Wonders of India | Wonders in India | Top Wonders in India

The Wonder of India - Taj Mahal, Agra:

Taj Mahal of India - "the symbol of love", a description of divinity of love. The monument has immeasurable beauty where every thing talks about the immense story of love of a husband Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mehal. The beauty of this astronishing monument is such that the words are not sufficient for its description. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan got this monument constructed in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, with whom he fell in love at the first sight. The Taj Mahal is full with the mesmerizing feeling of love that make you fell in love with it in first sight.

The banks of River Yamuna gives a majestically effect of the beauty of Taj Mehal. Taj Mahal is a second name of love and romance. The purity of the white marble, the exquisite ornamentation, precious gemstones used and its charming location, all these enhance the elegance to Taj Mahal. However, without knowing the love story behind the Tajmahal of India, it will just a spectacular monuments but, the love behind this stunning monument given a life to it.

It took around 22years to build this monument of immeasurable beauty. The construction of Taj Mahal started in the year 1631. An epitome of love, it made use of the services of 22,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants. It was built entirely out of white marble, which was brought in from all over India and central Asia. After an expenditure of approximately 32 million rupees (approx US $68000), Taj Mahal was finally completed in the year 1653.

Taj Mahal architecture is a kind of combination of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture. The main gateway, with its domed central chamber, is situated at the end of the long watercourse. On one side of the Taj Mahal is the Mosque and on the other, the Naqqar Khana, built mainly to maintain its symmetry. The main building, that of the Taj itself, stands on a raised, square platform with its four abridged corners, forming an unequal octagon. The architecture of Taj Mahal of Agra has made use of the interlocking arabesque concept.

You can experience the real exquisiteness of the Taj whenever you visit, whether its early morning or afternoon or evening. But, its splendor during nighttime, especially at moonlit nights, can not grape in words. The rays of the moon light up the entire monument and lend it a faint silvery glow. Taj Mahal looks so mesmerizing on a full moon night that you will not even notice how the night passed and the sun came to bathe it in shades of pink.

Standing majestically on the bank of River Yamuna, which otherwise serves as a wide moat defending the Great Red Fort of Agra, the center of the Mughal emperors until they moved their capital to Delhi in 1637.

The Wonder of India - Golden Temple - Amritsar:

Golden Temple, one of the spiritually beautiful and famous place of Sikhs culture. It is situated in Amritsar, the capital of a beautiful state of rivers Punjab. An unforgettable architecture and a samovar (lake) around give an elegant look to it. It is covered with a layer of gold on the top both inside and outside of the gurudawara. In simple words if we say it is a perfect place for your internal peace and harmony. It is a symbol of the magnificence and strength of the Sikh people all over the world. People from all over the world wishes to be the part of Ardas at Sri Harmandir Sahib.

Golden Temple is also known with the name of Harmandir Sahib and Sri Darbar Sahib. The Harmandir Sahib is one of the famous gurudawara of sikhisim. The eternal Guru the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, is kept inside and it is consider as a god of Sikh religion. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the holiest literature in the Sikh religion, on 7 October 1708 the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh had made guru granth sahib the eternal Sikh Guru and the leader of Sikhism.

The main structure of Sri Harmandir Sahib, functionally as well as technically is a three-storied one. It is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar. The temple is made up in 40.5ft. square and it is surrounded with the path. The lake around and the lighting gives an unforgettable view when the sun sets. It has doors in each direction i.e. East, West, North and South. The bridge is connected with the 13 feet wide ‘Pardakshna’ (circumambulatory path).

On the top of the first floor ,4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides which has also four ‘Mamtees’ on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall of the main sanctuary rises the third story. It is a small square room and has three gates around. A continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib is held there. On the top of this room stands the low fluted ‘Gumbaz’(dome) having lotus petal motif in relief at the base inverted lotus at the top which supports the ‘Kalash’ having a beautiful ‘Chhatri’ at the end.

Its unique architecture represents synchronization between the Muslims and the Hindus by the way it is constructed and this is considered the best architectural specimens of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an exclusive architecture of oneness in the history of art in India. It is a place of both stupendous beauty & sub line peacefulness.

