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Cultural sightseeing in India. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces

Night view of Bangalore In India, tourists will find such a large number of museums, temples, and historical sites that it is impossible to visit everything during one stay and they have to choose which is more important to visit. Those who want to learn more about Indian culture have lots of opportunities to do it. There are many places of worship for believers in the country. One of them is the world-famous Taj Mahal in Agra. It is a popular landmark, a mosque, and a mausoleum, as well as a masterpiece of Great Mughal architecture. This great monument made of white marble is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The mosque was built in the middle of the 17th century. Everything exudes power and grandeur including the tomb, the guest house, the main gate and this masterpiece as a whole.
Children will surely like India from the minute they step into the country: there are so many friendly people in colorful clothes here, as well as …
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You will find the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, a place of worship for Hindus, in Tiruchchirappalli. Despite the fact that only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple, everyone else can admire the temple-city from the outside. The exterior of the temple is startling. Everything here looks extraordinary for a European eye: giant gates, Brahmin dwellings, and wonderful architecture, in which everything is thought out to the smallest detail. There are about 40 pavilions, 21 towers, plenty of shops which will make your visit to this religious complex a really unforgettable one. The temple is considered as one of the largest functioning Hindu worship places in the world. You can spend the whole day here, feeling a solemn spirit and increasingly falling in love with Hindu culture.
The temple of the sun-god Surya in Konark was built seven centuries ago. Built entirely of stone, the temple is known for its bas-reliefs of a sexual nature, which can be seen on its walls. Birds sing around the chariot-shaped temple, beautiful flowers grow everywhere. In other words, this temple is fascinating both on the inside and on the outside. In 1951, the Somnath Temple dedicated to Shiva was opened in Prabhas Patan. This is a modern, reconstructed building of the temple on the site of an ancient construction which was built at the end of the 10th century. The ocean waters caress the base of the temple. It is very clean here and there are always many pilgrims, suffering Hindus praying to Shiva for healing. Taking pictures inside the temple is prohibited. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
In large, colorful and noisy India, merchants wait for customers at every corner. Here it is pretty difficult for tourists to make the right choice …
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The “Calico Museum of Textiles”, which was built in the early 50s of the last century, is located in the city of Ahmedabad. It contains a rich collection of fabrics with complex patterns, antique documents, and bronze items. Guides provide comprehensive information about the process of creation and history of each exhibit. The fabric used for tailoring, for pujas and other needs, shawls, carpets, scarves – simply put, all kinds of Indian fabrics from different eras are collected here. The age of some items in the collection is almost half a thousand years. In New Delhi, there is a National Museum of Natural History, which was opened in 1978. Here visitors can see some ancient ornaments, ethnic art, weapons, manuscripts, archaeological objects, Indian miniatures and much more. The museum was reconstructed in April 2016 after a fire, which caused damage to many collections.
Mumbai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) For those who are keen on science, it is recommended to visit Ranchi Science Center. It is a science museum with interactive exhibits and games, a 3D projection theater, scientific collections, and a children’s education area. Animations, computers, technologies ranging from the most simple to complex modern can be found here too. You can get closer to science and technology in the museum and get an idea of the daily processes and complex physical laws. Those who visit Kozhikode should pay attention to the Pazhassi Raja Archaeological Museum, which is famous for its ancient exhibits, the newest of which trace their lineage to the 200th year of our era. The museum also has a gallery, where you can find paintings of Indian artists, who lived in the 19th and 20th centuries. The bicentennial building once housed a court. What is more, there was a prison in the basement.
In mysterious and remote India, people like to celebrate different holidays and organize colorful festivals. The unique atmosphere of the East …
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The Heritage Transport Museum in Tauru is the first museum of its kind in India, which was opened in 2013. It gives you the opportunity to observe the evolution of Indian transport: bicycles, motorcycles, vintage cars, modern sports cars, transport into past centuries, carriages, old buses, trains, carts, trucks — for all of Indian’s history, they are known to move on wheels. Bhopal is proud of its Museum of Tribal Culture, where you can look at the authentic tribal housing and instruments of labor, as well as learn how people from the seven main tribes that inhabited the state lived, what they believed in, what they did, and how they had fun. There is a library and a children’s gallery too.
Near the city of Gwalior, tourists can find a fortress built in the 6th century located on a basalt hill. Time did not affect its beauty and greatness. According to legend, it was named after the Saint who healed the leper king. The complex consists of several palaces and temples, some of which were built during the existence of the fortress. Lal Qila, or the “Red Fort” situated in the center of Delhi, was founded at the beginning of the 17th century and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built in the Indo-Islamic style, it is made of marble and red sandstone. Within the walls of the magnificent fortress, there are several palaces, a market, a mosque, and a park.
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Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in India

