While most written records and entire edifices that testify to India's contribution to civilization have been obliterated over time, some of them from the close of the last millennium are an eloquent reminder of the vitality of a continuing civilization for at least 5000 years. The meeting of different cultural traditions can be seen in the innumerable forts, palaces, monuments and tombs that dot the Indian landscape.
Taragarh Fort, Kota: The main entrance to the imposing Taragarh fort is located some 39 Kms away from the town center that can be approached by a sharply sloping road. The main gateway of the fort has some meticulous carvings of elephants. Infact, there are three gateways to the fort. They are named Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Darwaza and Gagudi ki Phatak. Most parts of these impressive gateways are now in ruins.
During its heydays, Taragarh fort was renowned for its tunnels crisscrossing the entire hillside. These tunnels allowed the king and his deputies to flee in case there was an imminent danger to their lives from enemies. Unfortunately, no maps of these tunnels are available in present times. From the Taragarh Fort, a spectacular view of Kota town is available.
The Taragarh fort has some huge water reservoirs. These reservoirs were built to store water and supply it to the residents during time of crisis. It is said that if released in full force, the water had the capacity to wash away people residing below. The reservoirs have been carved out of the rocky base of the fort. According to local belief, a huge fortune lies somewhere inside the Taragarh fort. It is said that an Afghan family of warriors guarded the fortune and even the king never had direct access to it. But with the death of the last Pathan warrior during World War I, the secret was lost forever. Locals say that the fortune consists of precious gold, diamonds, rubies and gems. Though a few missions were launched by later rulers to find the treasure, all efforts have been in vain.
There is a massive stone tower within the fort complex called Bhim Burj. The tower was built to house a huge cannon named Garbha Gunjan. Garbha Gunjan is regarded as the second largest cannon in India. The cannon made such a thunderous sound that soldiers had to run immediately after firing it. Rani Mahal is a small palace within the fort complex built for the wives and concubines of rulers. The Mahal has, however lost most of its charm as the shine of its spectacular murals and stained glass windows have completely faded away.
Junagarh Fort-Bikaner: Junagarh Fort is a rare example of a medieval period monument whose beauty and grandeur remains intact due to some great preservation efforts.
A look at the exquisitely carved walls of Junagarh gives the impression that the fort has been built only a few days back. This magnificent fort was built in the year 1588 A.D by Raja Rai Singh, one of the most trusted generals of Emperor Akbar. Another striking feature of Junagarh fort is that it has been built on lower grounds. It may be mentioned that forts are generally built on higher plains to enhance their defensive characteristics. In spite of that, Junagarh fort could never be conquered. As many as 37 bastions guard the fort and access inside the fort is provided by only two gates. Suraj Pol or Sun Gate is the main entrance to the fort. The fort consists of attractive palaces, courtyards, pavilions and balconies.
Anup Mahal is one of the most beautiful palaces inside the fort. The shining walls have been covered in red and gold. The colored glass inlay works on the walls look very impressive. Equally beautiful are the white plaster pillars decorated in many different patterns and attached with gold leaf. Badal Mahal has some of the finest paintings adorning its walls. Most of these paintings have water as its main theme. The Rain Fresco painting of Radha-Krishna is regarded as the best. Another beautiful palace is the Phool Mahal whose exquisitely carved windows, balconies, towers and kiosks gives it a splendid look.
The fort also houses a museum having an impressive collection of the items used by the royals. These costly items throw light on the lavish lifestyle of the royals. The collections include illuminated manuscripts, jewelry, carpets, arms and weapons used by the royals. Even treaties signed and farmans (orders) issued by the royals have been well preserved and displayed.
Some other beautiful buildings inside the fort complex are Chandra Mahal, Karan Mahal, Durga Niwas and Ganga Niwas. Karan Mahal was built as part of victory celebrations over Aurangzeb. It may be mentioned that most of the structures inside the fort have been built using red sandstone and decorated very richly.
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur: Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. The fort has been a witness to the splendor of a bygone era. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the
chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures. To enter the Mehrangarh fort, seven gates have to be crossed.
