India Top 25 Archeological Destinations

India Top 25 Archeological Destinations - Destination Overview

India Top 25 Archeological Destinations

1. Taj Mahal - Agra

Taj Mahal in India (Agra City) is the Unesco World Heritage site and one of the 7 wonders of the world. There is no Other as beautiful Structure as Taj Mahal in the whole world. When some One just sees the Taj for the First Time, The natural Exclamation Comes - "AAH TAAJ"  . It is located in Agra City, The city nestled on the banks of river Yamuna has numerous monuments and heritage buildings offering a sneak peek into its interesting culture. The city has been ruled by various rulers in the past and remnants of its glorious past are spread over length and breadth of the city. Taj Mahal is not only India's Heritage, in fact Taj Mahal  is world heritage, World's best Monument, More over it is synonymous with incredible India, It has become national identity of India like Eiffel Tower for France, Great Wall for China, Burh Khalifa for Dubai, Big Ben for London UK.

2. Ajanta Caves - Aurangabad

Ajanta cave Located around 99 km from the town of Aurangabad, lie the Ajanta Caves, now included in the list of UNESCO World heritage Sites.   Ajanta's wondrous cave temples are cut into the rocky sides of a dramatic crescent-shaped gorge, at the head of which is a waterfall that drops over the mountain rim in a series of seven steps to a pool far below - the Saptakund.

3. Ellora caves

Ellora caves are in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. Ellora showcases the experiments that had carried out by Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monks some 600 to 300 years back. The former were tolerant of all religions and, under their liberal patronage, the technique of excavating rock-cut temples reached a high degree of perfection.                

 

4. Rani Ki Vav, Patan - Gujarat

Rani ki vav is an intricately constructed stepwell situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat, India. It is located on the banks of Saraswati River. Rani ki vav was built as a memorial to an 11th century AD king. They evolved over time from what was basically a pit in sandy soil towards elaborate multi-storey works of art and architecture. Rani-ki-Vav impresses not only with its architectural structure and technological achievements in water sourcing and structural stability, but also in particular with its sculptural decoration, of true artistic mastery.

 

5. Khajuraho  - Khajuraho

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu and Jain temples in Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho at times referred to as the Kamasutra temple is world renowned for its sculptured temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Jain deities, and the sexually explicit carvings both inside and outside the temple. he sacred temples of Khajuraho are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Because of the sculptures, the temples are also referred as Kamasutra temples. However, unlike popular belief, the temples neither have any connection nor were inspired by Vatsyayana’s famous book. In fact just 10 per cent of the art is erotic or sexual in nature.

6. Capitol Complex- Chandigarh

Capitol Complex is famous anthological place in Chandigarh where you can find world fasmous heritage things. The buildings at the Capitol Complex include the Open Hand monument, Punjab and Haryana high court, Tower of Shadows, Geometric Hill, the legislative assembly and the secretariat.

7. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra

Elephanta caves are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island. The small island is dotted with numerous ancient archaeological remains that are the sole testimonies to its rich cultural past. These archaeological remains reveal evidence of occupation from as early as the 2nd century BC. 

8. Sun temple, Konark

Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Sun Temple. It is believed that the temple was built by king Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty.  It is an ample testament to the artistic glory of the time. Conceived in the form of a huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on 12 pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels--after the mythical seven horse chariot of Sun God--the temple was unique in its architecture and implementation.

9. Sanchi Stupa - Sanchi

The Sanchi stupa, built in and around 283 BCE by Ashoka, the famous Indian emperor who converted to Buddhism, is better known for its scriptures. The entire stupa comprises symbolic representation of the gifts of nature as if explaining the Buddhist doctrine by reflecting the people's love for the nature.  Sanchi is a home to numerous stupas. Built on the top of a hill, these stupas contains relics, mostly of the Buddha's disciples. Sanchi Stupa is said to be one of the most organized structures with the best architectural designs that hail from the medieval period

10. Nalanda Mahavihara   (Nalanda University) - Bihar

Nalanda and the ruins of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara are almost synonymous. The name Nalanda conjures up a picture of ancient Mahavihara, which was a great seat of Buddhist education for nearly 700 years between the 5th to 12th centuries AD.  It engaged in the organized transmission of knowledge over an uninterrupted period of 800 years. The historical development of the site testifies to the development of Buddhism into a religion and the flourishing of monastic and educational traditions Nalanda is a rare combination of outstanding achievements in institution-building, site-planning, art and architecture. Nalanda symbolized the multiplicity of knowledge production, the innovative processes of the organized transmission of ideas through education, and a shared heritage of people living in multiple regions of Asia.

