Summer is just around the corner, if not already here for some. Looking for some great places to get away to and relax? Then you have come to the right place, Welcome to India. Below are the top 10 places to visit in India for the perfect getaway experience. Of course, India is so large and pristine that there is simply no way to note down all the great places for one to visit, but this is a small start in the right direction.
Munnar Resorts - Nature's Perfection
Welcome to the misty green hill resort of Munnar, where you will feel as though you are in God's own garden - Eden. In the state of India called Kerala, nicknamed God's Own Country, Munnar is a perfect place for nature lovers. Munnar lies in a valley between three mountain freshwater streams (rivers), thus the name Munnar. At over 1500 feet above sea level, Munnar offers an excellent place to catch some fresh air and be captivated by the beauty of God's creations. The hills offer excellent opportunity to embark on a bicycle tour of the region or a boat tour through the wild life park. Beautiful tea gardens and plantations line the entire hillside, and the sun's golden rays piercing through the morning mist is a spectacle worthy of praise. If you are lucky, you can see the entire valley from Anaimudi peak - which is viewable once every twelve years. Other than seeing a variety of plant life, Munnar also has Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Ernakulum National Park for those animal lovers. Other recreational activities include but not limited to fishing, sailing, rapids boating, mountain trekking, paragliding off the various hills and much more!
Taj Mahal - Testament to Love
The Taj Mahal in Agra is indisputably the most famous example of Mughal architecture. The white marble encased tomb is a true lasting testament of love, made by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Arjumand Banu Begum, also known as Mumtaz Mahal. The immense mausoleum is incomparably beautiful during sunrise and sunset. Situated near the Agra River in Uttra Pradesh, Taj Mahal is the most famous of World's architectures and considered one of the oldest heritage sites. It is also a distinguished example of Arabic and Islamic art styles merged with Indian innovativeness. This is truly a magnificent site everyone must visit.
Santa Monica - First Nunnery in Asia
In Goa, A must see site is Church of Our Lady of the Rosary incredible mixture of Hindu and Christian styles. This church is one of the oldest churches in Goa, and dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. The huge Convent of Santa Monica, dating from 1606, was the first Nunnery in Asia. The church is believed to be build by Portuguese leader Alfonso de Albuquerque during the early 1500 for his victories in India. The church is unique in that its architectural style is Gothic and Renaissance architecture (unique to Portugal) combined with India's Hindu influences. The church itself stands on a hill named the “Holy Hill” and is a spiritual attraction for many Catholics.
City Palace - The City of the Kings
City Palace of Jaipur is located in Rajasthan and is a mix of Mughal and Rajasthani influence. The well-fortified City Palace is a majestic white monument perched high up on a hill, build originally by King Maharaja Jai Singh II. The complex is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and buildings. Within the palace itself, there are numerous other “sub-buildings” such as Museums, and temples, making it an architectural wonder. The main entrance, a triple arched gate named the Tripolia, built in 1725, is a marvel worth seeing. Intricate decorations in deep red and gold, Afghan and Persian carpets, miniature paintings, astronomical manuscripts in Persian and Sanskrit lies the "Diwan-E-Aam" or the "Hall of Public Audience". Blue and White ceramic tiles line many of the buildings, making it a work of beauty and art.
The Lotus Temple - Delhi's Wonder
In the heart of New Delhi, the bustling capital of India, a lotus shaped building defines the skyline. Bahá'í House of Worship or more famously known as The Lotus Temple, is the mother temple of the Indian Sub-continent. The building has won numerous awards for its architectural prowess and is one of the most visited places on earth. More then 4 million people visit this building each year, making it more visited than even the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The building is open for public worship and the nine lakes around each of the lotus petals of the building add a quiet mood of serenity that many worshippers and visitors have grown fond of. During an award ceremony in Vienna, the lotus temple was described as a “Taj Mahal of the 20th century in promoting the unity and harmony of people of all nations, religions and social strata, to an extent unsurpassed by any other architectural monument worldwide.”