Some of these gates still bear marks of many a siege that this fort has withstood. It’s very hard to imagine how any invader even thought of conquering this fort, which at places has 17 feet thick and 68 feet high walls.
The Mehrangarh Fort encloses many palaces, which are known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards. Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace has a delicately carved stone screen and treasures the Sringar Chowki, royal throne of Jodhpur. Umaid Villas displays the Rajput miniature paintings and Ajit Villas exhibits musical instruments and the royal costumes. Both these villas are joined by a beautiful mirror room.
The Jodhpur Coat of Arms is kept in the Phool Mahal. Walls of this Flower Palace is covered with paintings depicting various musical moods. The Maan Villas displays Rathore armory and the 'Tent room'. This tent room is an imperial Mughal campaign tent, used by Shahjehan but wrested by Jaswant Singh from Aurangzeb in a battle. Made of red velvet and embroidered with gold thread, it gives some idea of the grandeur with which the Mughals approached even their battles.
Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur: Built by Sawai Jai Singh in the year 1726 to bolster the defense of the area, Jaigarh is the best example of a full-fledged citadel. A simple looking fort, no palaces or other delicate structures has been built inside the fort. The architecture makes clear Sawai Jai Singh's intentions of using the fort purely as a military structure. Also known as the Victory Fort, Jaigarh is located some 15 Kms away from the city center on a cliff. The fort is surrounded by huge battlements. The inside walkways have been built in such a way that a clear view of all the sides are easily available. There is a steep road leading to Dungar Darwaza-the main entrance of Jaigarh fort. The view that one gets of Jaipur city from the fort is simply amazing.
The chief attraction of this rugged military structure is Jaivana, world's largest cannon on wheels. The cannon was built in the year 1720 in the foundry of Jaigarh. Although a debatable issue, some historians are of the firm opinion that the cannon was fired only once. It is said that the huge cannon had the potential of causing immense damage if fired upon approaching enemies.
Another striking feature of Jaigarh are the water channels built inside the fort. All the channels were part of the rainwater harvesting system. There are a total of 3 underground tanks at the fort. The largest of them had the capacity to store 60,00,000 gallons of water. Thus, it was clear that proper arrangements were in place to store essentials during times of war.
Jaigarh fort also houses a beautiful museum. The museum has a very impressive collection of armory used during that period. This collection includes swords, shields, guns, muskets and cannon balls. Some old photographs of Jaipur's rulers and military generals have also been kept in the museum.
Another place that stores some of the precious items of Rajput warriors is Shubhat Niwas, the meeting hall of warriors. One could surmise the circumstances under which military strategies were devised after visiting the place.
While your Vacation in South India will be one where you can see…summary
Some Important Monuments of India are:
| Agra Fort | Taj Mahal | Jama Masjid | Red Fort | Qutab Minar | Victoria Memorial Calcutta | Mysore Palace | Lake Palace | Ajanta Caves | Ellora Caves | Amer Fort | Charminar | CST – Mumbai | Victoria Memorial | Elephanta Caves | Fatehpur Sikri | Gateway of India | India Gate | Parliament House | Rashtrapathi Bhawan | Khajuraho |
Agra Fort
The high red sandstone ramparts of this great monument stretch for almost 2.5 kilometers, dominating a bend in the river Yamuna, northwest of the Taj Mahal. The foundation of this majestic citadel was laid by the Emperor Akbar and it developed as a stronghold of the Mughal Empi
re under successive generations.
The curved bastions of the huge walls are interrupted by impressive gates of which only the Amar Singh gate is now open to the public. The original and grandest entrance was through the Delhi Gate, which leads to the inner portal called the Hathi Pol or Elephant Gate.
The graceful Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences, made of red sandstone, was constructed by Shahjehan in 1628. Three rows of white polished stucco pillars topped by peacock arches support the flat roof. Today, this Hall is bereft of brocade decorations, silk carpets and satin canopies, which would have enhanced the elegance of the settings when the Emperor sat down with his subjects to hear their complaints.
The Agra Fort houses the Royal Pavilions, which were designed to catch the cool breeze wafting across the river. Other attractions comprise the Macchi Bhawan or the Fish Palace, the Hammam-i-Shahi or the Royal Bath, the Nagina Masjid or the Gem Mosque, and the Zenana Meena Bazaar, where the ladies of the court would browse through goods like silk, jewelry and brocade.
