India the world tourism hot spot since 2008 and it will be till the year 2020, as predicted by WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council). This universally admired land has thousands of places that must be seen. Today I am only going to write about 10 of them. Here they are
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal located in Agra, one of the wonders of the world, is the supreme architectural Muslim art in India. This monument is a masterpiece admired by the whole world. Taj Mahal has been constructed in a Mughal architectural style which is a combination of Persian, Turkish and Indian elements of architectural methods. Construction of Taj Mahal started in the year 1632 and completed in the year 1653. This monument is known for its white vaulted marble and it is a complex of architectural art and structures. The construction of Taj Mahal was undertaken by Ustad Ahmad Lahauri (the chief designer), Abdul Karim Mamur khan and Makramat khan.
Shah Jahan the Mughal emperor was gravely in pain of the loss of his third wife, Arjmand Banou Begum also known as Mumtaz Mahal, who expired during the delivery of their 14th child, when he commissioned the construction of Taj Mahal in her memory.
Jaipur
Jaipur is the biggest and the Capital city of the state of Rajasthan. Jaipur also known as the Pink City was founded in 1772 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. This city has an amazing combination of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural arts. Some of the most popular palaces and architectural monuments in Jaipur are Jal Mahal, Narayan temple, Albert hall, Hawa Mahal, Jantar mantar. The emerging business that has recently been developing is the marriage tourism. Many people from across the globe go Rajasthan to get married in style. Here are some of the most popular locations in Jaipur:
- Amber Fort
- Jaigarh Fort
- Nahargarh Fort
- City Palace
- Jantar Mantar
- Rambagh Palace
- Chandra Mahal, The City Palace, Jaipur
- Diwan-e-Aam, City Palace
- Central Museum, ( also known as Albert Hall Museum)
Goa
Goa is the ultimate tourist destination for international and domestic tourists. Goa is quite well known for its astonishing beaches, pleasant weather and its warm and hospitable locality. The best time to visit Goa is during the winter. This season in India starts in November and ends in February. Goa can also be visited during the monsoon and summer but it could be a little inconvenience for you because of the heavy rain fall in rainy season or the intense heat in the summer. The most popular beaches of Goa are Calangute beach, Baga beach, Anjuna beach, Morjim, Candolim. There are also many churches and historical monuments located in old Goa which are mostly the effect of the 450 years of Portuguese rule in this Indian State.
Kashmir
Kashmir according to me is probably the most beautiful place on this planet. No wonder it was once called as heaven on Earth. In the last few decades Kashmir has been receiving less travelers and it has become an unsafe place because of terrorism. The state of Jammu and Kashmir has three geographical districts called as “Jhelum Valley”, “Indus Valley” and “the outer Himalayas. Jammu and Kashmir state cover an area of about 223000 sq km.
The main tourist places in Kashmir are as follows:-
- Gulmarg
- Pahalgam
- Sonamarg
- Amarnathji Yatra
Kanyakumari
The city of Kanyakumari is located in the state of Tamil Nadu which is the southernmost end of the Indian subcontinent. This place is especially well known for its astounding view of the sunrise and sunset. The convergence of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea makes it even more beautiful. On a full-moon evening in this place, you can see both sun set and moon rise at the same time.
Kanyakumari city is the location of art and religion and it is of great historical value. The main tourist locations where you can visit in Kanyakumari are the 133 feet tall Thiruvalluvar Statue, Gandhi Memorial Kanyakumari, light house, Kanyakumari Temple, Vattakottai Fort and many more.
Kerala
Between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea on the west, lies a land called Kerala. The Indian state of Kerala is located on the Malabar shore in south western part of India. Kerala also known as God’s own country is the ultimate tourist destination in India. The beauty of the beaches of Kovalam and Varkala will charm your heart away. If you ever go to Kerala do not miss the chance to take a visit to the backwaters of Kumarakom and Kuttandad and the incredible forests of Thekkady and Silent Valley.
Old Delhi
There are many monuments located in Delhi such as mosques, forts that in a way are the symbol of India’s rich history. Old Delhi was founded by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the 1600s as the Capital of the Mughal Empire. The major monuments in old Delhi are as follows:-
- Lotus Temple
- Humayun’s tomb
- Connaught Palace
- Akshardham Temple
- India Gate
- Qutub minar
- Red Fort
- North Block
Ajanta and Ellora Caves
The Ajanta and Ellora Caves are located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. They are basically 29 rock-cut Buddhist caves. They were constructed in the 2nd century BC. These caves have also been a UNESCO World Heritage site is the year 1983. This is a beautiful and peaceful place.
