North india highlight tours Majestic India

Amritsar 

Amritsar  historically also known as Ramdaspur  and colloquially as Ambarsar, is a city in northwestern India.

Amritsar is amongst the most revered sites of the world. It was founded as recently as the 16th century. Its name is a derivative of the Amrit Sarovar (pool of nectar) amidst which stands the Golden Temple, the most sacred of Sikh shrines.

Golden temple

The first Harmandir Sahib(famous with the name of Golden Temple) was built in 1604 by Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru, who symbolically had it placed on a lower level so that even the humblest had to step down to enter it. He also included entrances on all four sides, signifying that it was open to worshippers of all castes and creeds. The foundation stone was laid by Mian MÄ«r, a Muslim divine of Lahore (now in Pakistan). The temple was destroyed several times by Afghan invaders and was finally rebuilt in marble and copper overlaid with gold foil during the reign (1801–39) of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The structure thus became known as the Golden Temple

Golden Temple, the pride and soul of the Sikhs has been a centre of attraction among Indians as well as foreign travellers since ages. The golden body, mystic pond, mouth-watering halwa (desert) and overall myths make this religious site a delight of religious populace.

Durgiana Temple

Dedicated to Goddess Durga,  this modern Hindu temple was built in 1921 in the architectural style of the Golden Temple.

the Durgiana Temples can be called as a Hindu version of the Golden Temple at Amritsar. The temple is also called as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Durga Tirath and Sitla Mandir .

Jallianwala Bagh

Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden in Amritsar, and houses a memorial of national importance, established in 1951 by the Government of India, to commemorate the massacre of peaceful celebrants including unarmed women and children by British occupying forces, on the occasion of the Punjabi New Year (Baisakhi) on 13 April 1919 in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Colonial British Raj sources identified 379 fatalities and estimated about 1100 wounded. Civil Surgeon Dr. Smith indicated that there were 1,526 casualties.The true figures of fatalities are unknown, but are very likely to be many times higher than the official figure of 379.

The 6.5-acre (26,000 m2) garden site of the massacre is located in the vicinity of Golden Temple complex, the holiest shrine of Sikhism.

Wagah or Wahga 

Wagah or Wahga is a village and union council (UC 181) located in the Wahga Zone of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The town is famous for the Wagah border ceremony and also serves as a goods transit terminal and a railway station between Pakistan and India. Wagah is situated 600 metres (2,000 ft) west of the border and lies on the historic Grand Trunk Road between Lahore and Amritsar in India. The border is located 24 kilometres  from Lahore and 32 kilometres  from Amritsar. It is also 3 kilometres  from the bordering village of Attari .

Border crossing ceremony

The Wagah-Attari border ceremony happens at the border gate, two hours before sunset each day. The flag ceremony is conducted by the Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force (BSF), similar to the retreat ceremonies at Ganda Singh Wala/Hussainiwala border crossing and Mahavir/Sadqi International Parade Ground border crossing.

Chandigarh

Chandigarh is the best-planned city in India, with architecture which is world-renowned, and a quality of life, which is unparalleled. As the capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh it is a prestigious city. The face of modern India, Chandigarh, is the manifestation of a dream that Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru envisaged and Le Corbusier executed.

Serenity and a city are two diametrically opposite concepts, which however, get belied in the ‘City Beautiful’. Chandigarh is a rare epitome of modernization co-existing with nature’s preservation. It is here that the trees and plants are as much a part of the construction plans as the buildings and the roads. India’s first planned city, is a rich, prosperous, spic and span, green city rightly called “ THE CITY BEAUTIFUL ”

Rock Garden

if you are one among those who love visiting gardens, you must visit the Rock Garden of Chandigarh. Here’s everything you should know about this garden.

The Rock Garden is a Sculpture garden in Chandigarh. It is also known as Nek Chand’s Rock Garden after its founder Nek Chand, a government official who started the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. The garden is spread over an area of forty acres (160,000 sq.m.). What’s interesting about this garden is the fact that it’s entirely built of industrial and home waste and discarded items. Sculptures are made using bottles, glasses, bangles, tiles, ceramic pots, sinks and electrical waste. Apart from sculptures, this garden also has man-made interlinked waterfalls.

Sukhna lake                   

The manmade picturesque Sukhna lake in the foothills of Shivalik range is an idyllic place for quiet communion with nature and for offering .

Shimla 

 Shimla or Simla is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is a very popular holiday retreat during the summer months and is well known for its Victorian architecture, which is reflected in certain areas of the Mall and the Ridge. It is also a famous holiday spot for honeymoon.

it is surrounded by green hills with snow capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era creates an aura which is very different from other hill. Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla retains its colonial heritage, with grand old uildings, charming iron lamp posts and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with shops and eateries, is the main attraction of the town, and Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja of Patiala’s escapades, offers a view of distant snow clad peaks.