Reference information
Map of all art museums
Art galleries in India
♥   Art museum 'Albert Hall Museum' Jaipur. On the map   Photos
♥   Art museum 'Allahabad Museum' Allahabad. On the map   Photos
♥   Art museum 'Asutosh Museum of Indian Art' Kolkata. On the map   Photos
♥   Art museum 'Bangalore' Bangalore. On the map   Photos
♥   Art museum 'Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery' Vadodara. On the map   Photos
Map of all churches
Cathedrals and basilicas in India
♥   St. Mary’s Syro-Malankara Cathedral, Trivandrum. On the map   Photos
♥   St. Mary Queen of Peace Basilica, Trivandrum. On the map   Photos
♥   Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Joseph, Trivandrum. On the map   Photos
♥   St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Palayamkottai. On the map   Photos
♥   Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows, Thoothukudi. On the map   Photos
♥   Sacred Heart Cathedral, Thoothukudi. On the map   Photos
♥   Cathedral of the Infant Jesus, Kollam. On the map   Photos
Map of all palaces
Palaces in India
♥   Palace 'Agra Fort' . On the map   Photos
♥   Palace 'Aina Mahal' . On the map   Photos
♥   Palace 'Amba Vilas Palace' . On the map   Photos
♥   Palace 'Amber Palace' . On the map   Photos
♥   Palace 'Arki Palace Himachal' . On the map   Photos

Extreme Guinness-type places in India

Leaning Temple of Huma

From the series “Falling towers and buildings”
You can see the ancient Huma Temple in India. It is located in the vicinity of the village of the same name. This miniature temple impresses travelers not so much with its architectural features as with its disastrous leaning. It seems that the temple is going to collapse right now. Its top remains perpendicular to the ground despite the huge leaning of the building. This ancient temple is dedicated to the God Shiva. The exact date of its construction is unknown.

The first official mention of the building dates back to the end of the 17th century. Its first complete reconstruction was ordered by King Baliar Singh at this time. The temple is located in a very complex geological area. It was built right on the rocks on the bank of the Mahanadi River. Many coastal areas are heavily flooded … Read all

Paradesi Synagogue

From the series “The most luxury and famous synagogues”
Paradesi synagogue is located in India. It is the oldest in the country. It was built in 1568. The name "Paradesi" is translated from the local dialect as "foreigners". The religious building is located in the historical district of Kochi. This area was called the Jewish City in the late middle ages. A large community of Sephardic or Spanish-speaking Jews lived here. Seven synagogues were built here in the 17th century. Only one continues to operate at present. This is Paradesi.

The Jews who lived in the historical district of Kochi were mainly engaged in selling. Many shops were located next to the synagogue. They sold spices and other national products. The synagogue that visitors to the city can see today is not the first one in this place. The very first synagogue was built in 1558. … Read all
All unique sightseeing India
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Map of cities Cities map of India
Map of sights Map of sights in India

Hilton builds third luxury hotel in Kyoto

The Hilton Kyoto hotel will be attractive to a wide range of guests. Leisure travelers will appreciate the close proximity to famous attractions such as Heian and Yasaka Temples, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and the scenic Gion Historical District. In a few minutes, guests can reach the metro stations, the path to the sights of interest will not take much time. Read this

