Bring out the archaeologist in you this holiday season and set out to explore the majestic splendour of the heritage monuments and sites in India. The monuments and sites with reminiscences of a royal past awaits the traveller who has the inclination and the time to `stand and stare’, in all amazement. The country which has heritage locales throughout its length and breadth will be startle you, amaze you and blow you over with their beauty.

Taj Mahal

Rightly called a `poem in marble’, Taj Mahal, located in Agra is one of the most cherished heritage sites in the country what with a population of over 10 lakh tourists visiting the place every year. The Mahal, which was constructed by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in 1631, to enshrine the body of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal is now known world over as a symbol of eternal love. The Mahal has onion shaped domes and flanking towers with inlaid marble works which have resisted corrosion over the centuries. The monument stands on a 22 feet high platform with the central inner dome which is 81 feet high and an outer shell which reaches to a height of 200 feet.

Many travellers gaze at the monument is utter amazement even as it displays splendid Islamic architecture of the period which was complemented with the inland construction works of the period. The place can be reached from Delhi which is 253 km away on road. The nearest airport is also Delhi airport.

Khajuraho Monuments

The Khajuraho group of monuments which are mostly Hindu and Jain temples of ancient times known for their erotic architecture is a must visit for those who are passionate at heart. Known as the temples of love, the monuments display the north Indian, Nagara style of architecture. Of the 85 temples which were built during the 12th century, only 20 could live till modern day and these remain a feast to the eye to a traveller on a wild trip. The sculptures lining the walls on the temples ooze with passion, eroticism, dance and music, indicating the rich pagan tradition in medieval India which went missing after the institutionalisation of religions. Located in Chattarpur village of Madhya Pradesh state, the place finds a mention in most archaic literatures of the country.  The place is easily accessible as it has daily flights from Agra, Varanasi and Katmandu. The nearest railway stations to the place are Mahoba, Satna and Jhansi.

Elephanta Caves

On a serene Island far from the main land of the port city, Mumbai, stand four temples which were built in the open mouths of caves during the period of 350 to 750 AD. Known as Elephanta caves due as the first sight which setting foot on the island will be the carved structure of an elephant.

The caves through the corridors of which one can easily walk have huge carvings which were able to withstand the ravishing invasions of later periods. The entire, cave temple complex covers an amazing space of 6,000 sq ft. Located 10 km from the Mumbai port, the island and the rock temple can be reached through local ferries which are available during the day. The nearest airport is Mumbai International Airport which is just 40 km away.

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park

When you are visiting a country like India, no doubt, you will get plenty of breathtaking attractions and sights to explore. Those seeking for a historical site in India can visit the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park. It is a concentration of largely unexcavated archaeological, historic, and living cultural heritage properties that can be found cradled in a stunning landscape. This consists of prehistoric sites (Chalcolithic), a hill fortress of an early Hindu capital, and the ruins of 16th century capital of the state of Gujarat.

Gujarat is a state of India, which offers amazing life, culture, and attractions. The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park comprises among the vestiges, palaces, fortifications, religious buildings, agricultural structures, residential precincts, and water installations that are dating from the 8th to the 14th centuries. While exploring the site, you will come across a famous Kalika Mata Temple, located on the top of the Pavagadh Hill and is considered as an important shrine. This temple draws huge crowd of pilgrims year round. You will feel yourself very lucky to explore a site, which is the only complete and untouched Islamic pre-Mughal city.

The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park lies at a distance of 50 kilometres from Baroda. The nearest airport lies in Baroda. So from there take a taxi or other means to reach to this fantastic site. The place remains open to public from sunrise to sunset. To explore the site, you have to pay an entry fee of 5 Rupees. Summers in Gujarat remain warm and rainfall occurs between the months of June and August. If you want to enjoy the site during winter then visit there between November and March.

Well, the best time to visit the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is between the months of October and June. The best option for your accommodation is in Baroda, as you will get plenty of choices to stay.

Badami Caves

With an interesting blend of old cave pleasures and beautiful lake surroundings, the region of Badami certainly provides you with the most mesmerizing sights and the most valuable ancient temple views. So come here and enjoy the tours around the Hindu caves, the Jain cave beauties and the lovely museums in and around this place. Enjoy the pleasure of being here and as you reach the third cave belonging to Lord Vishnu you would be struck by their sheer grandeur, and would find this the most ornamental too.

There is a reservoir here which is in front of the cave temple and the whole area has many such temples totally dedicated to Lord Vishnu and also Shiva. So come here and enjoy praying in the Bhutanath temple which gets its name from the lake beneath the temples. Anyone coming here would certainly get enchanted by this lovely experience here.

This group of cave temples are located in the district of Bagalkot in the northeastern part of Karnataka in India. They are great example of the rock cut kind of architecture which are the main features here. This was the early Chalukya capital and they ruled this place in the 6th to the 8th centuries. The water from the ravine flows into the tank here and the cave temples form a great travel attraction in this part of the world.

The Badami Caves have in all four caves. These caves are all carved out of the sandstone that is found here. These are on a high cliff, and the planning layout is very simple here. There is a verandah at the entrance which is called the mukha mandapa and it has stone columns and also brackets. Then there is a very majestically built columned mandapa which is the main hall. Then there are smaller shrines which are the garbhagriha and the sanctum sanctorum and these cut deep into the cave. The cave temples show the representation of different sects and form a major form of tour pleasures here in this part of the land.

Two caves are devoted to Lord Vishnu and there is one cave that is devoted to Lord Shiva. The fourth cave is a Jain temple and the whole layout of the cave is a lovely way of ensuring you get the best travel delights.

Dating back to the years 600 and 700 CE there is a certain blend of North Indian Nagara Style of architecture with the South Indian Dravidian Style. This is seen in each of the caves and the intricate carvings, which form a part of the cave culture give the utmost ecstatic views to all those interested in these fascinating cave locales. The script used here is the Kannada script and there is something very natural about the Badami caves and one must surely include it in his travels across the State of Karnataka. Another interesting feature is a Buddhist temple that is visited only on all fours.

With all this in tow, a visit to the Badami caves becomes imperative in your tours in Karnataka. With their ability to charm and intrigue the tourist, the caves are certainly an ideal travel experience and a greatly enlightening lot.