Past the Chitor gate, installed in 1568, is the Diwan-i-Khas, or the Hall of Private Audience. Here, the emperor would receive kings, dignitaries and ambassadors. Tucked away by the west wall of the hall is the Mina Masjid or the Heavenly mosque, where Shahjehan prayed when his son Aurangzeb imprisoned him in the Fort.
A doorway from the rear of the Diwan-i-Khas leads to the Mussaman Burj, a two-storied pavilion, where Shahjehan caught the last glimpse of the Taj Mahal before he died. Surrounded by a verandah, the elegant chamber has a lattice-screen balustrade with ornamental niches; exquisite inlay covers almost every surface and a marble chhatri (umbrella) on top adds the finishing touch.
The Khas Mahal or the Private Palace was used by the emperor as a sleeping chamber and is designed for comfort, with cavities in the room to insulate against the heat. The Mahal is flanked by two golden pavilions. Other ornate palaces within the Fort are the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), the Shah Jahani Mahal (Shahjahan's Palace), Jahangiri Mahal (Jahangir's Palace) and the Akbari Mahal (Akbar's Mahal). These palaces are hybrid in design and some are distinctly Mughal in style while others like the Jahangiri Mahal are almost entirely Hindu in their interior design.
Taj Mahal: A Shrine of Love
Islamic architecture, in its purest form, is epitomized by the incomparable Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan as a memorial to his wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Work started on this monument in 1634 and continued for almost 22 years. Situated in the city of Agra on the banks of the Ya
muna, the Taj is enclosed in a garden amidst fountains and ornamental trees. The walled complex includes two mosques and an imposing gateway. The tomb is encased in white marble that is decorated with flawless sculptures and inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy cut from precious gems. Below the dome, in a dimly lit chamber, lie the mortal remains of Shahjehan and his beloved queen Mumtaj Mahal, reminding the world of their undying love.
The silver light of the full moon shines upon the cool white dome of the Taj Mahal, softly glowing in the night air. The extreme magnificence and beauty of the Taj can be appreciated fully in the subtle moonlight. However, the radiance of dawn and the orange glow of sunset also illumine the splendor of this most beautiful monument of India. Even in the bright light of the day, this wonder of the world shines with an awe-inspiring loveliness.
Without doubt, the Taj Mahal ranks as amongst the most perfect buildings in the world, flawlessly proportionate, built entirely out of marble. Intended to be a commemoration of the memory of Shahjahan's beloved wife, in reality, it is his gift to the entire human race.
Jama Masjid
Situated in the ancient town of Old Delhi, the Jama or Jami Masjid is the final architectural extravaganza of the Mughal Emperor, Shahjehan. This monument was built between 1644 and 1658 by five thousand artisans. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahanuma, or "mosque commanding view of the world", this magnificent structure stands on the Bho Jhala, one of the two hills of the old Mughal capital city of Shahjahanabad. On the east, this monument faces the Lal Quila (Red Fort) and has three gateways, four towers and two minarets. Constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble, the Jama Masjid is the largest and perhaps the most magnificent mosque in India.
Broad flights of steps lead up to the imposing gateways in the north and the south. The main eastern entrance, probably used by the emperors, remains closed on most days of the week. The main prayer hall on the west side, fronted by a series of high cusped arches and topped with marble domes, houses a niche in a wall that shelters the prayer leader. Worshippers use this hall on most days but on Fridays and other holy days, the courtyard is full of devotees offering namaaz.
Near the north gate of the mosque stands a cupboard containing a collection of Muhammad's relics - Korans written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprint, embedded in a marble slab.
Red Fort, Delhi
The largest of Old Delhi's monuments is Lal Quila or Red Fort whose thick red sandstone walls, bulging with turrets and bastions, have withstood the vagaries of time and nature. The 
Lal Quila rises above a wide dry moat in the northeast corner of the original city of Shahjahanabad. Its walls extend from two kilometers and vary in height from 18 meters on the riverside to 33 meters on the city side.
