India attractions

Dating back to 1726, the Jantar Mantar is an observatory with 19 fixed astronomical instruments. The tools in this UNESCO World Heritage site can be used for everything from tracking astronomical movements to predicting eclipses. It's one of five such north Indian observatories, all of which were built by Jai Singh II.

At the heart of New Delhi is one of its most remarkable buildings, the Office and Residence of the President of India (Rashtrapati Bhavan). The 320-acre (130-hectare) complex comprises a palatial 340-room main building and sprawling Mughal gardens. Many visitors come to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, complete with horses and a brass band.

Old Delhi’s Jama Masjid(Masjid e Jahan Numa) is the largest mosque in India and an unmissable stop on any Delhi itinerary. Built between 1644 and 1658 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the mosque’s red sandstone and white marble domes, minarets, gateways, and arches are both grand in scale and elegance. Devout Muslims still come here to pray five times a day, while travelers stop by to marvel over the details.

One of Delhi’s biggest, newest, and most grandiose attractions, Swaminarayan Akshardham is a gorgeous temple complex. The vast grounds house not only a place of worship, but also an animatronics experience, an IMAX-style theater showing a film about the temple’s namesake, and a theme park–style boat ride.

Created in 1362, centuries before Udaipur was established, the freshwater Lake Pichola is surrounded by beautiful old palaces, temples, and homes, many dating back hundreds of years. The whitewashed Lake Palace that is situated on an island in the north part of the lake is now a hotel run by the luxury Taj Group.

Directly across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) offers a stunning perspective on Agra’s most beloved monument. While the views are the big draw of this 16th-century garden, it’s also worth a visit in its own right for its elegant landscape design and quiet ambiance.

Raj Ghat is a large outdoor complex that houses the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, who was cremated here in 1948. His cremation spot is marked by a black marble memorial, and an eternal flame is kept burning here in his honor. The words "Hey Ram" are inscribed on the side of the memorial, allegedly the mahatma's last words.

One of the biggest national parks in North India, Ranthambore National Park is particularly popular with travelers hoping to spot an elusive tiger in the wild. Although tigers are the main draw here, the reserve is home to other critters—including sambar deer, wild boars, sloth bears, striped hyenas, and hundreds of bird species—and a 10th-century fort.

Situated between Jaipur and Agra, Chand Baori is among the largest stepwells in the nation. Likely built in the eighth or ninth century, this functional yet beautiful structure is often likened to an M.C. Escher painting, with 3,500 symmetrical steps that zigzag to the bottom of the 66-foot-deep (20-meter) well.

Delhi’s Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most important Sikh sites of worship in the Indian capital. The white marble gurudwara (Sikh place of worship with its golden domes and large sacred pond was founded in the mid-17th century when the 6-year-old guru Harkrishan Dev stayed at the site. As at all Sikh gurudwaras, visitors are welcome, and it’s a beautiful sight.

On the banks of Lake Pichola, Udaipur City Palace showcases centuries of traditional architecture, starting from when the foundations were laid in the middle of the 16th century. Successive rulers added on to the original, resulting in what today is an enormous complex with 11 palaces connected by mazelike passageways.

The Elephanta Caves are among the most beautiful, historically significant attractions in Mumbai. Situated on an island off the coast, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features multiple rock-hewn cave temples and statues dating back to around the 7th century AD, including a celebrated statue of Shiva in his three-faced form.

Built in 1864, Eden Gardens is the oldest cricket ground in India and one of the largest in India and in the world, with a seating capacity of 68,000. Cricket is very popular in India, so watching a match or taking a tour of Eden Gardens is a good way to get an insight into sports and popular culture in this country.

Formerly known as Victoria Terminus (and still called "VT" by many), this train statio, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is best known for its over-the-top Indo-Saracenic architecture, which blends neo-Gothic elements with Mughal and Indian features. It's Asia's busiest train station—one you may have seen in the film Slumdog Millionaire.

A huge, 15th-century fortress overlooking the “blue city” of Jodhpur 410 feet (125 meters) below, Mehrangarh (Mehran Fort) is owned by the Jodhpur royal family to this day. The citadel is enclosed by thick, imposing walls and contains a museum, courthouses, gardens, and several magnificent palaces with vast courtyards and elaborate architecture.

