India. Cities of India: list of the largest Private cities in India

India is among largest countries on the planet. Along with China, it is considered a dynamically developing state and ranks second in the world in terms of population. The United Nations believes that by 2050, India will overtake China as the most populous country in the world. The annual population growth rate is approaching 2%, while China's population growth is 1.4%. India is a huge country made up of 29 states, 6 union territories, over 600 districts and 7900 cities and towns. Most big cities India amaze with densely populated, bustling activity and at the same time fascinate with architecture, monuments, landscapes.

Big cities in India:

Mumbai

The financial capital of the country and the economic center in India is Mumbai, formerly Bombay. The headquarters of a number of multinational companies, large industrial houses and financial corporations are located here, which makes the city attractive for earning money and attracting foreign employees. Mumbai is home to the Stock Exchange and the Reserve Bank of India.

Convenient location on the shores of the Arabian Sea has turned the metropolis into a bustling and prosperous port. Due to its history and variety of architectural styles, Mumbai attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world. The Indian "city of dreams" is the birthplace of Bollywood, a thriving film industry, an analogue of American Hollywood.

Delhi

One of the oldest cities in the world, and now the capital of India is the city of Delhi. Historical monuments of this city are a unique heritage and are of high archaeological value. Delhi has been destroyed and rebuilt many times.

The city is two around the world- ancient and modern. Old Delhi is made up of narrow streets and mosques. New City is home to government offices, including the Houses of Parliament, making it a diplomatic and government center. Modern Delhi is a bustling metropolis and the second most populous city in the country.

India Gate, Red Fort, Lotus Temple are the main attractions of the capital of India, which make Delhi a popular holiday destination for both tourists and the local population.

Bangalore

Bangalore has official name Bangalore is the capital of the state of Karnataka and the third largest city in India. Received the title of capital after the liberation of India from British colonial rule.

Many decades ago, Bangalore was a tiny place, but with the development of information technology, many residents of neighboring cities and villages moved here for permanent residence in search of income and professional prospects. The modern city of Bangalore is the most advanced in the telecommunications and software industry.

Compared to other metropolitan areas in India, it boasts cleanliness and abundance of vegetation. No wonder the city was given the name "garden city".

chennai

Chennai is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal on the Coromandel Coast in southern India in the state of Tamil Nadu. The city was originally called Madras. Chennai is often compared to Detroit in the US for its key role in the Indian auto industry. This place is famous for its education system and has the highest literacy rate in India. Chennai is known as the "Gateway to South India" and is rich in rivers, lakes and canals. The city has many modern architectural structures, and ancient temples built in the 7th and 8th centuries.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and is known as the "City of Pearls". Its rapid growth and development is driven by new business opportunities in light industry, information technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.

Here are the two largest film studios in the country - Tollywood and Ramoji. The latter is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest film studio in the world.

Hyderabad is also famous for having the world's largest IMAX 3D cinema.

Tourists are attracted by such attractions as the Mecca Masjid, the Triumphal Arch of the East, the magnificent palace complexes of Chaumahallai Phalakunum.

Hydabarad is home to the largest Nehru Zoo in India and South Asia.

Calcutta

Calcutta is the capital of West Bengal and a river port in the Ganges delta. The largest commercial city in eastern India and the center of numerous private and public sector companies. It has a developed infrastructure and is proud of its rich culture. Kolkata is one of the friendliest cities in India. The most famous attraction is the Kali Temple, which is an important sacred site for Hindus.

However, there are a number of environmental problems in the city, many areas are striking in their poverty.

Surat

Surat is a city in the state of Gujarat, considered an important exporter of diamonds in the country and a major city in the textile industry. Surat is also the center of various giant corporations that contribute greatly to the city's economy. The dynamics of its development is one of the fastest growing in the world.

Indian festivals are often held here, distinguished by their brightness and enchantment - the festival of kites, Ganesh Chaturhi, Diwali, Navratri.

Pune

Pune is the cultural capital of the state of Maharashtra. It is one of the fastest growing cities in India and ranks second in the country in terms of quality of life, second only to Hyderabad. The city is located on east coast India is just a few hours away from Mumbai.

