Unusual India: rare places for adventure lovers. What to see in India for tourists - attractions (photos with names and descriptions) Top places to visit in India

We'll tell you what to see in India. We collected 19 main attractions of the republic, each with a photograph and brief description. Read it.

While one empire replaced another in the territory of modern India, and the British and Portuguese colonized the peninsula, a lot of interesting things happened in these places. According to legend, this is where Buddha was born, India is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi, who, by the way, are not relatives. In the end, the Dalai Lama himself moved to India after the occupation of Tibet. And of course, so complex, confusing and interesting story found its expression in hundreds of sights that will take your breath away!

The largest number of Indian cultural and architectural monuments are concentrated in the northern states. The world's best ashrams for the study of yoga and Hinduism are located here. Western and Eastern India became the center of British and Portuguese colonial culture, and southern states concentrated on their territory unique natural parks, nature reserves and best beaches countries.

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Sights of Eastern India

Victoria Memorial

The main attraction of the capital of British India, the snow-white facades are comparable to the Taj Mahal. The building in the Italian Renaissance style was built at the beginning of the 20th century in honor of the Queen of England and also the Empress of India. Against the backdrop of typical Indian cityscapes, the memorial looks both majestic and alien. The building houses a museum dedicated to colonial India and the history of Kolkata ().Entrance: 150 INR. Every day from 10:00 to 17:00.


Railway to Darjeeling

U unique narrow gauge railway built in mountainous areas West Bengal and became widely known, including thanks to Wes Anderson's film The Darjeeling Limited. Just 86 km long with steep curves and stunning scenery, rising from 100 meters above sea level in the city of Siliguri to 2200 meters in the Darjeeling highlands, you can enjoy a cup of the famous tea of ​​the same name.


Sights of Western India

India Gate

Triumphal Arch, built at the beginning of the last century on the Bombay embankment next to the city's main hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace, in honor of the visit of King George V after his coronation. In 25 years, the last ship with the British military will sail from here, and India will gain independence. And the India Gate will become the main symbol of the republic.Free and 24 hours a day, searched at the entrance.


Victoria Terminus

E it's not easy Central station Mumbai is a true work of colonial art and the most beautiful building in the city. Majestic lions at the entrance, forged twisted gates, preserved interiors with paintings and elaborate ornaments - it will take your breath away when you look at it!Free and 24 hours a day.


Elephanta Caves

They are located on the island of Gharapauri, an hour's ferry ride from the India Gate embankment. In the center of the island there is a whole complex of caves with carved images and figures of Shiva, the age of which dates back to the 5th-8th centuries AD. At the end of the 20th century, the caves were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Entrance: 260 INR. Ferry: 130 INR. Every day, except Monday, from 9:00 to 15:00.


Old Goa

It was once the center of Portuguese India, and all the wealth of the colonial empire flocked here. However, after the river leading to the city became shallow and a malaria epidemic passed, the residents of Golden moved to the modern capital of the state - Panaji, and the city was deserted. Now only working people remain on its territory Catholic churches and basilicas, as well as the picturesque ruins of monasteries in the area - all attractions are under UNESCO protection.


Qutab Minar

WITH The world's tallest minaret (72.6m) is included in the list of World Heritage Sites and is protected by UNESCO. It was built over almost 200 years and was used not only for prayers and religious ceremonies, but also to protect the city and monitor the surrounding area. The uniqueness of the minaret is in the traditional Indian patterns on the walls. This architectural idea is explained by the fact that during the construction of the minaret they used materials from Indian temples destroyed in the area.Entrance: 500 INR. Every day from 7:00 to 17:00.


Taj Mahal

The construction of the times of the Muslim Mughal Empire, the main attraction of India and one of the 7 new wonders of the world. It is a mosque and tomb built in honor of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of the padishah, who died during childbirth. After his death, Shah Jahan himself was also buried on the territory of the Taj Mahal.

Best view the mausoleum-mosque opens when passing through the Main Gate (Great Gate). It is believed that all the magic of the Taj Mahal can be seen only in the early morning, when the snow-white building, shrouded in the pre-dawn haze, seems to float in the air. However, in the vicinity of Agra, landfills are constantly burning, so you can see the soaring Taj Mahal at any time of the day.Entrance: 1000 INR. Every day, except Friday, from dawn to dusk.

