5 Amazing Archaeological Sites in India

[dropcap style=”flat”]I[/dropcap]ndia is a diverse country. It has several fascinating archaeological sites. India is home to ancient temples, bridges and caves. India’s historical monuments are famous all over the world. Without the help of modern tools it is hard to believe that they build such amazing places. There is a long list of historical sites in India that attracts visitors from all over the world. These sites tell us about the lifestyle of ancient India. So, if you want to catch a glimpse of ancient India, here is a list of top 5 archaeological sites in India.

Kumbhalgarh Fort

Kumbhalgarh Fort situated in Rajasthan, is a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 2013. This fort is built on Aravali hills at a height of 3600ft in the 15^th century. The fort is located near the famous city of Udaipur. The perimeter walls of Kumbhalgarh are really thick and 35 metres long. These walls are the second longest continuous walls in the world after The Great Wall of China. Inside the fort the major attractions are Lakhola tank, Ganesha temple and Parsva Nath temple. SisodiaRajputs were the rulers of Kumbhalgarh. The fort incorporates Rajput architecture with a hint of Persian architecture. There are over 300 Hindu and Jain temples inside the fort. You can get beautiful picturesque views from the fort. This royal heritage was very useful during wars between kings.

Ajanta & Ellora Caves

Ajanta &Ellora caves situated in Maharashtra, are the example of true craftsmanship. The caves have paintings, sculptures and carvings. Each sculpture is carved by the hands of ancient people. Ajanta has Buddhist arts while Ellora has artwork of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. There are 29 caves in Ajanta and 34 in Ellora. The paintings of these caves paint a picture of ancient India. People used to pray and study in these caves. Visvakarma cave is the most famous cave of Ellora. There are several inscriptions written on the walls of Ajanta &Ellora Caves. The caves are mesmerising and ancient.

Khajuraho Temples

The Khajuraho temples were built during Chandela dynasty. It is a group of Hindu and Jain temples in Vidhyanchal. The temples are surrounded by almost 60 water bodies. The temples follow Hindu architecture and are in the direction of sunrise. The temples are dedicated to Shiva, Ganesha and Sun god. There are many carved statues which depict the various aspects of human life. Temple walls have inscription in Sanskrit. Built of sandstone, Khajurahois based on Hindu beliefs. The temples have several forms of artworks. Many tourists visit these temples throughout the year. A Special dance festival is organised in February. Khajuraho temples are a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO.

Hampi Village

Photo by venkateshwarlukasula, CC BY-SA 2.0

Hampi Village is a group of monuments in Karnataka. Hampi village narrates the history of Vijaynagar Empire. The famous Virupaksha temple is located in Hampi. Hampi is built on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. Hampi was the capital of Vijaynagar. It has several temples like Jain Temple, Krishna Temple and Vittala Temple. Other major attractions of this place are Archaeological museum, king’s balance, anegodi and a beautiful lake. It is a beautiful archaeological site. You can get amazing panoramic views from the top of Hampi village. It is maintained by Global Heritage Fund (GHF). Hampi is a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal situated in the city of Uttar Pradesh, was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan started the construction of Taj Mahal in 1632 and completed in 1643. River Yamuna flows near Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is based on Mughal architecture. It also has design patterns based on Persian architecture. Taj Mahal is made of white marble and ornamented with precious stones. The tomb is the centre of attraction of this building. Tomb is surmounted by the marble dome. The exterior of Taj Mahal is decorated by paint, stones and carvings. The whole Taj Mahal complex is surrounded by gardens. Those gardens heighten the beauty of this eternal symbol of love. Taj Mahal holds the graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. The interior walls are decorated by jalis, carvings and paintings. The main gate for entering Taj Mahal complex is made of red sandstones. At night, Taj Mahal is a sight to behold with moonlight shining over it. Visit this place to understand the Mughal architecture.

Author Bio:

Rohit Agarwal is a traveller and blogger. He owns and maintains the website Trans India Travels. He also writes for several other travel and tourism related websites. An architect by profession, Rohit loves to explore the ancient India. His love for travel has made him explore unique and ancient sites in India and across the world.