Wondermondo 🢖 World 🢖 Wonders of Asia 🢖 Wonders of India
Territory
Wonders of India
  Highlights
India is the seventh-largest country in the world by area, and, naturally, such a large area contains a huge amount of exciting wonders.
India is characterized by somewhat less surprising nature heritage if compared with similarly sized areas elsewhere in the world, but the country is incomparable regarding the amount of historical architecture monuments. Wondermondo considers that India is the second richest center of architectural heritage in the world after Europe and maybe no single country in the world can match it in this respect.
States and territories of India
India is divided into 29 states and 7 Union territories. Here below they are listed in alphabetical order:
States
- Andhra Pradesh
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Assam
- Bihar
- Chhattisgarh
- Goa
- Gujarat
- Haryana
- Himachal Pradesh
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Jharkhand
- Karnataka
- Kerala
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Odisha
- Punjab
- Rajasthan
- Sikkim
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Tripura
- Uttar Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- West Bengal
Union territories
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Chandigarh
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- Daman and Diu
- Lakshadweep
- National Capital Territory of Delhi
- Puducherry
Map with the described wonders of India
If you see this after your page is loaded completely, leafletJS files are missing.
Top 25 wonders of India
Architecture wonders
Ellora Caves, Kailasanatha Temple
Maharashtra
One of the highest achievements not only in Hindu architecture but in ancient structural engineering of the world. A group of 34 rock-cut temples, including the glorious Kailasanatha Temple, are cut out from a whole rock. Built around 550 – 1000 AD.
Ajanta Caves
Maharashtra
One of the most beautiful rock-cut temple complexes in the world. It was developed in the 2nd century BC – 480 AD. In total there are 28 – 30 rock-cut structures, containing murals and sculptures of high importance to the culture of mankind.
Taj Mahal
Uttar Pradesh
This mausoleum was built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. One of the most iconic monuments of architecture in the world that unites elements of Islamic, Persian, and Indian architecture.
Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh
The ancient holy city of Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains. At approximately 3000 years of age, this is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. It contains a huge amount of valuable monuments of architecture and history, a location of living unique traditions.
Harmandir Sahib
Punjab
The holiest site for Sikhs, originally built in 1574 and rebuilt in 1588 – 1604. It is a gold-covered temple, surrounded by a manmade lake.
Elephanta Caves
Maharashtra
Group of beautiful, five Hindu and two Buddhist rock-cut temples, built around the 5th – 8th century AD. Great Cave includes the famous sculpture of Trimurthi.
Mahabalipuram
Tamil Nadu
Group of the 7th – 9th-century Hindu temples. Most structures were cut in live rock. Numerous unique architectural and artistic achievements show the highly successful search for the original Pallava style in arts. Very interesting are Pancha Rathas – a group of five monolithic, very ornate shrines and Descent of the Ganges – giant, beautiful relief in the open air. Part of the monuments now is located below sea level.
Mahabodhi Temple
Bihar
One of the holiest sites for Buddhism. Located on the spot where Buddha attained enlightenment. Its main element is a 55-meter-high, richly decorated tower built in the 5th – 6th centuries and extensively restored in the 1880s.
Jagannath Temple in Puri
Odisha
One of the most important Hindu temple complexes, it was built in the 11th century. Well fortified, it contains 120 temples and shrines; most of them magnificent and very diverse buildings.
Khajuraho Temple City
Madhya Pradesh
Group of very ornate Hindu and Jain temples built in 950 – 1150 AD. Originally 80 temples, now remain 25 spread over an area of 20 km2. Temples are world-famous due to numerous erotic sculptures.
Aihole Temple City
Karnataka
Group of more than 125 Hindu temples from the 7th century in various styles. Considered to be a laboratory of architectural and artistic experiments where the glorious Chalukyan style was created.
Qutb Minar Complex
National Capital Territory of Delhi
Group of valuable historical buildings in Delhi, mainly from the 11th – 14th centuries. Includes Qutb Minar – the highest brick minaret in the world, an ornate, massive 72.5 meters tall building. A unique monument is the Iron pillar of Delhi – 7 meters high and more than 6 tons heavy pillar of 98% pure iron, not corroding since its production in the 4th century AD (or as early as in the 9th century BC).
Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar temple
Tamil Nadu
One of the highest achievements of Indian art and architecture. A gorgeous Hindu temple built from granite in the 11th century. 70 meters high tower.
Chand Baori
Rajasthan
One of the most impressive step-wells in India. Built in the 9th century, 13 stories and some 30 meters deep.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
Tamil Nadu
One of the largest and most grandiose religious complexes in the world, it is the largest in India and covers 63 hectares. It includes the 72 meters high gopuram – an ornate gate tower.
Dwarkadhish temple
Gujarat
One of the main Krishna temples. According to legend, it was built around 400 BC. The current temple was built in the 16th century. It is 51.8 meters high and very ornate.
Gol Gumbaz
Karnataka
Mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, built in 1659. One of the largest domed structures in the world, a visually very impressive building.
Palitana temples
Gujarat
Religious Jain city, a major center of pilgrimage with 863 gorgeous temples in several groups.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
West Bengal
Monument of technology. This 86 km long railway line ascends approximately 2,100 m. It was built in 1881 and has been preserved in its historical state and is still powered by steam engines. There are several loops, including Agony Loop, an extreme site on the route.
Chittorgarh
Rajasthan
Ancient fortifications with 13 km long walls that enclose 280 ha. Structures have been built in dramatic natural settings with tall cliffs. Constructed in the 7th century AD.
Red Fort, Delhi
National Capital Territory of Delhi
Enormous fort, built in the 17th century. Contains important monuments of architecture.
Sindhudurg Fort
Maharashtra
An amazing fortress that was built along a complex perimeter of an island in the Arabian Sea. Fort was built in the 17th century, with 42 bastions. Interesting Neolithic petroglyphs.
Lotus Temple
National Capital Territory of Delhi
Flowerlike Bahá’à temple building, built in 1986.
Rameswaram Temple complex
Tamil Nadu
One of the important pilgrimage sites, the oldest buildings from the 12th century. Contains a group of temples in rich Southern Indian style, including 1 219 meters long pillared corridor.
Recommended books
India: In Word and Image
Gorgeously jaw-dropping, India has been beautifully redesigned with 32 additional pages of glorious photos shot by Eric Meola since India was first published.
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: India
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: India will lead you straight to the best attractions the country has to offer, with regional coverage stretching from the Great Himalayas of the north to the tropical peninsula of the south.