The Top 10 Wonders of India You Must Visit Once

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India is so much more than just seven wonders. The architecture of this country reflects its culture and diversity, with its famous landmarks being the remnants of the same. With each remnant telling you a story – be it a declaration of love, a memoir or a historical account of life during ancient times. Each monument stirs up a certain kind of emotion in you or acts as a time machine, taking you back to the past. Look at Taj Mahal for instance, this monument instantly makes one think about love, romance and old-world charm. These landmarks make the great cities of India what they are today- adding prestige and history to the land. Be it the majestic Mysore palace as the epitome of royalty or the gorgeous Ellora caves; this country does not fall short of sights to gape at. So, if you are planning to get to know the history, art, tradition and culture of your country better, head on over to Thomas Cook, where you can look at holiday packages, flight bookings and hotel reservations – all the modern conveniences of travel to help you explore India’s historical past. What’s more, we’ve put together a list of ancient wonders that you can choose from, for your next holiday. Read on!

Taj Mahal, One of the Must Visit Wonders of India

One of the seven wonders of the world, this architectural wonder had to top the list. Both Bollywood and Hollywood have an ongoing love affair with the Taj Mahal as it is an iconic symbol of adoration and devotion. This ivory white mausoleum stands along the banks of the Yamuna river in Agra. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. This remnant of love is also considered to be the jewel of Mughal architecture and attracts around 7 to 8 million visitors in a year. The beauty of this monument lies in its perfect symmetry. More often than not this country’s identity has been associated with Taj Mahal, by people from all over the world. You ask any foreigner about India, and the first thing they will say is the Taj Mahal! This monument can be visited on all days except Friday and is open from 30 minutes prior sunrise till 30 minutes post sunset.

Suggested Read : Taj Mahotsav 2019 – Where India Comes Together

Hawa Mahal

Located in the Pink City of Jaipur, the palace of winds is one of the most frequented places by tourists. It is constructed with pink and red sandstone, which gives the monument a royal look. It is a towering five storeyed palace housing around 953 windows. For the history enthusiasts, this palace was built by Maharaja Pratap Sawai Singh to entertain women of the royal household. History says that they used to sit by the window and watch the daily processions of the city and its people. If you plan to visit this wonder, keep an eye out for the small museum right next to it to pick up some miniature paintings and ancient relics. If you stand right at the top, you will get a beautiful view of the Jantar Mantar, City Palace and Sireh Deori Bazaar in the other direction. You can visit the Hawa Mahal from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Victoria Memorial

A remnant of the British Raj in India in Kolkata. This palace in the land of sweets is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. It stands in all its glory by the banks of the Hooghly River and lies on the Maidan. The architecture of the palace is a mixture of British, Mughal, Egyptian and Islamic elements. You could also take a stroll to explore the Maidan after looking at the palace. A short little royal walk amidst the greenery will calm your senses. If you’re too tired to walk, you could hop on for a ride when you hire one of the many buggies parked right outside the gate. If you go inside the palace you will get a glimpse into the life of Queen Victoria with oil paintings, artefacts and memorials from the past. You can visit this palace between 5:30 am to 6:15 pm except on Mondays and national holidays.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Probably the most buzzing landmark amongst all located in India. This busy railway station in the city of Mumbai is a World Heritage Site. Known as CST, this station is bustling with activity 24/7 and very clearly depicts Mumbai – a city on the go. It has stood the test of time, witnessing the transition of the city from Bombay to Mumbai. The animal images carved into CST are the perfect example of British gothic architecture. If you really want to witness the beauty of this place you should catch its view from the outside once it is dark. The entire building is illuminated with lights at night and looks stunning. Just across CST you will find a plethora of chaat options to feast on. We urge you to try the lip-smacking pav bhaaji available at the many stalls there!

Must Read : 11 Things to do in Mumbai – The City Of Dreams

Qutub Minar

Located in the capital of the country, the towering Qutub Mina is influenced by Persian architecture and rises to around 250 feet into the sky. The higher these 5 storeys go, the narrower they get. While the first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth storey is made of marble and the fifth is a blend of the two. Qutab-ud-din Aibak initiated the construction of this monument. He was the first Muslim ruler of Delhi. However, he could only finish construction till the basement. Soon after, his successor Iltutmush constructed the next three storeys and then Firoz Shah Tughluk constructed the fifth storey. The Qutub Minar is also compared to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, owing to its structure. There are 379 steps inside the tower, but unfortunately these have been closed to the public for quite a while now. You can visit this famous landmark between 6 am to 6 pm.

Brihadeeswarar Temple

Located in Thanjavur and known to be devoid of shadows, this temple is carved out of granite stone. Standing tall since the last 1000 years, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the epitome of Dravidian architecture. You would be interested to know that this temple has quite a few underground secret passageways for you to explore. The spectacular carvings on the walls of this temple tell tales that no books ever could. Addressed by the locals as Peruvudaiyar Koyil, this temple was once a hub for all religious functions and gatherings. Rumour has it that if you visit the temple during noon, you will never be able to see the shadow of the temple regardless of the season that you visit it in.

Gateway of India, Amongst Popular Wonders of India

The city of dreams houses one of the most famous landmarks in India. This Indo-Saracenic architectural marvel is frequented by tourists, locals as well as photography enthusiasts. In the past, visitors from the west were welcomed by this Gateway. It was an entry point for them of sorts. However, once the British Raj ended, the Gateway was the exit point for the Britishers. This famous landmark also overlooks the Arabian Sea, bordered by Marine Drive, better known as the Queen’s necklace. The view of the streetlights along Marine Drive from an elevation makes one immediately think of a string of pearls in a necklace, hence justifying the name.

India Gate

A remnant of the war with historical prominence, this significant landmark is situated on the Rajpath boulevard. India Gate at night makes for a spectacular display, with the fountains in the front reflecting coloured lights. The lush green gardens surrounding this architecture also make for the perfect picnic spot with friends and family. This landmark is also known for hosting the grand Republic Day parade. The best time to visit India Gate would be from February to April and August to November.

Recommended Read : Top 19 Tourist Places in Delhi Everyone Needs to Visit

Mysore Palace

Mysore palace is one of the most famous places to visit in Mysore. Reflecting Rajput, Gothic and Islamic architectural influences, this palace is a sight to behold when illuminated. With Taj Mahal being the first, Mysore Palace is the second most frequented historical megalith in the country. The best time to visit this monument and witness it in all its glory would be during Dussehra with its light and sound shows inside the Old Fort.

Ajanta Ellora Caves

With artistic sculptures carved on its walls, Ajanta Ellora caves represent the early history of Aurangabad and its people. It is one of the most famous places to visit in Aurangabad. With the caves now a UNESCO world heritage site, they are amongst the most frequented tourist destinations. With the advent of different religions in the city, Ellora caves were divided into three parts- Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves. You can schedule a visit to the Ajanta Ellora caves from June to September, which is the monsoon season.

These are just some of India’s most iconic monuments. To visit these great landmarks, all you need to do is visit the Thomas Cook website, and spend some time choosing the best holiday, flights and hotels to suit your needs. Let’s dive into India’s past together.