Pune is a major center of culture and arts, as well as an important economic segment in the field of information technology and the automotive industry. Jawaharlal Nehru once referred to Pune as the "Oxford and Cambridge of India", as this city is considered the main educational and scientific center of the country.

Jaipur

Jaipur is located in the state of Rajasthan. It is the center of numerous international companies. Known as the "Pink City" because of the pink color of the stones used in the construction. With such unique architecture, Jaipur is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It is the largest city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan and is part of India's famous Golden Triangle.

The city's main attractions include:

• Jal Mahal is a unique floating palace, 4 floors of which are completely submerged in water, tourists can observe only the upper floors of the building, you can only get here by boat.
• Fort Nahargarh.
• observatory building Jantar Matara.

Cities in Goa

India is known for countless exotic beaches. The state of Goa is the most popular place among tourist destinations, located in the western part of India. It attracts a large number of foreign travelers with its beautiful beaches, picturesque places and historical monuments.

This state has a unique combination of Indian and Portuguese culture. By Indian standards, this is the smallest state, which is divided into southern and northern regions.

Panaji

Panaji is the capital of the state of Goa, its political, educational and cultural center. There are no skyscrapers in Panaji, and old colonial buildings side by side with modern buildings. Despite the status of the capital, the city ranks third in India in terms of population.

There is a wide range of entertainment in Panaji:

• casino on board a small luxury liner;
• night city bus tour including river cruise down the river;
• evening boat cruise.

On the western side of the city is the Kampal district, which is considered its cultural center. There are dance, theater and musical programms, art exhibitions and show performances.

Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama is a port city west coast state of Goa. The city was named after the Portuguese explorer and his former governor, Vasco da Gama, and is better known as Vasco. The city is a key shipping center, more than 30% of the ore is exported from this port. Vasco is the only city in the state that is well connected by road, rail, sea and air to other communities.

Numerous leather, textile and jewelry stores grace the city's market, while a long line of cafes and music shops give it a festive atmosphere.

Mapusa

Mapusa is the main commercial center north goa after Panaji. Traditionally, a market opens in Mapusa every Friday. Unlike other tourist-oriented markets, the Mapusa Fair has local color and specializes in the sale of agricultural products.

Margao

Margao is the second largest city in the Indian state of Goa, which is located 33 km from the capital Panaji. It is surrounded by fertile agricultural land.

The city was once a major religious center with dozens of rich temples and magnificent examples of Portuguese churches. Train Station Margao is the largest and most important rail junction in the state. It is located at the intersection of the Konkan railway and the South-West railway, it is called the "Gate of South Goa".

Margao has a quirky charm and fine examples of Portuguese architecture. A favorite destination for tourists traveling to Margao is the nearby Colva Beach.

Modern metropolitan areas and ancient cities India are combined with the elegance and beauty of Indian-Portuguese architecture, ancient monuments and many churches in the colonial style. India is unique and unique country, which managed to preserve the power and rich heritage of the ancient civilization.

What associations do you have when you mention a country like India? Surely these are some mystical images, symbols that excite the minds and imagination. By visiting the major cities of India, you will definitely get something more than just good memories and impressions. After all, here even the most ordinary things are perceived in a new way, to say nothing of the exotic. No one can resist her charms.

India

This is a state of South Asia, consisting of 28 states, each of which reigns its own national characteristics. The seven union territories of India are under central subordination. The country is located within three strikingly beautiful geographical areas: the Indo-Gangetic plains, the Himalayan mountains and the Hindustan peninsula. The local climate is comfortable at any time of the year, depending on the purpose of the trip, so they are popular all year round. So, let's take a closer look at the large and truly ancient cities of India.

New Delhi is the capital

It is here that all the main government offices of the country are located. In 1991, the population of New Delhi was 294,000 inhabitants. The city is divided into two parts: Old and New. Old Delhi in ancient times was the capital of the Indian Muslim state, so there are many old forts, monuments, mosques. New Delhi is riddled with long shady boulevards - the real one. This place is the tomb of many empires and the birthplace of the republic, so every visitor feels in the air an incomprehensible and bewitching mixture of new and old.

