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TajMahal
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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.
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