India attractions

In the heart of Hampi's royal area, the Hazara Rama Temple was once the private temple of the Vijayanagara rulers. It was built in the 15th century in honor of the god Ram and features carvings depicting tales from the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.

For almost three centuries, Gangaikonda Cholapuram served as the capital of the Chola Empire, which once stretched from southern India to Sri Lanka. Today, this city in Tamil Nadu is known for the grandeur of its Chola-built architectural landmarks. Among them, the Brihadisvara Temple—still a place of active Shiva worship—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and most revered.

Ahmedabad’s ornate Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kalupur temple belongs to the Swaminarayan Sampraday sect of Hinduism. It was built during the early 19th century and comprises several buildings, including the main temple, a women’s temple, mansions, and gateways. It’s a beautiful place to visit, whatever your culture or faith.

On a 1,100-foot (335-meter) hilltop overlooking Dal Lake, Srinagar's Shankaracharya Temple is believed to be the oldest shrine in the Kashmir Valley. Although it's dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this temple is named after the Hindu sage Adi Shankara, also known as Shankaracharya, who was responsible for disseminating nondual Hindu beliefs throughout the subcontinent.

Early human inhabitants of India sketched mythical animals, dance and battle scenes, Hindu gods, and human figures on the walls of the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising about 700 caves and shelters in the Vindhyan Hills of west-central Madhya Pradesh. Some of the rock art, among the oldest in India, dates back to the Late Paleolithic Period, and is, by some accounts, roughly 30,000 years old.

Dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni Church is a Roman Catholic church located on the coast south of Tamil Nadu, in the town of Velankanni. The structure as it stands today was consecrated in 1962 and granted the status of a minor basilica by Pope John XXIII.

The red sandstone Junagarh Fort seems to rise organically from the Thar Desert around Bikaner. The 16th-century fort is a must-visit attraction in the northern Rajasthani city and is as well-maintained on the inside as it is outside, with beautiful interior details and museum displays. You could spend a long time wandering between the courtyards, palaces, and temples of the large complex.

India is a fantastic destination for birders, and while many people don’t think of the Delhi area as a good place for birdwatching, the Okhla Bird Sanctuary will open their eyes. Spread out over around 1.5 square miles (4 square kilometers) on the outskirts of town, this protected area provides refuge for hundreds of types of birds.

Spanning 450 feet (137 meters) across the Ganges River in upper Rishikesh, the Ram Jhula suspension bridge connects the Muni Ki Reti area with Swargashram across the water. It's one of two main bridges in this part of town (the other is the Janki Setu Bridge) and serves as a primary thoroughfare for pedestrians wishing to cross the sacred river.

Situated in the historic city of Hampi, the magnificent Vittala Temple is an exquisite example of the historic Dravidian architecture that earned Hampi UNESCO World Heritage status. Take a journey through history as you explore the ancient halls and shrines in this 15th-century masterpiece, one of the city’s star attractions.

Situated inside the hilltop Dungeshwari Caves (also known as the Pragbodhi Caves), this temple marks the spot where the Buddha is believed to have spent many years performing austerities. The main temple features a statue of an emaciated Buddha, representing the Buddha in a state of near starvation. There are a few other Buddhist and Hindu shrines in the caves, including one dedicated to the goddess Dungeshwari.

Science City Kolkata is a huge science park, consisting of a museum, outdoor gardens, auditoriums, and a convention center, which is packed with fun interactive exhibits. It’s extremely family friendly, and explores everything from space to ecosystems, dinosaurs, evolution, and much more. You won’t struggle to fill a full day here, which makes the trip from central Kolkata truly worthwhile.

Although Aurangabad is known as the jumping-off point for the UNESCO-listed Ellora and Ajanta Caves, fewer travelers know about the Aurangabad Caves cave complex within the city limits. The 6th–7th-century Buddhist caves are smaller than their more famous counterparts but are similar in style to the Ajanta Caves and worth visiting if you have extra time in Aurangabad.

Built into the rocky hills of high-altitude Ladakh, the 15th-century Thiksey Monastery is one of the most dramatic Buddhist sites in the northern Indian territory. With its angular whitewashed brick buildings, it resembles the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the former home of the Dalai Lamas. It’s a working monastery, but you're welcome to visit.

Held every year during the month of Kartik in the fall, the Pushkar Camel Fair is a five-day event that draws in camel traders from across Rajasthan and beyond. It’s also a major tourist event, with a solid selection of cultural activities ranging from camel races to mustache competitions.

