Top 10 Cultural Destinations in India

Why do you travel? To check a place off your bucket list, to take a break from routine, to meet new people or try new food? Along with all these reasons, sometimes it’s the cultural heritage of a place that draws us in. India, with its colourful diversity, is teeming with such attractions. So here’s our pick of the top 10 cultural destinations in India.

10) Ahmedabad

To get a true taste of the city, go on a heritage night walk of Ahmedabad, where you will see various havelis and monuments and end with a taste of local delicacies at Manek Chowk. Get a glimpse of the remarkable textiles of India at the Calico Museum. About 100 kilometres from the city, on the banks of the Pushpavati River, is the Sun Temple in Modhera, which dates back to 1026 AD and boasts of some amazing architecture. Or head to Patan (108 kilometres away) to see the ancient step wells. Don’t forget to pick up a traditional Patola sari from here.

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9) Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli & Madurai

Temples reflect a city’s heritage and on that front Tamil Nadu is certainly amongst the top 10 cultural destinations in India. Visit the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur as well as the Thanjavur Maratha Palace. Invest in a Tanjore painting, which has increasingly become a dying art form. In Tiruchirappali visit the 17^th century Rock Fort, which rises spectacularly on the city’s horizon and houses two rock-cut temples. And finally in Madurai, stand in awe of the soaring gopurams (gateway towers) of the Meenakshi Amman Temple complex.

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8) Bhubaneshwar & Puri

Another place famous for its impressive temples is Orissa; Bhubaneshwar itself has more than 700 of them! The 11^th century Lingraj temple complex, the 10^th century Mukteshwar temple with its exquisitely carved archway and the unique Rajarani temple with no deity are just few of these. Then there’s the seaside temple of Jagannath in Puri, where the rath yatra is worth a visit. The most elaborately carved of all the temples in Orissa is the Sun Temple at Konark (35 kilometres from Puri). Shaped like a massive chariot, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is largely in ruins, but what remains is an awe-inspiring reminder of the architectural genius of our forefathers.

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7) Bhopal

Bhopal’s old town with its teeming bazaars and beautiful mosques harks back to the days of the Mughals. They left their legacy in the form of the Taj-Ul-Masjid, Asia’s largest mosque, which is a lovely sight with its pink façade and marble dome-topped minarets. The other prominent mosque is the Moti Masjid, which is architecturally similar to Delhi’s Jama Masjid. Drive some 40 kilometres out of the city and visit Bhimbetka – an archaeological site consisting of ancient rock shelters and paintings.

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6) Fort Kochi

God’s Own Country of Kerala is replete with scenic beauty – from its backwaters to its pristine beaches. However, my favourite bit of Kerala is the little gem of Fort Kochi. Take a ferry from Ernakulam (Rs. 3 only, one way!) and head to this sleepy, Portuguese-influenced town. Walk by the shores lined with Chinese Fishing nets; if you ask nicely, the fishermen will let you on board and ‘help’ them haul in a catch. Visit the quirky Jewish Town where a synagogue stands tall, surrounded by a bazaar selling everything from antiques to spices. In the evening head to Greenix Village for a Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performance.

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5) Mysore

The City of Palaces has two impressive ones to boast of – the sprawling Mysore Palace, which houses an interesting museum, and at night presents a spellbinding picture decked up with thousands of lights. Jaganmohan Palace is the other one, which is now converted into an art gallery. There are 5 other palaces in the city, as well as several lakes, gardens and temples. A day trip to Srirangapatna (55 kilometres away) is a worthwhile expedition to see the Ranganathaswamy temple and Tipu Sultan’s summer palace.

4) Kolkata

If there’s one Indian city that can be called the Grand Dame, it’s Kolkata. Visit the Victoria Memorial, the imposing St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Greco-Romanesque Writers’ Building for a peek into Kolkata’s past. The former French colony of Chandan Nagar (30 kilometres away) has several beautiful buildings, monuments and the riverside Strand. Nobel Laureate Tagore’s Shantiniketan is 180 kilometres away and makes an interesting day trip for history buffs.

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3) Jaipur

The Pink City of Jaipur is dotted with stunning palaces, havelis and monuments. The massive Amer (Amber) Fort, 11 kilometres outside the city, is its foremost attraction with highly decorated entrances, intricate latticework and an impressive sheesh mahal. Take a walking tour of the city, visiting Hawa Mahal, City Palace and various bazaars. The city is famous for its block printing industry and colourful bandhani work, not to mention the warm Jaipuri razai.

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2) Udaipur

The romantic Lake City of Udaipur is best seen by taking a boat ride on Lake Pichola. The City Palace Complex with the Jag Mandir in the centre of the lake adds to the beauty of this experience. Visit the waterside Bagore ki Haveli at Gangaur Ghat, a sprawling palace with more than 100 rooms, several courtyards and glorious frescos. There are folk dance performances here every evening. From Udaipur, make a day trip to the hill station of Mt Abu, where you can see the intricate marble carvings of Dilwara Temple.

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1) Varanasi

The ancient city of Varanasi is a decadent tableau of multiple temples, riverside ghats, colourful markets and saffron-clad sadhus. Take a boat ride on the Ganges, explore the tiny alleys in the old town and try the local delicacies at the numerous halwais. In the evening, attend the Ganga aarti, which is truly an uplifting experience – with pealing bells, chants, fire and incense. The 5-day classical music and dance festival of Ganga Mahotsav is a good time to visit Varanasi, as is Diwali when the ghats are lined with thousands of diyas.

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So get your culture fix in 2014. Plan your trip with MakeMyTrip’s packages and book your tickets today!