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WORLD HERITAGE SITES – THE GEMS OF INDIA

India grasps an unmatched status across the world for its exquisite architectural beauty and heritage. Indian monuments truly reflect the country’s rich and glorious past.  The world heritage monuments in India, cutting across all ages, take us to myriad cultures, traditions and way of life. A large number of monuments located in different parts of the country showcases their architectural legacy, history and culture.

Indian Safaris and Holidays bring you the details of some of the World heritage monuments  in India.

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

New Delhi owns a number of historical monuments that are very well-renowned across the world. While visiting the ancient architectural relics, the city will take you to the era of Maurya and Mughal Dynasty. The earliest  architectural  relics date back to  the Maurya period since then, the site has seen  continuous  settlement. Humayun’s Tomb  was built  for Humayun’s widow , Hamida Banu Begum.  Designed by Persian  architect, Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, the  construction of the structure began in 1562 and completed in 1565.  The tomb established  a standard for all the other Mughal monuments, which followed its design , most notably the Taj Mahal. 

Qutab Minar, Delhi, World Heritage Monuments in India

The Qutab Minar   is located in Qutab Complex, Mehrauli in South Delhi. It was built by  Qutub-ud-din Aibak. It is a fluted red sandstone tower,  which tapers up to a height of 72.5 meters and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Quran. Qutab-ud-din Aikab began constructing this victory tower as a sign of Muslim domination of Delhi and as a minaret of the muezzin to call the faithful to offer the prayer.

The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra which is  regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world. It was built by Mughal emperor, Shah Jehan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the most beautiful monument built by the  Mughals in India its stunning  architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset and The Taj seems to glow in the light of a full moon.

The Agra Fort is another prestigious monument in Agra. The great Mughal Emperor, Akbar  commissioned the construction  of the Agra Fort in 1666, A.D. although  additions were made till the time of his grandson Shah Jehan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid -–a white marble mosque akin to a perfect  pearl; Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Musamman Burj – where Shah Jehan died in 1666 A.D. Jehangir’s Palace; khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal.

Ellora Caves

Ajanta and Ellora  are the pride of Maharashtra. The rock-cut caves of both sites are world famous and illustrate the degree of skill and artistry  that Indian craftsmen has achieved several hundred years ago.  The village of Ajanta is the Sahyadiri hills, about 99 kms from Aurangabad; a few miles away in a mammoth horseshe-formed rock,a re 30 caves overlooking a gorge, each forming a room in the hill and some with inner rooms.

Elephanta Caves, Mumbai, World Heritage Monuments in India

Elephanta Caves are also know as  Gharapuri. Visit this Green Island of the wonders of the 7th century. This painstakingly hewn rock-cut  cave temple is dedicated to Shiva.  The Maheshamurti panel in which  Shiva is shown as a creator, protector and destroyer, is a sight that should be enjoyed at least, once-in-a-lifetime.

Stupas of Sanchi

Located in Madhya Pradesh, the Stupas of Sanchi, owned the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sanchi (the village) is know for  housing a number of Buddhist structures, like  stupas, monasteries, temples, pillars etc.  The `Great Stupa` at Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India. The stupa was originally commissioned by the Emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BC. Its nucleus was simple hemispherical brick  structure  built over the relics of the Buddha. 

Temples of Khajuraho, World Heritage Monuments in India

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments  are India’s unique gifts to the world. Life in every  form and mood has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman’s artistry but also to the extra  ordinary  breadth   of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were  conceived  and constructed.  The Khajurhao temples were built in  the short span of a hundred years from 950 – 1050AD in truly  inspired burst of creativity.  The 22 temples out of 85 original temples have   survived till today to constitute one of the world’s great artistic  wonders.  Three geographical  divisions, group the temples in western, eastern and southern  complexes.  The three main components are the entrance  (ardha-mandapa), assembly hall (mandapa) and sanctum (garbha griha)  with further additionas in the more developed temples.

Hampi

Hampi is  a village in northern Karnataka state. 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  Vrirupaksha Temple, as well as several other monuments  belonging to the old city. The ruins  are a UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Site, listed as group of monuments at Hampi. Virupaksha Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Kings Palace, Mahanavami Dibba, Queens Bath, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, Pushkarni, Hazara Ram Temple are some must see places here. 

Sun Temple, Puri

One of the most stunning monuments of  religious significance ,a true masterpiece  of architecture proudly  stands in the form of Sun Temple at Konark. A culmination of Oriya architecture, the temple is a wonderful place as the language of stone defeats the human language here. Built in the 13th century by Kings Narasimhadeva, the temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with seven horses  and twelve wheels, carrying the sun god, Surya, across heavens.  Located at a manageable  distance from the seat of Lord Jaganath Puri at 35 kms.  The name of Konark Temple is amalgamation of two wrods Kona meaning corner and Arka meaning the Sun.

Chittaurgarh Fort, Rajasthan

Hill Forts of Rajasthan, are  a series of sites located rocky outcrops of the Aravalis mountain rage in Rajasthan. They represent  a typology  of Rajput Military hill architecture, a  style characterised by its mountain peak settings, utilising the defensive properties of  the terrain.  It represents number of hill forts and is said to express the development of Rajput defensive architecture  which Rajput forts are well known for the defensive.  Architecture. They  enclose large territories and even complete  villages in walled compounds. The property consisits of Chittaurgarh Fort, Kumbalgarh Fort, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort, Amber Fort, Jaisalmer Fort. Due to the variety of built structures in each hill fort, only the most significant element of each complex are described.

Kalka-Shimla Mountain Railway

The Mountain Railways of India   is one of the gems included in the world heritage properties from India. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways; the Nilgiri Mountain Railways and the Kalka-Shimla railways have  collectively been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  There are only six or seven  narrow lines out of 20 which are  operational around the world. These lines were built the 19th and early 20th century by British colonial rule. The Indian  Railways run them.  Four of these  seven narrow lines, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1881), the Kalka-Shimla Railway (1898)  the Kangra Valley Railway (1924) and the Kashmir Railway  (2005) are in the rugged hill regions of the Himalayas of Northern India while two  are further down south in the western  Ghats;  the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Matheran Hill Railway in Maharashtra and Lumding-Silchar line, built  at the turn of the 20th century, lies deep inside Assam, in the Barak river valley of the Cachar Hills.

Are you feeling inspired and ready to get started? We’d love to assist with the planning of your  holiday to India. At Indian Safaris, all our tours are private and tailor-made to suit your taste, budget and requirement. To get started, please get in touch. . Or, for inspiration, you might like to browse our sample itineraries by clicking here.

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