Dating to the 15th century, the Mangla Gauri Temple is one of India's 51 Shakti Peethas—a temple built to mark spots where the Goddess Sati's body parts fell after her death. It's considered an important pilgrimage spot for Hindus, particularly those who follow Shakta (goddess worship) traditions.

Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is among the oldest mosques in Rajasthan, if not India, and is one of the more popular attractions in Ajmer. Its name, which means (roughly) the two-and-a-half-day hut, comes from a legend that it was built in that short period.

Nicknamed Paradise Beach, Palolem is among the most popular South Goa beaches, and for good reason. Its beautiful, clear waters and pale sand appeal to those searching for relaxation. Though there are certainly plenty of beach shacks, a few minutes' walk down the shore will bring you to quiet, uncrowded stretches of sand and sea.

Three centuries ago, this village in the heart of Rajasthan was a prosperous community of Paliwal Brahmins, members of the Hindu priest caste. Today it’s a barren ghost town, said to have been abandoned in the early 1800s due to political intrigue or an effective curse, depending on whom you ask. With its preserved houses surrounded by ruins, the village can be visited on a day trip from Jaisalmer.

Ahmedabad’s Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is an exquisitely beautiful building with a fascinating history. The 16th-century mosque features fine carved stone screens depicting the tree of life, which have become an artistic symbol of the city. It was built by Sidi Saiyyed, a pre-Mughal sultan descended from slaves and laborers brought from Ethiopia. Their descendents still live in parts of Gujarat today.

Close to the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, the Tibetan Monastery is a residential monastery for Tibetan Buddhists and a popular spot for visitors. This multistory temple is built in the traditional Tibetan style and features a massive Dharmachakra (Wheel of Law), prayer flags, and other religious art.

The focal point of the Rajasthani town of Pushkar, Pushkar Lake is a body of water flanked by temples and a total of 52 ghats (steps leading down into the water). It’s considered incredibly sacred, and many pilgrims come to the town to take a dip in its holy waters.

Maharashtra’s compact Karnala Bird Sanctuary is a protected greenspace that provides a habitat for hundreds of species of birds, monkeys, antelope, and butterflies. It's also the site of Karnala Fort, also known as Funnel Hill, a popular trekking destination among day-trippers from Mumbai.

Dating from the late 18th century, the Alwar City Palace is an excellent example of blended Rajput and Islamic architecture. Originally built as a regal residence, it now houses government offices amongst its beautiful arches and pavilions.

An architectural marvel, Kothari’s Patwon Ki Haveli is the first, finest, and largest of five sections of Jaisalmer’s most elaborate haveli, a traditional manor house with intricate carvings and large courtyards. Dating back to the 19th century, this sandstone mansion showcases exquisite craftsmanship, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of bygone Rajasthani merchants, and is today a public heritage museum.

Camels are a common sight in Rajasthan and are an important part of the desert state’s ecosystem and workforce. Learn more about the hump-backed, long-legged creatures at Bikaner’s National Research Centre on Camel, run by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Tour the museum, ride camels, coo over babies, and even cool off with camel milk ice cream or lassi.

This landmark, yellow-sandstone mosque is a standout in Gujarat, with its blend of Hindu, Jain, and Islamic design elements. Built as the principal place of worship for Muslims during the reign of Sultan Ahmed Shah I, the mosque was once among the largest in India and is a must-visit for travelers interested in Indo-Islamic history and architecture.

On the outskirts of Gurugram in India’s National Capital Region, Sultanpur National Park is a bird-watcher’s paradise. Within a short drive of the city, its wide-open spaces and lake are home to a wealth of migratory and resident bird species, which you’ll spot either from observation towers dotted around the site or as you wander its grounds.

Also known as the Lotus Palace or the Chitrangini Mahal, the three-story Lotus Mahal was built for one of the wives of Krishnadevaraya, a Vijayanagara ruler. Its "air-conditioning" system is notable, featuring water piped through the structure's beams and columns to keep its interiors cool.

On a hilltop overlooking the lakefront pilgrimage town of Pushkar, the Savitri Temple is dedicated to the goddess Savitri, Brahma’s first wife. This compact temple houses a small idol of the goddess and sees plenty of religious visitors, while the views it offers of Pushkar’s lake and skyline are its biggest draw for other travelers.