India stands witness to history dating back to 5000 BC. Time gnawed gently and few of the relics still stand tall, making people overwhelm with plenty of emotions, for all the right reasons indeed. Here is a list of the best of our pick of some of the iconic landmarks from the mystic land that India is!
Connaught Place
The largest business center in New Delhi, Connaught Place has stood witness to history and changing time since 1933. The heritage building is built on notable Georgian architecture. It is named after Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn – who was the son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Located in close proximity to a number of shops, markets such as Palika Bazaar, a large park and Rajiv Chowk Metro station, Connaught Place bustles with life and different cultures and communities amalgamate here to taste a life bygone!
Humayun’s Tomb
New Delhi had crowning princes of Mughal adorning the cityscape with plenty of magnificent architecture. Tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun remains an important piece of architecture from the historical period. Persian architect, Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, started constructing the garden tomb as ordered by Humayun’s wife, Empress Bega Begum in 1565 and completed in 1572. Built as inspired by the structure of stunning Taj Mahal, the tomb was a burial ground of many royalties of Mughal empire. Recently adorned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, It has underwent many facades of restoration work to retain the grandeur of old days. Tourists visit the tomb mainly to get a glimpse of the descending sun and feel the rejuvenating calmness right at the heart of the capital city!
Sea Face, Mumbai
The sea and the city of Mumbai, erstwhile Bombay has had multitudes of emotions intertwined. The city by the coastline of Arabian sea is bustling with business and essentially the business pulse of the country. Bombay was a part of seven islands, governed by Portuguese colonial rulers and gifted to King Charles II in 1662, the then British ruler of India as a dowry gift. These days, Marine Drive, decked up with lights and wide road, and high end infrastructural wonders like the Sea link bridge marvel tourists all over the world. Life knows no pause here. However a brief escape from the rat race is well provided by the Sea Face. For a wanderer soul, the Sassoon Docks, Gateway of India and beautiful views of the Arabian Sea is presented with pride.One may opt for a short boat trip to nearby Elephanta islands. You will find no difficulty in finding cafe or good eateries in the nearby area to treat your taste-buds to famous Vada Paos.
Churchgate Station, Mumbai
The first brick of the Great Indian railways of Western India was laid at the Churchgate Station from Southern Mumbai. For anyone, little acquainted with Indian history, shall be well versed with the importance of Indian Railways and how the iron tracks had hard bound the whole of nation at one go. Churchgate station, soaked in the glorious heritage of historical existence dating back to 1867, is a major terminus and continues to serve the Mumbai rail line, otherwise known as the city’s lifeline. The coveted prime location where the station is located gives insights to the role it plays in daily life of a Mumbaikar! Churchgate area, the surrounding extension, hosts multiple vendors where locals and tourists come to experience a unique life. The Churchgate area is a focal point for businesses in Mumbai and facilitates as an important location for sporting events with a number of stadiums located in vicinity.There are a number of shops, restaurants and cafes to enjoy good food and good company.
Chennai Central, Chennai
When in Chennai, the cultural and educational hub of Southern India, if you think you have seen enough by visiting the famous Marina Beach, Fort St. George and Kapaleeshwar Temple, think again, for you might have missed one of the grandest architecture from British Colonial time, the Chennai Central. Erstwhile name of Madras was changed to Chennai, so did the name of the station changed, from Madras Central to Chennai central. It has often been featured in movies, documentaries and novels and holds immense heritage value.The primary most important gateway to Southern India for many years, the station was designed by George Hardig in the year of 1873. South Indian railway Company owned the station during British rule in India. They took the endeavor to make local extensions as well, which has been preserved well till date and extended with more galore. One of the major landmark in Chennai city, the station witness a humongous 3.5 lakh footfall per day. Visit Chennai Central to experience an unprecedented authentic Indian experience that traces its history to the roots of old days.
Howrah Bridge, Kolkata
Hanging as a connector between the sister cities, Howrah and Kolkata (previously known as Calcutta), Howrah Bridge, since 1942, has won hearts of local residents and people across the world with an unequivocal appeal of the bustling city. Arguably world’s busiest cantilever bridges, Never was a shoot possible on the bridge without thousands cramming up in an effort to cross the Hoogly river. Hoogly river has 4 bridges on her. Howrah bridge is the oldest, grandest and most famous of the lot, eventually posing as the landmark of Kolkata. There had been an old pontoon bridge before the new iron stricture came into being. It had easily made its mark in countless novels, movies and postcards of old time as well as contemporary time frame.The pride of West Bengal has been renamed Rabindra Setu, in the memory of the great poet Rabindranath Tagore, the first Indian and Asian Nobel laureate. However the appeal of Howrah bridge, the name remains unchallenged. It is sixth longest bridge of its kind. It is also epitome of culture and heritage of bygone British era when Kolkata used to be the capital of British India.
