India is a magical land of spirituality, beauty, and adventure. From the snow-capped Himalayas and flowing rivers to burning deserts and calm peaceful ocean, you can find them all here. You will also come across several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, spread all over the country. There is so much to see, explore and experience, it makes an entire lifetime seem insufficient! Hence, we help you plan your itinerary so that you do not miss the ten must-see attractions of this wonderful land.
1. Taj Mahal – The monument to everlasting love
If you are in India, can you afford to miss the Taj Mahal? Located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built this mausoleum in the loving memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The monument is a brilliant instance of Mughal architecture. While you are at Agra, also visit the nearby Agra Fort which was the political hub of India during the Mughal rule.
To experience Mughal and Rajput architecture further, you can also consider taking up the Golden Triangle tour. It includes the city of Delhi and Jaipur, apart from Agra. Get a feel of royalty as you walk down the corridors of intricately designed palaces and monuments.
2. The Golden Temple - Discover your spiritual self
India is a land of diverse religion and culture. It is a secular country that nurtures all religions alike. You will find temples, mosques, gurdwaras, and churches in plenty. Some of these holy monuments are important for their unique architecture and relevance in history. The Golden temple or Harmandir Sahib is one of them. Located in Amritsar, Punjab it is a famous Sikh gurdwara. Dating back to the 17th century, the upper portion of the gurdwara is covered with gold, lending it the popular name ‘Golden Temple’. Visit this shrine to discover its rich history and get lost in its peace and tranquillity.
3. Desert sunsets
If you are awed by the Golden Temple’s beauty, let us show you a golden fortress. Made of yellow sand stones, the Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan shines brightly during daytime and is often called the Sonar Quila (golden fort). You can also access the great Indian Thar desert from Jaisalmer. Enjoy the camel safaris, watch a beautiful sunset from a sand dune, and end off with an amazing bon-fire coupled with local folk music and dance at the desert night camps. Truly, an experience like nothing else!
4. Dilwara Temples – simplicity in diversity
Located near Mount Abu, Rajasthan, the Jain Dilwara temples date back to the 11th century AD. Standing amidst hills covered with lush green forest, this Jain pilgrimage site is renowned for its spectacular marble sculpture. The intricately carved five temple walls, ceilings and pillars are a sight to behold. In spite of their detailed ornamentation, the temple echoes the Jain values of truthfulness and simplicity. A must see!
5. Playful Goa
Looking for a beach after a visit to the dry parched deserts? Go Goa! Goa is popular all over the world for its picturesque beaches and churches. This small state was the hub of Portuguese settlement in India almost five centuries ago. Therefore, the place has large influence of the Portuguese culture. Its 125 KM of coastline boasts of several fun beaches. You can indulge in various water sports activities and enjoy fresh sea food and coconut drinks. Some beaches also host parties and fun events to draw in more crowds. A splash in Goa will surely quench your thirst for water adventure.
6. Backwaters of Kerala – God’s own country
The Kerala backwaters run parallel to the coast of Arabian Sea in south India. It is a series of lagoons and lakes wherein several rivers and at times the water from Arabian Sea meet. You can tour the backwaters on one of the famous Kerala houseboats. Experience luxury in simplicity as you board one these sailing marvels. These houseboats offer home-like comfort in the form of air-conditioned bedrooms, kitchen, bath and an open living cum dining deck. You will be treated to local cuisine on board by the friendly staff. The smooth sailing through the canals and coconut trees will soothe your tired mind and soul.
7. Madhya Pradesh – the rustic splendor
The heart of India or Madhya Pradesh (MP) is where you will discover India in all its rustic glory. In MP, you can visit the Khajuraho group of temples, the Sanchi Buddhist Stupas, National Parks like Panna and the Jabalpur Marble rock bed on the banks of river Narmada. Khajuraho is home to famous Hindu and Jain temples that portray erotic love sculpture whereas Sanchi is serene with its Buddhist Stupas that belong to 3rd century BC. Sanchi is also an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. At Panna National Park, you can undertake a Tiger safari. Before you leave MP, visit Jabalpur to admire the beauty of raw unpolished marble rocks.
8. Konarak – Opulence of the Sun God
Further east in the state of Orissa is the Konarak temple. Popularly known as the Black Pagoda, this Sun God temple is believed to have been built in the 13th century AD. The temple is designed as the chariot of the Sun God and is beautifully adorned with stone carvings. The horses and wheels of the chariot are equally stunning. Like Khajuraho monuments, the external walls of the Konarak temple are full of amorous sculptures, influenced by the Kama Sutra. Though partially destroyed, the temple boasts of the rich cultural history of India. Every year in December, Konarak hosts the annual Indian classical dance festival. Experience the rich culture of India at Konarak.
9. Jim Corbett National park – ‘Tiger, tiger burning bright...’
If you are looking for wildlife adventure, head for the oldest national park of India - the Jim Corbett National Park. It is located in Nainital, Uttarakhand and contains almost 500 types of flora and fauna. It is also a reserved area for the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. Tourist can experience the impressive landscape and assorted wildlife in restricted regions of the jungle. If wildlife safari is your idea of adventure, Jim Corbett National Park is your ideal destination in India.
10. Sikkim – Himalayan adventures
If you visit India, you must see the Himalayan ranges. One of the best tourist places in the foothills of Himalaya is the sate of Sikkim. Sharing its border with Nepal, China and Bhutan, the place is heavenly for its natural beauty of snow-covered Himalayas and fertile green valleys. You can also enjoy stuffed hot momos after a round of trekking, rafting, mountaineering or other similar adventure sports. So gear up for some fun!
Editor's note: Most articles submitted to Chillibreeze go through a selection process. Only 30 percent of submitted articles are accepted for publication on the Chillibreeze.com featured article list. All accepted articles are edited and proofread for glaring errors of punctuation and grammar. Sentence structure is changed in certain cases and sometimes, entire sections are rewritten. If you notice any errors that have slipped through the cracks, do let us know! (Email us at info at chillibreeze dot com).
Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in May, 2011. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.
Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...
—About our writer:
Priya works as a Corporate Communication Executive with a leading multinational company. She holds a masters degree in Film Studies and a PGDIP in Mass Communication. She has over three years of experience in writing and editing different types of web and marketing documents. She has also worked as a freelance article writer for a considerable period of time. A sincere and hard-working person, Priya loves to live life to the fullest.
>> Read more articles written by Chillibreeze writers:
Chillibreeze offers Indian writers the opportunity to work on customer projects. We are also India’s biggest writer network and a one-stop shop for Indian writers and editors. The writers’ section on Chillibreeze offers freelance writers and editors a variety of tools to advance their careers. Resources for writers include:
