Must-Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India

07-Dec-2017 BY Admin

India is quite popular for its cultural and heritage sites that flaunts its age-old essence and beauty at their best. while the sites not only holds the cultural significance for the country but are also listed as UNESCO world heritage site due to their magnificence. Ascending the charm and charisma of the country, they are a must visit while India tour. Here is the list of some of the must-visit UNESCO world heritage sites of India famed for their artistic opulence and can be witnessed in varying categories of Golden triangle tour packages .

Taj Mahal, Agra

No other monument in the whole world inherits the magnificence and charm As that of Taj Mahal, where love is etched in the white pristine marbles. Built to commemorate the Queen Mumtaz Mahal by her Husband Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal is truly a tribute to the eternal love of a husband for his wife. Renowned for its ethereal beauty, Taj portrays the splendor in every bit of land is something to behold while Golden Triangle Holidays to India. Adorned with 28 types of stones which include precious and semi-precious stones set into the white marble, the marvel looks heavenly. Showcasing the perfect blend of Ottoman, Persian, Islamic, Turkish and Indian architectural styles, the architectural wonder exhibits varying hues at different times of days that gives the illusion of new legend every time.

Fatehpur Sikri

Mostly during the India Triangle Tour , Fatehpur Sikri is explored. This a small town located in the Agra district. When you travel from Agra to Jaipur, this landmark comes on the way. Fatehpur Sikri had been a ghost town in the ancient times. Several architectures can be visited within the complex- Buland Darwaza( or Gate of Magnificence), Jama Masjid, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Panch Mahal and Tomb of Salim Chisti.

Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Built by the Raja Chola I, The Brihadeeswarar is a thousand-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Considered as one amongst several UNESCO world heritage sites, the temple houses thirteen feet high statue of Nandi Bull carved out of a single stone at the entrance which will surely catch everyone’s eyes. An engineering splendor of its own time, the edifice of the temple is built on the rules of symmetrical and axial geometry. The temple is the abode of a large idol of Lord Siva with three eyes along with 250 lingams dotted in the entire temple complex.

Agra Fort, Agra

The Agra Fort had been the residences of the Mughal rulers in the ancient times.The construction of Agra Fort was initiated by Akbar, mughal emperor and later it was finished by his grandsoen, Shah Jahan. Within the complex, the following architecture can be explored- Musamman Burj, Hauz-i-Jehangir, Anguri Bagh, Jehangir’s Palace, Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of private Audiences) and Diwan-i-Am. The sightseeing Agra Fort can be in the golden triangle vacation packages .

Amber Fort, Jaipur

In Jaipur, Amber fort stands on the hills with pride. You can experience the elephant safari while climbing up on the hills. Amber Fort was built by King Man Singh in the 15th century. There are two main entrances towards the fort. One is Sun Gate (Suraj Pol) at Jaleb Chowk and the other is Moon Gate (Chand Pol) opposite to the Jaleb Chowk. Within the fort complex, Diwan-i-Aam, Sukh Niwas, Sheesh Mahal, Kesar Kyari, Sukh Niwas and Jai Mandir. Near Maota Lake, every evening Sound & Light Show is conducted in both the languages – Hindi and English. This show is perfect if you want to know about the history of Rajput Kings as the story is narrated during the show with effects. This fort can be visited during the Delhi Agra Jaipur Tour.

Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi

This tomb is located in the capital of India, New Delhi. The tomb was built in the memory of Humayun, the mughal ruler, by his wife- Haji Begam (Hamida Banu Begam). The construction of this architecture started after the 14 years of the death of Humayun. The masterpiece was built with the blend of Persian and mughal style. This monuement can be visited during the sightseeing of Delhi under the golden triangle tour 7 days.

Sun Temple, Konark

One of the popular tourist destination of India, Sun temple Konark was commissioned in 1250 AD by Narasimha Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. Dedicated to Lord Sun, also known as Surya Devta, the temple looks like a replica of massive Chariot mounted by elaborately carved 24 wheels. The edifice of the temple was built facing the Eastward direction so as the first ray of the Sun can strike directly at the main entrance.walls of the temple are embellished with the images of giraffe, elephant, snake along with several other mythological creatures. This wonder was beautifully penned down by the famous Poet, Rabindranath Tagore as, “here the language of stone surpasses the language of the man”. Though the main temple presiding the deity has fallen off and the main structure is the entrance gate that can be witnessed, the ruins also entices every traveler

Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh

Famed for their erotic sculptures, Khajuraho temples are considered as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The temples were built to create the harmony between the two religions, Jainism and Hinduism and comprise of several temples dedicated to each of the religion. Most of the edifices of the temple couldn’t withstand the test of the time and hence tumbled down. Out of the surviving temples are the 6 temples which are dedicated to Lord Shiva, 6 temples are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, 1 to Lord Ganesha, 1 to Sun God and 3 temples are dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras and is quite popular under  Golden triangle tour with religious tour.

Group of Monuments of Mahabalipuram

Accorded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Group of Monuments of Mahabalipuram is nestled on the Coromandel coast of Bay of Bengal. Founded by the Pallava dynasty, the group of monuments comprises of forty ancient monuments and Hindu temples which includes one of the largest open-air rock relief in the world, named as the descent of the Ganges.

The monuments are primarily divided into categories which are:

• Ratha temples, edifices carved in the shape of chariots of which the biggest Three tiered ratha, Dharmaraja Ratha was left incomplete and the small one is the Draupadi ratha which is one tiered chariot.
• Mandapa Viharas, also known as cave temple which is embellished with the narratives from the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism.Structural Temples, built as the building block from the cut stones rather than carved out or inside the rock and exhibits the best of the early medieval architecture of Tamil Nadu Temple.
• Rock Reliefs, which are carved on the rock among which the Descent of the Ganges, the largest open-air rock relief is quite popular.

Rani Ki Vav, Gujarat

Rani Udaymati commissioned the site as a memorial to her husband, King Bhimdev I. Nestled on the banks of river Saraswati, it displays the unique craftsmanship of the period along with displaying the best of Maru-Gurjara architectural style. Apart from working as the water storage system, the well is quite popular for its intricately carved structures among which many of them are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his various forms and proves to be one of the finest pieces of artistic mastery of the past.

Witness the artistic masterpieces of India and relish every bit of incredibility of these UNESCO Listed World Heritage Sites of India. Sightseeing of some of the above mentioned heritage sites is included in the golden triangle itinerary Delhi Agra Jaipur .