6 Indian buildings that are complete architectural wonders

Indian architecture is extremely underrated and under-appreciated. Apart from the select few buildings that caught the western eye, there is so much unexplored in Indian architecture, that very few people know about the carvings in Konark, or the wonder of Brihadeshwara’s giant dome. Be it places of worship, or monuments that are actually graves, Indian architecture deserves much more recognition. And so, here we mention 6 Indian buildings that are complete architectural wonders.

The Akshardham temple in Delhi is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful contemporary temple to be built. It has a beautiful blend of ancient traditions, patterns, architectural styles, and more. It is made of pink sandstone from Rajasthan and white Carrara marble, and has detailed representations of Indian Gods, Goddessess, flowers, animals, the ‘vahans’ of different Indian dieties, and more.
Around the building are gardens, fountains, and every evening a laser and water show is presented for guests and devotees at a nominal price.

One of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is also an iconic architectural wonder. Built by Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, his wife, the Taj Mahal is said to be a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. It is made entirely of white marble, the 4 domes standing tall, and the main structure with a dome on top.
The most beautiful and iconic part of the Taj Mahal is its symmetry. The structure is completely flawless with its central dome surrounded by four smaller domes, all carved in the most detailed forms, and inside is the grave of Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved of Shah Jahan.

Another unique architecture can be seen in Delhi in the form of Lotus Temple. And true to its name, the temple is in the shape of the flower, the Lotus. The temple was completed in 1986 and has since become a symbol of diversity as it welcomes people of all religions, and does not promote a certain deity or form of worship.
The building’s design, inspired by the lotus, looks unique and truly one-of-a-kind. The temple is also surrounded by pools of water, a small, lush garden, and the beautiful quiet that surrounds it is truly breathtaking.

The Konark Sun temple is a true marvel of Indian architecture. It was an iconic structure, even before people knew what an ‘Icon’ really is! The temple is designed like a chariot of the Sun God, Suryadev, with twelve wheels and seven horses. The massive wheels are said to represent the hours of the day, and the chariots serve as the vehicle of Suryadev.
What is the most awe-inspiring things about the temple are the carvings it has. They are elaborately beautiful, extremely detailed, and have such precision in them that it can put modern machines to shame.

Hawa Mahal, or the ‘Palace of Winds’, is one of the most beautiful structures of Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’. It was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and is a five-story palace made of red and pink sandstone. The way the windows are carved in the palace makes it look like a honeycomb pattern, and there are over 950 windows, or ‘Jharokas’ as they are referred to, which used to help the royal women observe the street life.
Being an extremely hot city, the architectural design of Hawa Mahal was not just made aesthetically pleasing, but also in a way that the ventilation over there was top notch.

The Brihadeshwara temple in Tamil Nadu is another wonder of Indian architecture. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Brihadeshwara was built by Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century, and is the epitome of Dravadian architecture.
The elaborate detailing of the temple is noticed first through its towering vimana, or the temple tower, that is at a height of 216 feet. Along with that, there is a massive dome at the top which was made hundreds of years ago with a single block of granite, weighing about 80 tons. Inside the temple are carvings, murals, religious figures, and much more, and it is simply a grand structure that deserves all the love and recognition.