India’s iconic architectural splendor is a great example of its gold past. The emperors of history left an impression of their rule as classical remains that speak a lot about their kings. Our country’s architectural heritage is our ancient property which needs to be carefully guarded so that future generations could know about it.
There are many known and unknown monuments in India, each of which has its own story. The impressive grandeur of some of them makes it relatively popular and important than others. So, I am going to write popular such monuments which are the big attraction for visitors coming from all over the world.
If you want to know about the monuments of India, you are at the right place. We curated the best and most popular monuments in India for your convenience.
Must-Visit Monuments in India
Here is the list of best monuments of India that you must visit once in a lifetime. Every Monument in India has its own stories that will amaze you.
1. Taj Mahal
Location – Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Among all the monuments of India, TajMahal is the most popular one around the world. It is one of the Seven wonders of the World and a symbol of true love.
The Taj Mahal is not just a tomb but much more than that. The Taj Mahal is situated in Agra, India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh. This is the height of expression of the architectural genius of the Mughal empire in the Indian subcontinent. Taj Mahal prompts many photographers and artists from the world to express different nuances of light and shadows in their work. Taj Mahal attracts people from all over the world for its history and its fascinating design. The Mughal empire made many tombs in the Indian subcontinent, but the Taj Mahal is finest among them.
Taj Mahal is located in Agra city of Uttar Pradesh, which is 200 km away from Delhi. If you use the Yamuna Expressway, then it is 165 km away.
The Taj Mahal is open from 6am to 7pm, but it is closed on Friday. On Friday the tourists are not allowed to go to the Taj Mahal campus.
2. Hawa Mahal
Location – Jaipur
Hawa Mahal is the most visited tourist destination of Jaipur also known as the pink city. It is famous for its picture-perfect look. Founded in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, this ‘Hawa ka Mahal’ is a symbol of Rajasthan’s colorful history and culture.
The Hawa Mahal is a part of the magnificent City Palace and it has a wonderful mix of Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. One of Rajasthan’s most notable monuments is made up of pink sandstone and is almost five stories high.
It was designed by Lal Chand Ustad. 953 small windows and curved dome makes pleasant scenes. Although the back part of the castle is not attractive and can discourage the tourists.
It is believed that the goal behind creating this fascinating palace was that women can feel the day-to-day activities of the palace without hesitation. The famous Observatory, Jantar Mantar’s spectacular and charming views, the magnificent City Palace and the Mandheer Bazaar filled with hustle, make the Hawa Mahal more attractive to the tourists.
History lovers can occasionally visit the museum here and take a glimpse of the splendid royal life. It is said that the beauty of this beautiful air palace increases when the golden rays of the sun in the morning touch it. So, come soon in this breathtaking and charming tourist destination and become the witness of the beauty of yourself.
3. Lotus Temple
Location – Delhi
Lotus Temple is a great sample designed by Fariborz Sahba. Its beautiful design makes it one of the best monuments of India to visit. Lotus Temple is located in the capital of India, Delhi. This temple is also known as the Mother Temple or Bahai because of the people of Bahai community worship here. It is located on the temple route of South Delhi.
You can also easily reach the Lotus Temple through the metro. It takes just 5 minutes to reach the Lotus Temple from Kalka Temple. If you can see it from the sky, you will feel as the lotus flower is floating on the blue water.
The entire structure is made up of nine inner petals, which has 9 small ponds all around. It is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer, while in the winter it is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. It is closed on Monday.
4. Mysore Palace
Location – Karnataka
Mysore Palace took about 15 years for the construction of this unprecedented structure for the Mysore Maharaja. It is a three-story structure and also known as Ambala Vilas. Mysore Palace surrounded by domes squared towers. In 1897 the original structure had crashed, therefore, it was rebuilt by the 24th Wodeyar king in the year 1912.
5. Sanchi Stupa
Location – Madhya Pradesh
One of the oldest stone structures in India, the great stupa of Sanchi is an important Buddhist monument. The great stupa of Sanchi is a symbol of the pride of the magnificent Buddhist monument, created by Emperor Ashoka in the honor of Lord Buddha. UNESCO has listed Sanchi Stupa in World Heritage Sites in India.
The magnificent Buddhist monument is surrounded by four doors. Each door of the Stupa is a symbol of love, faith, courage and peace. The stupa of Sanchi measures diameter approximately 37 meters and the height is 16 meters.
This location is also a good picnic spot for nearby people. The environment around here is clean and pollution is very less.
6. Qutub Minar
Location – Delhi
Qutub Minar, 72.5 meters high, is the tallest tower in India. This monument is a special identity of Delhi as you can see a picture on the Delhi Metro Card. Qutb-ud-Din Aibak started the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1192. It is made up of red stone and marble. It was later constructed by Iltutmish.
There are 379 staircases in this five-story tower. But due to some accidents, entry inside is not allowed. The design of the Qutub Minar is done in such a manner that there is a special pattern on every floor. The first floor or base is given an Alternate Angular shape. There is a green park surrounded by a tower.