Healthy: Review of the trip to


Red Fort

Another fortress of the Mughal Empire. The highest walls alone, erected specifically to protect the fortress from war elephants, are no less impressive than the Taj Mahal. To this day, part of the fort is used by the Indian military and is closed to the public; the rest is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Entrance: 550 INR. Every day from dawn to dusk.


Hawa Mahal

The main attraction of the “pink city” of Jaipur. The palace was built in the 18th century for the harem of an Indian prince, the Maharaja. The facade of the building is made of pink sandstone, which was used in local architecture and gave Jaipur its second name - the pink city. Hawa Mahal is also known as the Palace of the Winds. Thanks to the many windows on the facade, on hot days, with the help of drafts inside the building, excellent ventilation was created, saving the Maharaja’s concubines from the daytime heat.Entrance: 200 INR. Every day from 9:00 to 16:30.


Khajuraho

A complex of 20 medieval Hindu temples decorated with thousands of figures from the Kama Sutra. The site was once the religious center of the Chandela dynasty, but after its decline in the 13th century, it was abandoned by the inhabitants and lost until it was accidentally found in the jungle by a British officer in the mid-19th century. Since then, a village has been rebuilt next to the surviving temples and began to receive tourists from all over the world, and UNESCO included the place in the list of World Heritage Sites.Entrance to the western group of temples: 250 INR. Every day from dawn to dusk.


Manikarnika Ghat

N aberezhnaya in a sacred place for Hindus " city ​​of the dead» Varanasi (Benares). Here, bonfires do not go out around the clock, on which deceased Hindus are cremated, and then their ashes or unburnt bodies are sent sailing along the sacred Ganges River. In the evenings, colorful Ganga Aarti rituals take place nearby at Dashashwamedh Ghat. worship and offerings to the sacred river.

Note: State overview


Main Temple of the Dalai Lama

R The residence of the spiritual leader of Buddhists is located in the very north of India in the foothills of the Himalayas. Before visiting the temple, Buddhists perform kora, i.e. walk around the sacred site clockwise. The path around the world's main Buddhist temple is decorated with thousands of colorful flags and brightly written mantras.Every day April-October from 5:00 to 20:00, November-March from 6:00 to 18:00. Free admission.

Interesting: Holy City


Sights of South India

Backwaters, or Backwaters

An area with many rivers, lakes, lagoons and creeks along the coast of the Arabian Sea, combined into one system. Scattered throughout the jungle are small villages with houses on the water, just like in Venice. You can explore the backwaters as if on a public water bus or a hired boat, and settled in a floating house.

Interesting: Review of the trip to


Meenakshi Temple

WITH The oldest Hindu temple built before our era. Life in Madurai, the oldest of existing cities country, is centered around this temple complex of extraordinary beauty. Its 50-meter tower is decorated with several thousand painted statues of gods, brahmins, commoners and animals, and not a single figure is repeated.Entrance: 50 INR. Every day from 5:00 to 12:30.

Important: Detailed overview of the city


Amba Vilas Palace

The second most visited attraction in India after the Taj Mahal. Mysore was once the capital of a princely state independent of the powerful Vijayanagar Empire and the last to come under British rule. The Royal Voyader family, which ruled Mysore until India gained independence in 1947, built 17 palaces and dozens of temples in the city amazing beauty. That is why Mysore is called the “city of palaces”.

Kanyakumari

City landmark and the only place in a country where you can see Indian Ocean. This is where the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea meet, and small island On the border of the “three seas”, an impressive statue of the Indian poet Thiruvalluvar, considered a Hindu saint, was erected. In addition, Mahatma Gandhi bequeathed his ashes to be scattered in Kanyakumari, and now a small memorial in memory of this event has become a place of pilgrimage for Indians from all over the country.Entrance to the memorial is free, daily from 07:00 to 19:00. Ferry to the island with the statue: 20 INR, daily from 8:00 to 16:00.

Note: State overview

This is the Republic of India and its attractions. To reinforce the impression, watch this video.

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India is a vibrant country of incredible contrasts, where traditional and modern worlds. The world's seventh largest country by area and second by population, India boasts a rich heritage of centuries-old cultures and religions.