Agra

Many cities in India were previously the residences of various empires. Agra, for example, was the capital of Agra Fort was repeatedly mentioned in literary works, captured on feature films. It was in this city that the monument to "immortal love" - ​​the Taj Mahal - found its place. This white marble tomb, which looks the same as it did 2.5 centuries ago, is the tourist emblem of India and the most extravagant monument of human love. was erected by Emperor Shah Jahan for his second wife, who died in 1631 during the birth of her 14th child.

Jaipur

Considering all the cities in India, this one stands out for its pink hue. Most of the buildings of the old part of Jaipur, on the orders of Maharaja Ram Singh, were painted in pink color symbolizing hospitality. This was done to meet the Prince of Wales. Among the countless attractions of this city of India, one can especially highlight the Palace of the Winds, the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal and the Amber Fort.

Mumbai or Bombay

It is the largest metropolis in the country. If we consider all the seaside cities of India, then Mumbai is the youngest of them. About 15 million people live here. Basic tourist area The city is called Colaba. Life in this place is in full swing: countless hotels, restaurants and shops. Bombay is the capital of Indian cinema, commercial and at the same time Finance center countries. Arriving here, be sure to see the Gateway of India, the Marine Drive embankment and the most beautiful station in Asia - Victoria. Magic trip!

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If you came to India for the first time, then Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are the absolute minimum of places to visit.

Delhi

Let's start with the capital. Delhi is a metropolis with 13 million inhabitants. Here in 1911 the Indian capital was moved from Calcutta. Like any capital, Delhi is a city of contrasts: real slums are combined with colonial chic, and ultra-modern buildings with majestic ancient temples. In the old part of the city there is a top object from the tourist list - the Red Fort of Delhi, built during the heyday of the Mughal Empire. In essence, the fort is a city within a city - there are only six royal palaces in it.

In addition, in Delhi you can (or rather, you need to) see:

• the largest mosque in India, Jami Masjid, in the courtyard of which 25 thousand people fit, and the minarets reach a height of 40 m;
• complex Qutab Minar, located 15 km from the capital. Built in the early 12th century by the Mughals, the five-story Qutab Minar is an 85-meter-tall cone-shaped tower dotted with quotations from the Koran. Nearby is the mysterious Iron Column (7 m and inscriptions in Sanskrit), which is two and a half thousand years old. The mystery is that the column is iron, but does not rust.
• the most popular metropolitan temple Lakshmi Narayan, dedicated to Krishna and his wife, the patrons of love and family.

Agra

The former Mughal capital of Agra has the largest number of attractions per unit area.

The most famous landmark of Agra, a kind of symbol of India, is the Taj Mahal mausoleum. Built by Shah Ceyhan in memory of his deceased wife, the white marble mausoleum at the foot of red sandstone is surrounded by a luxurious garden. There are four channels in the garden, symbolizing the path to paradise, a huge pool reflects the outline of the majestic building, and visitors take off their shoes at the entrance to the mausoleum, as if they were entering the temple.

Two kilometers from the Taj Mahal is the Agra Fort, built in the middle of the 16th century to defend the city, and later became the residence of the Great Mughals. Palaces, terraces, mosques, colonnades and magnificent gardens are hidden behind the twenty-meter-high walls.

Located in the vicinity of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is another former Mughal capital. The city was built in honor of the Sufi Chishti, who prophesied the birth of a son to the childless Emperor Akbar. When this joyful event finally happened - the emperor laid new town and moved the capital here. The tomb of Saint Chishti attracts many thousands of pilgrims, mostly childless women.

Jaipur - the treasure of India

Jaipur

Jaipur, which is called " pink city”was built by Maharaja Savoy Jai Sngh II. His ambitious plan was to build an ideal city, with a layout consistent with the structure of the universe. The city is divided into nine sectors, all streets intersect at right angles, and at each intersection there are large squares. The city is surrounded by a fortress wall, and pink marble of amazing beauty was actively used in the construction, which actually gave the city its name.

The Jaipur City Palace (the seventh part of the city in terms of area) is a unique fusion of two architectural schools - Rajaput and Mughal.

The Palace of the Winds is a symbol of Jaipur and its main attraction, a luxurious five-story building made of pink marble, blown through, served in the past as a harem.

