Hey fellow adventurers! Today we’re looking and talking about Indian landmarks! If there’s any that you felt should have made this list but didn’t, please feel free to comment below. 😊
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was commissioned in 1632 by Shah Jahan to be built as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took over twenty years to build and was inspired by Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture. It is one of the most celebrated structures in the world and seen to many as an embodiment of love and marital devotion. It was classified by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site in 1983.
Golden Temple
The Harmandir Sahib, known to most as the Golden Temple, is the holiest Gurdwara (Sikh’s place of worship) of Sikhism. Inside the Harmandir Sahib, you’ll find the Adi Granth which is the early compilation of the Sikh Scriptures by Guru Arjan. You’ll also find the Akal Takht, one of five takhts. It is a place of justice, the highest seat of earthly authority of the Khalsa (the collective body of the Sikhs), and the place of the Jathedar (the highest spokesman of the Sikhs). The Harmandir Sahib was built so that anyone, regardless of religion, could worship God there. The four entrances represent the four directions and symbolize the openness of the Sikhs towards all people and religions. Over 100,000 people visit the Harmandir Sahib daily and enjoy the free meals there. If you want to learn more about Sikhism or want a better explanation for any of the Sikh terms used here, visit: http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Main_Page
Red Fort
The Red Fort is named such because of its massive walls made of red sandstone. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal dynasty for nearly 200 years, as well as the place where they would hold ceremonial and political events that effect the Mughal state. Shah Jahan (↑the guy who commissioned the Taj Mahal↑) commissioned the Red Fort to be the palace for the capital of the Mughal state, Shahjahanabad. Today it consists mostly of museums and every Independence Day, the prime minister hoists the Indian flag from the main gate and delivers a nationally broadcasted speech from its walls. It was classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2007.
Humayun’s Tomb
The tomb was commissioned by Humayun’s first wife Empress Bega Begum. It was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent and no structure before it had used as much red sandstone. The complex surrounding Humayun’s tomb also holds numerous other Mughals graves, including Bega Begum. This design was a huge leap in Mughal architecture that would later inspire Mughals to create more intricate architecture, such as the Taj Mahal. It was classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Gateway of India
The Gateway of India was originally constructed in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay (Mumbai). The first recorded main event here was the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry in 1948 which is when the last of the British troops left India. This signaled the end of British rule. It is the most popular tourist attracted in Mumbai.
India Gate
The India Gate is a war memorial for the 82,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died between 1914–1921 in the First World War, in France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and elsewhere in the Near and the Far East, and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. It has the name of 13,300 servicemen that died during that time (some of which were from the U.K.). They began construction in 1921 and finished in 1931. It is often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
Mysore Palace
Located in the heart of Mysore city, the Mysore Palace (AKA Amba Vilas Palace) was once the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty who ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1950. In 1897, the palace was destroyed by a fire and construction of the new palace was completed in 1912 (and later expanded in 1940). It is now the second most popular tourist attraction in India, behind the Taj Mahal.
Qutub Minar
Part of the Qutb complex (array of monuments and buildings, built to honor the Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki), the Qutub Minar is a 240 feet (73 meter) tall minaret. It has a spiral staircase with 379 steps. Built in 1193, the Qutub Minar is one of the oldest surviving pieces of architecture in India. It has been partially destroyed by earthquakes and lightening but the destroyed parts have been fixed up and the structure added to over time. It was classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Mehrangarh Fort
Rao Jodha, the fifteenth Rathore ruler, decided to move the capital from Mandore to Jodhpur which would be easier to defend. Mehrangarh Fort was built around 1460, resides approximately 410 feet (125 meters) above the ground and is one of the biggest forts in India. The fort has seven gates. You can still see the imprints of cannonballs fired by attacking armies of Jaipur on the second gate.
Hampi
Hampi is a village and temple located within the ruins of the city of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is believed that Hampi was part of the Maurya Empire in the third century BCE. It was classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986.
Swaminarayan Akshardham
Swaminarayan Akshardham is a temple and a spiritual-cultural campus that officially opened on November 6, 2005 by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. On their website, they advertise: the Mandir (place to pray to the deities), Abhishek Mandap (place to pray for peace and fulfillment), 3 exhibitions (a show, a film and a boat ride), a water show and thematic gardens. For more information, go to their website: http://akshardham.com/.
Amber Fort
The Amer Palace, was created in the late 16th century, as a larger palace to the already existing home of the rulers. The older palace, known as Kadimi Mahal (Persian for ancient) is known to be the oldest surviving palace in India (believed to have been built in 967 CE). This ancient palace sits in the valley behind the Amer Palace. The palace was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families. At the entrance to the palace near the fort’s Ganesh Gate, there is a temple dedicated to Shila Devi, a goddess of the Chaitanya cult, which was given to Raja Man Singh when he defeated the Raja of Jessore, Bengal in 1604. It was classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2013.
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Wind, was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh from red and pink sandstone. The structure was built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivals and everyday life while unseen from the outside. They did this because the women had to obey strict “purdah” (face cover). The building has 953 small windows. The lattice (openwork framework) not only allows women to look out unseen but also provides ventilation in the summer to keep it cool, even in hot temperatures. Many who look at Hawa Mahal from the street think that’s the front of the building, but it’s actually the back.
If you want to see where these are located in India, check out Google map:
Until our next adventure!
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say great blog!
Aw, this was a really good post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a superb article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
Currently it looks like Expression Engine is the top blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Aw, this was a really nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to generate a good article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
Hi there, You have performed an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.
Greate pieces. Keep posting such kind of info on your page. Im really impressed by your site.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
At this time it sounds like Expression Engine is the top blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a very good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
May I just say what a relief to uncover somebody who genuinely understands what they are talking about on the internet. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people must look at this and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular because you surely possess the gift.
Aw, this was a really good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.
May I simply just say what a relief to find somebody who actually knows what they’re talking about online. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people must check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular since you surely possess the gift.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Hello there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll definitely digg it and for my part recommend to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say superb blog!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say great blog!
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say superb blog!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
At this time it looks like WordPress is the best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say great blog!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say superb blog!
Greate post. Keep writing such kind of info on your blog. Im really impressed by your site.
May I simply say what a relief to discover someone that really knows what they’re discussing online. You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people must look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular given that you most certainly have the gift.
May I simply just say what a comfort to discover an individual who actually understands what they are discussing on the net. You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people really need to read this and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular because you certainly possess the gift.
Greate pieces. Keep posting such kind of info on your site. Im really impressed by your site.
Hello there, You have performed an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and individually suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this site.
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to generate a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.
Aw, this was a really nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a great article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!
Hello there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll certainly digg it and for my part recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
Can I simply say what a comfort to uncover somebody who really knows what they are discussing online. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular because you surely possess the gift.
Can I simply say what a relief to discover someone that truly understands what they are discussing on the internet. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people really need to check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you aren’t more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
May I simply say what a relief to uncover somebody that really knows what they’re talking about online. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people need to look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular given that you definitely have the gift.
Excellent pieces. Keep posting such kind of info on your blog. Im really impressed by your site.
Right now it appears like Drupal is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
Currently it looks like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
May I just say what a comfort to discover an individual who actually knows what they’re talking about online. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people really need to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you’re not more popular because you certainly have the gift.
Right now it looks like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Aw, this was a very good post. Taking the time and actual effort to generate a great article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.
Hello there, You’ve done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
At this time it sounds like WordPress is the best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?