Must-See Sites in India

Even with several weeks to explore India, it probably still wouldn’t be enough time to cover all of the iconic attractions spread throughout the massive and diverse subcontinent.  No matter how much time you have on your trip, here are the top 5 things to do in while in India.

Taj Mahal – Agra, India
The number one tourist attraction in India is the Taj Maha, and for good reason.  The 17th-century marble mausoleum is breathtakingly beautiful.  Built for the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan as a dedication to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture and a symbol of the cultural flowering taking place in India at the time.  The Taj Mahal is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and receives over 7 million visitors each year.  Plan to spend 1 to 2 hours exploring the grand Taj Mahal and its picturesque symmetrical gardens.

Golden Temple – Amritsar, India
Located in the northern Indian state of Punjab, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is one of the must-see sites in India.  The Golden Temple is the holiest Sikh religious complex and its gilded exterior sparkles against the nearby lake.  Expect to spend 2 to 3 hours to explore the temple complex including the inner sanctum as well as the largest free kitchen in the world, where volunteers cook meals, called langar, to serve to over 50,000 people daily– regardless of religion, caste, or status. 

Mahatma Gandhi’s Home – Ahmedabad, India
Known as Sabarmati Ashram, Mahatma Gandhi’s former home is one of the top things to do in India.  The ashram where Gandhi and his followers lived is now a museum memorializing the leader of the Indian independence movement.  Gandhi’s life and key moments of the independence movement are depicted by a number of sculptures and photographs, as well as a traditional charkha– a spinning wheel used to weave khadi cloth which became a symbol of Indian independence and is featured on the Indian flag. 

Hawa Mahal “Palace of the Winds” – Jaipur, India
Jaipur is known as the “Pink City” due to the prominence of red sandstone structures that dominate the city.  No structure is as grand or opulent as the rose-colored Palace of the Winds, built in 1799 as an extension to the Royal City Palace in Jaipur.  The 5-story palace served as the quarters for the royal Rajput women and features 953 windows constructed from delicate latticework into the sandstone, allowing the women of the royal court to observe the goings on in the town below without being seen by outsiders, as was forbidden at the time.  The Palace of the Winds is one of the best examples of Rajput architecture and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural significance, making it one of the must-see sites in India.

Mysore Palace – Mysore, India
Following the Taj Mahal, Mysore Palace is the second most popular tourist attraction and a must-see site in India.  Mysore Palace is one of the largest palaces in the country and attracts more than 6 million visitors per year.  The site was once the location of a citadel known as Old Fort, dating back to the 14th century, but the current palace was completed in 1912 and blends Hindu, Rajput, Mughal, as well as western Gothic architectural styles.  The grand Mysore Palace features royal halls, courtyards, and gardens, as well as elaborate artwork embellished on the ceilings.  The palace is especially beautiful when illuminated at night, and a sound and light show takes place most evenings.

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