India Travel Info

Indian Architecture

India has an amazing architectural legacy extending back through the centuries. Viewing these majestic monuments is like traveling back in time or walking through the chapters of a history book.

The many different dynasties that have fought and ruled over parts of India have left behind many monuments, ranging from towering forts such as the Red fort in Delhi, impressive mausoleums like the mesmerizing Taj Mahal, ceremonial parks and gardens such as the Lodi Gardens, grand cities such as Fatehpur Sikri near Agra, or Hampi in Karnataka, and majestic temples such as the Sun Temple at Konark and Meenakshi temple at Madurai. Added to this are rock cut cave temples such as Ajanta and Ellora, Buddhist stupas and Jain monolithic statues such as the statue of BahubalI in Shravanabelagola.

In more recent times monuments such as Parliament house and the North and South Blocks, the seat of the Indian government and the Presidential mansion characterize the modern nation.

Newer structures such as the beautiful Bahai House of Worship, shaped like a lotus, set amidst lakes of water and green lawns in Delhi and the rock garden in Chandigarh by Nek Chand have added to the architectural attractions of India's cities.

The ruins of Buddhist monasteries and shrines at Ajanta include some of the oldest forms of Indian architecture. Some of the world's loveliest frescoes (paintings on plaster) are on the walls and ceilings of these shrines and monasteries.

Ancient Hindu temples in northern India have tall towers with curving sides that taper at the top. In southern India, the gateway towers of Hindu temples rise in rectangular pyramids made of step like blocks of stone. Each step tells in sculpture a story about Hindu gods. The muslims decorated their mosques with beautiful designs, often inlaid in white marble with semi precious stones. The famous Taj Mahal at Agra has fine examples of this type of decoration.

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