The Amber Fort, located 11 km from Jaipur, is a complex of exquisite palaces, temples, gardens and pavilions, hidden behind harsh fortress walls.

Nearby is another fort - Jaygrah, a kind of "Plan B" of those times: in case of immediate danger, the rajah and his entourage could move from the Amber Fort to Jaygrah through an intricate (for the uninitiated) system of underground passages.

Another palace - Jal Mahal is located in the middle of an artificial lake. It was intended for entertainment events, as well as for hunting waterfowl.

Distant India is of great interest to tourists. This country has thousands of ancient sights that will be of interest to any traveler. India is the birthplace of such religions as Buddhism and Jainism. However, millions of foreign tourists annually come to India not only, for example, to visit the places where the Buddha preached. India now has a large number of attractions, spa resorts, as well as ski and beach resorts.

Geography of India

India is located in South Asia. India borders Pakistan to the west, China, Nepal and Bhutan to the northeast, and Myanmar and Bangladesh to the east. In the south, India is washed by Indian Ocean, in the southwest - the Arabian Sea. The Bay of Bengal is located in the southwest of the country. total area this country - 3,287,590 sq. km, including the islands, and the total length of the state border is 15,106 km.

India owns several islands. The largest of them are the Laccadive, Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean.

The Himalayas stretch across India from north to northeast. The most high peak in India - Mount Kanchenjunga, whose height reaches 8,856 meters.

India has several very big rivers- Indus (its length is 3,180 km) and the Ganges (its length is 2,700 km). Among other Indian rivers, one should also highlight the Brahmaputra, Yamuna and Koshi.

Capital

The capital of India is New Delhi, which is now home to about 350 thousand people. New Delhi became the capital of India at the beginning of the 20th century. The "old" city in New Delhi was built in the middle of the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Mughal Empire.

Official language

The official language in India is Hindi. In its turn English language is "auxiliary state language" in India. In addition, 21 more languages ​​​​have official status in this country.

Religion

Over 80% of India's population is Hindu. More than 13% of the inhabitants of this country are Muslims, more than 2.3% are Christians, about 2% are Sikhs, and 0.7% are Buddhists.

State structure of India

Under the current Constitution of 1950, India is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected by a special collegium for 5 years (this collegium consists of deputies of parliament and members of state assemblies).

Parliament in India is bicameral - the Council of States (245 deputies) and the House of the People (545 deputies). Executive power in this country belongs to the President, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

Main political parties in India - the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Socialist Party, the Communist Party of India, the National People's Party, etc.

Climate and weather

The climate in India varies from tropical monsoon in the south to temperate in the north. The Himalayas, the Indian Ocean, and the Thar Desert have a great influence on the climate in India.

There are three seasons in India:
- from March to June - summer
- from July to October - monsoons
- from November to February - winter

The average annual air temperature in India is +25.3C. The hottest month in India is May, when the average maximum air temperature is +41C. The coldest month is January, when the average minimum temperature is +7C. The average annual rainfall is 715 mm.

Average air temperature in New Delhi:

January - +14C
- February - +17C
- March - +22C
- April - +28C
- May - +34C
- June - +34C
- July - +31C
- August - +30C
- September - +29C
- October - +26С
- November - +20C
- December - +15С

Seas and oceans of India

In the south, India is washed by the Indian Ocean, in the southwest - by the Arabian Sea. The Bay of Bengal is located in the southwest of the country. General coastline in India, including the islands, is more than 7.5 thousand km.

Average sea temperature near Goa, India:

January - +28C
- February - +28C
- March - +28C
- April - +29C
- May - +30C
- June - +29C
- July - +28C
- August - +28C
- September - +28С
- October - +29С
- November - +29C
- December - +29С

Rivers and lakes

In India, there are two river systems with different "feeding" regimes. These are the Himalayan rivers (Ganges, Brahmaputra, etc.) and the rivers flowing into the ocean - Godavari, Krishna and Mahanadi.

One of the longest rivers in the world, the Indus, also flows through India, with a length of 3,180 km.

As for the lakes, there are not very many of them in India, but, nevertheless, there are very beautiful ones among them. The largest Indian lakes are Chilika, Sambhar, Koleru, Loktak, and Wular.