Viceroy lodge                                                                                

The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) is a research institute based in Shimla, India. It was set up by the Ministry of Education, Government of India in 1964 and it started functioning from 20 October 1965.

The building that houses the institute was originally built as a home for Lord Dufferin, Viceroy of India from 1884–1888 and was called the Viceregal Lodge. It housed all the subsequent viceroys and governors general of India. It occupied Observatory Hill, one of the seven hills that Shimla is built upon.The building is designed in Indo-Gothic style.

The building was designed by Henry Irwin, an architect in the Public Works Department. The Viceregal Lodge had electricity as early as 1888, much before the rest of the town of Shimla. The building also was equipped with a sophisticated firefighting mechanism through wax-tipped water ducts.

Many historic decisions have been taken in the building during the Indian independence movement. The Simla Conference was held here in 1945. The decision to carve out Pakistan and East Pakistan from India was also taken here in 1947.

The Mall Shimla

In Shimla, the Mall Road lies at the heart of all the action and activity. Buzzing with shops, cafes, theatres, restaurants and a whole bunch of merriment, it is close to all places of interest. The restaurants here offer a wide range of cuisines, and the Gaiety Theatre is the place to go for cultural activities in Shimla. If you’re looking to do a spot of shopping, the Mall offers a number of emporiums, showrooms and storehouses selling everything from shawls and woollens to jewellery, pottery and books. Extending from Barnes Court in the east to the Viceregal Lodge in the west, this is the place to go when you’re looking to be entertained.

Christ church

The second oldest church in North India after St John’s Church in Meerut, Christ Church in Shimla is the most famous church in the town. Built in 1857, the church or its silhouette can be seen for miles around its vicinity. The clock on the church was donated in 1860 by Colonel Dumbleton and no longer works while the porch was added much later in 1873. Constructed in the Elizabethan style, the church has an amazing collection of books and ancient scriptures that are worth taking a look at. The church is most beautiful at night when it is lit up by four strategically placed lights. It is also one of the few churches in India that has a pipe organ.

Gaitey Theatre Shimla

Shimla’s Gaiety Theatre was once part of the large town hall complex. Designed by the renowned English architect Henry Irwin, it was constructed in the Gothic style and opened its doors in 1887 to accommodate more than 300 people.

Travelling in Delhi isn’t just limited to history but it’s a step to take past and present hand in hand. Blended with modern advancements, Delhi is the modern-day city of Troy. The amalgamation of all religion and spiritual hubs of different faiths coexisting together in peace is the testament of the unity in diversity. Delhi offers numerous tourist attractions ranging from monuments, museums, shrines to modern day markets. Exploring the city is like witnessing a mini-India, with Delhi Tourism being a reflection of rich culture of India.

Historically Monuments in Delhi

Humayun’s tomb

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humayun’s Tomb is a stunning piece of Persian architecture built in the Mughal era. It was commissioned in 1526, nine years after Humayun’s death, by his widow Hamida Banu Begum. This beautiful monument is made of red sandstone.

The tomb is in the centre of Charbagh-style of gardens with pools that are connected to canals. It has two entrances: a southern side and a western side. The high central arch and the octagonal shape of the structure are important aesthetics of Mughal architectures

Kutub Minar

This 73-meter high tower was built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in the year 1193. Built after the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu ruler, the Qutub Minar was constructed to celebrate the Muslim supremacy in Delhi. It is the highest tower in India, with five levels and projecting balconies. The first three levels are made up of red sandstone and the last two of marble and sandstone.

The Qutub Minar has three different types of architectural styles. The construction of the minar was started by Aibak (who only made the basement). Later, Iltutmish added on three stories and then it was completed by Firoz Shah Tuglak, who constructed the last two stories. Quwwat-us-Islam Mosque, the first mosque ever to be built in India, is situated here.

Red fort                                                                                          

This enormous red sandstone fort is synonymous with Delhi and is testimony of the glory of the Mughal Empire. Built in 1638 by Shah Jahan, it took around ten years to be completed.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Red Fort is octagonal in shape with walls adorned with flowers and calligraphy, typically in the style of beautiful Mughal era architecture.

JAMA masjid

The Jama Masjid is India’s largest mosque. With minarets on all four sides that reach the skies, Jama Masjid, Emperor Shah Jahan’s last architectural indulgence, was commissioned in 1650 and took six years to be built. The enormous courtyard of the Jama Masjid can hold around twenty-five thousand worshippers.

India gate

Situated in the heart of the city, India Gate is one of the most popular and well known monuments in India. It was designed by Edwin Lutyens. With lush green and well-manicured lawns around, the foundation of this historical structure was laid in 1920.

It was unveiled in 1933 and dedicated to all the Indian soldiers of the British Army that were killed in World War 1 .

