The Talking Stones of India: 10 Must Visit UNESCO Heritage Sites of India
“Travelling to experience the places, artifacts, and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past”,
Contributes to the Heritage Tourism!
India – a Peninsular sub-continent of Asia- is a land of an enviable number of Heritage monuments and Historical Landmarks, ranging from natural wonders to architectural marvels showcasing India’s magnificent past. India is a leading country with 40 UNESCO World Heritage sites and architecture.
Indian Experience has put together a list of the Top 10 UNESCO Historic sites in India which reflects the cultural diversity, spirituality, and rich social legacies of India by this Heritage Circuit. Explore the cultural Heritage of India with guided tailor- made Heritage Tours.
TAJ MAHAL
Agra, a city in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, sitting proudly on the shore of river Yamuna, is home to one of the seven wonders of the world – The Taj Mahal!
“ The Taj is a teardrop on the cheek of time”
— Rabindranath Tagore
The awesome structure depicts the sheer opulence of an era. The monument of love, that Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, stands as a testimony of his intense love. The mausoleum that took 30 years to finish, is now typically known as the ‘Jewel of Muslim art’!
And as you wander through the pathway of The TAJ MAHAL beside the reflecting pool with fountains, acclaim the architectural elegance that boasts a harmonious interplay of solids and voids, concave and convex forms, and the captivating dance of light and shadow. The graceful arches and majestic domes further enhance its aesthetic allure and there rests the Queen with her King.
Best Time To Visit: All Around the Year. But October to March are pleasant months
Itineraries that cover this destination: Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan, The Maharaja Experience, A Journey To the Ganges, Wild Life Journeys, Diwali- The Festival Of Lights
JAIPUR
A land of royalty, grandeur, and opulent architecture – Jaipur, a city from colonial India is Nestled in the Aravalli hills. It proudly stands as the capital of Rajasthan and holds a fascinating history. The renowned moniker “Pink City” was bestowed upon Jaipur when King Sawai Ram Singh I, who had the city painted in pink hues to warmly welcome the Prince of Wales. This distinctive appearance has endured through the years, making Jaipur a symbol of hospitality. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Jaipur boasts an array of attractions, from majestic forts and floating palaces to towering monuments and ancient step-wells, offering visitors a truly mesmerizing experience.
Best Time To Visit: October to March are the best months to visit Pink City
Itineraries that cover this destination: The Essence of Rajasthan, Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan, The Maharaja Experience, A Journey To the Ganges, Wild Life Journeys, Diwali- The Festival Of Lights, Holi- The Festival of Colors, The Mythical camel Fair
HILL FORTS OF RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan- “ The Land of Kings”, Known for its chivalry and valiance is dotted with several UNESCO Heritage Forts and Palaces that still hold a diorama of the medieval clamor. The Desert Heritage Circuit includes six majestic forts of Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer, Ranthambore Fort of Sawai Madhopur, Gagron Fort of Jhalawar, and Amer Fort of Jaipur. The eclectic architecture of the forts, some up to 200 kilometers in circumference, bears testimony to the power of the Rajput princely states that flourished in the region from the 8th to the 18th centuries.
Best Time To Visit: October to March are the best months to visit Pink City
Itineraries that cover these destinations: Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan
KHAJURAHO TEMPLE
Indian Experience tour to Madhya Pradesh starts rolling with a captivating journey to the ancient town of Khajuraho, located in the heart of India. Renowned for its stunning erotic temple of India, Khajuraho boasts a unique architectural marvel that sets it apart from many other historical sites. Built between 950 and 1050 AD during the Chandela dynasty, these temples showcase an exceptional display of art and craftsmanship, making them a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What makes Khajuraho temples truly fascinating is the intricate and detailed carvings that adorn their walls. These carvings depict a wide range of subjects, including celestial beings, gods and goddesses, dancers, musicians, animals, and various scenes from everyday life. However, what truly stands out are the explicit and provocative depictions of sensuality and eroticism. Khajuraho’s architectural grandeur is further accentuated by its stunning location, nestled amidst the picturesque Vindhya mountain ranges.
Best Time To Visit: October to March are the best months to visit “Khajuraho Group of Monuments”
Itineraries that cover this destination: Wildlife Journeys
Group Of Monuments at MAHABALIPURAM
Nestled along the Southeastern Coromandel Coast of India, Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, served as a renowned port city during the Pallava dynasty’s rule. The group of monuments along the shoreline of Bay Of Bengal comprises an impressive array of architectural wonders, including rock- cut cave temples, monolithic temples, bas- relief sculptures, structural temples, and excavated remains of ancient temples.
The rock craved temple has two shrines, one dedicated to God Shiva and the other to God Vishnu. The tempo of structural edifices culminated in the creation of the famous Shore temple, having the most finite layout of a Dravida vimana, majestically fringing the sea. The Arjuna’s Penance or The Descent of Ganga is another enormous rock-cut relief and is one of the largest in the world.
