Travel photographer Arun Bhat shares shots of the Taj Mahal and 16 other impressive heritage sites in India.
INDIA’S CULTURAL AND HISTORIC sites are numerous and spread across
the entire country. Many have a legacy dating back more than a thousand
years.
1. Diskit Monastery, LadakhLocated in rugged, mountainous terrain, Diskit Monastery was established in the 14th century and is affiliated with the yellow-hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery overlooks the Nubra Valley, one of the greenest places in the otherwise arid landscape of Ladakh.
2. Cenotaphs of Orchha, Madhya PradeshThese tall cenotaphs stand in memory of Bundela kings who ruled from the small town of Orchha for nearly 300 years. They are just some of the many ancient structures around Orchha built during their reign.
3. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Tamil NaduAlthough the current structure is about 400 years old, the Meenakshi Temple is known to have a history of more than 2,000 years. Even today, it’s one of the most important pilgrimage sites for people of the region.
4. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, RajasthanMehrangarh Fort was established in the 15th century on the top of a hill to provide safety from attackers. The current structure, built in the 17th century, now showcases opulent interior palaces and houses a museum of cannon and other arms.
5. Mysore Palace, Mysore, KarnatakaOne of the most luxurious palaces in the region, Mysore Palace will celebrate 100 years of existence in 2012. The elaborate lighting arrangement, which is turned on only on Sundays and festival days, adds to the glory of the site.
6. Hulikere Tank, KarnatakaHidden in a small hamlet in South India is this beautiful tank surrounded by niches on all four sides. It served as a queen’s bath in the first half of the 12th century.
7. Temples of Khajuraho, Madhya PradeshKhajuraho is a small town with dozens of ancient temples dotting its landscape. They were built here over a span of 200 years, between 950 and 1150 AD. The temples are known for the erotic sculptures and intricate carvings on their walls.
8. Amber Fort, Jaipur, RajasthanInitially built in the last decade of the 16th century, the Amber Fort has since gone through many makeovers. The interior is generously decorated with murals and mirror work.
9. Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, Thrissur, KeralaThis cathedral was built more than a hundred years ago; its towers still stand tall in the center of Thrissur town.
10. Thiksey Monastery, LadakhFounded in the 15th century, Thiksey Monastery is noted for the similarity of its structure to that of Potala Palace in Lhasa. The stupas, or chortens, seen in the picture above are commonly placed in front of Tibetan monasteries to ward off evil forces.
