Things to Do in India

Quick facts: Roughly 7 to 8 million people visit every year, making it one of the most visited monuments in the world. The entire structure shifts hue from pink at dawn to golden at sunset, thanks to marble that changes color with the light.

Highlights: The four minarets are each tilted slightly outward, about 2 degrees, so they would fall away from the main dome in an earthquake instead of crashing into it. Up close, the white marble is inlaid with 28 types of semi-precious stones, including lapis lazuli and jade, forming flowers so detailed you need a magnifying glass to see the individual petals.

Quick facts: Rising 72.5 meters with 379 spiral stairs inside, its sandstone bands alternate with marble to create a striped silhouette. The tower tilts slightly about 65 centimeters from vertical, yet has survived earthquakes for centuries.

Highlights: Look closely at the first three storeys and you will find Arabic calligraphy carved into the stone, but the top floors switch to plainer marble with simpler decoration, a visible line where builders changed styles mid-project. The iron pillar standing in the courtyard has resisted rust for over 1,600 years, and legend says your wish comes true if you can encircle it with your arms behind your back.

Quick facts: Explore a massive red sandstone fortress that spans over 160 acres with walls towering up to 33 meters high. Discover where emperors once held grand celebrations and intricate court ceremonies amid stunning Mughal architecture.

Highlights: Look closely at the exquisite pearl white marble inlays and intricate floral designs that adorn the walls, showcasing craftsmanship that took over a decade to perfect. Experience the evening sound and light show that narrates epic tales of battles and royal life with dramatic lighting effects on the fort’s imposing walls.

Quick facts: Over 3 million people visit each year, making it one of the most bustling waterfronts globally. The archway was originally designed to welcome British royalty but evolved into a symbol of India's rich history and colonial past.

Highlights: The grand basalt archway stands 26 meters tall, silhouetted against the Arabian Sea, creating a mesmerizing sunset vista. Locals often gather here for lively evening talks and street food, turning the monument into a vibrant social hub.

Quick facts: Over 1000 rooms fill the grand structure, each uniquely decorated. Every evening, thousands gather to watch the palace lit up with nearly 100,000 bulbs sparking a fairy-tale glow.

Highlights: During the annual Dasara festival, the palace hosts an elaborate royal procession with richly adorned elephants and traditional music that echoes through its halls. The intricately painted ceiling murals draw eyes upward, revealing vibrant stories of kings and gods in brilliant colors.

Quick facts: Millions visit every year to marvel at over 1,500 colorful sculpted pillars and towering gopurams. The temple is a vibrant hub of religious festivals that illuminate the city with traditions and music.

Highlights: Its halls echo with tales of divine love symbolized by the unique shrine setup dedicated to both goddess Meenakshi and her consort Sundareswarar. Visitors often linger to admire the temple's thousand-pillar hall, a mesmerizing space with intricately carved pillars depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

Quick facts: An architectural marvel, the temple's towering gateway reaches nearly 50 meters. It draws pilgrims and tourists alike with its vibrant festivals that light up the entire town.

Highlights: The temple hosts a captivating chariot festival each April, where giant ornately-decorated chariots are pulled through the streets by thousands. Inside, the intricate carvings and colorful frescoes tell stories from ancient epics in stunning detail.

Quick facts: Over 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments display exquisite murals and sculptures that capture ancient Indian art at its peak. The caves lie along a horseshoe-shaped cliff, offering a stunning blend of nature and history.

Highlights: Caves feature one of the oldest surviving Buddhist paintings, each vibrant mural telling serene tales of royal life and spiritual awakening. Sunlight filtering through cave openings highlights delicate frescoes that reveal emotions frozen in time, creating an awe-inspiring visual narrative.

Quick facts: Thousands gather nightly to witness a fascinating fire ritual on the riverbank. The site buzzes with vendors selling vibrant flower garlands and incense sticks, creating a sensory feast.

Highlights: At sunset, priests perform the Ganga Aarti with flaming lamps choreographed to rhythmic chants, illuminating the Ganges with a golden glow. The flames dance against the twilight, reflecting in the water and captivating all who watch.

Quick facts: More than 500 years old, this red sandstone fort sprawls across 38 acres and has 4 massive gates. Inside the walls, there are beautiful palaces, halls, and mosques, showing the rich lifestyle of emperors.

Highlights: Look closely at the intricate mirror work in the Sheesh Mahal, said to hold thousands of small mirrors that sparkle with just a single candle's flame. The fort also served as the royal residence for the Mughal emperors until 1638, holding centuries of royal secrets within its walls.

Quick facts: The museum showcases over 50,000 artifacts spanning ancient Indian history and art. Its architecture blends Indo-Saracenic style with lush green gardens, creating a captivating stroll.

Highlights: The highlight includes the exquisite collection of miniature paintings and ancient weaponry, with a rare 11th-century bronze statue of Nataraja. Visitors can also explore the museum's interactive educational programs that bring history alive.

Quick facts: The fort's outer walls stretch for kilometers across the hillside, blending Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. Its name comes from the town of Amer, which was named after the goddess Ambika, and it served as the capital of the Kachwaha rulers before Jaipur was founded.

Highlights: Walk into the Sheesh Mahal, the mirror palace, where thousands of tiny glass pieces reflect a single candle into hundreds of points of light across the walls and ceiling. The fort was designed so that a horse-drawn procession could ride straight to the main courtyard through a grand, sloping gateway engineered for royal arrivals.