The Pallavas, who reigned over this area from the 6th to 9th centuries CE, were the masterminds behind these majestic edifices. The architectural ensemble at Mahabalipuram holds a distinguished position in classical Indian architecture. The monuments at Mahabalipuram stand as a timeless testament to the brilliance and artistic genius of the Pallava dynasty, leaving a lasting impact on classical Indian architectural heritage.
Best Time To Visit: October to March are the best months to visit this sanctuary which is one of the major centers of the cult of Siva.
Itineraries that cover this destination: The Temple Trails Of Tamil Nadu.
FATEHPUR SIKRI
Fatehpur Sikri, a city predominantly in red sand-stone was built in the latter half of the 16th century by the visionary Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar. The resplendent marvel was aptly titled “The City of Victory” as it served as the capital city of Mughal Empire for a decade.
Its magnificence and uniqueness bear witness to the unparalleled architectural finesse of Emperor Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri is a charismatic weave of Islamic as well as Hindu elements, thereby reflecting Emperor’s tolerant religious views, and his approach to literature, architecture, and fine arts. Amidst this opulent expanse, there stands one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid, built in honor of the great Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti.
Best Time To Visit: All Around the Year. But October to March are pleasant months
Itineraries that cover this destination: Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan, The Maharaja Experience, A Journey To the Ganges, Wild Life Journeys, Diwali- The Festival Of Lights.
AGRA FORT
The Fort of Agra marks an era of invasions and fortifications during the Mughal reign, where grand palaces, forts, and opulent structures found an expression of supremacy. Also known as Agra’s Red Fort, Mughal emperor Humayun was crowned at this fort. Lal-Qila of Agra served as the main residence of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638.
Agra Fort was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, standing as a testament to the might and splendor of the Mughals. Its architectural marvel comprises palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace, built by Akbar as a private palace for his son Jahangir and the Khas Mahal, Moti Masjid built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i- Aam and two very beautiful mosques. Located to its northeast is the splendid Palace of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal), its walls and ceilings inlaid with thousands of small mirrors.
Best Time To Visit: All Around the Year. But October to March are pleasant months
Itineraries that cover this destination: Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan, The Maharaja Experience, A Journey To the Ganges, Wild Life Journeys, Diwali- The Festival Of Lights.
THE GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES OF TAMIL NADU
The great Cholas established a powerful monarchy in the 9th CE in Southern India. They enjoyed a long, eventful rule lasting for four and a half centuries with great achievements in all fields of royal endeavor.
Emanating from the illustrious Chola Empire, whose dominion spanned across the entirety of South India and the neighboring islands, emerged three great resplendent architectural marvels known as the Great Living Chola Temples.
Dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries- three temples, the Brihadisvara at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara at Gangaikondacholapuram, and Airavatesvara at Darasuram, are living temples. The tradition of temple worship and rituals established and practiced over a thousand years ago, based on still older Agamic texts, continues daily, weekly, and annually, as an inseparable part of the life of the people.
These three temple complexes therefore form a unique group, demonstrating a progressive development of high Chola architecture and art at its best and at the same time encapsulating a very distinctive period of Chola history and Tamil culture.
Best Time To Visit: October to March are the best months to visit this indomitable legacy.
Itineraries that cover this destination: The Temple Trails Of Tamil Nadu.
RANI KI VAV
Added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India in June 2014, Rani ki Vav is a stepwell that was rediscovered in the 1940s in the small town of Patan in Gujarat. The stepwell was built in 1063 by Rani Udayamati of the Chaulukya Dynasty to honor her husband, Bhimdev I.
This stepwell is fashioned as an upside-down temple to emphasize the sacredness of water. With sculptural panels, it is separated into seven tiers of steps. More than 500 major sculptures and more than 1,000 minor ones that blend religious and symbolic motifs can be seen on the carved pillars, mostly of Vishnu- avatar themes. It showcases superior craftsmanship of the era- as the finest and one of the largest examples of stepwell architecture in Gujarat. The unique Maru- Gurjara architectural style is reflected in every details of the architecture.
Best Time To Visit: All Around the Year. But October to March are pleasant months
Itineraries that cover this destination: Gujarat- Undiscovered India
JANTAR MANTAR
Constructed during the early 18th century, the Jantar Mantar, located in Jaipur, stands as a remarkable astronomical observation site. It is a collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments. This set of fixed monumental instruments was commissioned by Rajput king Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1724 who was also the founder of Jaipur.
The open air astronomical observatory ‘Jantar Mantar’ derived its name from the Sanskrit words ‘Jyotish’ (astronomy) and ‘mantra’ (formula or calculation). It is a conglomeration of fixed stones whereby these instruments are used to observe the movement of celestial objects and to calculate the time and direction of prayers. One of the most renowned and distinguished instruments among them is the Samrat Yantra, widely acclaimed as the largest sundial in the country and still used to calculate time to this day.
Best Time To Visit: October to March are the best months to visit Pink City
Itineraries that cover this destination: The Essence of Rajasthan, Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan, The Maharaja Experience, A Journey To the Ganges, Wild Life Journeys, Diwali- The Festival Of Lights, Holi- The Festival of Colors, The Mythical camel Fair
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