22 places to discover
Alipore Museum is a heritage museum in Alipore, Kolkata, developed within the former Alipore Central Jail. The jail, operational from 1910 to 2019, was converted and inaugurated as a museum in September 2022. It preserves original jail cells, watchtowers and gallows, and displays galleries on the Indian independence movement, Bengal's history, and notable political prisoners housed there.
Amber Fort, also known as Amer Fort, is a historic hill fort and palace complex located in Amer, approximately 11 kilometers from Jaipur. Built primarily in the late 16th century by Raja Man Singh I, it served as the capital of the Kachhwaha Rajputs before they moved to Jaipur. The fort is renowned for its blend of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles, featuring intricate mirror work, marble reliefs, and expansive courtyards overlooking Maota Lake.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Park and Museum is a memorial-cum-museum complex located on the premises of the Old Central Jail at Jail Chowk in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Inaugurated in November 2021, it is built on the site where tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda was imprisoned. The complex includes a museum dedicated to tribal freedom fighters, preserved jail cells, a 25-foot statue, landscaped park, and light-and-sound show showcasing Jharkhand's tribal history and heritage.
Cellular Jail National Memorial is a former colonial prison located at Atlanta Point in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Built between 1896 and 1906, it was used for solitary confinement of political prisoners. Declared a National Memorial in 1969, it now functions as a memorial and museum with seven wings, watch tower, cells, galleries and a Light and Sound Show commemorating its history.
Dhauli Shanti Stupa is a white-domed peace pagoda located on Dhauli Hills, about 8 km south of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on the banks of the Daya River. Built in 1972 by the Japan Buddha Sangha and Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha, it marks the site associated with the ancient Kalinga War and Emperor Ashoka's embrace of Buddhism. The stupa features Buddha images, stone panels and nearby Ashokan rock edicts.
Gandhi Hill is a hillock and memorial complex in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, rising about 500 feet above the city. It houses India's first Gandhi Memorial with a 52-foot stupa, seven pillars, a library, planetarium and exhibition halls dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Developed as a tribute to Gandhi, the hilltop offers panoramic views of Vijayawada and the Krishna River and serves as an educational and leisure destination.
Gobindgarh Fort is a historic fortified complex in central Amritsar, Punjab, originally built in 1760 by Gujjar Singh Bhangi and rebuilt and fortified between 1805-1809 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who named it after Guru Gobind Singh. Spread over 43 acres, it served as a military stronghold under Sikh and later British rule and is now developed as a live heritage museum and cultural theme park showcasing Punjab's history, warfare and arts.
Gwalior Fort is a historic hill fort located on Gopachal Hill in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Spread over about 3 sq km with massive sandstone walls, it is known for its palaces, temples and rock-cut Jain sculptures. Developed from the 8th century onwards and expanded by Gurjara-Pratihara, Tomar, Mughal and Scindia rulers, it houses Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Teli Ka Mandir and Sas Bahu Temples, offering panoramic views of Gwalior city.
Jallianwala Bagh is a historic public garden and National Memorial located near the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. Spread over about 6.5 acres, it is preserved as a memorial garden with a central flame, Martyrs' Well, preserved wall marks, and museum galleries. Established as a National Memorial in 1951 and managed by the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust, it serves as a place of remembrance and is one of Amritsar's most visited heritage sites in the city's historic centre.
Jhansi Fort is a historic hilltop fort located on Bangira Hill in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Built in 1613 by Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha, it is known for its massive granite walls, bastions and strategic location. The fort is closely associated with Rani Lakshmibai and the events of 1857. It houses temples, barracks, a Government Museum and offers panoramic views of Jhansi city.
Mahabharat Anubhav Kendra is an immersive museum and experience centre located at Jyotisar in Kurukshetra, Haryana, the traditionally recognised site where Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. Developed by the Kurukshetra Development Board and Haryana Government, the centre uses 5D theatre, virtual reality, light and sound shows and curated exhibits to narrate the epic of Mahabharata and the teachings of the Gita for visitors and pilgrims.
