Mosque “Jama Masjid”

The great mosque of Old Delhi is India’s largest mosque, with a courtyard large enough to hold a mind-blowing 25,000 devotees. It was the final architectural extravagance of Shah Hahan, the Mughal emperor, who was also responsible for the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. The mosque features three great gates, four towers and two 40-meter-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble. You can enter from gate 1 or 3. It will cost you extra to climb the narrow southern minaret (believe it or not, unaccompanied women are not permitted) up 121 steps, for breathtaking views. Visitors will need to remove their shoes at the top of the stairs. You can rent robes at the northern gate.

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The Gates of India

The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai, prior to the Delhi Durbar, in December 1911. Unfortunately, the king and queen were only able to see a cardboard model of the structure, as the building’s construction did not begin until 1915. The significance of the gateway is that it is the place where the viceroys and governors used to land upon their arrival in India. At the time it was built, next to the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel, the gateway was a symbol of the power of the British Empire. Today, it serves as a “monumental memento” of colonialisation and subjugation by the British over the people of India. The monument has been the target of terrorist attack three times since the beginning of the 21st century. The central dome is 48 feet (15 meters) in diameter and 83 feet (25 meters) above the ground at its highest point.

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Taj Mahal

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is not to be missed. The moods of the Taj Mahal vary from dawn to dusk and the morning is recommended as the most alluring time to visit. As the Taj Mahal’s massive marble surfaces fall into shadow or reflect the sun, its color changes from soft gray and yellow to pearly cream and sparkling white. This is intentional and integral to the architecture as it symbolically implies the presence of Allah, who is never represented in anthropomorphic form. The Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. It has been called an “elegy in marble” or “an expression of a dream” and the Mausoleum houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added later.

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Amber Fort

Amber Fort is named for the small heritage town of Amber (Amer) that is located roughly 20 minutes from the Pink City of Jaipur. The Amber Fort is a beautiful structure that was built by Rja Man Sing in the 16th century. The Fort’s architecture is a blend of Hindu and Mughal influences. It is constructed of red sandstone and white marble and consists of a series of courtyards, palaces, halls and gardens. Elephant rides are offered in the mornings until 11:30 a.m. outside the Fort. However, these rides are very popular, so those interested in taking one will need to arrive very early in the morning to ensure they don’t get caught in a long line and miss the chance. There are private tours that can be booked online and will save a lot of hassle. Don’t forget to check out the Sheesh Mahal, just a ten-minute walk uphill and well worth the effort.

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Udaipur City Palace

The City Palace in Udaipur was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in Rajasthan. When India became a democracy in 1947, royal rulers were forced to give up their states and fend for themselves. As a tourist of Udaipur, you will benefit greatly from this situation. To give themselves a stream of income, the Mewar royal family developed the Udaipur City Palace Complex—an all-encompassing tourist destination. Immerse yourself in the history of the Maharanas of Mewar and get an authentic feel for the culture and how royalty lived. The museum features both the Mardana Mahal (King’s Palace) and Zenana Mahal (Queen’s Palace), which make up the City Palace. The buildings were constructed over four and a half centuries, starting in 1559. The museum is the oldest and largest part of the City Palace Complex.

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