Tourists have the opportunity to visit countless sacred places, nature lovers will enjoy sunny beaches, stunning national parks and incredible wildlife sanctuaries.

From the majestic Taj Mahal to the shrines of the Golden Temple and mosques, visitors to this exotic country discover spiritual, architectural and cultural treasures.

The poet Rabindranath Tagore called this building "a tear on the cheek of eternity", Kipling described it as "the embodiment of all that is pure." This building was built under Jahan's leadership as a memorial for his third wife, who died shortly after she gave birth to their 14th child.

Although the main building was built in eight years, the entire project of the complex was ready only by the end of 1653. After its completion, the emperor was overthrown and imprisoned, where until last days he could only look at his project through the window.

Location: Dharmaperi, Tejginj, Forest Colony, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001.

A complex of palaces, gardens and buildings, the impressive City Palace is located right in the center of the Old Town. The outer wall was completed by Singh II, but the inside of the palace was reconstructed and expanded over the centuries. There are palace buildings from different eras, some of which date back to the early 20th century. It is a striking mixture of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.

Here you can see Mubarak Mahal, built in the late 19th century as a place to receive dignitaries. The building was built in Islamic, Rajput and European style by the architect Sir Swinton Jacob. Nearby is the armory, which displays one of the best collections weapons in the country.

Location: Jaipur.

This magnificent fortress adjoins a vast palace complex, built of pale yellow and pink sandstone and white marble and divided into four main areas, each with its own courtyard.

The legendary temple is actually only a small part huge complex, known to Sikhs as Harmandir Sahib. The central shrine of this place is the Amrit Sarovar, excavated by the Sikh Guru Das.

The Golden Temple itself is a mesmerizing blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, with an elegant marble lower level decorated with floral and animal motifs. The second level features intricately engraved gold panels and a gilded dome.

Location: Golden Temple Road, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab - 143006.

The colorful abode of the warrior goddess Meenakshi is generally considered a masterpiece of South Indian architecture. This site is as important an aesthetic heritage of this region as the Taj Mahal. This is not just a 17th century temple, but a 6-hectare complex with 12 tall gopuras surrounded by stunning sculptures of gods, goddesses and demons.

Location: Madurai Main, Tamil Nadu 625001.

It’s worth coming here twice: in the morning, when the granite building is bathed in the sun’s rays of dawn, and in the evening, when the sunset in a palette of red, orange, yellow and pink colors adds a special charm to the architecture of the temple. On the territory of the complex, tourists have the opportunity to see one of the largest statues in India, Nandi.

Location: Hospital Road, Thanjavur.

Designed as the chariot of the god Surya, this massive, breathtakingly magnificent temple was built in the mid-13th century.

Seven horses (representing the days of the week) move this stone leviathan on 24 stone wheels (representing the hours of the day). The temple was positioned so that the light of the rising sun illuminated the interior of the temple (temple sanctuary).

Location: Konarak - Kasia-Tamkuhi Road.

Hyderabad's most impressive landmark, this monumental fort lies on the western outskirts of the city. From the top there is a stunning view of the dusty foothills and the ruins of ancient buildings near the domed tombs of the Qutb Shahs.

Location: Hyderabad, Ibrahim Bagh.

The Asiatic lion's last refuge is this wooded, 1,412-kilometer sanctuary. It is a popular safari destination, traveling through dense, serene forests. It is easily accessible from the nearby village of Sasan Gir along a small highway. Best time to study the forest - from late December to April.

There were 68 tigers in the country in 2014, the vast majority of which are found in national park Bandhavgarh. It is part of the main area of ​​the reserve.

The main base for visits is the small, secluded village of Tala, 32 km northeast of Umaria, the nearest railway station. February-June is usually best months tiger sightings. All safaris start from Tala and head to the three zones of the national park.

Location: Badhavgarh, Umaria District, Tala, Madhya Pradesh 484661, State Highway - 10.

Set among palm trees and manicured lawns, this large religious center is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, inspired by the Indian sage Paramahamsa, who preached the unity of all religions.