Maharana Pratap Smarak is a memorial located atop Moti Magri (Pearl Hill) in Udaipur, Rajasthan. It features an 11-foot-high bronze statue of Maharana Pratap mounted on his loyal horse Chetak, overlooking Fateh Sagar Lake. The site includes a museum displaying weapons, artifacts, paintings, and models depicting the history of Mewar and the Battle of Haldighati. A Japanese rock garden and light and sound show are additional attractions.
Motijheel Park is a public park and recreational area surrounding the horseshoe-shaped Motijheel Lake in Lalbagh, Murshidabad, West Bengal. Excavated in the 1740s, the lake and its gardens were developed as a royal retreat and later known as Company Bagh. Today it is maintained as a landscaped park with gardens, walkways, boating facilities and a light and sound show, and is a popular leisure spot for visitors exploring Murshidabad's heritage area.
Mysuru Palace, also known as Amba Vilas Palace, is the former royal residence of the Wadiyar dynasty located in the heart of Mysuru, Karnataka. The current Indo-Saracenic structure, completed in 1912 after the old wooden palace burned in 1897, was designed by British architect Henry Irwin. Renowned for its grand domes, stained glass, carved woodwork and Durbar Hall, it is a major cultural landmark and central venue for the annual Mysuru Dasara celebrations.
Neermahal Palace is a former summer palace located in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake at Melaghar in Sepahijala District, Tripura. Built between 1930 and 1938 by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarma, it is the only palace of its kind in eastern India built surrounded by water. Notable for its blend of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles, white marble domes and pavilions, the palace is a major heritage attraction and former royal residence.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, formerly Ross Island, is a small heritage island located about 2 km east of Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It served as the British administrative headquarters for the Andaman penal settlement from 1858 until 1941. The island is known for its well-preserved colonial ruins, including the Chief Commissioner's residence, church, bakery and barracks, set amid dense vegetation and freely roaming deer and peacocks.
Shaniwar Wada is a historical fortification in Pune, Maharashtra, built in 1732 by Peshwa Bajirao I as the seat of the Maratha Confederacy's Peshwas. Originally a seven-story palace complex, it was largely destroyed by fire in 1828, leaving only the granite ramparts, teak gateways, and foundations. The site now serves as a protected monument and tourist attraction featuring five historic gates, gardens, and a daily light and sound show depicting Peshwa history.
Shaurya Smarak is a war memorial and museum located on Arera Hills in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, spread over about 12 acres. Inaugurated in 2016, it is dedicated to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. The complex features a 62-foot Shaurya Stambh, galleries, sculptures, and an outdoor exhibition of military equipment, combining architecture, history and patriotic tribute in a landscaped park setting.
Shri Mahakal Lok is a 900-metre pedestrian corridor developed around the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Inaugurated in October 2022, it connects the temple to the Rudrasagar Lake area and features more than 200 sculptures, 108 ornate pillars and murals depicting stories from the Shiva Purana. The landscaped corridor enhances pilgrim facilities and showcases the religious heritage of Ujjain, one of Hinduism's seven sacred cities.
Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gir Somnath district, Gujarat, on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, it is built in Chalukya architectural style. The present structure was reconstructed between 1947 and 1951. The temple is a major pilgrimage and tourism site known for its seaside location, ornate architecture and daily aarti rituals.
Tawang War Memorial is a stupa-shaped memorial located near Tawang town in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh. Built to honour Indian soldiers who died during the 1962 war, it stands on a hilltop overlooking the Tawang Valley. The 40-foot structure displays names of 2,420 martyrs, houses a small museum and prayer hall, and features Buddhist architectural elements, prayer flags and a light and sound show commemorating the soldiers.
The Victoria Memorial is a large white marble memorial and museum located on Queens Way in the Maidan area of central Kolkata, West Bengal. Built between 1906 and 1921 in memory of Queen Victoria, it is designed in Indo-Saracenic Revival style by architect William Emerson. Set within 64 acres of gardens, it houses a museum with paintings, manuscripts and artefacts from the British period and is an iconic landmark of Kolkata.