Top 10 Heritage Sites in India

Been there, seen it all? From the magnificent Taj Mahal (Agra) that shines pristine in the moonlight to the bright red Hawa Mahal (Jaipur) with its hundreds of tiny windows the tour through India’s heritage seems to be just beginning. Of course, there’s so much more than meets the eye in India that putting them all together seems a rather daunting though rewarding task.

Here are our Top 10 Heritage Sites in India that you must visit at least once in your lifetime.

Bhubaneswar

Though relatively modern, the city is full of beautiful temple complexes, which are dedicated to a number of gods of the Hindu pantheon, especially Lord Shiva. Notable among them are the Lingaraja Temple, which is about 185-ft high, the Parashurameshwar Temple and the Rajarani Temple, which is so called for the red-gold sandstone used in the construction. Watch out for the intricate carvings of animals, birds, flowers, depictions of the life of Shiva and Parvati as well as humans in various postures.

Bundi

A relatively smaller area in Rajasthan, Bundi is best known for its bright colored murals that adorn the length of the city. Must watch here is the Taragarh Fort with its unique star shape, the Chhatra Mahal for its fine murals in red, gold and blue, the 84-Pillared Cenotaphs and the Garh Palace for its carvings and murals depicting animals, Krishna and the life and times of the palace.

Chittorgarh

Fit to be covered in a day, this is the land which was conquered by a king who fell in love with the queen of the land. The Chittorgarh Fort is located on a hill and consists of huge gateways, palaces of kings and queens, richly-carved temples and towers that speak of the valor of those who defended and protected it.

Hampi
Stories carved in stone best define this beautiful land. Every inch of this place sports interesting carvings that speak of the times gone by. Visit the Virupaksha Temple with its 9-tiered eastern gateway and 38 intricately carved pillars. The Vijayavitthala Temple has carvings of the king’s army and dancing girls, numerous musical pillars and a marvelous stone chariot. Other prominent structures here are the carved Elephant Stables, Queen’s Bath and the statue of Narasimha, which is carved out of a single granite boulder.

Kanchipuram

The finely carved temples here render Kanchipuram as one of the Seven Sacred Cities of India. Must visit here, among others, include the 57-mt high gopuram of Sri Ekambareswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the annual Car Festival at Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple dedicated to Parvati, which is also the site of the Car Festival and the silver & gold lizards that promise annulment of all sins when touched at Sri Varadraja Perumal Temple.

Khajuraho

This definitely needs no introduction. Khajuraho is the land which is adorned completely with temples that sport highly erotic sculptures. Most temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Parvati, Goddess Kali and Jain saints. The entire temple walls are covered in carved sculptures of men and women engaged in various activities, especially those of erotica.

Madurai

Another prominent temple town in Madurai, it is the land of Lord Shiva & Parvati. The most enduring image of this town is the Meenakshi Temple, which celebrates the holy marriage between the two deities. The temple contains a number of sections, which are ornate and have elaborate carvings all over. There are also other important temples scattered throughout the town that add to its charm.

Thanjavur
One of the most historically rich cities in South India, Thanjavur or Tanjore was built by a series of rulers who were great patrons of art and culture. The most enduring image of this town is the Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, has a huge monolith of the Nandi Bull and whose walls are decorated with paintings and frescoes of deities.

Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirapalli or Trichy contains some of the most remarkable examples of temple architecture and is also a great centre for cigar production. The city is most known for its Rockfort Temple, which is intricately carved in various colours. The city is also home to the 13-tiered gopuram of the Ranganathaswamy Temple, which is among the oldest in the world.

Ujjain
Another land dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ujjain occupies a prominent position in history as one of the four sites that hosts the Maha Kumbha Mela. The city is home to numerous temples, which are dedicated to several gods of the Hindu pantheon. Must visit are Mahakaleshwar Temple, which is always lit with thousands of brass lamps and contains a vessel made of silver suspended over the shivling.

A must visit for all, these heritage wonders are such stories in stone that will leave you awed. For more information on amazing locations, check out our Travel Guide that features over 80 destinations across India.