Park Street, Kolkata
British Calcutta had few pockets of the city soulfully dedicated to the white residents of the country, literally refereed to as Sahebpara or the area of Firangs. park street happened to be one of them. The green pasture of Maidan and grandeur of Chowrangee had kept the secrets of park street to park street itself. History says Sir Elijah Impey, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Calcutta, owned the deer park that once adorned the area. Hence the nae Park street came into being. Keeping up with the perceived upscale glamorous perception, Park Street remains a hub of Anglicized culture. The malls, the shopping centers and restaurants are finest of the city and serve the best luxury experience. Rightly named as the city that never sleeps, Park street comes to life at the advent of Christmas, when chilly winter starts to send shivers to the spines of Kolkatans. It has been reamed in the fond memory of Mother Teresa as Mother Teresa sarani. For anyone seeking a bout of colonial Kolkata, Park Street is the place to be explored till date.
Darjeeling Mall, Darjeeling
As the Tibetan words suggest, ‘dorje’ meaning thunderbolt and ‘ling’ a place, The name ‘Darjeeling’ rightly converts to ‘the land of the thunderbolt’. The small little hill town, made with the warmth of British grandeur and rightly serving the purpose as a winter retreat for colonial rulers from hot and humid Calcutta, Darjeeling has had the Mall playing a pivotal part n otherwise calm life of the lesser Himalayas. The local community comes to vibrancy with all its cultural, social offerings as well a authentic ethnic experience in the courtyard of Darjeeling mall. It has been well documented in many movies dating back to the time. It showed the horses and roadside cafes dainty in the mist, just like the they remain till date. Tourists flock to sightseeing and tea gardens for the whole day, only to come back to the mall at night and explore more. The mall offer enough to quench the thirst of an explorer with exotic beads, intricate details of shawls and collectible souvenirs. You will find plenty of supply of quality food product in the area. We strongly recommend the momos, piping hot, made from the freshest ingredients and playing perfectly with the sultry weather condition. Check out the multiple book stores dotting the mall for a mindful travel with knowledge insights.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Much have been talked about the state of Rajasthan, the land of royals, the architectures inspires much awe till date. Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Breeze, of Jaipur remains one of the specimen of excellent architectural wonders that the Rajputs of medieval India had built. The structure was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and designed by Lal Chand Ustad in the shape of Krishna, the Hindu God’s crown, complete with a honeycomb structure design. The pink and white sandstone monument was designed such as the royal women can watch festivities and processions from the windows without having to go outside or being seen. From the top of the palace expect a stunning view of Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’ at the dawn.
Banaras Ghats, Varanasi
Varansi is psychedelic with its heady cocktail of ancient past, never redeemable heritage, the flow of the holy river, intricately woven fabrics and many more. There are multiple Ghats in Benaras. For the uninitiated, ghats are the steps connecting river banks with the flow of water. the Ghats are Benaras are special for they are attributed to liberates soul from human body to Nirvana, according to Hindu mythology. The ghats dates back to 1700 A.D, the rule of Maratha empire. The weight of history looms large here. Many tourists prefer the early morning boat rides along the Ganges. Funeral rites of the faithfuls and pilgrimage constitute a substantial part of tourism here.
Vadakkunnathan Temple, Kerala
The ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in the city of Thrissur, Kerala (referred to as God’s Own Country) is estimated to be over 1,300 years old and believed to be founded by Lord Parasurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism. Classic Keralan style architecture adds to the National Monument marvel that the temple is. Folklore goes as the name Thrissur is derived from ‘Thiru-Shiva-Peroor’, translating to ‘The city of the sacred Shiva’ thus implementing a sacred feel to the sight and bringing in devotees from across the country, specially during world famous Pooram Festival celebrated annually in between April-May.
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
The Golden Temple, is one of the most important temples and the holiest shrine in Sikhism was built in 1604. Devotees also refer to the temple as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Sri Darbar Sahib. Much acclamation goes towards the stunning architecture of intricately engraved gold panels and a dome gilded with 750 kg of gold. Devotees all across the globe and from all realms of life seek spiritual solace and religious experience here. There are four entrances to the shrine from four directions. It signifies people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome. Many spiritual enthusiasts visit the temple for experiencing the large Langar they serve and volunteer with the committee.
Then & Now Tool
The Then & Now tool helps juxtapose all things a traveler seeks before deciding on his or her next destination. The pictorial tool shows history and ongoing time in one frame with brief description of the place to give a context to perpetual concern, “is it worth exploring?” For the wary traveler, it saves huge time to close the deal by bringing in the most important factors ever with interactive discussion platform from guests who have been there, done it already. More to that, you also have an option to explore more about the origin city, if need be a potential travel guide to the same and inbuilt mechanism to access trip booking facilities with flights and more. You know the nearest and easiest means to commute to the city, to head out for anything in the surrounding area, will instantaneously access the most coveted places to visit or things to do information about the place. Add to that, you can compare and select your stay basis on the predefined filters from the tool. In short, the revolutionary tool has brought in the finest of technology and information under one roof for everyone making a trip plan of their own.An ode to heritage and a welcome note to modern existence with the ease of user interface, The Then and Now tool is the go-to destination for every traveler, pressed for time and in search of valuable as well as reliable information at one go
