India: the land of plenty. Absolutely no one on this planet can contradict that. Especially when it comes to architecture! Loads of great kings and queens and dynasties have left their permanent imprint on our country. And witness their brilliant glory in the shape of absolutely stunning architectural marvels!
Second to none, truly. We are not called the home of one of the seven wonders of the world for nothing. And we have so many UNESCO Heritage Sites to boot!
In fact, it’s all so grand that you really have to see it to believe it! With your kids, of course. Here are some incredible architectural sites in India that should be a part of your must-see bucket list!
- Humayun’s Tomb
- Akshardham Temple
- Lotus Temple
- Taj Mahal
- Fatehpur Sikri
- Forts of Rajasthan
- Havelis of Rajasthan
- Khajuraho Temple
- Sanchi Stupa
- Ajanta & Ellora caves
- Rani Ki Vav
- Konark Temple
- Meenakshi Temple
- Mahabalipuram
- Hampi
We do not mean to be biassed or anything but Humayun’s Tomb is one of the most stunning buildings in all of Delhi. A sprawling complex comprising many gardens and an imposing red-bricked structure which forms the main tomb, this place is a sight to behold. It is a wonder no less than the Taj, honestly. Just look at the similarities in their design. It is mind-blowing!
Covering a massive (and we mean so massive, you would be blown away by it!) 240,000 sq. ft., this temple is the 6th largest temple in the whole of this blue planet of ours! This colossal temple took 5 years to make, involving the collective effort of 11,000 workers. The numbers alone are enough to make your head spin, we know! But what is great is the way this temple looks. It is stunning beyond comparison!
Mimicking its namesake in a perfectly stunning manner, this famous architectural building in India is a marble marvel. With a pristine white facade, each of the 3 sets of this building are made up of 9 skillfully constructed petals that immediately evoke a sense of serene peace. The best part about the Lotus Temple is that it does not adhere to any religion. Anyone can come here and pray to whoever they pray to.
Do we even need to say anything about the Taj Mahal? It is breathtaking. Period. It is the crown jewel of all the architectural wonders of Indiaand of the one of the seven wonders of the world.
There is nothing in the whole world that can match up to the unfathomable beauty of the Taj Mahal. Seriously, the pictures do not do justice to it at all.
Gleaming red, Fatehpur Sikri is more of a planned city than a building. We bet you are shocked! But moving on, Fatehpur Sikri beautifully blends Persian, Hindu and Mughal architectural styles to create a structure that has stood the test of time. Be sure to check out the Panch Mahal, the Buland Darwaza, and the Jama Masjid among others. Actually, know what? Just check out the whole thing.
Where do we begin!! Words fall short when it comes to the immensely grand structures that Jaisalmer Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, Amber Fort and Mehrangarh Forts are. Sure, there are plenty other forts to check out and spend hours in, but we think you should, under no circumstances, give these 4 a miss! The decor, the intricacy, everything here will leave you stumped.
They are like the twins of the forts of Rajasthan when it comes to sheer beauty! Some of the best architectural buildings in India are places like Patwon Ki Haveli. Or even the sunny and royal Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli. Oh, and Salim Ki Haveli, whose peculiar ‘hanging in the air’ type of design will make you look up in wonder.
A shining example of the architectural wonders of India, the Khajuraho Temple is over a thousand years old! And needless to say, it has many stories to tell. Especially through its many brilliantly carved sculptures that adorn its facade for all to see! It is a masterpiece! And you need a whole day to see it, mind you. The 20 temples here will definitely take a huge chunk of your time.
The iconic dome of the Sanchi Stupa may be simple but it easily makes it one of the best architectural buildings in India. 2000 years old, this Buddhist temple complex was built by two great dynasties. Can you guess them? The Mauryas and the Guptas! Even King Asoka had a hand in its construction! It is easily one of the most impressive circular structures in the world!
If you want a taste of ancient architectural sites in India, this is it! The caves here are beyond glorious! They will take you back in time, when life was simpler. They will walk you through the life of Buddha and the wit of the Jataka tales through their many inscriptions. The Ajanta & Ellora caves are nothing short of a time machine, we tell you. A time machine that epitomises art too.
Up north, you may be familiar with them as ‘baoli’. Anyway both ‘vav’ and ‘baoli’ mean stepwell, and the Rani Ki Vav is bound to be one of the most gorgeous stepwells you will ever see! Set on the banks of the river Saraswati, this famous architectural building in India is a stroke of genius. The technological brilliance here mingled with its motifs and mythological structures will bring out your inner photographer!
Also called Sun Temple. Why? Because it is a structure dedicated to the Sun Go. Shaped like a colossal chariot, the detailing you will find in every nook and cranny of this temple will make your jaw drop straight to the floor. We mean they built wheels, horses and everything! That too intricately so everything looks splendidly royal.
Seldom does a temple get close to mesmerising you with a beautiful combination of a grand structure and vivid colours. The Meenakshi Temple, in our opinion, is a true testament to the power of imagination and just what it is capable of achieving. This masterpiece is rich from every angle. Visit it and we guarantee that its mythological figurines and sculptures will cast an enchanting spell on you.
If subtle is more your style, Mahabalipuram’s monolithic monuments shaped like chariots will make you feel rooted and impressed at the same time. There is something about their earthy look and rows upon rows of animal sculpture that will make you want to spend hours here just savouring a quiet moment as the sun shines warmly upon you.
Though in ruins, this ancient site is an outstanding example of Dravidian architecture. Barring Meenakshi Temple, of course. Hampi’s ruins cleverly and artistically narrate the story of Ramayana through its beautiful sculptures, giving you a sneak-peek into the golden rule of Raja Krishnadevaraya way back in the 1500s.
Exploring architecture with your kids can be a fascinatingly fun activity! Not to mention highly educational in a way that completely captures the attention of your kids. Just like we do at EuroKids with our intelligently crafted preschool curriculum. A curriculum that makes learning fun, engaging and even personalised. If we have got your curiosity piqued, visit us! You might just end up choosing us as the preschool for your kid.
