India is the land of exotic tourism, cuisines, cultures, traditions, and many other aspects. A huge number of national as well as international tourists travel all across India every year. Starting from the snowcapped sky-touching marvellous mountains in Kashmir in the north to the most magnificent beach of Kanyakumari to the south and from the ancient heritage caves in the west to the enchanting Seven Sister States in the east, India is full of worth visiting tourist destinations. Here are the few wonders with a brief introduction:
Gomateshwara:Â Is also known as Bahubali and is a huge monolithic statue of Gomateshwara, who was the second son (out of the hundred) of the first Tirthankara, Rishabha. This site is one of the major pilgrim destinations for Jain pilgrims. A huge number of pilgrims from all over the world travel to this place every year. Gomateshwara is situated in Shravanbelagola in the Hassan district of Karnataka. Visiting this place, one gets to see sixty feet high statues situated on a hillock. The statue is said to be built in the 10th century AD and is considered one of the largest monolithic statues in the world.
Harmandir Sahib: Also famously known as the “Golden Temple”, this is one of the major tourist attractions in India. Tourists all around the world come here to experience the rich culture, tradition, and heritage of Sikhs. The Harmandir Sahib is the largest and most important pilgrim destination for Sikhs all around the world. This prominent Sikh Gurdwara was built in the 16th century and is located in one of the most magnificent cities of Amritsar situated in the state of Punjab. The major attractions of this place are the gold-covered roof of the Gurdwara, the architecture of this temple, the holy rituals performed here, and the delicious cuisines served here.
Taj Mahal: Also amongst the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is a unique monument located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The monument is a mausoleum made of white marble and was built by the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The monument is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. The exotic Mughal architecture and style, well-planned interiors, integrated complex structures, and the well-maintained surrounding gardens are the major eye-catching attractions here.
Hampi:Â Hampi is a major UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the state of Karnataka. This site holds several groups of ancient monuments that are worth watching. According to the excavations made, the first historical settlements here date back to 1 CE. The ancient temples here are simply beautiful with the best of Dravidian architecture. The stone-carved temples here just lure us and make us realize the proficiency of architecture, construction, and art during the olden period. Some of the major attractions here include the Vitthala temple, Zanana enclosure, Hemakuta complex, elephant stables, and the lotus mahal.
Konark Sun Temple: The Konark Sun Temple is one of the most renowned temples in India and is a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site. The temple was built by King Narasimhadeva in the 13th century and was constructed out of weathered and oxidized sandstone. The temple is dedicated to Sun God and according to several myths is built by Samba (son of Lord Krishna), who was cured by the Sun God out of leprosy, and bought to his father’s curse on him. The heavily decorated temple out of stone carving mesmerizes its visitors. The temple is situated in the state of Orissa.
Nalanda:Â The place is world-famous as one of the most ancient centres for higher education. Nalanda is situated in the state of Bihar and is one of the major tourist attractions for tourists all across the world. According to several pieces of evidence, Nalanda was an active learning destination from the fifth century and largely flourished during the Gupta Empire. Scholars and students from China, Tibet, Persia, and Greece visited this university until it was destroyed by the army of Bakhtiyar Khiliji in 1193 CE. Some of the major attractions around here include the Surya Mandir, the Nalanda Museum, and the Nalanda ruins.
Khajuraho Group of Monuments:Â This group of monuments are located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh and is one of the most popular destinations in India. This site is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, making it a major attraction globally. The Khajuraho group of monuments include several Hindu Temples carved out of rocks with some of the most magnificent sculptures, carvings, and architecture. This site is definitely a worth visiting site with some exotic temples including the Laxshmana temple, Devi Jagadambi Temple, Dulhadeo Temple, the Chaturbuj Temple and many more.
Kevadia: Situated at the bank of river Narmada of Gujarat is the home of the world’s tallest statue known as the “Statue of Unity” of the Indian independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel. The Statue of Unity with a height of 182 metres is the tallest statue in the World. The Statue was built-in 2013 and attracts around 2.8 million visitors every year.
