India is a nation famous for many things, including its spicy food, Bollywood, and its diverse and interesting culture. It’s also a country dotted with famous landmarks. If you plan to visit this amazing country and are looking for things to do in India, creating an itinerary that takes in many of the country’s landmarks is a great place to start.
For anyone planning a luxury holiday, India has got you covered. So, let’s take a look at just some of the landmarks you can visit on your tour of India.
#1 – Explore the Amber Fort
The Amber Fort is located in the small town of Amer, just outside of Jaipur in the region of Rajasthan. The fort houses the Amber Palace and the structure is very extensive. The best way to see everything is with a guided tour.
As one of the top tourist attractions of Jaipur, Amber Fort, and Amber Palace should definitely be on your itinerary of Indian landmarks to visit. Built from yellow and pink sandstone and white marble, the fort is divided into 4 main sections. There are the King’s Quarters, along with gardens and temples. There are even underground tunnels to explore.
Visitors can learn more about the history of the fort and palace by experiencing the stunning light and sound show that takes place inside the fort.
#2 – The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal in Agra is one of the most popular places to visit in India and no journey to enjoy India’s landmarks would be complete without casting your eyes over this architectural masterpiece.
Nestled on the banks of the Yamuna River, this white marble mausoleum began construction way back in 1632, having been commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Initially, the structure was built as a place to entomb the emperor’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away in 1631. These days, it’s become a tourist destination, with millions of visitors each year taking in its unique beauty.
Many people enjoy viewing the Taj Mahal at sunset, as the vibrant colors of dusk paint the ivory-white structure in various pastel hues. Viewing the Taj Mahal at sunrise is also extremely popular.
#3 – The Observatory In Jaipur
Jantar Mantar, also known as the Observatory of Jaipur, is actually a collection of 19 different astronomical instruments. The construction of monument was completed in 1734 and was built by Rajput King Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur’s founder. This World Heritage site is popular with visitors and a must-see destination when touring India’s landmarks.
One of the major features of the observatory is the world’s largest stone sundial for telling the time. Primarily, most of the larger-than-life instruments were designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye.
Strolling through these ancient astronomical instruments constructed of masonry and stone is intriguing, but you’ll learn far more if you take a guided tour of the observatory.
Jantar Mantar is one famous Indian landmark you won’t want to miss.
#4 – Visit the Tibetan Museum in Dharamshala
Located near the main temple of the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamshala is the Tibetan Museum, where visitors can enjoy both temporary and permanent exhibitions. The museum was established in 1998, so it’s not an ancient landmark by any means, but certainly, a place worth visiting if you’re exploring the northern reaches of India.
The goal of the museum is to educate and enlighten the public about all things Tibetan and to preserve Tibet’s history and culture. You can discover more of Tibet’s history via exhibits featuring installations, photos, videos, and texts.
#5 – The Qutub Minar
This iconic ancient tower is located in Delhi and was originally constructed as a tower of victory after the final defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in the city. Built in 1193 from sandstone and marble, the tower reaches heights of 73 meters and tapers off towards the top.
There are a total of 5 stories in the tower and the foot of the Qutub Minar actually houses the very first mosque built in India, known as the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Each level of the tower also has its own balcony.
This structure is something you’ll definitely want to photograph if you’re in Delhi.
#6 – Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple, also known as the Bahai Temple, is an impressive modern structure in New Delhi and an incredible feat of Indian architecture. Millions of visitors a year flock to see this temple, which is a place for prayer, peace, study, and meditation.
The Lotus Temple has been designed to resemble a flower about to bloom and has beautiful curves and lines. The temple belongs to no particular religion and there are no deities or idols present inside or outside.
The Takeaway
There are literally hundreds or perhaps thousands of fantastic landmarks to explore in India. This article has only highlighted six of them to pique your interest and get you started. Research Indian landmarks and then plan your itinerary according to the ones you most want to see.