Top Places to Visit in India Vacation Planner

         India's history has seen a melting pot of different religions, rulers and empires -- all of which have left their mark on the countryside with their elaborate styles of architecture.

• Not surprisingly, the spellbinding Taj Mahal tops the list of india's best historical destinations.
• India also has some evocative, once powerful but now abandoned cities, which are architectural masterpieces. The most famous one is FATEHPUR SIKRI, near Agra. The incredible ruins of HAMPI are just as fascinating. The state of Madhua Pradesh is also full of well preserved abandoned cities, such as Orchha.
• Badami and Aihole are two places that you can see historic rock-cut cave temples and experimental architecture. However, the most impressive deserted cave temples are at Ellora And Ajanta, in Maharastra. There are also some interesting ones in Mumbai -- particularly theElephanta Caves, and Kanheri Caves in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
• Cities such as Delhi and Mumbai exude history and architectural splendor -- Delhi is dotted with remnants of the Mughal rulers who once occupied the city, while Mumbai has a distinctly British influence with its grand colonial architecture.
• Rajasthan is an excellent place to marvel over immense forts, which serve as a reminder of India's tumultuous history. Find them in Chittorgarh, Bundi, Kota, Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer.
• The Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan, located in the triangle between Delhi, Jaipur and Bikaner, is worth a visit for anyone interested in architecture. Rajasthan's most beautifully painted havelis (mansions), constructed by the merchants of the region, can be found in this area.
• The states of Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh also have their share of forts. There are hundreds of them in Maharastra, with the most notable one at Daulatabad, near the Ellora caves. In Madhya Pradesh, head to Mandu.

Top 5 Historical Places in India

       India is a diverse country steeped in history. Its past has seen a melting pot of different religions, rulers and empires - all of which have left their mark on the countryside. Many historical places in India are listed as World Heritage sites due to their cultural importance.

     Visit these popular historical places in India and take a trip back in time to ancient India. You'll marvel at the architecture of what are some of the most stunning and captivating historical attractions that India has to offer.

1.  TAJ MAHAL: The Taj Mahal looms fairytale-like from the banks of the Yamuna River. It's actually a tomb that contains the body of Mumtaz Mahal – the wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He had it built as an ode to his love for her. Dating back to 1630 AD, the Taj Mahal is made out of marble and took 22 years and 20,000 workers to complete. One of the most captivating things about it is the way its color appears to gradually alter in the changing light of the day.

2. HAMPI: Now a laid back village, Hampi was once the last capital of Vijayanagar, one of the greatest Hindu empires in India’s history. It has some extremely captivating ruins, intriguingly intermingled with large boulders that rear up all over the landscape. The ruins, which date back to the 14th century, stretch for just over 25 kilometers (10 miles) and comprise more than 500 monuments. An incredible energy can be felt at this ancient place.

3. KHAJURAHO TEMPLES: If you want proof that the Kama Sutra originated in India, Khajuraho is the place to see. Erotica abounds here with over 20 temples devoted to sexuality and sex. The temples are best known for their erotic sculptures. However, more than that, they show a celebration of love, life and worship. They also provide an uninhibited peek into ancient Hindu faith and Tantric practices. No where else will you find such unique temples with meticulously detailed carvings.

4. AJANTA & ELLORA CAVES: Astonishingly carved into hillside rock in the middle of nowhere are the Ajanta and Ellora caves. There are 34 caves at Ellora dating from between the 6th and 11th centuries AD, and 29 caves at Ajanta dating back to between the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. While the Ajanta caves are rich in paintings and sculpture, the Ellora caves are renowned for their extraordinary architecture. The most incredible thing about these caves is that they were crafted by hand, with only a hammer and chisel.

5. FATEHPUR SIKARI:  A city that was once the proud capital of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century, Fatehpur Sikri now stands deserted as a well preserved ghost town. It was abandoned by its occupants after only 15 years due to insufficient water supply. Constructed out of red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri is full of regal palaces and courtyards. You can almost feel yourself being transported back to medieval times here.