Mughal Emperor Shahjehan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648. The fort contains all the expected trappings of the center of Mughal government: halls of public and private audience domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the fort remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur, despite being attacked by the Persian Emperor Nadir Shah in 1739 and by the British soldiers during the war of independence in 1857.
Entrance to the fort is through the imposing Lahore Gate, which takes its name from the fact that it faces Lahore, now in Pakistan. This gate has a special significance for India since the first war of independence and important speeches have been made here by freedom fighters and national leaders of India.
The main entrance opens on to the Chatta Chowk, a covered street flanked with arched cells that used to house Delhi's most talented jewelers, carpet makers, weavers and goldsmiths. This arcade was also known as the Meena Bazaar, the shopping center for the ladies of the court. Just beyond the Chhata Chowk is the heart of the fort called Naubat Khana or the Drum House. The musicians used to play for the emperor from the Naubat Khana and the arrival of princes and royalty was heralded from here.
The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of the common folks. His alcove in the wall was marble-paneled and was set with precious stones, many of which were looted after the mutiny of 1857. The Diwan-i-Khas is the hall of private audiences where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of marble and its centerpiece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the famous Persian couplet inscribed on its wall remind us of its former magnificence: "If on Earth be an Eden on bliss, it is this, it is this, none but this."
The other attractions within this monument are the Royal Baths or Hammam, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjahan's private working area and the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. The Rang Mahal or the "Palace of Colors" housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses. This palace was crowned with gilded turrets, delicately painted and decorated with an intricate mosaic of mirrors, and a ceiling overlaid with gold and silver that was reflected in a central pool in the marble floor.
Even today, the Lal Quila is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal era and its magnificence leaves many wonder-struck and breathless. It is still a calm haven of peace which helps one to break away from the frantic pace of life outside the walls of the Fort and transports the visitor to another era of time.
Qutab Minar
A soaring tower of early Muslim vintage, the Qutab Minar attracts many visitors from all across the world. Impressively ornate, its construction began in the 12th century and it was completed in the 13th century. Beautiful calligraphy adorns the adjacent edifices. The Minar rises over 230 feet and can be ascended by a circular stairway for a view that is breathtaking. The monument tapers from a 15-meter diameter
base to just 2½ meters at the top.
The tower has five distinct stories, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three stories are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone. The Qutab Minar is covered with intricate carvings and deeply inscribed verses from the Koran.
Work on the Minar was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1199, celebrating the advent of Muslim dominance in Delhi, but the construction was completed by his successors. To Qutb-ud-din, the tower marked the eastern extremity of the Islamic faith, casting the shadow of God over east and west. It was also a minaret, from which the muezzin called the devout to prayer.
Today, this impressively ornate tower has a slight tilt, but has otherwise remained remarkably well preserved over the centuries.
Victoria Memorial: Calcutta's Pride
The white marble building at the Southern end of Calcutta's maidan continues to be the city's pride and joy. The Victoria Memorial, with its formal gardens and watercourses was 
conceived by Lord Curzon to commemorate the British Empire at its peak. Other colonial monuments within the city have either been obliterated with time or have been renamed or demolished. But the popularity of the "VM" seems to endure forever.
The Memorial consists of numerous hybrid features: it has Italian-style statues over its entrances, Mughal domes in its corners and tall elegant open colonnades along its sides. The building was designed by Sir William Emerson and its construction was completed in 1921. The main attraction at the memorial is the huge somber statue of the Queen, which is flanked by two ornamental tanks. Made of Makrana marble from Jodhpur, the Memorial is capped by a dome bearing a revolving bronze figurine symbolizing victory.
There are 25 galleries in a chamber beneath the dome. These house several mementos of British Imperialism - statues and busts of Queen Mary, George V and Queen Victoria; paintings of Robert Clive and the Queen, French Guns captured at the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and a black marble throne of a Nawab defeated by Clive.
Mysore Palace: A silhouette of the Mysore Palace illuminated with ninety seven thousand bulbs shimmering against an inky black night is one of the most enduring images of the city. A priceless national treasure and the pride of a kingdom, the Mysore Palace is the seat of the famed Wadiyar Maharajas of Mysore.