Considered one of the world’s best examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture, the Albert Hall Museum houses the Government Central Museum (the oldest museum in Rajasthan). Inside this striking building, you’ll find an extensive collection of international art, miniature paintings, and artifacts—there's even an Egyptian mummy.

One of the largest wholesale spice markets in Asia, Old Delhi’s Khari Baoli is well worth a visit for the intensity of its sights and smells alone. Along with fresh spices of all shapes, sizes, and colors, this market sells myriad nuts, herbs, dry fruits, and grains—often displayed in heaping, photo-worthy mounds.

Bagore Ki Haveli is an 18th-century mansion (or haveli, with more than 100 rooms situated around pleasant courtyards. It originally served Mewar royalty before being left vacant for 50 years. The building has since been restored to its original architectural style, with rooms set up with period furnishings, and now operates as a museum.

Besant Nagar, a popular neighborhood in Chennai best known as the home of Elliot’s Beach, was named after British activist Annie Besant, a prominent member of the Theosophical Society and staunch supporter of Indian self-rule. Besant Nagar is also home to many of the city’s wealthy citizens.

The Attari-Wagah border is a crossing between India and Pakistan that is known for its Beating Retreat ceremony, which is held each evening as the border closes. Visit at the end of the day to see the guards from both sides march in elaborate military costumes and face-off across the border in front of packed crowds.

At the world’s largest outdoor laundry, every day for over 120 years the dirt has been washed from thousands of kilos of clothes by the dhobis (washermen and women of Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat. Formed back in 1890, the famous laundromat is celebrated by photographers who come to images of row upon row of washing troughs.

The Kerala backwaters refers to a large region spanning some 558 miles (900 kilometers) consisting of an interconnected network of brackish lagoons, lakes, and canals. The best way to truly experience this beautiful area is aboard a traditional houseboat; journeys last anywhere from a few hours up to a few nights.

Just outside Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Many believe that it was in this very town that Gautama Siddhartha first taught after reaching enlightenment, and it's an excellent place to visit if you want to learn about the history of Buddhism.

Nicknamed the Taj Mahal of Marwar, the Jaswant Thada is a marble cenotaph located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It was completed in 1899 as a memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur. Built in the style of a temple and enclosed by a lush garden, the resplendent building is a prime example of dazzling, go-for-broke Rajput architecture.

Jagdish Temple—in the heart of Udaipur's Old City—is a stone's throw from the City Palace. This 3-story structure dates back to 1651 and its architecture is the main draw. Its intricately sculpted bell roof and columns are stunning but it's also worth sticking around to listen to devotional singing—a regular feature here.

Also known as the Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, Mumbai's Hanging Gardens is a beautifully manicured park known for its extensive topiary, primarily carved into animal shapes. Due to the park’s location atop Malabar Hill, it's long been a popular spot to take in views of the Arabian Sea, particularly at sunset.

Situated in Rajasthan’s Aravalli Hills, not far from Amber Fort (Amer Fort), Nahargarh is the oldest of three forts built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh (Jai Singh II). Dating to 1734, this majestic fort—aka the Tiger Fort—is largely in a state of ruin, but is still worth a visit for its amazing view of Jaipur city below.

Situated on a quiet, leafy street, the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya occupies an old home where Gandhi would stay during his frequent trips to Mumbai from 1917 to 1934. Today it's one of many Gandhi museums spread across India that serve to educate the public about the mahatma and his mission.

The lively KR Market (also known as City Market or Krishnarajendra City Market is Bangalore’s largest and most vibrant market, dating back to 1928. A visit here is a great way to get a taste of local life and experience the ambiance of a traditional local market.

Saheliyon ki Bari means “Garden of the Maidens” in Hindi, and was built in the early 18th century for the women of the royal family. With fountains, lotus ponds, decorative pavilions, and marble elephants, the landscaped gardens are a relaxing place to take a walk. There’s also a small museum on-site with information on Rajasthani and Indian history.