Its central element is the Mandir building, which simultaneously looks like a cathedral, an Indian palace and the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul. Several small shrines are located near the river bank, including the Sri Sarada Devi Temple, where the wife of the spiritual leader Sarada is buried.

Location: 711202 Dist Howrah, West Bengal.

Here tourists will find extraordinary cultural riches, with more than 440 monuments - from the 10th century to the British era - surrounded by forests and villages. In the forest, the most impressive are the tombs of Balban, Kuli Khan, and the Jamali Hamali Mosque.

Location: New Delhi, Mehrauli on Mehrauli Gurgaon Road.

One of the greatest monuments of India, this amazing temple, carved out of solid rock, was built by King Krishna I. The temple houses several carved panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the adventures of Krishna.

It is also worth paying attention to the huge monolithic columns that stand in the courtyard, adjacent to the entrance on both sides, and the south-eastern gallery. The gallery has 10 giant panels depicting various avatars (incarnations of deity).

Location: Aurangabad city.

The main ritual embankment is considered the most favorable place for the cremation of a Hindu. Dead bodies, wrapped in cloth, are carried through the alleys of the Old City to the holy place on a bamboo stretcher.

Huge piles of firewood are stacked along the embankment. Each type of wood has its own price, sandalwood being the most expensive. Cremations are allowed to be observed, but you must remain quiet during the ceremonies.

Location: Varanasi, Ghasi Tola Road.

The incredible Victoria Memorial is a huge, beautifully designed white marble memorial. If it had been built for a beautiful Indian princess rather than a colonial queen, this domed beauty fringing southern part The Maidan was undoubtedly considered one of the greatest buildings in India.

It was commissioned by Lord Curzon, then Viceroy of India, to celebrate Victoria's crown, but construction was not completed until after the Queen's death. Available to tourists private tour: Sightseeing in Kolkata including Mother House, Calcutta University and Victoria Memorial.

Location: Hospital Road, West Bengal.

The site is believed to have inspired the creator of the Taj Mahal. The arched façade is inlaid with strips of white marble and red sandstone, and the building follows the strict rules of Islamic geometry. The tomb was restored over the course of six years, and they plan to open it nearby. new center for tourists. In the surrounding gardens are the tombs of the emperor's favorite barber - a trusted position given the proximity of the razor to the imperial throat.

Location: New Delhi, East Nizamudhin, Opp Nizamuddin Mosque.

It took 20 years to build it. This is perhaps the best of all the Khajuraho temples. On the south side of its base there are ancient drawings.

Here you can see carved figures of battalions of soldiers, images of musicians, hunters, elephants, horses and camels. Some excellent carvings can also be found in the inner sanctum. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu, although it is similar in design to Shiva temples.

Location: Connaught Place, New Delhi.

It's a surreal fantasy local resident, who, starting in 1957, spent nearly 20 years personally creating more than 2,000 sculptures using stones and debris left over from 50 destroyed villages.

Location: Sector No.1, Chandigarh.

This magnificent mansion, built in 1835, is as grand as any other Indian landmark. Probably one of the best-preserved royal houses in the country, its marble-draped halls house dusty statues of thinkers and dancing maidens.

Here you can see collections of Victorian tableware, trophy stuffed moose and beautiful paintings, including supposedly original works by Rubens. Stored in the ballroom great amount candle chandeliers with silvered glass balls. There is also a private menagerie where several species of monkeys and birds live.

Location: Muktaram Babu Street - 46.

Despite the tiring journey public transport, beautiful botanical gardens Situated in Kolkata, the 109-hectare property is a perfect escape from the noise and smells of the city. This is home to more than 12,000 plant species. The gardens played an important role in the cultivation of tea bushes smuggled out of China by the British, long before the drink became a local commodity.

Today you can see a huge collection of cacti, palm leaves and a lake with magnificent giant leaves of a special type of lily. The most popular place In the park is the 250-year-old world's largest banyan tree. It is located a five-minute walk from the central gate of the park.

Ancient sights of India

Outstanding monuments Ancient India- cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora, located 60 km from each other in the state of Maharashtra. The first temples at Ajanta were carved over several centuries, starting from the 2nd century BC. Cave village Ellora was created later, but is just as impressive in its scale: the complex includes 34 caves, and its central structure is the colossal Kailasanatha Temple. Cave temple complexes, many sculptures, remains of ancient paintings were also found on Elephanta Island in Mumbai waters of the Arabian Sea.