11. Agra Fort - Agra

Agra Fort is the former imperial residence of the Mughal Dynasty located in Agra. Agra Red Fort was designed and built by the great Mughal ruler, Akbar, in about 1565 A.D. It was initially built as a military establishment but later on his successors made many additions to the main structure. Several Mahals , which were built afterwards, converted half of the structure into a magnificent palace.  The fort contained more buildings in it but just a few of those remain till date. The most eminent of these remaining buildings is the Jahangiri Mahal.

12. Humayun Tomb – New Delhi

Humayun's tomb is the tomb of great Mughal Emperor Humayun. It is situated at Delhi. Agra Fort is the former imperial residence of the Mughal Dynasty located in Agra. Agra Red Fort was designed and built by the great Mughal ruler, Akbar, in about 1565 A.D. It was initially built as a military establishment but later on his successors made many additions to the main structure. Several Mahals , which were built afterwards, converted half of the structure into a magnificent palace.  The fort contained more buildings in it but just a few of those remain till date. The most eminent of these remaining buildings is the Jahangiri Mahal. The tomb proper stands in the centre of a square garden, divided into four main parterres by causeways (charbagh), in the centre of which ran shallow water-channels.

13. Red Fort – New Delhi

The Red Fort was the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years, until 1857. It is located in the centre of Delhi and houses a number of museums.  It is enclosed by a rubble stone wall, with bastions, gates and wickets at intervals. Of its fourteen gates, the important ones are the Mori, Lahori, Ajmeri, Turkman, Kashmiri and Delhi gates, some of which have already been demolished. The Red Fort is the standing testimony to the magnificent power and pomp of the Mughal emperors. The construction of Red Fort was begun in 1639 and completed in 1648. The fort is peaceful retreat from the noise and chaos outside it.

14. Jantar Mantar - Jaipur Rajasthan

The Jantar Mantar is an equinoctial sundial, consisting a gigantic triangular gnomon with the hypotenuse parallel to the Earth's axis. On either side of the gnomon is a quadrant of a circle, parallel to the plane of the equator. There are plenty of observatories all over the world, but the Jantar Mantar is considered to be one of the largest observatories ever built. Combining religion, science and art, the Jantar Mantar, There are plenty of observatories all over the world, but the Jantar Mantar is considered to be one of the largest observatories ever built. Combining religion, science and art, the Jantar Mantar

15. Mahabalipuram - Tamil Nadu

Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram, is a town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is around 60 km south from the city of Chennai. Mahabalipuram is one of the oldest cities in India and is known for its various stone carved monuments and ancient temples. Mahabalipuram also has some great cafes that serve good sea food. A backpacker’s delight, one can find cheap accommodations and plenty of activities.

 

16. Qutb Minar – New Delhi

Qutb-Minar in red and buff standstone is the highest tower in India. n a city awash with ancient ruins, the Qutb Minar complex is something special. The first monuments here were erected by the sultans of Mehrauli, and subsequent rulers expanded on their work. One of the most important tourist centers in India Delhi is home to some of the finest monuments in the world. Mostly built during the Mughal reign in India the monuments in Delhi represent a rich and rich style of architecture. Qutub Minar was constructed in 1192 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, by the founder of Slave Dynasty and later completed by his son-in-law and successor Iltutmish

17. Fatehpur Sikri - Uttar Pradesh

The Fatehpur Sikri palace and the various other monuments within this imperial city complex were constructed under the guidance of Mughal emperor Akbar when he was merely 28 years of age. He had approached a Sufi saint, Salim Chishti to know about his probable heirs and he was told that his queen would bear him a second son who would succeed him to the throne. When in 1569 Prince Salim was born, Akbar decided to build a capital city near Sikri to commemorate the Sufi saint whose predictions turned out true.The construction of this palatial complex was elaborate and painstaking with evidence being there that Akbar foresaw the miniature models of the various monuments and probably approved them before the constructing started. he Sikri ridge probably already had some pre existing structures to which Akbar added new ones. The entire complex is designed as a plateau formation, with levels which recede downwards. The mosque was located at the highest level of the ridge – the famed Jama Masjid.  This also contains the tomb of the saint Salim Chishti in its courtyard. The Rang Mahal was a smaller palatial complex whereby the royal family stayed while the main unit was being built.