25.04.2024

Top cultural sites of India: monuments, theaters and churches

Cathedral Church of the Redemption, New Delhi

Location on the map:   Interesting facts: » The Cathedral Church of the Redemption is a reminder of British rule. It was founded by Anglican missionaries preaching the gospel. The church was built in 1862, in the colonial epoch.
»  The building is decorated with dark scarlet stone. The color gradually changes and creates a gradient going from the roof and reaching triangular porticoes under the base of the bell tower.
»  The church is located near the Parliament House in the central district of Dehli. The church fits harmoniously into the space composition of other buildings.
»  The outer walls are painted red. With it, the church symbolizes the blood of Christian martyrs. They were citizens dying during the Sepoy Rebellion when Indian soldiers rose against the English colonial policy.
»  The luxurious interior of the church decorated with paintings and carved figurines has been preserved. The walls are stained glass. Everything looks quite modest. It is always cool inside.
»  The Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Dehli (India) has been well preserved. There is a natural grass lawn around the church. The doors of the church are always open to visitors.

Lotus Temple, New Delhi

Location on the map:     Interesting facts:
» The Lotus Temple, or the Bahá'í House, is one of the nine temples built all over the world. It belongs to Bahái followers. It is modern religion that lacks confessional restrictions, sermons, priests, and altars. Adherents to this religion don’t worship icons and sculptures.
»  The huge white building that resembles a lotus flower was built in 1986 on the donations collected all over the world. The project architect was Fariborz Sahba, an Iranian who lived in Canada.
»  Before the construction, the building project had been modeled on the computer for two years. The main hall that has a diameter of 75 m and is 31 m high can accommodate from 1 300 to 2 500 visitors. The Bahá'í House was awarded several architectural prizes.
»  In Bahá'í temples, adherents of any religion can pray. Here, volunteers serving visitors and the temple work.
»  Over the years of its existence, the temple was visited by more people than the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower was.

Mumbadevi Temple, Bombay

Location on the map:   Interesting facts: » “Mumba” means “the Great Mother of everything”. This is the name of the goddess, the local incarnation of Devi. The temple was built and named after her. This is also the name of the city, Mumbai (previously, Bombay) and, as the legend says, of the woman who encouraged the construction of the temple.
» The Mother Goddess defended salt miners and patronized anglers. They were the main group in the city.
» There is the two-meter statue of Mumba in the temple. It is made of black stone. Its head is decorated with a silver wreath. There are golden rings on the fingers and toes and a precious necklace on the neck. The figure is dotted with orange and yellow marigold leaves.
» The idol is surrounded by other goddesses. One of them is riding a peacock. Near it, there is the statue of the simian creature and the god of wisdom and wealth.
» The sanctuary is modestly decorated. There are almost no decorative elements. The rectangular temple is built of white stone. There is a tower in the tower of the pyramid at the top. There is a flag atop. Massive vertical ledges are the foundation of the construction.
» The entrance to Devi’s room is guarded by a sculptural tiger. The goddess rode it.
» Unlike the interior, the exterior of the temple impresses with plenty of intricate elements.
» Mumba has been revered since the 15th century.

St. Thomas Cathedral, Bombay

Location on the map:   Interesting facts: » St. Thomas Cathedral is a Christian church built in 1796. It was consecrated in the name of Apostle Thomas. He came to India to propagate the faith in Christ.
» The building was built by the British. Before that, the ruler in Bombay had intended to build the House of God for the English community.
» The construction lasted 40 years.
» You can see a lot of statues in wall recesses. The walls are decorated with bas-reliefs in Eastern style. There are high narrow windows. You can see figures of saints on stained glass windows. The vaulted ceiling is upheld by stone columns with arched soffits. The walls in the main halls are covered with carved panels.
» In the inner space, you can see stone sculptures. There is the preserved picture of the first bishop lying in the bed.
» The roof is tiled. There are also patios with fountains inside.
» In the territory of the cathedral, there are preserved memorial heave marble slabs with plates in honor of the dead British subjects.
» After some time, the magnificent tower was constructed. There is a clock on it. The first worship took place at Christmas. The cathedral was built in the center of the former fortress.
» The last reconstruction was paid by the United Nations Convention.

