India is one of the earliest civilizations and thus has a deep-rooted history and traditions. The nonpareil heritage of India is quite evident in the country’s landmarks.
Although India boasts countless of them, some definitely stand out. This article centers such monuments and iconic landmarks that are synonymous with India.
So, read on to discover the most iconic landmarks of India.
Let’s begin with the most popular one of them all:
1. Taj Mahal, Agra
The pinnacle of Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal is perhaps the most beautiful structure ever to grace the planet earth. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is located in the North Indian state of Agra.
Built by Emperor Shah Jahan after the passing of his third wife, the Taj Mahal is the ultimate testimony of love.
The building is as beautiful no matter what time of the day you visit it. However, a night tour of the place will have you head over heels, especially during the full moon nights.
But, before you start booking flights to Agra, follow the Archaeological Survey of India as they decide the dates of the night tour.
2. Charminar, Hyderabad
Charminar is the heart and soul of Hyderabad. Standing amidst the bustling bazaars of the vibrant city, Charminar is the city’s most prominent feature.
Another fascinating aspect of the structure is its architecture. Charminar is a perfect square with each side measuring 20 m.
When the night takes over the Hyderabadi skies, Charminar illuminates like a star. Travelers from across the world airline tickets to Hyderabad to catch a glimpse of the same.
Further, this is one of the rare places that house both a mosque as well as a temple. You can visit the mosque located on the western end of the building, whereas the temple lies at the base.
3. Golden Temple, Amritsar
One of the most sacred places in India is the iconic Golden Temple. It is one of the most-visited places on earth. After facing numerous attacks, mostly political, the divine structure was plated in 750 kg of gold by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Standing in the center of a humanmade pool, the golden dome of the temple reflects pure divinity. Golden Temple occupies a small portion of the Darbar Sahib complex. The edges of the complex house multiple other monuments and shrines.
The place also serves free food daily to people of all faiths prepared in the world’s largest kitchen. The sight is absolutely worth booking flight tickets to Amritsar, the holy city.
4. The City Palace, Udaipur
The City Palace is the crown jewel of Rajasthan. Everything about the palace is awe-inspiring. Positioned on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola, the City Palace defines the city of lakes, Udaipur.
Also, since the lake is atop a hill, you can soak in panoramic vistas for the whole city. Moreover, the architecture of City Palace is an interesting mix of Rajasthani and Mughal styles.
As you explore the palace, you will find that its complex has many other monuments, forts, and shrines. Besides, there are multiple other iconic monuments in its vicinity.
However, people that book airline tickets to Udaipur do it primarily for the City Palace.
5. India Gate, Delhi
India’s triumphal arch, India Gate is a war memorial erected in the memory of over seventy-thousand soldiers of the British India Army that lost their lives in the First World War.
Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, its architecture has drawn many comparisons with other structures around the world. These include Rome’s Arch of Constantine and the Arc de Triomphe of Paris.
One of the most prominent features of the India gate is Amar Jawan Jyoti (Flame of Immortal Soldiers). Here, a reversed L1A1 rifle with a war helmet placed on the top of its barrel is surrounded by four urns. They hold permanent illumination from compressed natural gas flames.
Delhi is a major gateway to the rest of the country. Therefore, if you catch flights to India, check out this amazing memorial monument.
6. Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
Welcome to the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained Buddhahood. This temple even contains a tree grown out of a sapling taken from the original tree under which Buddha meditated.
This iconic temple is also one of the most replicated structures in the world. There are temples that are the exact same copy of the Mahabodhi Temple in China, Thailand, and Burma.
However, India homes the authentic one. Travelers need to book flight tickets to Patna Airport and then commute about 60 miles to reach here.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the oldest brick structures to have survived in East India.
So, that sums up some of the most iconic landmarks that India offers to world travelers. Even though these are just a few of many, let them be your guiding points next time you book airline tickets to India.