TajMahal :
Amongst India’s most fascinating and beautiful masterpieces, the Taj Mahal is set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of river Yamuna.It was built to enshrine the remains of Begum Mumtaz Mahal, the consort of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.  One of the World Heritage Sites, the Taj is so exquisite in its workmanship that it has been described as having been designed by giants and finished by Jewellers.
 

Madurai Temple:
Known as 'the city that doesn't sleep,' Madurai is a celebrated city from time immemorial. The very first thought that the name brings to the mind is that of Meenakshi and Her grand temple. Though the temple is known as Meenakshi - Sundareswara Temple, only Meenakshi attracts all the prominence, importance and is celebrated as Kadamba-vana-vasini due to the fact that the place was once a jungle of Kadamba trees.
The temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya. It is said that a merchant by name Dhanjaya, who was a resident of a neighbouring town was returning from his business trip through the jungle when he was taken aback to see Indra, the lord of celestials, performing puja to the Swayambhu-lingam and he immediately rushed to the King, Kulasekara of Manavur to inform him of the fact. Lord Shiva appeared in his dream as Sundareswara. Since the drops of nectar from His head fell on this place it came to be known as Madhura (sweetness) or Madurai.


Kerala BackWaters :

The backwaters of Kerala are the biggest draw for the tourists worldwide. The backwaters are the basis of a distinct lifestyle. Astonishingly, waterways are more frequently used than roads. Vegetable, fish sellers, ply waters to sell off their goods. Exploring the “God’s own country” – Kerala – through house-boats, locally called ‘Kettuvallams’ in the backwaters is exhilarating and hard to forget. The splendid snake boat races during Onam festival (August – September ) is an event to enjoy.


 

Khajuraho:
There is nothing in this world that could compare with the erotic images of Khajuraho. The sense of imagination have given form to human emotions in the form of spiritual and physical love. Every facade-wall, window, pillar, and ceiling of Khajuraho is carved with figures of mythical and historical origins, and while many of these full-breasted, girdle-waisted women in forms of innocent play, they depict carnal love. Spread through the high forest plateaus of the region, these temples were rediscovered only a few

It was this isolation and the encroachment by jungles that had led the temples of Khajuraho to destruction. Khajuraho temple plans, from the simplest to the most sublime, follow the same pattern and all of them are elaborately carved.
 

HawaMahal :

Built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh the 'Hawa Mahal', Palace of the Wind, is one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. It is an integral part of the City Palace, an extension of the Zenana (women's chambers) standing away from the main complex. This five storey building of unusual architecture designed by Lal Chand Usta, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry made of red and pink sand stone, beautifully outlined with white borders and motif's painted with quick lime. The monument with a spectacular view of Jaipur city with road avenues, intersections and colourful crowds in the market, was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions in the city without being seen by others.

SunTemple:
Konark is also known as Konaditya. The name Konark is derived form the words Kona - Corner and Arka - Sun; it is situated on the north eastern corner of Puri or the Chakrakshetra. Konark is also known as Arkakshetra.
This temple built in 1278 CE by the Ganga King Narasimha Deva is one of the grandest temples of India and was referred to as the Black Pagoda. The ruins of this temple were excavated in late 19th century. The tower over the Garbagriha is missing, however the Jagmohana is intact, and even in this state, it is awe inspiring.
Legend has it that Samba, the king of Krishna and Jambavati entered the bathing chamber of Krishna's wife’s, and was cursed by Krishna with leprosy. It was decreed that he would be relieved of the curse by worshipping the sun God on the sea coast north east of Puri. Accordingly Samba reached Konaditya Kshetra and discovered an image of Surya seated on the lotus, worshipped him and was relieved of his curse.
 

Tirupati:
Tirupati, the abode of the God of the Seven Hills, nestled in South India in Andhra Pradesh. The World's richest temple and one of the holiest and the most ancient Vaishnovite shrines in India. The Tirumala shrine is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, with an exquisitely carved gopuram facing east. Its Vimana is completely covered with gold-plate and is known as Anadanilaya. Gold ornaments, bundles of currency notes and several other kinds of offering are thrown in the hundi at the feet of the idol of Lord Venkatachalapathy or lord Venkateshwara. A peculiar custom at this temple is that pilgrims offer hair as symbol of renouncing their ego at the feet of God. People also lie down on the space around the temple and roll on the ground, in a bid to lower themselves in front of God as a penance for sins. To atone for their sins, people also drop silver ritual objects into large offering cans called hundis. A common belief here is that if anyone is handicapped in some way, and if they offer a silver piece in the shape of that organ then they can get some kind of relief. People donate flat beaten silver shaped into kidneys, eyes, noses, and tongues, especially for suffering children. The idol is bathed with sandalwood and this is offered to the devotees who prize this as being now imbued with the special powers of the deity.

Golden Temple:
Amritsar was established by Guru Ramdas, the fourth in the lineage of the Sikh Guru in 1577 CE. Amritsar was once known as Ramdaspur. This town was rebuilt in 1764 CE, after its defilement by attacking armies. It was in 1802 CE that Maharaja Ranjit Singh gilded the roof of the temple with gold. It was then that the temple came to be known as the Golden temple. This ruler also fortified the town with the Govind Garh fort.
The sacred lake occupies an area of about 250000 square feet and is lined with marble steps. In its center is the Golden Temple, also known as the Har Mandir. A white marble bridge leads to the temple. Much of the temple is covered with gilted gold sheets, and on them are inscribed words from the sacred Granth Sahib. To the west of the lake is the Akal Takta Sahib, with a dome covered with gold. The original copy of the Granth Sahib is enshrined in the temple and is taken out in procession during the appropriate occasions.


Rishikesh :
Surrounded by hills, bisected by the wide and sluggish Ganga, Rishikesh, the land of yogis and ashrams, nestled in the foothills of the Garhwal region, is the getaway to the upper Garhwal region and the starting point for pilgrim routes to the four dhams of Uttarakhand - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Situated 24 km upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga rivers, Rishikesh has long been a spiritual centre.





Varanasi :
Varanasi, called Benaras by the English is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Mark Twain, the English author and literateur, who was amazed by the legend and sanctity of Benaras, once wrote : "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together".

Situated in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is also renowned for its rich tapestry of music, arts, crafts and education. Standing timelessly on the north bank of Ganga, Varanasi is located midway between Delhi and Kolkata. Known as the religious and cultural capital of India, Varanasi's known history dates back to about 3500 hundred years. However, Hindus believe that the city is eternal. Also been known as Kashi, Varanasi's present name is restoration of an ancient name meaning the city between two rivers - the Varuna and Asi.