An eclectic synthesis of architectural styles the palace is one of India’s most dramatic national monuments. Today it is a museum housing treasures from across the world reflecting the rich and colorful history of the erstwhile princely state of Mysore.
The Maharaja's Palace is one of the important sights in Mysore. Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Intricately carved doors open on to luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. The magnificent jewel studded golden throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here. The palace presents a spectacle of breathtaking beauty.
Lake Palace: Maharana Jagat Singh got the Lake Palace of Udaipur constructed in 1743. Built as a summer retreat for the Maharana, this palace is situated on an island, Jag Niwas, in the middle of Lake Pichola. Now converted into a five star hotel, Lake Palace is sprawled across 1.5 hectares. Constructed in white marble, it is one of the most mesmerizing palaces not only in India, rather the World. There are a number of apartments within the palace which are ornamented with painted mirrors, inlaid stones, cusped arched and lotus leaves, the rooms in these apartments bring back the memories of the bygone royal era. All over the palace textiles and handicrafts with exquisite themes and craftsmanship are displayed.
The courtyards of the Lake Palace played host to the rulers of other states for the purpose of holding durbars. Adorned with columns, pillared terraces, fountains and gardens, these courtyards make the palace look more attractive. Adding to the fascination of the palace are the sounds of the waves rippling and lashing around the island.
Lake Palace, now converted into a hotel. Each of the room has a particular theme and is decorated with the textiles and handicrafts as per the theme. The facilities provided at the Udaipur Lake Palace Hotel include a swimming pool, conference hall, bar, coffee shop, restaurant, souvenir shop and jewelry shops. For the purpose of recreation, excursions in and around Udaipur are organized at the hotel itself. While on a Trip to India, especially Rajasthan, make it a point to stay at least one night at this opulent palace.
Ajanta Caves: Ajanta Caves: As far as the history and origin of the Ajanta Cave Temples is concerned, one can say that they were discovered in the year 1819 (19th century AD). The caves were discovered by British soldiers by accident, when they went on a hunting expedition in the Deccan Plateau. One of the soldiers was generally looking down from a height, when he suddenly saw a rock - in the shape of a horseshoe. Obviously, he became curious and his curiosity increased when he saw the entrance of a cave, inside the rock.
The entire group of soldiers then descended from where they were earlier standing. After venturing across the ravine of the Waghur River, the soldiers came across an entire group of caves. Situated so far from inhabitation and left unexplored for such a long time, they had become covered by bush, shrubs, earth and stones. This had resulted in making them even more concealed. All the caves were empty, except for a few - whose inhabitants comprised of herds of goats, looking for shelter.
Soon after the British soldiers went back to their bases, they informed the Government of their discovery. The Government summoned archaeologists, who were entrusted with the task of carrying excavations at the site, which is today known as the Ajanta Cave Temples. Since that time, numerous unearthing have been undertaken at Ajanta and they have come up with amazing findings. Till date, 30 caves have been found in Ajanta, of which some are still unfinished. All of them stand adorned with paintings on verandahs, inner walls and ceilings.
Ellora Caves: For unknown reasons Ajanta was abandoned in the 7th century, when the artists moved to Ellora, 66 kilometers away. The Ellora cave temples are caved out of a wall side and stretch for about two kilometers from north to south. There are 34 temples in all of these out of which only 12 are Buddhist (Viharas) though even these incorporate Hindu and Jain themes, demonstrating the declining phase of Buddhism. In 1990 the Survey of India announced the discovery of 28 additional caves in the upper hills. Dating possibly from 9th to the 13th century, the vases contain Hindu sculptures.
These are extremely impressive, with the Kailash Temple (cave 16) having a volume twice that of the Parthenon. Approximately 200,000 tonnes of rock was excavated for the construction of what is possibly the world’s largest monolithic structure. Working downwards the craftsmen first chiseled the roof out of the rock and then worked on the interiors, leaving pillars that were decorative rather than functional. Representing Shiva’s Himalayan home, the Kailash Temple is exquisitely sculpted with scenes from Hindu mythology. Each is pulsating with drama, energy, passion and vitality. The other notable caves are Rava Kakhi, Das Avtara, Ramesvara and cave Dumar. There are five Jain caves, which though not as spectacular as the Hindu caves are still worthwhile to see.
