Jaisalmer Fort

Located in the city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is the Jaisalmer Fort, one of the largest forts in the world. The fort sits as a symbol of pride amidst the beautiful golden sands of the Thar Desert. There are quite a few Jain temples within the fort’s premises, apart from a Royal Palace, massive gateways and other highlights. The best way to visit the fort is to take a safari atop a beautifully decorated camel or elephant. In fact, a visit to Jaisalmer isn’t complete without a quintessential desert safari atop a camel.

Umaid Bhawan

One of the highlights of Jodhpur is the Umaid Bhawan, an opulent palace which has now been converted into a plush hotel. Several parts of the palace are still open to the public, which give you a glimpse into the royal times. The construction of the palace was ordered in 1923 by Maharaja Umaid Singh in order to provide families with work and income during a time of drought and famine. The manicured lawns and the intricate architecture make the palace a sight to behold.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.