Story

Neolithic human settlements on the territory of modern India appeared about 8 thousand years ago. In the years 2500-1900 BC. in Western India, there was the first urban culture, which formed around the cities of Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dhalavira.

In 2000-500 BC. Hinduism spread in India, and at the same time a caste system began to take shape there, consisting of priests, warriors, and free peasants. Subsequently, castes of merchants and servants were formed.

Around the 5th century BC. India already had 16 independent states - Mahajanapada. At the same time, two religions were formed - Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, and Jainism, founded by Mahavira.

In the VI century BC. some territories of India were conquered by the Persians, and in the 4th century the troops of Alexander the Great conquered some northwestern parts of this country.

In the II century BC. The Mauryan kingdom reaches its peak, conquering several neighboring Indian states.

In the 1st century BC. Indian kingdoms traded with ancient Rome. In the 7th century, most of the Indian kingdoms were united by King Harsha into a single state.

In 1526, the Mughal Empire was founded on the territory of modern India, the rulers of which were the descendants of Genghis Khan and Timur.

In the 17th-19th centuries, the English East India Company, which even had its own army, was in charge of the territory of modern India.

In 1857, the so-called. "Rebellion of the sepoys", whose dissatisfaction was just caused by the East India Company. After the suppression of the Sepoy Rebellion, the British liquidated the East India Company, and India became a colony of the British Empire.

In the 1920s, a massive national liberation movement began in India against British rule. In 1929, Great Britain gave India the rights of a dominion, but this did not help the British. In 1947, the independence of India was declared. Part of the Indian territories after some time became the independent state of Pakistan.

India was admitted to the UN back in 1945 (however, then this country was still British India).

culture

India is a country with a huge cultural heritage. Indian culture has had (and continues to have) an impact not only on neighbouring countries but also to other states located far from it.

Until now, India has a caste system of society, thanks to which Indian culture retains all its traditional values.

The expression of Indian traditions is music and dance. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

Tourists in India, we recommend that you definitely see the local festivals and parades, of which there are a lot. Elephant processions, musical performances, "tiger dances", fireworks, sweets distribution, etc. often take place during festivals. The most famous Indian festivals are the Onam festival (dedicated to the memory of the mythical king Bali), the Tea Festival in Calcutta, Diwali, Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival), Dussera in Delhi, Ganapati Festival in honor of god Ganesh.

Also of note is the interesting festival of sisters and brothers "Raksha Bandhan", celebrated every year in July. On this day, the sisters wrap their brothers' wrists with handkerchiefs, ribbons that protect them from evil forces. In return, the brothers give their sisters various gifts and swear to protect them.

Indian Cuisine

Indian cuisine is known throughout the world for its use of spices. It is thanks to the Indians that various seasonings and spices, including black pepper and curry, have become widespread in the world.

India is a very large country, and therefore it is not surprising that each of its regions has its own culinary traditions. However, all regions of India are characterized by the use of rice. This product is the basis of Indian cuisine.

It is generally accepted that the inhabitants of India are vegetarians, as required by their religious teachings. However, in fact, meat dishes are also quite popular in India, because there are also Muslims in this country. The most famous Indian meat dish is "tandoori chicken", when the chicken is marinated in spices and then baked in a special oven. Other famous Indian meat dishes are biryani (chicken with rice), gushtaba (meatballs stewed in yogurt with spices).

In general, meat dishes are most often included in the diet of the inhabitants of northern India. Fish and seafood are popular in coastal areas, while vegetables are popular in southern India.

We also recommend that tourists in India try dal soup puree, naan wheat cake, sabji vegetable stew, chapati and samba rice cakes, kichari (stewed rice with mung bean and spices), jalebi "(fritters in syrup), "rasgulla" (balls of cottage cheese), "gulab-jamun" (yogurt with flour and almonds).

Traditional non-alcoholic Indian drinks - "dhai" (yogurt or yogurt), "raita" (yogurt with mint and grated cucumber).

Landmarks of India

There are so many attractions in India that it is difficult for us to single out the most interesting ones. Perhaps the top ten Indian attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:

The construction of the Red Fort in Delhi began in 1638 and ended in 1648. This fortification was built by order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Now the Red Fort is included in the list world heritage UNESCO.