Jaipur 

 The city was founded in 1727 by Jai Singh-II the Raja of Amerwho ruled from 1699 to 1743. He planned to shift his capital from Amer, 11 kilometres (7 mi) from Jaipur to accommodate the growing population and increasing scarcity of water

 Amer Fort: This fort is famous for fascinating Rajputana architecture, splendid sandalwood work and places like Sheesh Mahal and Diwaan-e-Khaas. A unique artistic brilliance is clearly visible in its construction and design and this makes a trip to this palace unforgettable.

Jal Mahal(Water Palace): Also known as Jal Mahal, this palace is situated in the Man Sagar Lake and is flanked by Nahargarh Hills all around. The beauty of the palace lies in its gardens and courtyards built in the royal style displaying Mughal tastes. Various species of birds all around the palace mesmerise the bid lovers to the core.

Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace): Also famous as Hawa Mahal, Wind Palace is one of the most favourite destinations for tourists as it is a beautiful architectural masterpiece which has more than 953 small windows.

City Palace , Jantar Mantar observatory

Sawai madhopur (Ranthambore ) 

What makes Sawai Madhopur a popular attraction of Rajasthan is the fact that this city has embraced Ranthambore National Park and Ranthambore Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in it. Madhopur’s guavas are well-known in Rajasthan. Ranthambore Fort was royal hunting grounds of the erstwhile Maharajas of Jaipur.

The fort is located at a hill-top and overlooks the lush Ranthambore National Park, one of the largest national parks of India and also a tiger reserve. Besides tigers, it is known to be a home to leopard, wild boar, hyena, sambar, sloth bear, chital and a tremendous amount of birds as well.

Wildlife safari in Ranthambore is one of the main tourist attractions of Sawai Madhopur. Visit The Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum to polish your knowledge about natural history.

Places to visit à Ranthambore Fort , Padam Talab , Jogi Mahal , Trinetra Ganesh Temple , Rajiv Gandhi Musium , Ranthambore Tiger Reserve etc.

Agra 

Agra boasts of having one of the seven wonders of the world and three UNESCO world heritage sites, the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort and the Fatehpur Sikri nearby. Agra is a delight for history and architecture lovers. The medieval city located on the banks of the river Yamuna, it is one of the most visited cities by tourists in India.

Strategically located at the heart of India in the mundane plains between the Ganga and Yamuna, Agra had been a religious and commercial centre for centuries, but it matured and perfected itself only when the Mughals made it their home. Agra is not only famous for its Mughal art and culture but is also known for its food, chat, and the famous Panchi ka Petha. The city even after being one of the hottest cities of the country, is visited in high numbers every day.

Agra fort

The masterpiece of Lodi Dynasty and the heritage passed on to Mughals, Agra Fort tops the list when it comes to exploring Agra city. Popularly known as the heritage tourist places in India, the fort fore-tells the story of rich history and display architectural grandeur. Major architectural contributions are traced from the period of Shahjahan, where in this great Mughal emperor replaced red sand-stones with white marbles. The legend has it that Aurangzeb, the might ruler and the son of Shahjahan imprisoned his own father in this mansion. Visitors have the opportunity to see the imprisonment areas and a special point from where Shahjahan looked at the Taj Mahal. The entrance of the fort has been kept from the southern gate known as Amar Singh Gate

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in a vast Mughal garden that encompasses nearly 17 hectares, in the Agra District. Taj Mahal is one of the famous finest architecture of the world. It is in a seven wonders of World and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in (1631-1653) with the orders of Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz. 20,000 workers labored and 32 crore rupees were spent during the construction of the monument and it was built according to Islamic architecture. The meaning of Taj Mahal in English is ‘ Place of Crown ‘. Taj Means Crown and Mahal means place.

Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah

This tomb is the first to be built in white marble instead of red sandstone, which officially marked the cessation of red sandstone from Mughal architecture. Itimad-ud-Daula is sometimes referred to as the “baby Taj” or a draft of the Taj Mahal, as it has been constructed with the same elaborate carvings and pietra dura (cut-out stone work) inlay techniques.

The tomb is surrounded by beautiful gardens that make it the perfect site to relax and experience the beauty of an old era that was rich in art, culture, and history.

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is a fascinating ghost city built in the 16th century, 37 km from Agra. Fatehpur Sikri is a small city in northern India, just west of Agra, founded by a 16th-century Mughal emperor. Red sandstone buildings cluster at its center. Buland Darwaza gate is the entrance to Jama Masjid mosque. Nearby is the marble Tomb of Salim Chishti. Diwan-E-Khas hall has a carved central pillar. Jodha Bais Palace is a mix of Hindu and Mughal styles, next to the 5-story Panch Mahal that overlooks the site.

Mughal gardens are a group of gardens built by the Mughals in the Persian style of architecture. This style was heavily influenced by the Persian gardens particularly the Charbagh structure. Significant use of rectilinear layouts are made within the walled enclosures. Some of the typical features include pools, fountains and canals inside the gardens.