Darjeeling
The beautiful Himalayan city of Darjeeling is located in the State of West Bengal. This internationally well-known tourist destination is famous for its tea industry. Darjeeling is also known as Queen of the hills as it provides the perfect getaway holiday vacation for those who are seeking for calm and relaxing vacation away from the busy work life. Darjeeling Himalayan railway is a UNESCCO World Heritage Site.
The main tourist attractions in Darjeeling are as follows:
- Flora and Fauna
- Tiger hill
- Batasia loop
- War memorial
- Japanese Peace Pagoda
- Dhirdham Temple
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Ava Art Gallery
- Tea Gradens
- Yiga chilling Monastery
- Samten cholling Monastery
- Drukpa Kargyud Monastery
Mysore
Mysore is one of the largest cities in Karnataka State which lies at about a distance of 150 km way from Bangalore. The main monuments and tourist places in Mysore are as follows:
- Mysore Palace
- Chamundi Hills
- Brindavan Gardens
- Mysore Zoo
- St.Philomena’s Church
- Railway Museum
- Jaganmohana Palace
- Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion
- Lalitha Mahal Palace
- Karanji Lake
- Kukkarahalli Lake
Kerala is a gift to India, world! It is fulfilled with nature’s goodies; pure blissful place to be for travel. It is one stop for a good break from work and creates a revitalizing experience. Nestled in the southern region of India, It is well known for the beautiful beaches and backwaters. The backwaters in Kerala are the beaches and water bodies lying parallel to the Arabian Sea. Kerala is infamously known as God’s own country; prime reason being the people’s belief and the beautiful water bodies, beaches and backwaters are charming the place.
Kollam is a special one stop backwaters getaway! It opens doors to peaceful and scintillating waters along with most intensive backwater experiences. It is preferable to take up the regular ferry from Kollam to Alappuzha, a neat boat ride which passes through the Ashtamudi lake. Romancing is a pearl in the backwaters of Kerala, you can always cherish some priceless memories here.
It has a vast link of all the lakes, rivers and water bodies with fresh water which is really tantalizing and amazing!
Renowned across the globe for the healing powers, scenic beauty and picturesque views, the leisurely and calm life at Kumatakom backwaters revitalizes you and takes you to a whole new level of peaceful nirvana. It is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of the mangrove forests, birds, animals and unique living creatures.
The Kottayam backwaters also known as the ‘land of lakes, latex and letters’ are a great network of canals, lakes and rivers which are located in the western part of Kottayam district. The prime attractions are St. Mary’s Church and St. Joseph’s Monastery. The shiva temple near Kottayam is known for its paintings and sculptures. A pleasant place to be!
This festival actually starts in the end of the month of September and continues till two weeks in October or when the beer is over. This famous beer bash takes place on Theresienwiese, a big grassy mound packed with beer tents and stalls. During the festival there is live music being played and there also parades. But at the end the Oktoberfest is mainly about drinking beer. During the festival, there are also competitions of beer drinking happening in Munich.
Edinburgh is a small town which is considered the mother of all Fringe Festivals. During the festivals there are about 200 shows happening around the town such as musicals, comedy, opera and dance. In this festival there is something good for everybody ranging from small kids to old grandfathers. Getting the admissions to this festival is quite easy and it will not cost you much.
This festival is all about self-expression, self-reliance and art. Burning man festival is a cause against the corporate sponsorship festivals. The doors of this festival are open to anyone and it is held in the dessert, in the middle of Nevada. The festival includes Art Exhibits, music performances and many other things. The festival is known for its glorious closing ceremony which involves the burning of an enormous building.
The Love parade is one of the biggest festivals in all of Europe. It initially began in the year 1989 and it’s been very well known and popular in the world ever since. This festival takes place in Berlin in the month of August. During the festival there the streets are filled with the sounds of Techno, Trance and house music and everyone is dancing everywhere. This festival is all about music and having carefree fun.
The city of Montreal is in love Jazz. This festival has been famous for about 20 years now and every year it increases its popularity in the world. This festival takes place every year in the month of July for about two weeks.
1. Munnar – Munnar is believed to be the most beautiful place in Kerala not only by the locals but by the tourists as well. It is located at 1600 m above sea level. Munnar used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government. The beautiful green mountains filled with tea and coffee plants will charm you away. Here in Kerala you can see the most beautiful places that you have ever seen in your life.
