Splendoured Heritage - India

Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra Rock-cut caves set deep in the Sahyadri hills. It has a large relief depicting the death of the Buddha lying on the bed. Badrinath, Utter Pradesh Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One of the four pilgrimage spots for Hindus. Basilica of Bom Jesus, Velha, Goa (17th Century) The church houses the mortal remains of St.Francis Xavier. Bahai House of Worship, Delhi The lotus-shaped marvel in marble is referred to as the Taj Mahal of the 21st century. Completed in '86. Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri At 53.5 m., it is the highest gateway in India. Built by Akbar to commemorate his conquest of Khandesh in Gujarat. Chartminar, Hyderabad (1591) A majestic monument of four minarets, to commemorate the cessation of plague in the city, according to the chronicles. Dakshineshwar Temple, Calcutta (1855) Built by a Widow-devotee, Rani Rashmoni. Diwara Temples, Mount Abu A Jain pilgrimage center. There are two shrine : Adinath Temple (1031) and Nominate Temple (1230) Elehanta Caves, Maharastra (634) Situated on an island, Believed to be built by Pulakesini II of the Chalukya kingdom. Exquisite carvings depicting the myths of Shiva. Gateway of India, Bombay A triumphal arch built to commemorate visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. It is 26 feet tall. Golden Temple, Amritsar (1577) Holiest Sikh Shrine. Part of the exterior is gilded with gold leaf. The Hari mandir is in the midst of a pool. Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs. is enshrined inside. Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur (17th Century) Its dome is the second largest in the world. The whispering Gallery within is so called because even the gentlest whisper echoes across its great length. Hawa Mahal, (Palace of Winds) Jaipur (18th Century) The five storied facade of 953 windows was built for the women of the harem to look out without being seen themselves. Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1565) By the side of Mathura road, to the east of Hazarat Nizamu-ddin's shrine, this memorial was build by Humayun's senior widow (Haji Hamida Begum). Indian Gate, Delhi A memorial to over 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I. The names of 13,516 soldiers are inscribed on it. The arch rising to a height of 42 m. is surmounted by a stone bowl where since 1971 an eternal flame has been lit the Amar Jyothi - to honour the unknown soldier. Jagannath Temple, Puri (12th Century) 65m tall. Its conical pinnacle overlooks the landscape for miles around. Jama Masjid, Delhi The largest mosque in Delhi, built during Shah Jahan's reign. It is situated just opposite the Red Fort. Over 20,000 people can gather here at a time to pray. Jantar Mantar, Delhi The oldest observatory of its type, constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1725. It is dominated by a huge sundia. A similar observatory exists in Jaipur (Rajasthan). Jewish Synagogue, Cochin Built in 1568. The earliest surviving synagogue in India. It has the Great Scrolls of the Old Testament. Kailash Temple, Ellora Largest rock-cut shrine in India, 84m*47m. Carved our from the top of a hillock. Built during the reign of King Krishna I who ascended the throne in 760 AD. Khajuraho Temple (11th Century) 22 temples known for their graceful contours and erotic sculptures. Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar (11th Century) 36.5m tall. There is a triple tier of mouldings with numerous prestigious and sculpted niches. Mahabodh Temple, Bodhgaya (7th Century) Erected to mark the spot of the Buddha's enlightenment. The temple is a primodal tower 170ft. high, crowned by a bell-like stupa. Meenakshi Sundareswar Temple, Madurai The gateway are among the most elaborately carved in South India. Has about 30 million sculptures. Nalanda, Bihar (7th Century) Seat of learning in Cupta period, Hieun Tsang also studied here. Qutab Minar, Delhi Qutab Minar was built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the slave king in the 13th century as a victory tower. The 72.5m, five-story Minar of red sandstone has ornamental figure of Koranic inscriptions. In the center of its courtyard is an Iron Pillar erected by king Chandra Verman which has remained rest-free for more than 1500 years Rashtrapathi Bhawan, Delhi The official residence of the President of India, set in 330 acres of land. Formerly Vceregal Palace. Over looks a beautiful Mughal garden. It has 340 rooms, 37 salons, 74 lobbies and loggias, 1km. of corridor, 18 staircases and 37 fountains. Red Fort, Delhi The citadel of the seventh Delhi, Shahjahanabad, it is over 2km. in circumference and has within its precincts several beautiful offices. But by Shah Jahan in 17th century. The seat of Mughal power in India until 1857. Salim Chisti's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri (1572) Built after Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti's death. Tomb venerated by both Hindu and Muslims. Sanchi Stupa, Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh The great hemisphere is 120 ft. in diameter, and covers the relic of Gautama Buddha. Se Cathedral, Velha, Goa (1652) The largest church in Asia, it has a 80m long aisle and 14 altars. Of its five bells, one is the famous Golden bell, one of the best in the world. Shatrunjaya Hill Temples, Palitana, Gujarat The hill is crowned about a thousand magnificent Jain temples, which are marble structures built over a period of 900 years. Somnath Temple, Gujarat Legendary temple believed built by 'Moon God'. It treasures ransacked by Mahmud Ghazni seven times. It was also destroyed by Aladding Khilji and Aurangzeb, and every time it was rebuilt. Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat (1026) Built by a King Bhimdev I of Solanki Dybasty. Surya Temple, Konark (13th Century) The sun temple of 'Black Pagoda' conceived as a chariot of the sun god, Built by king Narasimha Dava I. Taj Mahal, Agra (1630 to 1648) One of the seven wonders of the world. Built of white marble by Emperor Shah Jahan to immortalize his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. The Bada Imambara, Lucknow Asia's largest vaulted hall. Vaishnodevi, Jammu A cave shrine in Trikuta mountains, an important pilgrimage center for Hindus. Victoria Memorial, Calcutta A marble monument commemorating the empress Victoria.