India is a beautiful place, with a lot of history and interesting cultures. All over India, from the snow-capped Himalayas to the golden beaches of Goa, there is something unique to see and do. This article will talk about the top tourist attractions in India that everyone can enjoy, even families with young children. Get ready to explore beautiful palaces, old temples, and amazing natural sites.
List of the 20 Popular Tourist Attractions in India
- Taj Mahal
- Jama Masjid
- Golden Temple
- Jaipur
- Kerala
- Varanasi
- Jaisalmer
- Ranthambore National Park
- Goa
- Andaman
- Ladakh
- Mysore Palace
- Darjeeling
- Meenakshi Temple
- Kolkata
- Ajanta and Ellora Caves
- Sundarbans
- Hampi
- Rishikesh
- Tungnath Temple
1. The Taj Mahal – Agra
An important site to visit, the Taj Mahal in Agra is one of the most famous buildings in the world. This white marble masterpiece was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in honour of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal. People from all over the world are amazed by its beautiful design, reflecting pools, and intricate carvings. The Taj Mahal looks most beautiful when the sky changes colour. The best time to visit it is early morning or late at night.
2. Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid, located in the old Delhi area, is the largest mosque in India. Crown Prince Shah Jahan built the mosque and the Taj Mahal. People say that this building is the greatest work of art. Needless to say, foreign tourists must visit this mosque. Both the exterior (door) and the inside of the mosque are beautifully designed in Mughal style.
3. The Golden Temple – Amritsar
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is a sacred site and one of the most beautiful places to visit in India. The building is covered in gold and the water surrounding it makes it shine peacefully. People of all religions are allowed to visit here and it is the most sacred place for Sikhs. Every day thousands of people visit the Golden Temple and eat a sumptuous meal called langar.
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4. Jaipur – The Pink City
There are many beautiful forts and buildings in Jaipur, also known as the “Pink City”. Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds, is a tall building with lots of windows that were installed to keep the palace cool. You can ride an elephant from the walls of the Amer Fort and get a spectacular view of the city. Jaipur also has dazzling markets where you can buy jewellery, clothing and handmade items.
5. Kerala – The Land of Backwaters
Kerala, which means “God’s own country”, has beautiful beaches, backwaters and houseboats that make the trip truly unforgettable. People can travel on the calm seas on houseboats in places like Alleppey and Kumarakom, which are surrounded by lots of trees. The hill towns of Kerala are also very beautiful. One such place is Munnar, where tea fields are spread out forever.
6. The Holy City of Varanasi
Hindus attach great importance to Varanasi, which is one of the oldest cities in the world. This holy city is located along the Ganges River and has old temples and ghats where people come to pray, relax and perform rituals. Visitors have a magical time when they watch the Ganga Aarti (a ceremony with fire lamps) at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.
7. Rajasthan’s Desert – Jaisalmer
In the middle of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan lies a city called Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City. The Jaisalmer Fort, which looks like a large mound, is the best thing about this city. Inside the fort are narrow lanes, old havelis (traditional houses) and churches. People can experience desert life on a camel safari among the sandy hills of Sam.
8. Ranthambore National Park – Rajasthan
If you love animals, then visiting Ranthambore National Park is the best option. This national park in Rajasthan is famous for its tigers. You can go on a safari and see leopards, deer and monkeys in their native environment. The park also has old ruins like the Ranthambore Fort, which gives the forest a mysterious feel.
9. The Beaches of Goa
Many people go to Goa to party because it has beautiful beaches, a bustling nightlife and water sports. People like to do water sports like parasailing, jet skiing and swimming at beaches like Baga, Anjuna and Calangute. Goa has beaches as well as old churches, such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where you can learn how the Portuguese changed Indian society.
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10. Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, are full of natural beauty. The Andaman Islands are part of a group that is quite large. From the islands, you can see the sea and the coast to the Caribbean or the Maldives. The beaches of the Andaman Islands are as clean and clear as diamonds.
There is no doubt that this is the best place for swimming and snorkelling. There are many interesting facts about this beautiful island group. For example, the Andaman Islands are very close to Indonesia. The Andaman Islands are very close to Sabang, Sumatra, as shown on the map. It is only 150 kilometres, which is equal to the distance between Jakarta and Bandung, from Sabang to the southern part of the Andaman. Very close, isn’t it?
11. Ladakh – The Land of High Passes
In northern India, Ladakh has high mountains, deep valleys and lakes that are crystal clear. Some of the most famous places here are Pangong Lake and the Nubra Valley. The region also has temples like the Hemis Monastery and Thikse Monastery, which showcase how Tibetan Buddhism is practised.
12. Mysore Palace – Karnataka
The most beautiful royal building in India is the Mysore Palace in Karnataka. It has beautiful grounds, colourful glass windows and other beautiful things. It was built with gorgeous architecture. Every year during the Dussehra holidays, the palace is illuminated with thousands of bulbs, making it look like a magical place.
13. Darjeeling – The Queen of the Hills
You may have heard of Darjeeling in West Bengal. It is famous for its tea fields, beautiful views and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, sometimes called the “toy train”. Darjeeling is a popular destination for nature lovers and travellers as it offers spectacular views of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third tallest mountain in the world.
14. Meenakshi Temple – Madurai
The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu is loved by people because of its beautiful architecture and brightly coloured buildings. This temple has thousands of pillars of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva. Each one has its carvings. People from all over the world come to pray and visit the temple. It is a lively and busy place.
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15. Kolkata – The City of Joy
Kolkata has many historical sites, cultural sites and delicious food. Howrah Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in the world and Victoria Memorial is a famous building that was built in honour of Queen Victoria. Apart from this, dishes like Rasgulla and Sandesh are very famous in Kolkata.
16. Ajanta and Ellora Caves – Maharashtra
The Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra are very old caves that were carved out of rocks and have beautiful paintings and carvings inside them. The art of ancient societies of India can be seen in these hand-carved caves. The Ellora caves have statues and temples of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain religions. The paintings of Ajanta are famous for being very detailed.
17. Sundarbans – Home of the Royal Bengal Tigers
Sundarbans is a huge mangrove forest in West Bengal that is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The beautiful Royal Bengal Tiger lives in this unique environment, along with many other animals like crocodiles and dolphins. Sundarbans has waterways that people can explore and enjoy the wild beauty of nature.
18. Hampi – The Forgotten Empire
UNESCO World Heritage Site Hampi is in Karnataka and is filled with old churches, ruins and monuments. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Its landscape includes huge rocks, interesting buildings and beautiful riverbanks. The Virupaksha Temple and the Vitthala Temple, which have singing pillars, are two of the most popular places to visit.
19. Rishikesh – Yoga Capital of the World
The city of Rishikesh in Uttarakhand is known as the “Yoga Capital of the World”. Rishikesh is a peaceful place to meditate and do yoga as it is surrounded by mountains and the Ganges River. People also like to play adventure sports like bungee jumping and white water kayaking there.
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20. Tungnath Temple
Now we will go to the Indian state of Uttarakhand, where there is a unique place called Tungnath. The Hindu temple located in Tungnath, which is about 3600 meters high, is the highest in the world. The name Tungnath means “lord of the peak”, which in English means “king of the highest peak.” It is in the mountains and plains where the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers meet.
The temple of Lord Shiva is called Tungnath. This temple is also associated with the story of Pandavas, the hero of Mahabharata. Are you interested in seeing the beautiful part of the iceberg of Hindu culture?