The Wonder of India - Tawang Monastery - Arunachal Pradesh:

The famous Tawang Monestry located at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in the year 1680-81. The name Tawang means Chosen Horse. It is also known in another Tibetan name known as Galden Namgey Lhatse, which means a true name within a celestial paradise in a clear night. It is cosidered to be the second largest monastery in asia after the first one in Tibet.

The monastery stands on the spur of a hill, about 10,000 feet above sea level and has ravines in the south and west, narrow ridge on the north and gradual slope on the east. It is about 925 feet long and the height varies from about ten to twenty feet. It offers a commanding and picturesque view of the Tawang-chu valley. From a distance it appears like a fort as if guarding the votaries in the wide valley below.The approach to the monastery is from the north along the ridge. Just near the entrance to the monastery there is a building housing the dung-gyur mani from where the water is fetched for use in the monastery.

A colossal richly gilded statue of Lord Buddha occupies the middle of the northern side .To the south of its is the kakaling, the entrance gate. The kakaling is a hut-like structure with its two lateral walls made of staone. It serves as a gate. After passing through the kakaling there is a big gate further south which is without any door. There are two slits in the wall to see out through all along the outer side of the eastern wall connecting this gate with the kakaling. The most imposing building of the monastery is the assembly hall known as Dukhang. It is a three-storied building standing on thenorthern side of the court and houses the template and the Labrang (The establishment of the Abbot.). It is said that the yarn given by the Vth Dalai Lama to Merak Lama enclosed the area bounded by the four walls. The entire eastern half of the monastery is covered with sixty residential quarter's called (Sha/Hut) for housing the resident monks.

Though it has the capacity for housing about seven hundred monks, the actual number of resident lamas (monks) at present is a little more than 450. Each of these dormitories has been constructed by a group of villagers on voluntary basis. In addition to the Tawang monastery, the town has a Handicrafts Center, which was started to promote the small-scale industries for local handicrafts. It also houses the Parkhang library: a collection of the 400-year-old Kangyurs which consists of 110 volumes with 400-500 pages in each bundle in addition to invaluable manuscripts. Other large collections include the Sutras, Tangym, Sungbhum, old books and other manuscripts, both handwritten and printed, many of them in gold. The collection has a total of 850 bundles.

This monastery is the fountain-head of the spiritual life of the people of this region. In brief, this monastery is simply awe-inspiring and majestic in its appearance and grandeur. A visit of Tawang Monastery is most spiritually refreshing experience.

The Wonder of India - Sun Temple, Konark , Orrissa:

The glorious Sun Temple is also known with names of Konark, Arkakshetra, and Konaditya. This beautiful monument was built by the King Narasimhadeva in the thirteenth century is one of the grandest temples of India and was referred to as the Black Pagoda .The magnificent Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa is the zenith of Orissan temple architecture, and one of the most astonishing monuments representing religious architecture in the world. The temple was designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with seven horses and twenty four wheels, carrying the sun god, Surya, across the heavens.

The black pagoda at Konarak is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the convolution and abundance of sculptural work. The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot drawn by seven horses marking the 7 days of the week. The huge 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, wonderfully carved and adorned, mark the hours of the day. It is a masterpiece of Orissa's medieval architecture.

All around the temple, there are various floral and geometric patterns. Around the base of the temple, and up the walls and roof, are carvings in the erotic style. There are images of animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. There are three images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset. The massive structure of the temple, now in ruins, sits in solitary splendor surrounded by the drifting sands. The ruins of this temple were excavated in late 19th century.

Konark is also known as Konaditya. The name Konark is derived form the words Kona - Corner and Arka - Sun; it is situated on the north eastern corner of Puri or the Chakrakshetra. Konark is also known as Arkakshetra.

This temple was visualize by the Ganga ruler Narasimha Deva but not able complete fully. It is said by the old people that the main idol of the Sun God on which the suns rays fall in the morning is said to have been removed by some Portuguese navigators. The temple now comprises only of the sabhamandap and the natamandir, the main temple was deteriorates down many years ago.

