Non restrictive, Here are some of the most visited sites in India as well as those noted for their attractive architectural, cultural or natural. The relationship is by alphabetical order.
Agra
Located north of the country, in the State of Uttar Pradesh and along the river Yamuna, the city of Agra is the third vertex of the triangle tour of India, with Delhi (200 km from north) and Jaipur (235 km westbound). Despite the large role it acquired in the past The Mughal emperor Akgar the Great made it the capital of the empire in 1556, Agra is world famous for hosting the symbol of the quintessential Indian Islamic architecture: the Taj Mahal (1631 -1652). This is a spectacular white marble mausoleum was designed by architect Ustad Isa. However, his driver was the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, who had it built in honor of his wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel in the Palace), Who died after giving birth. The complex is part of the World Heritage List (1983) and in 2007 was designated as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. The other great attraction of Agra is the Red Fort (1565-1573), a prison located 1.5 km from Taj Mahal and Shah Jahan in which he was confined by his own son, Aurangzeb. Likewise, it is also advisable to visit the mosque of Jami Masjid, opposite the Red Fort built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1658, the mausoleum of Itimad-ud-Daulah (1622-1628), the tomb of Chini Ka Rauza Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, and the Ram Bagh gardens, the first to be raised during the Mughal period. In turn, in the nearby town of Sikandra (10 km from Agra) stands the mausoleum of Akbar the Great, while Fatehpur Sikri (about 40 km), the city hosts the agent. Abandoned for lack of water, it is a wonder in stone in perfect condition.
Benares (or Varanasi)
Varanasi, also belonging to the State of Uttar Pradesh, is one of the seven sacred cities of India. The origin of its name must be sought in the two tributaries of the Ganges River that surround the historic center of the city: the Varana and Asi. The town is dedicated to Lord Shiva (one of the three most important deities of Hindu mythology), so it is not surprising that the Ghats Name given to steps that connect the streets with the left bank of the sacred Ganges capitalize on the social and religious life of Varanasi. There are whole families gather to bathe and purify their souls. Among the main sites of the city, highlighting the Golden Temple? Built in 1776 in honor of Shiva, whose access is restricted to the faithful and Gyanvapi mosque of XVIII century.
Bombay (or Mumbai)
Capital of the State of Maharashtra, western India. This is one of the financial and commercial centers of the country and one of the cores with a higher rate of population concentration in the world (the metropolitan area of over 20 million inhabitants). Harbour facilities are the most important of all those found in the Arabian Sea, while also hosts numerous cultural institutions. His most visited sites are portal Memorial Gateway of India (1924), the neighborhood of Fort. That houses the financial heart of the city, Taj Mahal Hotel, the railway terminal of Chhatrapati Shivaji and the caves carved Elephanta Island. The latter two sites are part of the list of World Heritage.
Calcutta
Capital of the State of Bengal (west of the subcontinent), Calcutta stands out as an important port center and at the same time, the scene of massive social inequalities. In fact, the luxury residential areas of Alipur and Bakliganj shake hands with so degraded as neighborhoods near the Kalighat temple, where Mother Teresa began her work. Also, this town brings together a number of buildings that testify to the British occupation, such as the Museum of India (the oldest and largest in the country), the Victoria Memorial (erected in 1906 by the future King George V of England ), the Cathedral of St. Paul (1847) or the New Market (1874). However, indigenous culture also claimed his place in the urban fabric, with places like the birthplace of Nobel laureate Tagore Robindranath, the magnificent marble palace of Raja Bahadur Jains or some temples.
Goa
Located to the west, along the Sea of Oman, its 3,702 km2 make Goa the smallest state in India. It comprises the former commercial establishments created by Portuguese sailors and several cities of historic interest, such as the present capital, Panjim, or villas as they were in the past: Old Goa and Govapuri, subsequently renamed as Velha Goa. However, rather than its colonial legacy (declared World Heritage by UNESCO), this state is famous for hosting the most important seaside enclave of the country. No wonder over 100 km of beautiful beaches with fine sand and dotted with palm trees? Like Calangute, Anjuna, Vagator and Colva have become a reference point for tourists worldwide.
Jaipur
Located north of the country and the state capital of Rajasthan, is known as the? City Rose, because of the color of the stone used in building palaces, temples and forts. Although it is a modern and cosmopolitan city, Jaipur treasured historical buildings of great interest, as the imposing Palace of the Winds or Hava Mahal (1799), erected by order of Maharaja Pratap Singh. They also highlight the City Palace (1729), begun by Jai Singh II, the astronomical observatory of Jai Singh II (Jantar Mantar), built between 1728 and 1734, and the temple of Govinda (Govindji Mandir), 1735. Outside, it must see the palace-fortress of Amber, an urban complex that was the residence of the Maharajas of Jaipur seventeenth century.
