Of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites in India, travellers
and TripAdvisor users have voted for the top ten sites that you absolutely must
visit, if you havent already
The Stupa at Sanchi is one
monument that you must dedicate a great amount of time to so you can appreciate
how this place brings to life the vision of a realm where peace, well being,
good deeds and thought guided a monarch to better things and a better life.
At the site stands a huge
dome-shaped stupa that is built over the relics of Buddha, by the Emperor
Ashoka. The construction of this holy site dates back to the 3rd and 12th
century BC while the other stupas and gateways on its four sides are most probably
constructed later.
The road to and from the
historical site, as well as its rail access are kept neat and clean and the
Govt of Madhya Pradesh and the accomodations around it are a treat after the
trek around the Stupa site, says a TripAdvisor user.
Home to the one-horned
rhino that can be found nowhere else in the world the Kaziranga National Park
is also a World Heritage Site that has the highest density of tigers among
protected areas in the world.
The Park has been declared a
Tiger reserve in 2006 and is also a breeding ground for elephants, swamp deer
and wild water buffalo. Hire a cottage in the park to spend some time in the
wild and take elephant rides in the park's lush green environs.
Dating back to 2nd century
BC, the Ajanta Caves are perhaps Maharashtra's best-known tourism attractions
besides Ellora.
The Archaeological Survey of
India describes the paintings and sculptures in these cases as 'the finest
surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting'.
According to various accounts the
caves were cut in two phases. The first one started around 2nd century BC while
the second dates to 400-650 AD.
The caves of Ajanta were all but
lost since the area around them was heavily forested after they were abandoned.
In 1819 however a British officer on a hunting party 'rediscovered' them.
Today, the caves are home to the
largest collection of early Indian wall paintings as well as architectural
carving rarely found in India.
It terms of style, they are
closely related only to the nearby Ellora caves though a distant resemblance
can be found in the 5th century paintings of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka.
Even though Ellora's name
is taken in the same breath as Ajanta, giving one the impression that they are
perhaps neighbours, this famous archaeological site is over 100 km away from
Ajanta.
The 34 caves are fantastic
examples of Buddhist, Jain and Hindu rock-cut temples constructed between the
5th century and 10th century and stand testimony to the religious harmony
prevalent during this period.
The ruins of Hampi, the
capital of the Vijayanagar empire are spread over an area of 26 sq km. By some
accounts the city was said to be so rich that diamonds were sold on the street.
The landscape of the city is arid and the city itself is surrounded by endless
numbers of boulders. However within this is a small oasis that is nestled near
the river that flows through it.
Visit Hampi around the first week
of November when the city hosts the spectacular Hampi Utsav that will leave you
spellbound.
Said to be the location
where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, the Mahabodhi Temple in
Bodh Gaya is the holiest destination for Buddhists from across the world.
The complex houses the famous
temple as well as a descendant of the original Bodhi Tree under which the
Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment besides monasteries from other
nations that have a Buddhist tradition.
According to Buddhist mythology
it is believed that when the world is destroyed, Bodh Gaya will be the last
place to disappear from the face of this earth and the first to reappear.
Inarguably India's most
recognisable monument to the world, the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in
the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site
since 1983.
Regarded as the finest example of
Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal is essentially an integrated complex of
structures that took 21 years and thousands of artisans and craftsmen to
complete. The Taj Mahal also appears on the new listing of the New Seven
Wonders of the World.
Best known for their erotic
sculptures, the temples of Khajuraho are probably quoted against the Indian
moral brigade more than they're visited. Go there though, if only to understand
our heritage and the tantric ideology better that suggests sex to be an important
part of human life and important to the attainment of moksha.
The majestic Sun Temple of Konark
is among the many shining examples of ancient Indian engineering. Even though
it stands partly in ruins, the majestic temple is bound to overwhelm you.
Constructed along the seashore as
a gigantic chariot of Surya, the Sun God, to commemorate a military victory by
the Ganga dynasty King, Narasimhadeva, the Konark Sun Temple has an east west
alignment and seven magnificent, spirited, life-size horses appear to be
drawing the chariot towards dawn.
Rediff reader Sharda Crishna (read her account
here) who visited the temple describes the temple:
Twelve pairs of exquisite, ornate wheels of the chariot, each around ten feet
in diameter, are the major attractions of the Temple. The spokes of the wheels
serve as sundials, and the shadows formed by these give the precise time of the
day. Together, the twelve pairs of wheels (representing 12 months of the year)
and the seven horses (representing days of the week) drawing the chariot
symbolise the passage of time.
Images of the mighty Sun are
positioned in different directions at Konark capturing the sunrays at different
times of the day. On the northern wall is the Sun God called as Astachala-Surya
(setting-sun). This beautiful image is carved of high-quality green chlorite
stone and is one of the masterpieces of Konark. Surya wears tall riding boots,
and is accompanied by a small figure of Aruna, the charioteer, at his
feet."
The grand Buland Darwaza
opens into the sprawling 16th century city of Fatehpur Sikri that served as the
capital of the Mughal Empire for ten years. Fatehpur Sikri is also where the
legends of Akbar and his famed nine courtiers were born.
According to various historians,
Emperor Akbar took personal interest in the construction of Fatehpur Sikri
seeking perhaps to revive the grandeur of the Persian court that was made
famous by his ancestor Timur.
Even to this day, Fatehpur Sikri
has many well preserved palaces and courtyards that stand testimony to Akbar's
love of architecture.
For Holiday planning assistance:
Call: 96000 76933 / 96000 75933
Ph: 044 – 6548 4774
