Published By: Sayan Paul

5 best places to visit in India if you love architecture

With a long history of diverse cultures and traditions, India has a lot of places that an architecture lover simply cannot miss visiting.

Along with the magnificently beautiful Himalayas, the attractive beaches and the hypnotic green forests, India is also known for its architectural sites which attract people for their rich art, historical significance and cultural heritage. Throughout the history of thousands of years, several different styles of architecture have grown and now, India is blessed with a lot of architectural masterpieces.

  1. Rajasthan: From the marvelous forts to the royal palaces, from the stupendous havelis to the beautiful temples, Rajasthan is full of rich architectural buildings. The architectural style is a blend of Hindu and Mughal structural design and the richness will definitely leave you mesmerized. City Palace at Jaipur, Golden Fort at Jaisalmer, Dilwara Jain Temples at Mount Abu, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra mosque at Ajmer etc are some of the must visit sites in Rajasthan.
  2. Hampi (Karnataka): Dravidian architecture with an influence of Indo Islamic architecture, Hampi is undoubtedly one of the most perfect destination for architecture enthusiastics. Located on the bank of Tungabhadra river, Hampi attracts tourists for its boulder-strewn hills, colourful forts, sacred temples, halls, complexes, gateways and museums. The Krishna temple complex, Hemakuta group of temples, Lotus Mahal complex, Narasimha are some of the most popular sites in Hampi.
  3. Pondicherry (Tamilnadu): If you want to experience the beauty and richness of Colonial French and Franco-Tamil architecture, then Pondicherry is the most perfect destination for you. Just take a walk through the lanes of White Town, French Riviera, Romain Rolland Street or Auroville and the rich beauty of all the buildings, houses, statues and gates will leave you awestruck. Visit Hotel De Ville, Dune De L’Orient, Notre Dame Des Anges etc if you are at Pondicherry.
  4. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Regarded as a holy place, Varanasi has a rich diversity in culture, tradition and religion and we can witness that diversity in all of its architectural sites. From the chaos of the Ghats to the phenomenal beauty of the temples, from the enriching museums to the incredibly designed buildings, Varanasi will fill your heart with a lot of joy. Dashaswamedh Ghat, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ram Nagar Fort are some of the major attractions of Varanasi.
  5. Agra (Uttar Pradesh): Agra is one of the most favourite places of architecture enthusiastics. The place is enriched with its royal historical significance and rich culture. While Taj Mahal is the most visited place in Agra; Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-daula’s Tomb, Taj Museum, Moti Masjid, Sheesh Mahal are also some of the must visit sites in Agra.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, visit all the places and enjoy the rich beauty of these architectural sites