Get ready to see India’s amazing buildings with our guide to the “10 Must-See Buildings On Your Trip To India!” From old buildings full of history to new ones with cool designs, India has a lot to offer. Check out the detailed carvings on ancient temples, visit grand palaces where kings used to live, and see the new buildings that show India’s future. Join us as we explore these awesome buildings and learn about India’s rich history.
Here Are 10 Must See Building On Your Trip To India
10. Sangath Design Studio
Balkrishna Doshi is known for bringing new life to modern Indian architecture. She was the first Indian builder to win the prestigious Pritzker Prize. His design philosophy and observations are reflected in Sangath, a design studio and study center in Ahmedabad that he built to serve the community.
Sangath, which was finished in 1980, is a lively mix of flat and vaulted surfaces that accept space and make living spaces of different sizes. With this design, natural light can slowly make its way inside. The studio is built around an entrance court with a split-level water feature that cools the space naturally in the hot temperature of the area. This range of sizes makes the inside and outside landscapes interesting and shows how building can be an immersive art form.
Sangath has changed more than just the shape of traditional Indian building. He has also changed the materials used to build it. The vaults were made on-site with ferrocement, which shows how Doshi’s time with Le Corbusier affected his work. The finishing mosaic tile work was done by local craftspeople, and more than 60% of the building materials came from nearby. The contrast of textures between the brickwork and red-oxide floors and the concrete post-and-beam frame is very striking. All of these parts work together to make an inspiring design setting.
9. Temple of Kailashnath
Ellora has 33 shrines, chiseled from volcanic rock. Among them, 12 date back to the Gupta Period and are Buddhist, while four are Jain and 17 are Hindu. Notably, the Kailashnath temple stands out as one of India’s finest stone temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva and resembling Mount Kailash, his mythical Himalayan abode. Unlike typical temples, this monolithic marvel wasn’t built by stacking stones but was meticulously excavated from the rock, removing nearly 40,000 tons of sandstone. This architectural wonder, located in the Charanandri Hills of Aurangabad, is a testament to sublime sculptural artistry.
Crafted in the style of south Indian temples, Kailashnath features a shrine, inner sanctum, and open porches. Its construction, a monumental achievement, began from the temple’s peak—the shikhar—where stonemasons painstakingly worked down to the pedestal, creating a multistoried temple. The temple’s dimensions are impressive, measuring 64 feet (50 m) deep, 109 feet (33 m) wide, and 98 feet (30 m) high. Its most striking feature is the world’s largest cantilevered rock ceiling.
Every inch of Kailashnath’s exterior and interior is adorned with intricate carvings depicting symbols and figures from Hindu scriptures, explaining why its completion spanned over a century, culminating in the 8th century CE.
8. Jaisalmer Fort
Rawal Jaisal, leader of the Bhatti Rajput clan, wanted a secure desert base for his people. His goal in building the Jaisalmer Fort was to make his capital at Lodurva safer. A fortress town called Jaisalmer is the second oldest in Rajasthan. It is in the middle of the vast Thar Desert. Its walls tower over the desert, reaching over 250 feet (76 m) high. The outer walls of the fort, which are decorated with bastions, surround a village of more than 10,000 people who live there on their own. Inside, the palace gardens, merchants’ havelis, residential areas, military quarters, and temples all show how wealthy Jaisalmer was in the Middle Ages.
The fort, which was built in the 1200s and is called the “sonar quila” or “golden fort” in that area, is now the center of Jaisalmer city. Its buildings are a mix of Rajput and Islamic types. The Patwon ki Haveli is the most beautiful example of this. These five homes were commissioned by Guman Chand Patwa, a rich local merchant. They are masterpieces of stone carving and took about 50 years to finish. Even though this ancient settlement used to be great, current life is changing it. Still, the fort stands tall and shines in the early morning light, keeping its pride and sense of being unbeatable.
7. Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built under the patronage of the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great and was completed in 1585. Despite being occupied for only about 15 years, this fort city stands as a remarkable example of Mughal architectural prowess.