Amber Fort: Amber Fort is located in Amber (Jaipur), which used to be the capital of the Kachhwaha clan, till Jaipur was made the official capital in 1727. The Amber Fort looks stunning, all-built in white marble and red sandstone. To add to its charm, Maotha Lake mak
es its foreground. The crystal mirror image of the Fort, on the still waters of the lake, seems to be a beautiful illusion. Amber Fort is usually pronounced as Amer Fort. In 1592, Raja Man Singh I started construction of the Fort. However, the Amber Fort took its present form during the reign of Raja Jai Singh I.
The outer appearance of the Fort, being rough and craggy is totally different from its core. The interior of the Fort provides a soothing and warm ambience, which is least expected from its outer appearance. The marvelous decoration of the Amer Fort is influenced by both, the Hindu and Muslim manner of ornamentation. Exquisite paintings of hunting scenes on the walls depict the temperament of the Rajputs, who were adventurous, revolutionary and self-indulgent.
The intricate carvings on the walls and ceilings simply astonish the visitors. The minute mirror work adds to the grand appearance and royalty of the halls. The Amer Fort undoubtedly captivates the tourists with its artistic quality of delicate work. The mighty walls guarantee the protection of the Fort against the invasion of the enemies.
The best part of this tour is the attraction of a royal ride atop a caparisoned elephant to ascend the fort. A trip to Jaipur would be definitely incomplete, without the visit to this imperial Fort of Amber.
Charminar Hyderabad: Charminar is always on the top of the mind of any tourist on a Trip to India especially if visiting Hyderabad. To say that Charminar is a 
major landmark in the city is to state the obvious, to repeat a cliché. The great monument is a synonym for Hyderabad and the pivot around which the glory and history of the city have developed. To imagine this 400-year-old city without Charminar is to imagine New York without the Statue of Liberty or Moscow without the Kremlin. Built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1591, shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what now is known as Hyderabad, this beautiful colossus in granite, lime, mortar and, some say, pulverized marble, was at one time the heart of the city. This great tribute to aesthetics looks sturdy and solid from a distance but as one moves closer, it emerges as an elegant and romantic edifice proclaiming its architectural eminence in all its detail and dignity. Apart from being the core of the city’s cultural milieu, it has become a brand name.
Charminar is a squarish structure with four towers in the four corners of the square, each of whose sides is 20 meters in length. Every side opens into a plaza through giant arches, which overlook four major thoroughfares and dwarf other features of the building except the minarets. Each arch is 11 meters wide and rises 20 meters to the pinnacle from the plinth. The minarets soar skywards by 24 meters from the roof of Charminar. Each minaret has four storeys, each looking like a delicately carved ring around the minaret. Some Anglophiles call Charminar the Arc de Triomphe of the East. From the ground to the apex, the minarets cover a length of 48.7 meters.
CST – Mumbai: Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), a railway station, is a brilliant specimen of the Victorian Gothic style of architecture in India. Once called Victoria Terminus, the station is positioned on the suburban railway tracks of Mumbai. CST also serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways of India. Attributable to its wonderful structural design, UNESCO acknowledged CST as a ‘World Heritage Site’ in 2004.
Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus is one of the busiest railway stations in the country. The edifice, designed by F.W. Stevens, turned out to be the icon of Bombay as the 'Gothic City'. It also became the major mercantile port of India. It took around ten years to construct the terminus as per the classic structures of the late 19th century. The westernmost terminus of the Central Railway, CST is a railway architectural marvel because of its sophisticated structural and technical solutions.
Built in 1888, Victoria Terminus boasts of spectacular stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and unusual ground plan, unlike the traditional Indian architecture. Its fine interiors, like woodcarving, tiles, ornamental iron, brass railings, etc, reflect the efforts of students at the Bombay School of Art. Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus represents an excellent fusion of two cultures. During its construction, British architects worked with the Indian craftsmen, exchanging notes to give a new look and style to Bombay. While on a Trip to India, take a picture with this imposing structure as a backdrop.