Jodhpur
Located only 343 km from Jaipur, its 700,000 inhabitants, place it as the second most populous city of Rajasthan. Founded in 1495, the present city stands by the wall that encircles the old (started in 1532), the Mehrangarh Fort, the Umaid Bhavan (1928), or palace of Maharaja Umaid Singh? Jasvant Thada and a mausoleum where the remains of Jasvant Maharajah Singh II (1873-1895). Not far from Jodhpur, lies the town of Bishnoi, seated in a natural and beautiful landscape.
Khajuraho
Belonging to the State of Madhya Pradesh In central India, This small population of just over 7,000 residents is home to the largest architectural Hindus in the country. Built between 950 and 1050, the complex consists of some 80 temples located in an area of 21 km2 and protected by a wall. However, only twenty of these buildings, famous for its erotic sculptures, are preserved in good condition. In 1986, UNESCO inscribed at Khajuraho in the list of World Heritage.
Madras (or Chennai)
It is the capital of Tamil Nadu, belonging to South India. The city stands out as possessing a rich colonial past, which has resulted in buildings such as the Fort St. George? Founded in 1639 and located near the mouth of the river Kuvam?, George Town commercial district, the Museum of government? The second largest in the country after the Calcutta or Marina Beach, an artificial beach created in the late nineteenth century at the wish of Governor ME Grant-Duff. Its 12 km long making it the second largest in the world. From the point of view arquiectura Hindu temple stands out Parthasarathi (eighth century), put in place during the Pallava dynasty and rebuilt in 1564.
Madurai
The second largest city in Tamil Nadu, located at the mouth of the river Vaigai, is the custodian of an important historical legacy: no wonder, Madurai came to be capital of the ancient empire Pandya (VI and XV centuries). No doubt the main tourist attraction is the Shri Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi and her husband, Sundareshvara (one of the god Shiva encaranaciones). Along with the Ranganatha Temple in Tiruchirapalli, the aforementioned location is one of the main religious complexes in India. On a more prominent, stand twelve towers or towers gopuras. The highest has a height of 50 m and is decorated with polychrome sculptures around 1,500. The other major attraction of Madurai is the palace of Tirumala Kayak, built in 1636 and located 1 km from Meenakshi temple.
Mahabalipuram
For the state of Tamil Nadu and located about 60 km from Chennai, Mahabalipuram was an important port in the seventh century, coinciding with the rule of the Pallava dynasty. Also, the town retains an important archaeological site: the Rathas, built between the seventh and ninth and recorded in the list of World Heritage in 1984.
New Delhi
Since 1912, New Delhi is the capital of the country. Also, its historic center, Old Delhi, was also the largest city in India during the period before British colonization. Given this circumstance, therefore, not surprising that activities relating to public administration is still the main driver of the local economy. Its climate, very extreme, is characterized by very cold temperatures in winter and high during the summer. Among its main tourist attractions include the Gateway of India called the tower of Qutb Minar, Red Fort, the tombs of the pacifist leader Mahatma Gandhi and the Emperor Humayun, the market of Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli Bazar (considered the largest market for spices from Asia), the embassy area, the Laxmi Narayan Hindu temple and mosques Quwat-ul-Islam and Jami Masjid. The latter, also known as the Great Mosque, the largest in the country. Another remarkable building is the seat of the Parliament of the Republic, a remarkable example of British colonial architecture.
Pushkar
Located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan, Pushkar (whose name means? Lotus flower) Is one of the holiest cities in the country. For the faithful, its biggest attraction is that this town hosts the only major temple of Brahma? The main Hindu god? of India. As in the case of Bener, the north shore of Lake Pushkar ghat contains several steps or in which the faithful perform their ablutions. Besides the places mentioned, the city and its surroundings also make room for other temples, like Savitri, Gayatri, Varana, Ramavaikunth or Mahadeva.
Ranakpur
In Rajasthan, 98 km from Udaipur and 170 of Mount Abu, is the town of Ranakpur, one of the main centers in India Jains. Its main archaeological complex, the temples of Rana Kumbha, owe their name to the monarch of Marwar (1419-1469) who donated the land for the start of construction work. The most important building of the complex, Chaumukha, started in 1439 by order of the wealthy Dharna Shah, Minister of Rana Kumbha. It highlights the spectacular interior, which consists of 29 rooms held to the tune of 1,444 pillars.
Udaipur
Located 290 km from Jodhpur, known as the? City of Dawn? or “City of Udai? (Its founder), is the main town in southern Rajasthan. It highlights Fatehsagar and Pichola lakes, on whose banks stands the palace northwest of the City (1560), built by order of Udai Singh II. In the northern flank of the same, it raises the Jagdish Mandir temple of the XVI century and dedicated to the god Vishnu, one of the three main deities of Hinduism. Also recommended are the sources of Sahelion ki Bari (or “Garden of the bridesmaids), The summer residence of Jag Nivas (XVIII century) and the Jag Mandir, a palace built on the water and located just 1 mile City Palace Museum of Glass. However, if what you want is to use the visit for shopping, visitors will find nothing better than the Bara Bazar, the main market Udaipu
