The Red fort in New Delhi:
“Unique places to visit in India”
The Red Fort is a historical fort in the Old Delhi region. It was built by Shah Jahan in the year 1639 as a result of shifting the capital from Agra to Delhi. Used as the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal dynasty, this grand piece of architecture derives its name from its impenetrable red sandstone walls. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their families, it was the ceremonial and political center of the Mughal state and the setting for events that profoundly affected the region. Today, the monument is home to several museums that have an assortment of precious artifacts on display. Every year, the Indian Prime Minister hoists the national flag here on Independence Day.
Formerly known as Qila-e-Mubarak or the Fort of the Blessed, the Red Fort is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, whose waters feed the moat that surrounds the fort. It was a part of the medieval city of Shahjahanabad, today known as ‘Old Delhi’. The entire fort complex is said to represent the architectural creativity and brilliance of Mughal architecture. With a lot of history and heritage attached to it, the Red Fort is one of the most popular monuments in India and a major tourist attraction in Delhi. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. The Archaeological Survey of India is currently responsible for the protection and conservation of this magnificent monument.
The Taj Mahal in Agra:
The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna River in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (ruled 1628 to 1658) to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The mausoleum is the centerpiece of a 17-hectare (42-acre) complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is situated in formal gardens surrounded by a crenellated wall on three sides.
The construction of the mausoleum was essentially completed in 1643 but work on other phases of the project continued for another 10 years. The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been fully completed in 1653 at an estimated cost of around 32 million rupees, which would be around 52.8 billion rupees (US$827 million) in 2015. About 20,000 artisans were employed in the construction project under the guidance of a board of architects headed by the emperor’s court architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahori.
The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”. It is considered by many to be the finest example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India’s rich history. Taj Mahal attracts 7-8 million visitors in a year. In 2007, it was declared the winner of the New 7 Wonders of the World (2000–2007) initiative.
Nalanda in Bihar:
“Excavated Remains at Nalanda” was included in the tentative list of World Heritage on 09.01.2009. The nomination dossier for ‘Excavated remains of Nalanda Mahavihara’ was prepared by the ASI and submitted to the World Heritage Committee in January 2015 for the purpose of its inscription in the year 2016 and inscribed as a World Heritage Site on 15 July 2016 has been done. by UNESCO. The excavated remains of the “Nalanda Mahavihara”, the great monastic-cum-scholarly establishment are located about 88 km from Patna, the capital of the state of Bihar in India. It represents a major archaeological evidence of a truly international center for organized learning. The Nalanda Mahavihara was founded by Kumaragupta I of the Gupta dynasty in the 5th century. It was patronized by various rulers, including King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (7th century CE) and the Pala rulers (8th – 12th centuries CE), as well as various scholars. Later, several factors spread over the centuries led to the decline of this famous institution. In the same region, later, several prestigious educational institutions such as Vikramshila and Odantapuri emerged, but the prestige of Nalanda remains unmatched. The site was first discovered and reported by Sir Francis Buchanan, about six centuries after the fall of Nalanda. The site was systematically excavated and consolidated by the Archaeological Survey of India from 1915 to 1937 and again from 1974 to 1982.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar:
Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Harimandir Sahib Amritsar) is not only a central religious place of Sikhs but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Everyone, irrespective of caste, creed or ethnicity, can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfillment without any barriers. It also represents the unique identity, pride and heritage of the Sikhs.
It is an important task to pen down the philosophy, ideology, inner and outer beauty as well as the historical legacy of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is a matter of experience rather than description.
As per the advice of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji (Third Sikh Guru), Sri Guru Ram Das Ji (Fourth Sikh Guru) started the excavation of Amrit Sarovar (Holy Lake) of Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1577 AD, which was later brick- was lined up. Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Sikh Guru) on December 15, 1588 and he also started the construction of Sri Harmandir Sahib. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (the scripture of the Sikhs), after its compilation, was first read on 16 August 1604 AD. was installed at Sri Harmandir Sahib,
The Gateway of India in Maharashtra:
The Gateway of India is an arched monument built during the 20th century in Bombay, India. The monument was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911.
Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, the foundation stone of the Gateway of India was laid on 31 March 1911. The structure is an arch made of basalt 26 meters (85 ft) high. George Wittet’s final design was approved in 1914 and construction of the monument was completed in 1924. The gateway was later used as a symbolic ceremonial entrance into India for the Viceroy and the new governors of Bombay. It served to allow entry and access to India.