There is also a mosque named Quwat-ul-Islam, in the Qutub Minar complex. It is said that it was the first mosque built in India. Nobody can ignore the seven-meter high iron pillar in this mosque.
7. Victoria Memorial
Location – Kolkata
A unique mixture of European architecture and Mughal arts, Victoria Memorial is one of the most spectacular monuments in India. It is a domed structure Spread over 64 acres, made of white marble. This museum made of white marble brought from Makrana of Rajasthan and contains a large collection of remains of the British monarchy that ruled India.
8. Gateway of India
Location – Mumbai
Gateway of India is located in Mumbai, which was built to welcome King George V and Queen Mary. We get a glimpse of the British architecture in its design. This is one of the best tourist destinations in Mumbai.
If you are in Mumbai and you haven’t seen the Gateway of India, that means you have seen nothing.
9. Charminar
Location – Hyderabad
Hyderabad, popularly known as the city of beads and Nawabs, is also known for its excellent masterpiece Charminar, without any doubt. It has been standing with a magnificent example of beauty for the past 400 years.
Charminar is an exemplary example of Islamic architecture, the Charminars have been assisted by huge arches and its four directions reflect the original position. Once you go to see the magnificence of this building, you can take advantage of some local dishes, especially Hyderabadi Biryani in market, or buy beautiful pearls and souvenirs.
10. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Location – Mumbai
This huge structure is one of the 32 World Heritage Sites in India, which is listed by UNESCO. It was built in 1887 in honor of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. It serves as the headquarters of the central railway and is also one of India’s busiest railway stations.
11. India Gate
Location: Rajpath, India.
India Gate is a war memorial located near Rajpath, New Delhi. It is also known as Kingsway. India Gate is famous all around the world because it is a memorial to 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army. These soldiers died in the First World War (1914–21).
12. Konark Sun Temple
Location: Puri, Orissa
This Hindu temple is dedicated to God Surya. The Sun Temple is carved from stone and its architecture is a 100-foot (30 m) high chariot with immense wheels and horses. Initially, the hight of the temple was over 200 feet (61 m) but now the architecture is degrading day by day due to natural causes and pollution.
13. Bara Imambara
Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
The Bara Imambara is the famous Monument in Lucknow which was built by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh in 1784. This place is also known as Asafi Imambara. The whole architecture of Imambara includes large Asfi mosque, the Bhul-bhulaiya (the labyrinth), and Bowli. It is said that you can reach the terrace in 1024 different ways but you can get down by only 1 way.
14. Khajuraho group of monuments
Location: Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is located in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is a group of Hindu temples and Jain temples built between 950 and 1050 by the Chandela dynasty. The Khajuraho Monuments in India are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures.
15. Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
Location: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
The Jaisalmer Fort is located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan which is built in 1156 AD by the Rajput Rawal (ruler) Jaisal. It is believed that this is one of the fewer living forts in the world. The fort is 1,500 ft (460 m) long and 750 ft (230 m) wide and the inner-wall perimeter of the fort is about 2.5 mi (4.0 km) long.
16. Golden Temple
Location: Amritsar, Punjab
The Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara is located in Amritsar, Punjab. It is the holiest Gurdwara in India and not only Sikh but all the Indians feel the positivity at this temple. The temple has a 24×7 langar facility that serves food to all the pilgrims.
The Golden temple is built in 1577 by Guru Ram Das. It is constructed around a man-made pool (sarovar) and the temple is situated in the middle of Sarovar.
17. Akshardham
Location: Delhi
Akshardham, also known as the Swaminarayan Akshardham complex is a Hindu temple that was officially opened on 6 November 2005 by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in the presence of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Manmohan Singh, L.K Advani and B.L Joshi.
The mandir is a humble tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781- 1830). It is also a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony.
18. Jama Masjid
Location: Delhi
Masjid e Jahan Numa commonly known as the Jama Masjid is situated in Delhi. It is one of the largest mosques in India. The Masjid was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656 AD with three great gates and two 40 meters high minarets at a cost of one million rupees. It was inaugurated by Imam Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari from Bukhara, present-day Uzbekistan.
19. Red Fort, Delhi
Location: Delhi
The Red Fort is one of the UNSECO Herigate of World in India. This historic fort is situated in Delhi. The Prime Minister hoists the Indian “tricolour flag” at the main gate of the Red Fort every year on the Independence day of India (15 August). After that, he delivers a nationally broadcast speech from its ramparts.
20. Agra Fort
Location: Agra
The Red Fort Agra or Agra fort is one of the historical for in India and one of the most visited monuments in India along with Tajmahal by foreigners. It is situated about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal.
The Agra fort was the main residence of the Mughal Dynasty emperors until 1638 when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi.
Read More, Famous Caves in India to visit once if you are into History
These are a few famous monuments in India that one must visit if they have an interest in History. These places tell a lot about the past of India. Do share your experiences of visiting any of these monuments of India with us in comments.
