Heritage of a country symbolizes that how well the ancient and medieval legacies have been preserved to retain the charm of bygone era. The glorious tales of chivalry and romance that have passed on from one generation to other have actually occurred in the premises of these monuments during the course of history. With heritage tours to India, one can feel the aura of yesteryear's from close quarters while strolling through the history-laden corridors of these monuments. Such tours enable you with the real glimpse of history way better than the imaginative picture one forms while unfolding the pages of history books.
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| Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri |
When it comes to heritage tours to India, the adversary for Rajasthan repertoire is hardly there. The allure of this desert realm lies in its awe-inspiring forts, palaces, exotic fairs &festivals and folk culture. Almost all Rajasthan tours revolve around these aforementioned themes. Fairs and festivals that took place here from time to time are the best way to enrich your knowledge about their cultural heritage. Rajasthani folk dancers & singers such as Kalbeliya and Manganiars and puppeteers speak volumes about the golden age of Rajasthan through their performances.
The cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer are regularly frequented by tourists to get the glimpse of Rajasthan’s royal heritage. Palace on Wheels, India’s first luxury train, is one of the best and luxurious alternatives to explore the aforementioned destinations of this Rajputana state.
Travel to south India and you will find the richness of cultural heritage everywhere in this region. The most common feature that one can find in all states of south India is the presence of Dravidian temples in large numbers. Each of these temples was built by different south Indian dynasties in reverence of their favorite deity.
Hassan and Hampi are two breathtaking temple sites in Karnataka that dates back to the ancient times. Whereas Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising of monumental ruins which still resonates with the old-world charm, the Hoyasala temples built around 11th and 13th century in Hassan showcases the glory of Hoyasala Empire. Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Madurai and Badami are some of the prominent temple cities in southern region which are capable of leaving onlookers enchanted with their artistic beauty.
India plays host to diverse religious faiths that resides here in perfect harmony. One of the prominent religions in India is Buddhism which although got originated from India but has spread its roots in entire Asia. Ajanta & Ellora, Dharamshala, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Sanchi are some of the prominent Buddhist destinations in India.
Among all aforesaid destinations, Bodhgaya is the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage in India due to the presence of Bodhi tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Dharamshala in Himachal is the center of Tibetan Buddhism and the seat of Tibetan Buddhist leader Dalai Lama. Another important Buddhist heritage site in India is the rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora. Built by assiduous Buddhist monks, these caves showcase Buddhist religious art through its mural paintings and sculptures.
The temples of Khajuraho have an aesthetic appeal that beckon travelers from all around the world. Emblazoned as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khajuraho Group of Monuments encompasses groups of erotic medieval temples built during the reign of Chandela dynasty and are included in most of the heritage tour packages.
Besides Khajuraho, there is sun temple of Konark which is considered to be the landmark in Dravidian architecture. Also known as black pagoda, the temple is constructed in a shape of stone chariot depicting twelve pairs of wheels pulled by seven horses. Due to the presence and preservation of all these heritage sites, we can say that India is not just a country of unity in diversity but also respects and value its cultural heritage that is prevailing here since time immemorial.