Exploring India: An Ultimate Guide to the Splendid Cultural Sites

India is a cauldron of the world’s most magnificent and stellar cultures and religions. It nestles people belonging to different religions in a secularistic environment and sites speaking volumes about its culture. Multiple and vibrant traditions and rituals also contribute to its cultural ebullience, which is described as the first and supreme in the world. A trip to explore the traditions, rituals, religions, and colors in the different corners of this country goes beyond exotic beaches and picturesque hills. The voyage is more than just historical sites and includes the confluence of various art forms and authentic food trails. If you want to go deep into the insights, here’s what four corners of this nation have for you in its universally accepted historical and architectural sites.

Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art

Traversing towards the north, you will come across one of the most preferred and enchanting tourist destinations in this country, namely, Manali. Besides being a nature hub, this place has been offering the tourists with ancient insights through the Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art. Being situated near the Hidimba temple, which in itself is a popular religious and architectural site, this museum preserves a wide collection of historical art and tradition like wood carvings, local weapons, etc. that are rare and antique.

The Great Living Chola Temples

Coming down to the south in Tamil Nadu, the state houses three astounding temples of the Chola dynasty, which encompass the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur and Airavatesvara and Gangaikonda temple at Darasuram. These temples are the epitome of Chola architecture and Tamil culture. Built between the 11th and 12the century, these temples occupy high-quality sculptures and bronze and elegant mural paintings. Key transitions of eighty-one of one hundred and eight Karanas in Bharathanatya, carved on the walls of Brihadisvara temple, are what people look to embrace the most.

Buddhist Monuments

Gleaming at the heart of the country, the site is the oldest extant Buddhist sanctuary built in the 1st and 2nd centuries. The religious foundation at the pillars, temples, monasteries, and palaces was laid by Ashoka, who also erected the oldest preserving stone structure of the great stupa at Sanchi. The wall carvings at the stupa depict beautiful and inspiring tell-tales of Buddha and Jataka. Even UNESCO has recognized the cultural importance of this place in 1989 and listed it as a world heritage site.

Hill Forts

The forts were constructed between the 8th and 18th centuries under the power of Rajput in the western state of Rajasthan. These six majestic forts are named Chittorgarh Fort, Amber Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Gagron Fort, and Ranthambore Fort. The main purpose behind their existence was to protect palaces, temples, and trading centers from foreign invasion. And if you are an architecture lover, you must visit Chittorgarh Fort for it is the largest fort in India with antique architectural styles.

The City of Joy

The city of Kolkata in the east is one cultural site in itself. You will be mesmerized by the way this city amuses you on your trajectory. This site preserves the remnants of Nawabs of Bengal and British empire and gives birth to urban Indian culture and notable literary thoughts. From heritage sites, religious places, and art galleries to sweets and street food, this town is an abode of India’s oldest tradition and rituals. The historical importance of these places along with many others in the country has been left unhidden from the sight of UNESCO. The organization has thus described these treasures as the world’s most important sites that need cultural protection over the years.