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Taj Mahal, Agra - Amazing Tourist Destination in India

5 Amazing Tourist Destinations in India (2024)

India is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. India is known for its diversity – be it the diversity in cultures, traditions, and religions or diversity in its beautiful landscape. India is home to the highest mountain ranges in the world, the Himalayas. The stunning coastline of the southern part of the country on both sides makes South India one of the most magnificent peninsular regions to visit. If you go towards the western part of the country, you get to see the sprawling Thar Desert in Rajasthan and many forests, spiritual places, wildlife, and religious places that unite all the major religions of the world.

Any tourists planning a trip to India will be confused about the sheer number of stunning destinations to choose from.

5 Amazing Tourist Destinations in India

To make this job slightly easier, here are some of the most amazing tourist destinations in India.

1. The Monument of Love – Taj Mahal, Agra

One of the most recognizable symbols of India is the mighty Taj Mahal. The world’s most famous testimony to love, the Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, this beautiful ode should be the first stop on your trip to India. This is one of the most stunning mausoleums globally that took over 20,000 workers and artisans to complete in 1648. The Taj Mahal is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Built mainly with white marble decorated with delicate inlaid floral patterns and many precious stones, the Taj Mahal is the most famous monument in India. You can also see some exquisite black calligraphy around the entrance. The best time of the day to visit the Taj Mahal is either at dawn or dusk, to see the monument bathed in the light of the rising and setting sun. In recent times, the Government has allowed special visits to the Taj Mahal on full moon nights when the monument gets covered in the silver light of the full moon. It is also a breathtaking experience to view the Taj Mahal’s reflection from the bank of the Yamuna River.

While in Agra, there are two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the magnificent Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. The history, culture, tales of romance, and stunning architecture come together to make Agra a magical place to begin your trip to India.

2. Holy City of Varanasi

Varanasi or Benaras is a major pilgrimage center for Hindus from all over the world. Varanasi is a major tourist destination. Visitors worldwide come here to check out the famous Ganga Aarti that takes place by the banks of the mighty Ganga River in the evening. The holy city of Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

There are many reasons to visit this fantastic city. One of the biggest reasons is to get a rare opportunity to explore the Old Quarter located next to the Ganges River. It is here that the majestic Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located. Built-in 1780, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the must-see places in India. Hundreds of pilgrims come here to get a glimpse of the Lord Shiva’s Shivlinga in the revered temple.

There are many bathing ghats that you can visit while in Varanasi. Bathing in the Ganges River is considered very holy in Hinduism, due to which many ghats are constructed at numerous locations. They feature stairways that lead down to the water so the faithful can bathe here before their prayers or before visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. In fact, the city of Varanasi boasts of having more than 100 ghats. The largest one is the Dasashvamedh Ghat and the Assi Ghat.

Also worth visiting in the city is the Banaras Hindu University, established in 1917 and known for its vast library that holds over a million books. The Bharat Kala Bhavan museum is another magnificent place to visit. It is home to many beautiful collections of miniature sculptures, paintings, local history exhibits, and palm-leaf manuscripts.

3. Jaisalmer, the Desert City of Rajasthan

Also known as the Golden City of Jaisalmer, this stunning desert city is famous for the beautiful yellow sandstone used in constructing most of its buildings, owing to the name Golden City. Jaisalmer is a magnificent oasis of old royal architecture that rises out of the golden sand dunes of the famous Thar Desert. When you are in India, a visit to this city is a must to check out the Thar Desert. You can even spend a night in the desert as part of the many night stay camps that the nearby resorts organize for visitors.

Jaisalmer was once a strategic outpost for India. Today, the city is a huge tourist attraction with splendid gateways, ancient mansions known as Havelis, and the stunning Jaisalmer Fort, or the Golden Fort. This impressive 12-century fort sits high above the town, staring into the sprawling desert.

There are many temples, palaces, and ancient homes to visit inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Apart from this, the fortress is also home to 99 bastions and massive royal gates that lead visitors to the main courtyard. In the central courtyard, you are welcomed to the seven-story tall maharaja’s Palace. The palace’s construction began in the early 1500s, and successive kings kept adding to the palace up until the 19th century. The palace has several sections that are open to the public, including some beautifully decorated hand-painted tiles from China and Italy. The intricately carved stone doors, Jain temples that date back to the 12th to 16th centuries, and the fine sandstone and marble images contrasting with the brightly painted ceilings are a sight to see here.

While in Jaisalmer, don’t forget to check out the 1000-year-old library Gyan Bhandar, home to thousands of 16th-century antiquities and manuscripts.

4. Beaches of Goa

Goa has always been the ‘go-to destination in India for those who want a relaxed holiday on the beach. The stunning western coastline of Goa overlooks the majestic Arabian Sea, stretching for over 60 miles of untouched beaches. There are so many beaches in Goa that you will be wondering which one to visit next. All of them have their own unique appeal. For those who want to relax in a peaceful atmosphere, the best beaches are the secluded Agonda Beach, while the Calangute Beach is for those who want to get lost amidst the partying crowd of Goa.

The beaches of Ashwem, Morjum, and Mandrem are excellent choices for spa vacations, yoga getaways, and water sports. Palolem Beach is another beautiful beach that you must visit.

There are many popular tourist attractions other than the marvelous beaches to see in Goa. One of the most famous attractions in Goa is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a stunning church that is known for its magnificent Baroque architecture. The church is a revered place of pilgrimage, and pilgrims from all over the country come here to worship. This is also the oldest church in Goa. The church is so famous all over the country as it houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier. The miracle of this church is that even after 400 years, the remains are still in good condition. The remains are taken out once every decade and displayed in the church.

There are many other places of interest to check out in Goa, including Fort Aguada, Dudhsagar Falls, Chapora Fort, Thalassa, Butterfly Beach, and Divar Island. You can take a ferry from Old Goa to reach Divar Island. The island’s highlights include Piedade, a typical Goan village, and the Church of Our Lady of Compassion. The beautiful stucco work of the church, combined with stunning Baroque style plaster decorations, make this an exciting trip.

You can also visit the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to dense forests and a wide variety of fauna, including monkeys, elephants, deer, tigers, leopards, and black panthers. Over 200 species of birds and the famous king cobras also reside here.

5. Ellora Caves, Aurangabad

The Ellora Caves are one of the most fascinating destinations in India. You must visit this monumental structure. Built somewhere between the 5th and 10th centuries by Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu monks, Ellora Caves make for an excellent trip. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having a collection of 34 beautifully carved monasteries, temples, and chapels. Out of these, 17 are Hindu, 12 are Buddhist, and five temples are of the Jain community. These were all built close together, an indication of the religious harmony that existed during this period.

The highlights of the Ellora Caves are the Buddhist shrines that feature carvings of saints and the Buddha himself. These shrines date back to the 5th to 7th centuries. One of the finest caves here is the Carpenter’s Cave, which is a must-see. You must also check out the Hindu caves, which are known for their complex and exquisite carvings.

They are carved from the top down in a time when the concept of scaffolding did not exist. The carvings represent Mount Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Over 200,000 tons of rock got removed to carve these beautiful images in the caves.

Unfortunately as all good things come to an end, your trip to India will also eventually come to a close. However, the memories you make at these amazing tourist destinations will last you a lifetime.

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