Among the main treasures of India protected by UNESCO is the Abandoned City of Hampi. It was in these places that some of the events described in the Ramayana unfolded. The Virupaksha Temple located in Hampi is still active.

In Amritsar, in the center of the artificial lake of the same name, stands the Sikh Golden Temple Harmandir Sahib, which can be reached over a narrow marble bridge.

For many travelers, imbued with the ideas of Buddhism, ancient temples scattered throughout the country become the strongholds of their travel.

In addition, get into Indian culture And centuries-old traditions in the Old Town of Gokarna, almost entirely composed of wooden houses, or in Little Tibet, the largest Buddhist community in India.

Panoramic view of the Taj Mahal from Airpano.com

Sights of Indian cities

The most popular Indian resort state of Goa should not be perceived only as a place for beach holiday. If you wish, you can create quite a varied excursion program, visiting Indian attractions: temples, churches and mosques, museums, historical quarters. For example, the Basilica of Jesus in Old Goa, elegant architectural ensemble Largo da Igreja in Panaji, main temple Goa - Sri Mangeshi. The resorts are close to the beautiful Dudhsagar Falls, the second largest in India. The best place for walking and buying souvenirs - 18th June Street in Panaji.

India's most recognizable architectural landmarks in Jaipur, the "Pink City", are located in the old quarter, where most of the stone houses have a distinctive pink or terracotta hue. The city contains a grandiose

Sights of India. The most important and interesting sights of Indian cities: photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

India is called the country of the brightest colors and the hottest spices, the cradle ancient civilization, the jewel of the English crown. In view of the incredibly rich natural and cultural values, this is true unique country. Indeed, those who have visited India at least once note its inherent fabulous atmosphere, as if it exists outside the world we are accustomed to. Meanwhile, the sights of India are very real and valuable, and some of them even replenish funds World Heritage humanity.

A small example for comparison: in South-East Asia There are 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 30 of them are in India. In addition, several dozen more Indian attractions are waiting their turn to confirm their involvement in the universal cultural and historical heritage.

Ahead of the rest of the planet is the glory of one of the seven wonders of the world, the most beautiful palace world, the architectural masterpiece of the Taj Mahal. It is believed that it was built in honor of the beloved wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, who died during her fourteenth (!) birth. More than 3 million tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year. And in Buddhist world The Mahabodhi Temple, built in the very place where the legendary Sidhartha achieved enlightenment, enjoys the same fame.

India is called the country of the brightest colors and the hottest spices, the cradle of ancient civilization, the pearl of the English crown. Due to its incredibly rich natural and cultural values, this is a truly unique country.

There is an equally romantic legend about the Dudhsagar waterfall - one of the largest waterfalls in the country. Its name translates as “sea of ​​milk”. According to legend, the young princess, while swimming in the clear waters of Dudhsagar, suddenly noticed the gaze of a young prince on her. In order to somehow hide her body, the girl poured a jug of milk into the water, and the water became opaque. By the way, here, in the foothills of the Western Ghats, there is another beautiful waterfall - Avralem. Unlike the graceful Dudhsagar, this one is more powerful and loud, but still no less impressive.

In northern Karnataka, the famous village of Hampi is a living example of the architecture of the ancient Vijayanagar Empire. The main asset of Hampi is temple complex Virupaksha, dating back even earlier than the empire itself, to the 7th century AD. In the same state you can visit Little Tibet - the center of Lamaist refugees who took refuge here from the persecution of the Chinese communist regime.

Prices for visiting Indian attractions for local and foreign tourists may differ by 10 or even 15 times.

The city of Delhi deserves special attention. Here you can visit the world’s tallest minaret - the Qutub Minar, the Mongolian tomb - the tomb of Humayun, many amazing temples, as well as a number of very diverse museums: National Museum, Gandhi Smirti Museum, Indira Gandhi Museum, Crafts Museum, national gallery contemporary art, Delhi Zoo, etc. One way or another, most trips around the country begin from here, so knowing about the capital’s beauties is useful and even necessary.

 

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