The Taj Mahal was built in 1653 by order of Shah Jahan, Emperor of the Mughal Empire. This mausoleum was built by 20 thousand people over 20 years. The Taj Mahal is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Minaret Qutub Minar in Delhi

The height of this brick minaret is 72.6 meters. Its construction lasted from 1193 to 1368.

Elephant Cave near Mumbai

In the Cave of the Elephants there is an underground temple of Shiva with her sculptures. It was built several thousand years ago. The Elephant Cave is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The first small temple on the territory modern city Hampi was built back in the 7th century AD. Gradually, other religious buildings were built around it, and after a while there was already a huge beautiful temple in Hampi. temple complex.

Harmandir Sahib is more commonly known as the Golden Temple. This is the most important religious building for the Sikhs. The construction of the Golden Temple in Amritsar began in the 16th century. In the 19th century, the upper floors of this temple were covered with gold.

Buddhist monks began to build their Ajanta caves around the 2nd century BC. These caves were abandoned around 650 AD. Only in 1819 did the British accidentally stumble upon the Ajanta Caves. To this day, unique frescoes have been preserved in these caves, telling about the life of people in the distant past.

This fort was built near the city of Amber in 1726. According to legend, once upon a time the largest cannon in the world was placed in Jaigarh Fort (it can still be seen now, because the ancient fort is now a museum).

Raj Ghat Palace in Delhi

Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated in this palace.

Pearl Mosque in Agra

This mosque in Agra was built in the middle of the 17th century under the emperor Shah Jahan. No, there are no pearls in this mosque, just its domes shine very strongly in the sun.

Cities and resorts

The largest Indian cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, and Kanpur.

In India there are many beautiful sea ​​resorts with great beaches. Sand on Indian beaches white, small. The most popular beach resort in India is Goa. Among other Indian beach resorts, the following should be mentioned: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, as well as beaches on the Andaman, Nicobar and Laccadive Islands.

There are several ski resorts in India that are considered the best in Asia. Of course with ski slopes Austria, Italy and Switzerland winter resorts India is unmatched. However, for those travelers who love to ski, and who at the same time want to get to know the unique India, holidays in Indian ski resorts will be remembered forever.

Most Popular ski resorts in India, Auli, Dayara-Bugayal, Mundali, Munsiari, Solang, Narkanda, Kufri, and Gulmarg. By the way, the skiing season in India lasts from mid-December to mid-May.

Many Foreign tourists people come to India to relax in spa resorts. Indian spa centers offer clients various Ayurvedic programs. Among such spa resorts, first of all, Beach & Lake, Ayurma, and Ananda should be named.

Souvenirs/Shopping

Before you go to India think about what you want to buy there. Otherwise, the Indian merchants in the bazaars and shops will sell you a lot of different unnecessary goods, and you will lose thousands of rupees. We recommend tourists from India to bring Indian tea, various incense, bracelets (glass, metal, precious metals), amulets, talismans, marble souvenirs (for example, a small marble Taj Mahal), scarves, shawls, saris (traditional Indian dress ), leather shoes, sets of Indian dry spice mixes, henna paint, carpets, musical instruments (such as drums or an elegant wooden flute).

Office Hours

While the Taj Mahal shines with majestic marble brilliance, the Meenakshi Amman temple is full of bright colors. It is located in the South East Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the city of Madurai, which is considered one of the oldest continuously settlements in the world that has been functioning for more than two thousand years.

Photo: Pabloneco on Flickr

Photo: Bryce Edwards on Flickr

It is based on something extraordinary - the temple of the Hindu goddess Parvati, the wife of the god Shiva. The entire temple complex is guarded by towers known as gopuras. The tallest of these is the south tower, which was erected in 1559 and is over 170 feet high. And they consider it the oldest east tower, founded in 1216, that is, it was built several centuries before Columbus went to discover distant lands.

Jantar Mantar

Photo: Guy Incognito on Flickr

The remarkable complex of buildings is similar to the scenery for a planet far from Earth from a sci-fi blockbuster. But in fact, these are tools developed and used in Jaipur to monitor celestial bodies. They were built by order of the Maharaja in the first decades of the 18th century and are still in use today.

