HIGHLIGHTS
Ajanta and Ellora
Among the most important historical monuments in India are the caves at Ellora and the 30 Buddhist caves of Ajanta. The caves at Ajanta not only contain sculptures, but remarkably preserved frescoes as well. They are secluded and were discovered by accident only in the 19th century, which explains why the monuments escaped the depredations of invading armies. Ellora has 34 rock-cut temples representing the Buddhist, Hindu Brahmanic and Jain faiths. The term "cave temple" cannot convey the magnitude of the Ellora achievement. These caves were scooped out of the rocks 10 centuries ago. The feat could be compared to carving a whole cathedral out of solid rock. All the caves are man-made. The work usually started from the top of the temple and moved downwards to eliminate the need for scaffolding. Agra (and Fatehpur Sikri)
The old part of Agra is still like a medieval city, with narrow lanes and colourful shops selling local handicrafts, especially gold and silver thread embroidery and imitation Mughal inlay on marble. Early morning is the best time to visit Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's imperial capital. The well-preserved remains of the city include the palace and the royal Jami Masjid (mosque) where the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chishti is buried.
Hampi
In northern Karnataka, on the banks of the River Tungabadhra close to Hospet, lies the deserted city of Hampi, capital of the great Vijayanagar Empire from the 14th century and one of India's archaeological highlights.
Jaiselmer
Land of the Bhatti princes, Jaiselmer is by far the oldest Rajput capital, dating from 1156 AD. The skyline holds kiosks with parapets, balconies and terraces. The beauty of the Jain temples (12th-15th century) leaves visitors breathless.
Khajuraho
A tour of Madhya Pradesh is not complete without a visit to Khajuraho. The period 950 to 1050 AD, a mere 100 years, saw a flowering of architecture in this small village that has no parallel. Here the Chandela dynasty built 85 temples. Today 22 survive. These temples are designed to lead one's eyes from ground level ever upwards to the ultimate heaven, Kailash. They are ornately carved, with each frieze and sculpture depicting the genius of the men who carved it and the king who inspired them to their work.
Mysore
Once the capital of a former princely state, Mysore today is a busy city. The best time to visit is in winter, particularly in October when the festival of diwali is celebrated with royal splendour as The Maharaja leads a richly decorated procession that includes elephants and horses, flowers and incense, through the city streets. Each evening during the 10-day festival, Mysore Palace is illuminated.
Delhi
The capital of India presents a captivating combination of ancient and modern. As a major cultural centre, Delhi offers a glimpse of the diversity of the country's many states.
Sanchi
Sanchi is a place of Buddhist pilgrimage; a great stupa covers relics of Gautama Buddha.
Mumbai
Bombay, renamed Mumbai, is the glamorous commercial hub of India, a magnet to rich and poor alike, surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea.
Kolkata
From its beginnings as a small east coast trading settlement, Kolkata became a city of palaces in the heyday of the Raj. Today it is recognised as a vibrant cultural center
Chennai
Chennai (formerly Madras), capital of Tamil Nadu, hugs the sandy southeast shore. The least pressured of India's four big cities, it is the stronghold of Tamil culture.
Jaipur
Jaipur (the city of jai or victory), the capital of Rajasthan, was built in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur was not always pink. The original city was light grey, edged with white borders and motifs. In honour of the visit in 1883 of Prince Albert it was ordered to be painted the traditional colour of welcome, which has been retained in the walled, old city.
Bhubaneshwar
Capital of Orissa only since 1956, Bhubaneshwar is a city of temples. There were once more than 1,000 of them and many are still active. A large number of temples are located around Bindu Sarovar, a tank that is believed to receive water from all the holy rivers of India.
Amritsar
Punjab's largest city is home to the Golden Temple, the holiest of holy Sikh shrines, and a flashpoint for religious and political conflict. The temple was stormed by government troops in 1984.
Varanasi
The most sacred stretch of the Ganga is at Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world. For more than 2,500 years it has attracted seekers and pilgrims. The heart of the city lies between the streams of the Varuna and the Assi which flow into the Ganga. Varuna and Assi together form the name Varanasi. But the city's other name, "Kashi", probably derives from the Sanskrit "to shine or look brilliant". That light is the god Siva's, Varanasi is his home.
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