It takes the form (Arka) of the chariot of Surya, the sun god, and is heavily decorated with stone carving. The entire complex was designed in the form of a huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels. The entrance is guarded by two lions, which are each shown crushing a war elephant. Each elephant in turn lies on top of a human body. The temple symbolizes the majestic stride of the Sun god.

The Wonder of India - Khajuraho - Madhya Pradesh:

One of the most popular destinations among who want to experience the rich cultural heritage of India, Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculpture. Khajuraho is a village situated in Madhya Pradesh, near Chhatarpur. Khajuraho, was known with the name of "Kharjuravahaka", which was derived from the Sanskrit word kharjur meaning date palm.

This beautiful temple is made up of sandstone, the actual hard stones were not used in its designing. The sandstones are held with the help mortise and tenon method with gravitational force. This form of construction should be done in a very precise manner so as to make it more stable. The megaliths stone which is weigh about 20 tons were use to build the pillar and architraves of the temple. This temple attracts the viewer with its unique state of architecture and the work done on its walls, pillars and roof. The construction of these Temples is made up in north Indian 'nagara' style. Thousand years old, these temples crosses over two centuries, in terms of architecture and sculpture.

Khajuraho is filled with of passion, eroticism, dance and music and other finesses of creative arts depicted in its sculpture and images of the temples.

Khajuraho temples attribute to the unique glory and special character. A thousand years ago, 85 temples which were splendorous in its looks and are splendidly carved, under the generous and artistic Rajput kings of Central India, had came up at one place, near the Khajuraho village.

The 9th to 12th century temples of Khajuraho are the evidences of the architectural brilliance during the times of Chandela dynasty. These temples represent religiosity, patronage, artistic genius and aesthetic sensibility all at once.

Khajuraho temples are much different from any other temple city of India. It is not about religious conviction, worshipping and divinity. The temples of Khajuraho are instead famous for the eroticism etched on its walls in the form of sculptures.

Khajuraho group of temples situated in the Centre of India is one of the most famous manifestations of Indian architecture. Over 20 of the original 85 temples had witness thousand of years despite being lost into obscurity they are still holding their identity from centuries.

The Wonder of India - Jaisalmer Fort - Rajasthan:

Jaisalmer Fort one of the well known place to experience the aesthetic ancient India. An name with which it is also known is "The Golden Fort". It was build by a rajput raja Rawal jaisal in Jaisalmer city of slightly Rajasthan in 1156 AD. Jaisalmer Fort one of the largest of desert forts of the world and stands proudly like a king in the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill from centuries with same pride. It’s Gargantuan yellow sandstone walls looks like an amber lion color during the day time, eye catching gold colour at the time of sun sets and ads on to the beauty.

The architecture of the fort was planned ingenious so as to protect it from every kind of trouble. The walls of the fort contains 3 layers in it i.e the outer layer wall, middle layer wall and the inner most layer. The outer layer is constructed with solid stone blocks and it reinforces the loose rubble of Trikuta Hill. The middle wall snakes around the fort. From the inner most wall, the Rajput used to hurl boiling oil and water, and round blocks of rock as missiles on the enemies when they able to cross the second wall so as to safeguard every one.

Though India is full of historical monuments and you can find its evidence all over the India but this 800 years old Fort will not let your eye move from it. Golden fort is the second oldest in Rajasthan and is famous for its own glorious heritage. Walking through the narrow lanes is an experience worth wallowing.

The fort has four huge entrances, Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoot Pol and Hawa Pol, to enter into havelis. It has decorations on walls and ceilings and carvings on outdoors and interiors inspired from 12th to 15th century.

This gorgeous fort gives a feel like someone had take it out straight from the fairy tales and put it into the golden sand of Rajasthan. The screen windows, delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies of the mansions are worth your visit to jaisalmer fort. This is an superb examples of great ancient architecture of India.

The Wonder of India - Red Fort - Delhi:

Red Fort, Delhi was laid on the banks of the Yamuna River in the 17th century. The Red Fort also known as Lal Qil'ah or Lal Qila was the made by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. This is known as the shajha’s new capital, Shahjahanabad, the seventh Muslim city in the Delhi. The Great emperor of Mughal Shajahan had built it with the desire of spreading the Mughal power of success between 1638 and 1648. This is not right to say Monument for it, it is more like a small city of mughals. The fort is contentment example of one’s brilliant minds imagination.

