Beautiful Places In India 61-80
61. Fateh Prakash Palace
Udaipur is a city of lakes and many beautiful palaces, the most opulent of which is the Fateh Prakash Palace. The palace was built by Maharana Fateh Singh, ruler of Mewar, and was specifically reserved for royal functions only. A tour of the palace gives you an insight into royal artifacts, miniature paintings and Mewar armory, taking you to the times gone by. If you have the moolah, you can even organize celebrations or conferences in this opulent palace, thus being an important of the history of Rajasthan.
62. Calangute Beach
The mother of all beaches in Goa is the Calangute Beach. While some complain of the beach being overcrowded during the peak season, nothing can take away from the beauty of the beach. If you are looking for some lone time under the sun, visit Calangute sometime in the months of February to April, when the beach is relatively less crowded. If you are more interested in seeing eye-candy, visit the beach during Christmas and New Year.
63. Basilica of Bom Jesus
An iconic building of the state of Goa is the Basilica of Bom Jesus. This magnificent church is located in the old part of the state and houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier. It is considered to be one of the best examples of baroque style construction in the country. You cannot miss the understated elegance of the church, and the relative calmness of the design itself. When in Goa, it is a must-visit.
64. Vivekanand Rock Memorial
Located about 500 meters off the southernmost tip of India in Kanyakumari is the Vivekanand Rock Memorial. The memorial was built in 1970 in order to honor spiritual leader Swami Vivekanand who once visited the land. The memorial is built on a rock. It is believed that Swami Vivekanand attained enlightenment while meditating on the rock. It is considered to be a sacred place by the Hindus. The calm and tranquility that surrounds the memorial puts you at ease. There is even a meditation hall here where you can meditate.
65. Pamban Bridge
Connecting Rameswaram to rest of the parts of the country is Pamban Bridge. It is the second longest sea bridge of the country, and the first one to come up. Built in 1912, this 2.3 km bridge was first opened to railway traffic in 1914. The bridge can be raised to allow ships to pass underneath. If you are looking for beautiful train journeys in India, consider taking the one through Pamban Bridge. It stands for its understated elegance.
66. Auroville
Auroville, which literally translates to “City of Dawn”, is an experimental township in Tamil Nadu. As part of the ongoing experiment, the residents of Auroville have account numbers connected to a central database instead of the usual currency. Each month, the residents of the township are encouraged to contribute to the central fund. People of Auroville who are in need are given a monthly amount out of this central fund to meet their basic needs. Set up to meet the vision of united humanity, Auroville is a beautiful part of the world to be in. Despite people from several different castes and religions residing here, you can feel the peace and the harmony. Of course, the beautiful surroundings of the township make it an out of the world experience.
67. Gold Temple Vellore
A gorgeous sight in the city of Vellore is the Gold Temple, also known as the Mahalakshmi temple. The temple is located in Sripuram Park, which lies at the foot of a hill range in Malaikodi. The temple has a coating of real gold, with intricate carvings and gold sculptures on the inside too. According to records, a whopping 1500 kg gold was used to build the temple. While some may term that as wasteful expenditure, nothing can take away from the fact that the temple is a stunning sight. It is frequented by lakhs of tourists round the year who come here to seek blessings or just to see this architectural marvel.
68. Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is the icon of India and the epitome of love around the world. This magnificent monument was built by Shah Jahan in the loving memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The white marble and the intricate carvings of the monument have mesmerized many around the world. Quite rightly, the monument finds a place in the Seven Wonders of the World. It is believed that Shah Jahan ordered that the hands of all the laborers who built the monument be severed so that they can never build a monument so beautiful ever again.
69. Buland Darwaza
Mumbai has the Gateway of India, Delhi has the India Gate, and Uttar Pradesh has the Buland Darwaza. The “gate” is located in Fatehpur Sikri, about 40 km away from the city of Agra. The iconic monument was built by Akbar in 1601 AD in order to celebrate his victory on Gujarat. The red sandstone and the carvings on the monument make it s quintessential Mughal masterpiece.
70. Kibber Monastery
A trip to Kibber Monastery is almost like a trip to another world. Kibber Monastery lies close to the town of Kibber, which has about 80 odd homes only. The stone structure of the monastery blends well with the khaki colored rocks in the background, while the snow capped peaks in the distance make it stand out. The monastery is understated, and some might even miss it if they don’t pay enough attention. But if you can brave the tough trek to it, you will be greeted with some magnificent views of the Himalayas and Spiti Valley.