Taj Mahal Palace, Bombay

Location on the map:     Interesting facts:
» The hotel called “Taj Mahal Palace & Tower” started to be built in 1898. It opened its doors in 1903.
» The building is famous for the visits of the Royal family. Here, banquets were held for Indian high society. August 1947 is a historic date. The political freedom of India was proclaimed exactly in the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower.
» The hotel is an architectural monument, as it is characterized by the combination of different styles. The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower features many elegant arches, domes, and balconies. Columns upholding the dome are made of onyx. The massive doors are decorated with carved paintings. The interior impresses with rich design. It is decorated with many semi-precious stones. The floor is covered with a home-made carpet. In the rooms, there are crystal chandeliers and antique pieces of furniture.
» It was the first time when modern lighting appeared in the building.
» Historic objects and valuable pieces of art are displayed.
» The rooms are cleaned 8 times a day. The walls in bathrooms are covered with Italian tiles.
» The convenient location of the hotel (on the embankment) attracts many tourists.

Culture and monuments in popular cities of India

Ahmedabad
More than five centuries later, Bhadra Fort still has many original buildings. Today, offices of the city administration, court, post, and other organizations are open in these old buildings. During an excursion in Bhadra Fort, don’t forget to visit an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. This temple still features elements of the original design and ancient Hindu artifacts made centuries ago. It is allowed to go up to the roof of the building and admire the breathtaking views from … Read more
Agra
Besides the internationally famous palace, don’t forget to visit the legendary Agra Fort. This is another important attraction of the Mughal period. The main purpose of the giant architectural complex built from red bricks was to protect the area from alien invasions. The complex was rebuilt and expanded several times over the centuries. Today, almost the entire territory of the Fort of Agra is open for excursions. You can see a picturesque palace that once was an emperor’s residence and … Read more
Amritsar
Before entering the temple, everyone needs to perform the ritual purification in the sacral reservoir. Note that only people who practice Sikhism need to do this. Everyone else cannot enter the temple and is only allowed to admire it from the outside. A large square covered with marble surrounds the important Sikh shrine. Although there are always many people in the temple complex, this place has an incredibly calm and peaceful atmosphere. It is also interesting to visit the shrine in the … Read more
New Delhi
The main building material for the mosque construction was white marble and rotten rock. The construction looks rather impressive. A remarkable architectural landmark is the Red Fort. The construction was built in the epoch of Mongolian conquest. The building of the massive powerful fort lasted for about ten years and was finished in 1648. The fortifying building got its name due to the main building material which was the same rotten tock. Recently the fort was reequipped into the Museum of … Read more
Bombay
A symbolic landmark of the city is a monument named the Gateway to India. The construction of the monument was finished in 1924. The main material used for building of the monument was yellow basalt. A scale stone arch with small turrets is the main symbol of the city. Opposite to the Gateway to India monument tourists will find the same impressive architectural construction being the Taj Mahal Palace which is now home to a luxurious hotel. The Palace was built in the beginning of the 20th … Read more
Bangalore
Many attractions of the city have religious nature. A huge statue of Shiva, which height estimates 20 meters, is a truly interesting destination from the sightseeing point of view. Tourists prefer to make an excursion to the statue late in the evening, when Shiva is highlighted with a special lighting. In the lights of multi-colored spotlights the statue of Indian deity looks even more impressive. Bangalore is home to one of the oldest temples of the country - Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple. The … Read more
Chennai
Another important historical object is Fort St. George. It is the first fortification in India built by the British colonialists. Construction of the fort took place in the mid-17th century. Its last large-scale reconstruction took place in 1749; since then the majestic fort is kept in the same condition. Not far from the fort there is St. Mary's Church that is the oldest church in India. It was built in the second half of the 17th century; over the years many ceremonies have been held there … Read more
Goa
One of the most picturesque and interesting places for fans of excursions is Fontainhas area in Panaji, as this charming old quarter is rich in important tourist sites. Many centuries ago, Portuguese have lived there. These days, their descendants are main inhabitants of the historic district. Fontainhas consists entirely of unique architectural monuments; there are old houses and several lovely whitewashed churches in the neoclassical style. Travelers that are interested in the history of … Read more

India map of cultural and historical sites

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