Perched atop a rocky outcrop, Fatehpur Sikri is constructed entirely from red sandstone quarried from the surrounding rock. The city boasts numerous architectural marvels, each a testament to Akbar’s inclusive approach to different cultures and religions. While predominantly Persian in style, the architecture also reflects influences from the Gujarati and Rajasthani vernacular schools, attributed to the skilled masons and craftsmen from these regions. Among its architectural treasures is the Jodha Bai palace, the residence of Akbar’s Hindu wife and the mother of his heir. This palace, though simple in design, features ornamentation inspired by Hindu architectural motifs, blending two distinct cultures into one magnificent structure.
The crowning jewel of Fatehpur Sikri is the tomb of Salim Chisti, a revered Sufi saint whom Akbar consulted regarding the birth of his son. Located at the heart of the Jami Masjid, or Friday Mosque, this tomb is a pilgrimage site for his followers. Unlike the other structures in the city, the tomb is constructed from pristine white marble, starkly contrasting with the surrounding red sandstone. It is framed by the grand Buland Darwaza, a 147-foot-high (45 m) triumphal arch, adding to its grandeur against the backdrop of the sandstone city.
The name Fatehpur translates to “city of victory,” reflecting its intended role as a shared seat of the imperial court, if only for a brief period. The serenity and grandeur of Fatehpur Sikri are best experienced in the early morning hours, when the golden hue of the sandstone is truly breathtaking.
6. Hawa Mahal
The Palace of Winds, or Hawa Mahal, is one of the most famous landmarks in the state of Rajasthan. It is located in the middle of the busy city of Jaipur. It was built as an addition to the city palace’s women’s rooms so that people could see what was going on outside. Women from the royal family and harem could see the market and all of its busy activity through this screen, which was like an architectural veil.
In this case, the word “mahal” is almost confusing because the building was never meant to be a home. The five-story building, which was finished in 1799, isn’t very deep. The top three stories are only about a room deep and have cute rooms where the women sat. As a nod to Jaipur’s “Pink City” style, the building is made completely of red sandstone that glows pink in the sun.
The balance of the front of the building shows that it was influenced by Mughal architecture as well as the Rajput style. This wall is 50 feet (15 m) high and has more than 950 windows. Each one is painted with white limewash patterns. The main entrance is at the back of the building. To get to the top floors, there are a set of ramps. These were made to make carrying palanquins (chairs on men’s shoulders) easier. As its name suggests, the Hawa Mahal is still a traditional reaction to the harsh climate. Its many windows let the breeze cool the rooms inside during the hot desert months. It’s Bidisha Sinha.
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5. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly known as Victoria Terminus) in Mumbai is one of the most prominent vestiges of British colonialism in India. Designed as a railway station and administrative hub, it was completed in 1888, after ten years of construction. It was designed by English architectural engineer Frederick William Stevens, who worked for the India Public Works Department from 1867, until his services were loaned to the Great Indian Peninsula Railway in 1877 to consult on the railway station.
Stevens visited Europe to look at railway stations before creating his design, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is said to be modeled on St. Pancras railway station in London. It is a marvelous example of two schools of architecture, Venetian Gothic Revival and traditional Indian school, with flying buttresses and traditional wood carvings existing in harmony. Externally the building has a spectacular edifice of carved friezes and stained-glass windows, while the interiors are detailed in decorated tiles, ornamental railings, and grills that tie together the grand staircases and ticket offices into one stunning volume.
The terminus is capped with a central dome on which stands a statue of the figure of Progress. Originally called the Victoria Terminus after Queen Victoria, it was officially renamed the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in 1996 after a 17th-century Maratha king. The station also holds importance because India’s first steam engine was flagged from here. Today, the station houses the headquarters of the central railway and supports a network of local trains transporting millions of commuters every day. (Bidisha Sinha)
4. Lotus Temple
In India, the lotus flower has long been regarded as a sign of purity. Its appearance from life’s muddy waters is a metaphor for freedom. Fariborz Sabha, an engineer, was moved by this and built the Baha’i House of Worship in Delhi to represent this faith.
In the middle of southern Delhi’s busy urban suburbs, the Lotus Temple stands out as a peaceful haven. It is surrounded by both ancient and modern buildings, making it a peaceful place to get away from the chaos of the world. Its simplicity goes beyond material things. It looks like a floating building because it is shaped like a lotus flower with 27 petals and nine sides. It sits on 26 acres of land and has a nine-sided pool at its base. Each petal is carefully made from concrete and covered in white Greek marble. Each piece is made to fit its exact spot and orientation.