The Gateway of India is located on the waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area at the end of Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg in South Mumbai and overlooks the Arabian Sea. The monument is also known as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai, and is the city’s top tourist attraction.
Khajuraho Temple in Madhya Pradesh:
Madhya Pradesh is the land of great antiquity.
The Khajuraho temples are among the most beautiful medieval monuments in the country. These temples were built by the Chandela rulers between 900 AD to 1130 AD. This was the golden age of the Chandela rulers. It is believed that every Chandella ruler built at least one temple during his lifetime. So all Khajuraho temples are not built by any single Chandella ruler, but temple building was a tradition of Chandella rulers and was followed by almost all the rulers of Chandella dynasty.
Varanasi :
In the south of Uttar Pradesh, situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, Varanasi is breath-taking, believed to be the oldest surviving city in the world. For centuries, the mystique of this place has attracted pilgrims from all over India as well as abroad. Ancient domes, monasteries, ashrams, priests, narrow lanes lined with shops selling Banarasi sarees, Varanasi represents the colorful and exotic India of your dreams. With intimate rituals of life and death being performed in parallel at the ghats, you will find it exhilarating to explore the religious geography of this city. Stroll the busy streets or watch the sunrise from a boat for an unforgettable experience. Explore the perimeter of the city, paying homage to temples all the way. Who knows, a trip to the City of Lights might just become your favorite stop.
The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata:
Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland since June 20, 1837 and Queen of India since May 1, 1876, died on January 22, 1901. After his demise, Lord Curzon thought of building a grand and spacious building with a museum and gardens where all can have a glimpse of the rich past. The foundation stone of the monument was laid on 4 January 1906 by George V, the Prince of Wales, who later became King George V on 6 May 1910. In 1921, the monument was opened to the public; However it became part of a provincial city rather than a capital city because by the time its construction was completed, the capital of India had been moved from Calcutta to New Delhi under the direction of King George V. The commemoration saw a number of people including royals, as well as individuals in London coming forward and contributing voluntarily to the British government. The total cost of building the monument was Rs. 105, 00,000.
Mysore Palace in Karnataka:
Mysore Palace (also known as Amba Vilas Palace) is a historic palace in the city of Mysore, Karnataka. Designed by the English architect, Henry Irwin, the Mysore Palace dominates the skyline of Mysore. A three-storied structure in the Indo-Saracenic style, built between 1897–1912, the palace has square towers at cardinal points covered by domes. The Durbar Hall with its ornate ceiling and sculpted pillars and the Kalyanamantapa (marriage pavilion) with its glazed tiled floor and stained glass, vaulted ceiling are noteworthy. Intricately carved doors, the golden Howrah (elephant seat), paintings as well as the splendid, jewel-studded golden throne (displayed during Dussehra) are among other treasures of the palace. The walled palace complex houses the residential museum (contains some of the palace’s living quarters), temples and shrines including the Shweta Varahaswamy Temple. The palace is illuminated on Sundays, public holidays as well as during Dussehra celebrations, where 97,000 electric bulbs are used to illuminate it.
Hawa Mahal in Jaipur:
The huge building of Hawa Mahal is situated at the main road intersection in Jaipur, Badi Chaupar and was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in the year 1799. The Hawa Mahal derives its name from its unique structure, which is a mesh of small windows. This allowed cool air to enter the palace and hence kept the palace comfortable during the summer months. The main reason behind the construction of the palace was to allow the women of the royal household to observe the festivities in the streets while not being visible from outside, as was the custom of the country. This City Palace is situated right on the edge of Jaipur and extends till ‘Zanana’.
The Hawa Mahal is a structure made of red and pink sandstone and has a pyramidal structure that almost resembles a crown. It is embellished with 953 small windows, also known as ‘jharokhas’ and decorated with elaborate lattice work. From within, the Hawa Mahal palace is based on five storeys, each with a uniquely decorated chamber. An enchanting fountain welcomes you inside the main palace, from where you can make your way to the different floors. The top of the palace offers a spectacular view of the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and the ever-bustling Sirdeori market. There is also a small museum which houses some rich relics and miniatures.