71. Shanti Stupa
Located on a hilltop in Leh is the Sanchi Stupa. It was built by the Japanese as a symbol of peace for the world. The white stone of the monastery and the intricate architecture of it make it one of the most beautiful places in India. It may not be one of the oldest Gompas in the world, but it still attracts thousands every year with its sheer beauty and magnificence. As with everything else in Ladakh, you can expect some amazing views from Shanti Stupa.
72. Gurez Valley
Gurez Valley is a largely unexplored part of Kashmir, partly due to it being a sensitive region. It is located very close to the Line of Control and hence, it is heavily guarded. In fact, it is only recently that the valley has been opened to tourists. It is a fertile valley with high mountains on either side. You can feast your eyes here with some gorgeous greenery and some really close views of the Himalayas. The fresh mountain air of the valley replenishes your mind, body and soul.
73. Key Monastery
Key Monastery is an iconic fort monastery located in Spiti Valley in Himachal. The architectural style of the monastery is referred to as Pasada, which symbolizes the multi-storey construction of the monastery. It is one of the largest in Spiti Valley. While there is nothing spectacular about the monastery, the fact that it is constructed at such a great height makes it magnificent. The top of the monastery offers some scintillating views of the Himalayas and the Spiti Valley.
74. Sheshnag Lake
Located in the trekking trail of Amarnath Cave is the Sheshnag Lake, another beautiful part of the Kashmir. It is an oligotrophic lake, which means it does not support too much plant or animal life, and yet, it has abundant oxygen if you go deeper in the lake. About a kilometer in length, the lake is nestled between towering mountain peaks. The best way to reach the lake is through a trek, which gives you a chance to experience the beauty of the region in all its splendor. For those who cannot handle strenuous activities though, you can always take a pony ride from Chadanwari, which is about 7 km away.
75. Victoria Memorial
An icon of the city of Kolkata is the Victoria Memorial. This majestic structure stands testimony to the colonial past of the city. The building was designed by Sir William Emerson and is one of the most beautiful structures of modern India. The memorial houses a museum which has several artifacts belonging to the British times. The Royal Gallery here has original oil paintings of the time of Queen Victoria, which take you to the times gone by. Visit the memorial and you will be charmed by the grandeur and the understated elegance o the building.
76. Haji Ali Dargah
One of the most important landmarks of the city of Mumbai is Haji Ali Dargah. Located off the coast of Worli, the dargah was constructed way back in 1431. It was built in the memory of Sayyed Peer Haji Ali. It is believed that Sayyed Peer Haji Ali gave up all his material possessions before taking a trip to Mecca. You can expect a swarm of people here on Thursdays and Fridays as they seek the blessings of the revered saint. With sea on both the sides, it is a beautiful and a pious spot.
77. Marine Drive
One of the most beautiful places in India for a romantic drive is the Marine Drive. It is a 3 km long stretch overlooking the sea. You can expect a lot of people at any time of the day, watching the sea, and spending some moments together with their loved ones or all alone. If you are tired of the chaos of Mumbai, the Marine Drive is the best place to be to get away from it all.
78. Gateway of India
An iconic landmark of the city of Mumbai is the Gateway of India. The structure is often referred to as “Taj Mahal of India.” It was built during the British times and must have served as the landing point for people coming by boat to Mumbai. Overlooking the shore and the iconic Taj Hotel, it has come under attack by terrorists quite a few times. However, that hasn’t deterred people from visiting this beautiful landmark of Mumbai.
79. Ajanta and Ellora Caves
A little away from the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra are the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. These are not natural caves, which makes them so magnificent in the first place. Evidence suggests that the caves were carved out of huge mountain rocks almost 2,000 years ago. The caves have some intricately carved sculptures, mostly belonging to Buddhism and Jainism religions. The fact that the caves were carved out by Buddhist monks without any sophisticated tools make them worth a visit. They give you a peek into the rich cultural diversity of the country.
80. Akshardham, Gujarat-
An iconic temple in the state of Gujarat is the Akshardham temple. The temple first caught the attention of the international world with terrorist attacks in September. However, the attacks could not mar the beauty of the temple, nor could they break the faith of people. This iconic building is a religious place and a place for researches and exhibitions as well. The pink sandstone and the intricately carved structure is the highlight of the temple, which attracts several thousand devotees every year.
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