Elephanta Caves: The Elephanta Caves are a great tourist attraction in the vicinity of the large Mumbai metropolis. The Elephanta Island is located 10 km 
away from the Gateway of India at Mumbai. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC. The Elephanta Island was so named by the Portuguese, after the statue of an elephant near the landing area of the island. These rock cut temples dedicated to Shiva Mahadeva are rich in sculptural content.
The temples were created by carving out rock, and creating the columns, the internal spaces and the images. The entire temple is akin to a huge sculpture, through whose corridors and chambers one can walk. The entire complex was created through a process of rock removal. Some of the rock surfaces are highly finished while some are untreated bare rock. The entire cave temple complex covers an area of about 60000 square feet and it consists a main chamber and two lateral ones, courtyards and several subsidiary shrines. Above the temple is the mass of natural rock.
Thus in the Elephanta caves, Shiva is portrayed in the non anthropomorphic Shiva lingam form, as well as in his quintessential being emanating from the Shiva lingam in the colossal image, and in 8 manifest forms.
Fatehpur Sikri: Fatehpur Sikri was planned as a great town by Akbar with great care and planning in the honor of Sheikh Salem Chisti but had to be abandoned only after fifteen years due to scarcity of water in the town. Sheikh Salem Chisti was a Sufi saint who blessed the Akbar with his first son and heir, who was named Salem after him and later came to be known as Jehangir. The town was originally named Sikri after the village, where it was founded but its twin city Fatehpur (Victory Town) was erected to celebrate Akbar's conquest of Gujarat in June 1573.
However, ruins of the temple dating back to 12th century suggest the reign of Rajputs in the area long before Mughals took over the area. The two mosques in the village of Sikri have inscriptions, which announce their conception in 1314 under Mohd. Khilji. There have been records that Babur renamed the village 'Sikri' as 'Shukri', meaning 'thanks to the god'. It was also the famous dwelling place and khanqah of Sheikh Salem Chisti, the famous Sufi saint whom Akbar revered for blessing him with child.
Gateway of India: Mumbai's most famous monument, this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. It was built as a triumphal arch 
to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway.
Today this symbol of colonialism has got Indianised, drawing droves of local tourists and citizens. Behind the arch, there are steps leading down to the water. Here, you can get onto one of the bobbing little motor launches, for a short cruise through Mumbai's splendid natural harbor.
India Gate: India Gate of Delhi is a 42-meter high gateway located at Rajpath, New Delhi. Also known as the 'All India War Memorial', the India Gate was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who designed the New Delhi city. The foundation stone of India Gate of Delhi was laid by the Duke of Connaught. The construction of India Gate of Delhi was completed in February 1921.
India Gate in Delhi is constructed as a memorial in honor of 90,000 soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War I. 'Amar Jawan Jyothi' or the flame of the immortal warrior is burning under it since 1971. The eternal flame reminds the sacrifice of these brave soldiers. These soldiers valiantly sacrificed their lives during the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971.
India Gate in Delhi at present is a famous relaxation for the local people of Delhi in summer evenings and a popular picnic spot in winter months. The popular India Gate is located at the heart of the capital, and easily accessible by the tourists. Delhi India Gate lies at the east end of Janpath that leads to the Rashtrapathi Bhawan.
Parliament House: Located at the end of the Parliament Street is an imposing circular colonnaded building where the representatives of world's largest democracy meets and decides the fate of the over 1 billion people of India. Though just one storey tall, the building stands 75 feet high and measures 570 feet in diameter. It was originally planned to be just an extension of the Viceroy's House (Rashtrapathi Bhawan) but after the Montague-Chelmsford reforms of 1919, it was designated as a Parliament House or Legislative Assembly of the country.
Designed by Herbert Baker, the Duke of Connaught laid the foundation stone of the building on 12th February 1921. Inaugurated by Lady and Lord Irwin in 1927, the building was designed in such a way that it houses a domed central hall and three semi-circular structures, originally meant to accommodate the Chamber of Princes, the Council of State and the Legislative Assembly. Presently they house the Chambers of the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament), the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) and the Parliament library and are attached to each other by galleries. The three semi-circular chambers are surrounded by a circular corridor, which has 144 imposing pillars, giving the whole building a very grand and majestic look. Beautiful lawns, gardens, fountains and waterways all around the building, further enhance the royal look of this 'Temple of Democracy.'