The 111-foot-high place of worship, which was finished in 1986, is meant to be a light well. Its central petals form a bud that lets light pass through. This one-of-a-kind design gives it a sense of divine light, which adds to its spiritual atmosphere.
The Lotus Temple serves as a sanctuary for followers of all religions, offering a space for meditation and reflection amidst the urban chaos. People who come, including jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie, who said, “I cannot believe it; it is God’s work,” are amazed by how ancient themes have been brought into modern belief.
3. Harmandir Sahib
India’s architectural heritage owes much to the creation of religious gathering places. One such iconic site is the Harmandir Sahib, which many consider the epitome of Sikh architecture. This sublime and elegant place of worship is believed to have its roots in the 14th century when Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith, resided and meditated by the Amritsar lake, meaning “pool of ambrosial nectar.” The formal temple construction began in December 1588, under the direction of the fifth Guru Arjan Dev, with the foundation laid by the Muslim saint Mian Mīr of Lahore. The shrine’s architecture is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles.
Unlike traditional practices of elevating significant buildings, the Harmandir Sahib was constructed at ground level, integrating harmoniously with its environment. However, the turbulent political climate of the 15th century subjected this sanctuary to nearly a century of conflict, as the Sikhs defended it against invasions. Despite being repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, the temple stood as a testament to the resilience and prosperity of its adherents.
During the relatively peaceful early 19th century, the shrine underwent lavish embellishments with marble and precious stones, including the gilding of its upper stories. These enhancements earned it the popular moniker, the Golden Temple.
2. Quṭb Mīnār
The tower was started by a ruler named Quṭb al-Dīn Aibak, but he only finished the first part before he died. Later rulers, like Iltumish and Fīrūz Shah Tughluq, added more parts to make it taller. Now, it is 238 feet (72.5 meters) tall, which makes it the tallest tower made of bricks in the world. It starts out wide at the bottom, with a diameter of 47 feet (14.3 meters), and gets narrower as it goes up.
Each part of the tower is round and has carvings and writings on it, showing how Islamic architecture changed over time. There are balconies on each part held up by special supports called corbels.
People are not sure why the tower was built. Some think it was to call people to prayer, like other towers near mosques. But because of its size, some believe it was meant to celebrate a big victory in a battle.
The name Quṭb means “axis,” which could mean that the tower was meant to be an important center for Islamic rule. Whatever the reason, the tower has been around for a long time and is still a famous part of Delhi’s skyline.
1. Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal, a grand mausoleum, stands as a testament to eternal love. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahān in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after her death in 1631. This magnificent structure is not just the creation of one man but a collaboration of skilled builders and craftsmen from Persia and India. Over more than 20 years, it took shape, representing the opulence and might of the Mughal empire, despite enduring a tumultuous history of plunder and restoration.
The Taj Mahal has been the subject of much admiration, praised for its refined elegance, architectural beauty, and balanced design. However, its true splendor is best viewed from the gateway to the Charbagh—a garden divided into four parts, adorned with flower beds, tree-lined paths, and water channels—inspired by the idea of paradise from Persia. At the far end of this garden lies the mausoleum, built on a base of red sandstone. Every part of its white marble surface is meticulously carved with calligraphy and intricate patterns, inlaid with precious stones like sapphires, lapis lazuli, and turquoise. Inside, the cenotaphs of the empress and emperor are placed behind delicately carved marble screens. Surrounding the main mausoleum are smaller buildings that complement its grandeur, including four minarets at each corner of the platform. These minarets are intentionally tilted slightly outward to protect the main structure in case of collapse.
Situated by the Yamuna River and amidst the Charbagh, the Taj Mahal takes on different hues and moods throughout the day and seasons. The morning light gives it a pinkish glow, while the moonlight makes the precious stones sparkle, resembling a jewel in the night.
Conclusion
In conclusion, India’s architectural wonders are a testament to its rich history and cultural diversity. From the ancient temples of Ellora and the majestic forts like Jaisalmer, to the modern marvels like the Lotus Temple and Sangath Design Studio, each building tells a story of India’s past, present, and future. The intricate carvings, grand structures, and innovative designs showcase the skill and creativity of Indian architects and craftsmen throughout the centuries. Visiting these ten must-see buildings on your trip to India is not just a sightseeing experience but a journey through time, art, and culture, offering a deeper understanding and appreciation of this remarkable country.
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