Photo: McKay Savage on Flickr

Photo: Philip Cope on Flickr

Jai Singh II was born in 1688 and became Maharaja at the age of eleven, but inherited a kingdom that was on the verge of impoverishment. The kingdom of Amber (later Jaipur) was in a desperate situation, the cavalry numbered less than a thousand people. But on his thirtieth birthday, the ruler built Jantar-Mantar.

Kumbhalgarh - Great Indian Wall

It is the second largest continuous wall on our planet. Some call it by the name of the fort it surrounds - Kumbalgarh, and others - the Great Wall of China of India. Surprisingly, such an outstanding building is little known outside of its region.

Photo: Lamentables on Flickr

Photo: Beth on Flickr

The wall stretches for 36 kilometers. In many images, you can mistake her for the Great Chinese wall. However, there were many centuries and cultural differences between them. Work on the creation of Kumbhalgarh did not begin until 1443 - just fifty years before Columbus sailed on Atlantic Ocean to make amazing discoveries on its other side.

Temple of Karni Mata

Photo: alschim on Flickr

From the outside, the Hindu temple of Karni Mata, located in the small town of Deshnok in the Indian province of Rajasthan, looks just like any other. But the beautifully and exquisitely decorated shrine, with a constant stream of worshipers, holds a surprise for unsuspecting visitors. The temple is inhabited by thousands of rats.

Photo: owenstache on Flickr

Photo: micbaun on Flickr

Rodents are not random inhabitants of the temple. Parishioners take special care of food for rats, as they are here in memory of the legendary woman - Karni Mata.

Jodhpur - the blue city of India

Photo: bodoluy on Flickr

Travelers traverse the arid landscapes of the Thar Desert in the Indian state of Rajasthan to reach this place. It seems that here the sky fell to the ground and everything became one color - blue. Jodhpur stretches before you like blue treasures in the middle of the desert.

Photo: Christopher Walker on Flickr

Photo: Il Fatto on Flickr

According to one version, the population of the Blue City paints their houses in various shades of blue due to the caste system prevailing in India. Brahmins belong to the highest Indian caste, and the blue color distinguishes their dwellings from other people.

Leh Palace

Photo: watchsmart on Flickr

In the early years of the seventeenth century, the King of the Kingdom of Ladakh, Senge Namgyal, ordered the construction of this huge palace. It is located on the top of the Himalayas in the city of Leh, currently the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The building served as the home of a dynasty of rulers until they were overthrown and expelled in 1834. Since then, the lofty Lekh Palace has been abandoned. Nevertheless, it rises majestically in this region of India, which is often called Little Tibet.

Photo: teseum on Flickr

Photo: Matt Werner on Flickr

Supposedly it was modeled after the more famous Potala Palace in neighboring Tibet, which served as the residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959, when he left the country. The Leh Palace is smaller than the Potala Palace, but its nine-story structure is still impressive. The upper floors were occupied by King Namgyal, his family and crowds of courtiers. The lower floors housed servants, storage rooms and stables.

Living bridges of Meghalaya

Photo: Ashwin Mudigonda on Flickr

Our understanding of India, with its population of more than a billion people, is often limited by statistics. However, there are places in this subcontinent that still remain virtually inaccessible. The state of Meghalaya in the northeast of the country is replete with subtropical forests. To move around in this area, locals resorted to a brilliant form of natural engineering - living bridges from the roots.

Photo: Rajkumar1220 on Flickr

Photo: ARshiya Bose on Flickr

With every rain, fording across the rivers becomes very dangerous, and this is one of the most wet places on the planet. Steady rainfall combined with rugged terrain, steep slopes and dense deciduous forests turn many areas of Meghalaya into an impenetrable jungle. But the inventive and resourceful local population has created a unique system of natural suspension bridges.

Ajanta caves

Photo: Ashok66 on Flickr

Two thousand two hundred years ago, work began on an extensive series of cave monuments in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Over the course of hundreds of years, thirty-one monuments were carved out of the rocks. Around 1000 AD, the monks gradually abandoned the cave complex and it fell into disrepair. The overgrown dense jungle hid the caves from human eyes.

Photo: Franekn on Flickr