Parliament House holds a very significant place in the history of democratic India, as it was in the central hall of this building that the transfer of power took place in the midnight of 14th August 1947. India became a democratic country from that day, free from British rule and Parliament House, the symbol of its democracy.
Today the Lok Sabha has 550 seats. Of these, 530 members are elected representatives of the Indian states and 20 elected members represent Union Territories (territories governed by the Central (Federal) government). The Rajya Sabha has 250 members, 238 of whom represent states and Union Territories and the 12 nominated members are nominated on the basis of eminence in the fields of arts, sciences, literature etc.
Rashtrapathi Bhawan: The Rashtrapathi Bhawan is an eminent monument of British Empire, which is said to be the palace of the Viceroy of India. Rashtrapathi Bhawan of Delhi is considered to be the best-known monument of India next to glorious Taj Mahal and Qutub Minar.
Rashtrapathi Bhawan is the house of the President of India. It is a real masterpiece that was built in the British period. It is the focal point of New Delhi and situated in the Raisina Hills. The total cost of constructing the Rashtrapathi Bhawan crossed £12,53,000 in British India.
There is a Durbar Hall inside the Rashtrapathi Bhawan in Delhi and the dome of the hall measures 22.8 meters in diameter. The beautiful colored marbles marks the hall. You can see the Viceroy's throne in this hall. Today, the Durbar Hall is the major venue of all official ceremonies of the Indian Government such as the oath taking ceremony by the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Members of Parliament. The Arjuna Awards for Excellence is also presented in this hall of the Rashtrapathi Bhawan.
Khajuraho: Situated in the heart of Central India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage. The fascinating temples of Khajuraho, India's unique gift of love to the world represe
nt the expression of a highly matured civilization. It is one of the top tourist places of India.
The temples are a world heritage site and belong not just to India but also to the world. The Archeological Survey of India's dedicated efforts towards their conservation rank them against the best-preserved monuments of this antiquity. Most of the temples are built of sandstone in varying shades of buff, pink or pale yellow. They each belong to a different sect, the Shiva, Vaishnava or Jaina Sects, but are often indistinguishable from one another to the untrained eye. The temples are lofty with ample walking space separating them. The interior rooms are inter connected and placed in an East/West line. Each contains an entrance, a hall, a vestibule and a sanctum. Windows were added to the larger temples to add a feeling of space and light.
The openings face East with lavishly carved archways. The interior ceilings are carved with geometrical and floral designs. The roofs are a series of graded peaks that resemble a mountain range and in all probability, represent the possibility of higher levels of spiritual attainment. Erotic scenes represent a relatively small part of the carvings but sensuous eroticism prevails throughout all of the sculptures. In general, lower indulgences appear lower on the temple while the deities appear near the top. Most of the statues are about a meter high. The goddesses and gods represent the many manifestations of the divine Shakthi and Shiva, the female and male principles, the Yin and the Yang.
Thar Desert is Jaisalmer, one of the last princely bastions in the region. Founded on what was the cross - road of lucrative trade routes, this remote settlement came to be celebrated for the valor of its rulers, and for the aesthetic sense represented by their palaces and havelis. The rich merchants engaged stone - craftsmen who worked delicately on the sandstone mansions they built, filling up facades with sculptural filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies. Today, this veritable art - museums are still inhabited, and their colorful celebrations and festivals have placed Jaisalmer Fort firmly on the world tourism map. The golden - yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer Fort, over 800 years old, crowns the Trikuta Hill. Within its walls, defended by 99 turrets, lies the old city, nearly a quarter of modern Jaisalmer. Seen from outside, the sight must be almost identical to what was seen by merchants on their overland camel caravans to central Asia. Once this desert outpost was an important gate for the trade route, and Jaisalmer grew wealthy on the proceeds. But the advent of commercial shipping relegated the town to relative obscurity. 
