractions that have grown up along its banks. Even though the town is small by Indian standards, there are a lot of temples and other important religious places in it. Many of them are dedicated to the Ganges River.

The river banks have many “ghats,” which make it easy for worshippers and tourists to get close. There are 88 places where you can get into the water through steps that are sometimes steep. Most of the buildings in India are very old, but they were rebuilt and improved a lot in the 1700s. Their colorful ceremonies and celebrations are some of the most beautiful places to take pictures in India.

There are many great things about the early morning cruises to see the sunrise. Choose one of the river tours in the city from any of the ghats. You can make it even better by buying one of the small, floating things from a vendor and setting it off down the river (camera at the ready, of course).

15 The Mysore Palace

The sprawling city of Mysore is a great place to visit because it has a great mix of colonial architecture, Indian palaces, and lush, well-kept gardens. Even though many people enjoy shopping in the city’s famous silk and sandalwood bazaars, Mysore Palace is the real draw.

This three-story palace was rebuilt in 1897 after a massive fire destroyed it. Highlights include the exquisite square towers and domes, the numerous elaborate ceilings and pillars in Durbar Hall, and the magnificent Marriage Pavilion with its glazed floor tiles, spectacular stained glass, artworks, and jewelry displays. It’s also where, on special occasions, the beautiful Golden Throne is shown.

Check out one of the spectacular light shows that take place every Sunday and on holidays, when the palace is lit up with more than 90,000 lights. This is a real treat! A great way to see the palace’s huge grounds and gardens is on a complimentary bicycle tour. You can take the tour once you’re inside.

16 The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya, which is thought to be the most important Buddhist site globally, attracts thousands of people each year. They come to meditate and pray with the monks who live there.

The beautiful Mahabodhi Temple is the heart of this place of pilgrimage. It was built right next to the spot where Buddha became enlightened and came up with his philosophy of life. The temple was built in the 6th century and rebuilt many times since. It has a beautiful pyramidal spire and a large gilded Buddha statue inside.

The site also has a pipal tree, a descendant of the original bodhi tree where Buddha meditated for seven days after becoming enlightened. It is said to be one of the oldest and most revered trees globally.