There is no wonder why foreigners visit to India increases every day! India well known for her cultural heritage and massive wonders. India is filled with splendid and mind blowing architectural marvels. There are no doubt these architectural engineering excellencies and brilliance of our ancients will make you question our modern knowledge on architecture.
The ages of these buildings dates back around 1000 years and more and still stands strong without failing to delight our eyes.
Here we have listed top 10 exclusive architectural marvels of India which includes temples, fort, Palace. Let’s start our tour to most prestigious and outstanding marvels of India!
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu
The Brihadeeswarar Temple, Shiva Temple, built during Chola Dynasty by the emperor Raja Raja Chola I. It ispopularly known as “Thanjai periya kovil” which literally means “Big Temple of Thanjavur”, is one of the largest temples in India and known to be one of India’s most prized architectural sites to visit. This temple celebrates its 1015 birthday in 2015!This temple is the first building fully built by granite and finished within 5 years. This implies the architect engineers during Chola Dynasty were not only excelling in architect but also faster.
Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Madurai
Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, a national monument, was builtin 17th century 1636 AD during Madurai’s Nayaka dynasty by King Thirumalai Nayak. It is a classic combination of Dravidian and Islamic style of architecture. The grandest Palace of south is famous for its gigantic pillars which Height is 82 feet and width is 19 feet. Many parts of this palace got ruined and today we get to see entrance gate, The Main Hall, and the Dance hall. The original Palace complex was four times bigger than the present structure.
Ruins of Hampi, Karnataka
Ruins of Hampi, one of the UNESCO protected heritage site, was the former capital of famous Vijaynagar Empire and now a delightful tourists spot. Hampi includes various Hindu temples known Achyutaraya Temple, Badavi Linga, Chandramauleshwara Temple and Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple speaks ancient style of architecture. It is greatly advised not to wander around Hampi because you likely to be get lost in its mysteries!
Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
Sun temple built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva, it is known for its exquisite wall designs and its magnificent representation of Sun God. It is one of famous temples of Orissa, a most stunning monument of religious architecture in world! The entire temple was designed in the shape of solar chariot with 12 pairs of exquisitely-ornamented wheels dragged by 7 rearing horses. Sun Temple exhibits more balanced architectural design.
Nalanda University, Bihar
Nalanda University is the second oldest University in India built in the 5th century by Gupta Rulers. Found by Buddhist monks around 2500 years ago. It was about 88 km away from Patna. The university covers 14 hectares, includes 10 temples. The architectural design and planning of this massive university is astonishing and stunning. It is an interesting historical fact that the great library of Nalanda University took 3 months to burn down.It attracted scholars from all over the world, even today tourists visits the ruins of this majestic site.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
Ajanta caves are a set of 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments. It dates back to 2nd century BCE is the finest surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting per the Archaeological survey of India. The cave served as a place for living, education, and worship for many ancient Buddhist monks. It is one of the UNESCO protected world heritage sites.
Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri
Buland Darwaza, the world’s greatest gateway, literally means “Gate of Magnificence” was built in 1601 AD by the great Mughal Monarch Akbar in order to celebrate his victory over Gujarat. It is 40 meters in elevation and 35 meters in width. Red sandstone and white marble were used to build this gateway. The decorations and carvings on white marble is known for their calligraphy and echo religiously liberals thoughts of ‘Akbar the Great’
Lake Palace, Udaipur
Lake Palace built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1746. It got its name as it located right middle of Pichola Lake. It is considered to be one of the most romantic places in the world for its sight with amusing Aravalli Hills. Now it is called as Taj Lake Palace as it is took over by Taj Groups. It has 83 rooms featuring with white marble walls.
Taj Mahal, Aagra
There been lots of stories tied with existence of Taj Mahal, whatever the truth behind Taj Mahal we should admit that it must be honored and preserved for its famous architectural elegance and beauty. Taj Mahal, white marble mausoleum, built in 1653 Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is located on the southern bank of Yamuna River in the Indian city of Agra.
Lotus Temple, New Delhi
Lotus Temple since its inauguration to public has drawn 70 million visitors and become one of the most visited tourists site in the world. It is Bahai’s Temple constructed in the shape of lotus, a common religious symbol for Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Jainism. The purpose of this temple is to unite all the races and religions in one common faith.