18. Amer Fort – Jaipur Rajasthan

Amer Fort is located in Amer (Jaipur). Amer Fort is the best tourist attraction of Jaipur and the sprawling complex combines both immense fortifications with unexpected beauty and charm. The fort which visitors are able to explore today dates from the 16th century and is situated on a natural ridge 11km north of Jaipur.  Amer Fort is one of the tourist attractions of Rajasthan as well as one of the famous Historical Place of India. Every year Too many tourists came in Amer fort to see  awesome architecture of Amer fort and beauty of Jaipur. Actually before 16th century Amer was known as Dhundar and ruled by Kachhwahas. Before 16th century Amer was the capital of Rajasthan. In 16th century capital of Rajasthan is moved from Amer to Jaipur and Raja Man singh has built a fort which became famous as Amer Fort.

19. Jaisalmer Fort – Jaisalmer Rajasthan

Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest fortifications in the world. It is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaisalmer Fort is a monument worth visiting and worth retaining in your conscious mind. Like various other cities of Rajasthan, in Jaisalmer too you will find different facets of its own glorious heritage. Though you can find historical monuments scattered all over the city, the Jaisalmer Fort will immediately command your attention. Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila, the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands. Its simply a magic, the bastions envelops a whole townships that consist of palace complex various security sources and the havelis of rich merchants carved with an incredibly light touch, several temples and the residential complexes of the armies and traders placed strategically on the trade route, from where the ancient caravans passed en-route passing all the riches for the prosperity to an otherwise non source full kingdom.

20. Kumbhalgarh Fort – Udaipur Rajasathan

Kumbhalgarh Fort is a Mewar fortress on the westerly range of Aravalli Hills, in the Rajsamand district near Udaipur of Rajasthan state in western India.  It is at a distance of about 80 km northwest of Udaipur amidst the Aravalli hills. Due to its strategic location, it is considered as the second most important fort of Rajasthan. Kumbhalgarh is the second most important citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region. Cradled in the Aravali Ranges the fort was built in the 15th century AD by Rana Kumbha.  There is a magnificent array of temples built by the Mauryas of which the most picturesque place is the Badal Mahal or the palace of the clouds.

 21. Meenakshi Temple, Tamil nadu

Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River.  the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is its crowning glory. The temple structure with its concentric squares and high walled enclosures is a lesson for students of architecture. The temple is square shaped and a series of concentric streets with names from Tamil months surround the structure. Meenakshi Amman Temple has been nominated for the new Seven Wonders of the World. Hundreds and thousands of devotees come every year to pay their obeisance of the Lord. Meenakshi Temple is regarded as one of the most sacred places of Parvati, other being Kamakshi at Kanchipuram, Akilandeswari at Thiruvanaikaval and Vishalakshi at Varanasi.

22. Gwalior Fort - Gwalior

The Gwalior fort spreads out over an area of 3 square km, surrounded by concrete walls of sandstone. The Gwalior fort encloses three temples, six palaces and numerous water tanks. Gwalior Fort was built by Raja Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century. In the five hundred years since then, the Gwalior Fort has changed hands many times- it has been held by the Tomars, Mughals, Marathas and British, who finally handed it over to the Scindias.The beauty of its might fascinated many rulers and the fort became the subject of many poetic works. Babar, the famous Mughal ruler, once tabbed Gwalior Fort as 'the pearl amongst the fortresses in India.

23. Hampi Village - Hampi

Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other monuments belonging to the old city. Hampi has distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site for old Vijayanagara city, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river at 353 km from Bangalore and 74 km away from Bellary. Hosapete (Hospet), 13 km away, is the nearest railway head. Hampi is famous for the annual Vijayanagar Festival is organized by the Government of Karnataka in November in every year.

24. Bhimbetka Caves - Raisen M.P

Bhimbetka Caves, located near Bhopal at a distance of 46 km, are among the most fascinating and attention-grabbing tourist destinations in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the southern edge of the central Indian plateau. Within massive sandstone outcrops, above comparatively dense forest, are five clusters of natural rock shelters. The cultural traditions of the inhabitants of the twenty-one villages adjacent to the site bear a strong resemblance to those represented in the rock paintings. This is the 22ndworld heritage site declared by UNESCO in India. With time, the excavations undertaken by Hass, Misra and Wakankar revealed more secrets of the Mesolithic, Acheulian and Stone Age cultures.

25. Mount Malcolm - Mahabaleshwar

Mount Malcolm is located at the Prospect point in the Mahabaleshwar region. Pratapgad Fort and Baghdad Point are located in the neighborhood of Mount Malcolm, while the Elephant’s Head Point is merely 3.3 km away from this point. Mount Malcolm built in 1829 is named in remembrance of his visit. Mount Malcolm is a remarkable monument of colonial era and carries the same charm even today. This monument is a touch stone to the exceptional craftsmanship and architectural splendor.