India's most beautiful landmarks to visit

First things first, India is a big country. One can only imagine the innumerable number of places of attractions that are there in India. We usually call them landmarks, don’t we? Some of these landmarks are natural and some man-made, some of them are ripe with history and some with culture and heritage.

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Whatever criteria they may come under, these landmarks are identifiers of a place and the culture and heritage of its people. It is impossible to name all of them because somebody’s normal is someone else’s WOW!

Having said that, here are some of the most beautiful landmarks in India and, believe me, this is just a fraction of what we have in India.

Perched on a cliff in Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, Dhankar Gompa sits at an elevation of 3,894 metres, right above Dhankar village. The gompa is an interesting addition to the already dramatic landscape of Lahaul-Spiti.

Easily one of the most visited and photographed landmarks in India, Pangong Lake is one of the reasons so many people do the Ladakh trip. The crystal clear high altitude lake is situated at an elevation of 4,225 metres and is shared by India and West Tibet (autonomous region of China). Its first sighting as you cross the plateau will take your breath away, time after time.

Kashmir’s pride and joy, Dal Lake is one of the iconic landmarks in Srinagar. Be it summers or autumn or winter, the lake with its pretty shikaras continue to look stunning.

Not only a popular landmark, but it is also one of the wonders of the world. This beauty in white marble has attracted visitors from all over the world, far and wide. A true icon of love and beauty, and a great example of expert craftsmanship.

Situated on the edge of the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer, the Jaisalmer Fort literally stands out amid sprawling town on one side and the vast desert on the other. This stunning sandstone edifice is impossible to ignore when in Jaisalmer.

The most iconic landmark in Amritsar, Sri Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple is situated right in the middle of the town. The golden edifice, the peace and calm vibe of the temple and the sheer beauty of its architecture are just some of the many reasons why the Golden Temple is an iconic landmark.

It is impossible to miss the Mall Road when in Shimla. This is what happens when a place is the town’s centre. Shimla’s Mall Road is the major place to hang out, be it for shopping, dining or just looking around.

Just 100 km away from each other, Ajanta and Ellora Caves are perfect reasons to visit Aurangabad in Maharashtra. These are rock cut caves temples complexes that prove that the craftsmanship of those days is beyond perfect. Stunning rock cut architecture awaits you.

Speaking of temple architecture, it is imperative to mention the very famous and stunning Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. The temple is the most recognised landmark in the temple town, and is one of the most famous temples in India. Meenakshi Temple’s grand architecture has people flocking from all over the world to see the man-made wonder.

Matri Mandir completes your Pondicherry experience. While this statement may sound a bit forced upon, it is the truth. The French quarters may be the USP of Pondicherry but a structure like Matri Mandir and Auroville in general, is the soul of the city.

Nohkalikai is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic images of Meghalaya you will see, virtually as well as in person. Thanks to the dramatic landscape with tabletop mountains, the waterfall is not only pleasing to the eye but is also the tallest plunge waterfall in India.

This one is a different kind of landmark. The seaside Dhanuskodi town, located on the tip of Pamban Island was completely destroyed during the 1964 Rameswaram cyclone. Now, it is called a Ghost Town because all that’s left of the town are the remnants. Everything else was washed away. Here’s also India’s last road and the famous Rama Setu point.