Travel in India – Historical & Religious Places
India has a very rich heritage of the past based on the Indian traditions and values of the times immemorial ranging from origin of a number of religions and faiths based on the true stories portrayed by the pious men like Lord Rama, Mahatma Budh, Lord Mahavir, 10 Gurus of Sikh Religion. There are places of Pilgrimage associated with these religions.
The Epic wars like Mahabharta were fought on this land to uphold the principles. The places associated with the epic war are also places of pilgrimage.
Indian sub continent has witnessed many ancient civilizations moving from one part of the world and settling here affecting the local population with their practices. India suffered at the hand of foreign invaders settling here to rule the country for over 400 years and constructing monuments and memorials, which contribute to the heritage of India.
India has its own seven wonders, which are a must for a traveler to visit and enjoy life and hospitality of Indian traditions. The tourism in India is growing very fast because of increasing popularity of Indian wonders.
In the ancient past India had many princely states living peacefully without any threat and encouraged Art depiction in Temples and palaces constructed by them. The art and architecture of India progressed with the patronization of kings and princes of the past. Such activity was witnessed in full swing from 2nd Century BC to 10th Century AD. The best architecture, sculpture, painting work is still maintained in the ancient temples. Caves at Ajanta and Ellora, temples at Khajuraho, Mahabalipuram, Buddhist Stupas, and plenty of temples, shrines, and palaces pertaining to this period are the places of tourist attraction. Gandhara and Mathura schools of art contributed significantly towards the growth of the arts of ancient India.
Medieval period witnessed crumbling of the political structure against the strength of foreign invaders resulting into immigration by the Muslims from central Asia. This gave different turn to the ancient art and architecture of India. Almost different culture background is responsible for different shapes of monuments and memorials constructed during the period.
Turkish and Afghan rulers blended their traditions with Indian culture and created Indo-Islamic style seen in Qutab Minar, Quwwat ul Islam Mosque,
The Mughuls during 16th to 19th century influenced great advances in respect of the grand buildings. Many Forts, Palaces, and Mausoleums like Himayuns’ tomb, Agra Fort, Old Fort in Delhi, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Red Fort in Delhi and the Highly decorative palaces at Mandu and Jaunpur. The temples of Dilwara, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Vijayanagar also belong to this period.
The seven wonders of India having World Heritage Status are worth visiting the details are given below:
1. Taj Mahal :
Located at Agra was built by Mughal King Shahjahan in memory of Queen Mumtaz Mahal. It is all white marble huge structure on the banks of River Jamuna, which now has changed its course. It has the tombs of Queen & King side by depicting true love for each other.
2. Khajuraho Temples:
These Temples remained hidden from the modern society for a very long time. Khuraho Temples have been by Chandela Dynasty depicting ancient form of fine sculpture representing erotic and sensuous scenes of real life of those times.
3. Ajanta Ellora Caves:
These caves are situated near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. These are cave shrines made by hand cutting of the rocky region. They were unknown for almost 1000 years and were accidentally discovered by a hunter. They represent finest example of ancient art in India.
4. Golden Temple also known as Darbar Sahib:
It situated at Amritsar, it is one of the Oldest Sikh Shrine established by Shri Guru Ram Das ji and the town is called Guru Ki Nagri. Pilgrims from India and abroad regularly come here to pay their homage.
5. Mahabodhi Temple:
It is located at Gaya in Bihar and is famous because Mahatma Budh, while sitting under the Bodhi tree for a long time attained enlightenment based on which is Bodhi Religion. It has finest architecture of the ancient times.
6. Hampi Ruins:
They are of both Architectural and Religious Importance. It was capital of Vijayanagara empire having Hindu Influence and was built in 14th to 16th century. It is a collection of Majestic Temples, palaces and Market place.
7. Konark Sun Temple:
It is a 13th Century monument built by King Narsimahadeva and has Oriya Culture
at its best form. The whole temple is shaped like a Chariot on which Sun God is shown going to heavens. Sun is a very favored diety of Hindu religion and many rituals are done to please the sun diety for bountiful blessings.
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