The fort has two main entrances – one is a Delhi Gate and another is a Lahore Gate. The entrance of Delhi Gate leads to Delhi's most famous and crowded place, Chandni Chowk. The shajha had created this small city when he moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. The Red Fort gets its name from the hefty wall of huge red sandstone that tells us its four sides. The red fort stands at the eastern edge of Shahjahanabad.

The fort lies along the Yamuna River, which fed the fosse that surround most of the wall. The design and esthetics of the Red Fort represent the elevation of Mughal imaginativeness, originality and zeal of power which prevailed during kingdomship of Shah Jahan. Inside the fort there are many small museums which include artifacts related to the independence as well the Mughal period.

The Red Fort was originally known as "Qila-i-Mubarak" which means “the blessed fort”, because it was the residence of the royal family.

The Fort has the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall for Public Audiences, where the Emperor would sit to hear the complaints and problem of the common people. There is another place as Diwan-i-Khas which is the hall of Private Audiences, where the Emperor held private meetings. The Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colours' was the house of the Emperor's wives and mistresses and holds a spectacular Lotus shaped fountain, made out of a single piece of marble. The palace was embellish with excellent paintings, gold bordered projections, variegation of mirrors and the ceiling was made with gold and silver which reflected in a central pool and gives an elegant look.

It took almost took nine years to build this indomitable bastion and it got accomplished on 16th April 1648. It is said that it got an expenditure of about one crore rupees, an enormous sum in those days, its construction. Half of this total squander was spent to build only the exotic palaces within the fort. In short if we describe the Red Fort then it is an perfect paradigm of intelligence of our kings and the Indian rich heritage.

The Wonder of India - Nalanda University - Bihar:

Nalanda is the name of an ancient university in Bihar, India. The site of Nalanda is located in the Indian state of Bihar, about 55 miles south east of Patna, and was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 to 1197 CE. It has been called "one of the first great universities in recorded history.

Nalanda is one of the first great universities in recorded history. The name of Nalanda has been derived from Sanskrit word that means 'giver of knowledge.

The Nalanda Open University is the only university in the state Bihar which provides education exclusively through the system of distance education.

The site of Nalanda is located in the Indian state of Bihar, about 55 miles south east of Patna, and was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 to 1197 CE. Near the University of Nalanda, is a temple dedicated to the Sun God. This temple has a number of statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities. The five feet high statue of Parvati is of particular interest and attraction.

The ruins of Nalanda also provide a glimpse of the bygone era.

When you reach amidst the ruins of the town, you will get a virtual feel of the period when India was a coveted destination for studies. Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall is also a special attraction in Nalanda University. Hieun Tsang came and stayed here both as student and as teacher. He was in Nalanda for twelve years. The Memorial Hall is Built in his Memory.

The Wonder of India - Dholavira Site - Gujarat:

Dholavira is an ancient metropolitan city.

It is located at Surat district in Gujarat. It is also one of the seven wonders of India; Dholavira was the seat of Indus Valley civilization during its formative years till its decline.

It is located at Surat district in Gujarat. It is the site of one of the largest-known Harappan settlements and best-preserved examples of the Indus Valley civilization.

According to archaeologists, Dholavira was probably occupied more or less continuously from around 2900 to 1500 BC. Artefacts excavated at the site include stone pillars, terracotta seals, pottery, and beads made from lapis lazuli, gold, silver, and shell.

The Wonder of India - Meenakshi Temple – Madurai Tamil Nadu:

The Meenakshi temple is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture, its history dates back to over 2000 years ago, when it was the capital of the Pandyan kings. It is one of the major attractions of Madurai, the oldest city of Tamil Nadu.

The Meenakshi temple complex is a city temple, which is one of the largest and ancient temples. It occupies an area of around six hectares, and has four entrances to it.

The museum called the Temple Art Gallery, is located within the temple and contains beautiful stone and brass images, examples of South Indian scripts, friezes and attempts to explain the Hindu pantheon and many other legends associated with it.

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