Always remember while travel planning, those small decisions are very important. Keep in mind not to jump into the conclusion without considering all the facts. You should go to a place if you know about it and you have done a thorough research about it.
This is the largest reef system in the world. Great Barrier Reef stretches for about 2,600 kilometers long. This includes 2,900 individual reefs and about 900 islands. This reef is located in north eastern part of Australia in the Coral Sea. This reef is the only one which can be seen from outside the planet in the outer space. This structure is world’s biggest structure made by living organism. This reef is one of the seven wonders and the only natural wonders in the world. This structure is the larger than the wall of china and the only living thing visible from the outer space. There are various islands located around the reef. This place is one of those which should not be missed. This is a must visit place.
Santorini is a beautiful island located in south of Aegean Sea. This place is one of the first places that come in your mind whenever you think of Greece. The beauty of this place and deep blue waters make it quite unbelievable that this place was once a deadly volcano it was shaped because of that.
These ancient Pyramid shaped masonry structures are probably the most well-known wonders of the world. These pyramids are located in Egypt. In Egypt alone there have been 138 discoveries of pyramids. These wonders are the most astounding structures from the ancient times.
The Grand Canyon is a canyon located in the state of Arizona. This Canyon has very steep sides and it is carved by the Colorado River in the United States. This place is considered to be a natural wonder of the world. This place is good for backpackers as it offers activities such as hikes, boat rides, rafting, mule rides to the phantom ranch, etc.
The Great Salt Lake is the largest salt water lake in the whole world. This lake is located in north of the State of Utah. This lake covers an area of 4,400 sq km. At the shore line of the Great Salt Lake you can see the most astounding sun sets. The Kayaking across the lake gives you a great view that you will not find in any other place in the world.
Pamukkale in Turkish refers to cotton castle. This place has been named this as it gives the impression that the place is made out of cotton. This place has calcium laden waters that flow through it and calcium rocks hold pools of water flowing down the mountain Cal Daa Western Anatolia. One of the main reasons why this place is known to the tourists is the fact that the water has healing power.
The ancient people of Jordan, known as Nabateans, left behind wondrous structure known as Petra. Petra is unique city cared into natural rock. This place was also featured in the movie ‘Indiana Jones the Last Crusade’.
The complex and amazing architecture of Angkor Wat, a 12th century Temple, has made the one of the most well known and popular tourist destinations. The complexity of the temple can easily be seen from the inside of the temple. It can be quite confusing to discover the temple by walking through it as there are many chambers, porches, stairways and galleries.
This Museum, located in the Vatican City, is the place filled with the footprints of history. This place is a big collection of Art work and pieces and it is about 500 years old. This place houses the works of Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Filipo Lippi and Caravaggio.
This incredible man made wonder was built nearly 2,000 years ago to safe guard the Chinese nation against the invaders. Currently this structure is one of the most popular tourist destinations. This wall stretches nearly 9,000 kilometers.
To start with, visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World is surely a perfect idea. This beauty personified place carries you in a world of etherealness which is difficult to achieve otherwise.
Right from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum, every site is a must visit place in this “City of Love”. Paris is one of the most talked about destinations so you would be failing to fulfil your dream if you don’t go to Paris.
Visiting to the highest and indeed, the most extravagant waterfalls in Venezuela is truly a flawless journey made in the nature of lap amid the bounties of nature.
A very famous saying by Chuck Palahniuk suggests that Las Vegas looks like heaven of your imagination. So, party hard in this beautiful heaven on earth.
The whole aura of your body is surrounded by a serenity personified blanket the moment you see the Pak Ou Caves, Laos. Above the Mekong River, this is a place of Buddhist worship since last 600 years.
Be sure to indulge into the most happening water drenches of your life when you go to Seychelles. It is famously known for its crystalline waters and white sand beaches.
The curious destination where Darwin finished his research on evolution, Galapagos Island is still one of the non-mainstream tourist spots. Go explore!
Personifying Tibet, it is like Asia’s spiritual bosom in its last birth. Being the cultural heart many years ago, it has still not lost that essence, thereby making it one of the must-see places.
A perfect way to feel immersed in fauna itself is to visit the most amazing wildlife garden amidst the desert in Africa, Ngorongoro Crator.
The Kyoto Gardens are like the face cover of Japan, courtesy the number of poster and calendars printed till now based on this theme. And yes, make sure you visit Kyoto in Autumn; the most tranquil Autumns happen here.
