7 Wonders of India

India is a diverse and culturally rich country. It has a range of cultures, ethnicities, traditions and races. India has a variety of representations of these cultures. We already know about the 7 wonders of the world but India boasts of its own 7 wonders.

India – House of Wonders

Although we might name these 7 wonders of India one should not misunderstand that these are the only wonders. India is the house of Wonders in every aspect of art and aesthetics.

From the richness of heritage and culture and the diversity in traditions to the natural aesthetic landmarks, it is a wonder in itself. The great Himalayan Range in the north to the world’s third largest Ocean in the south of it.

India lacks nothing when it comes to natural landscapes. It is full of mountains, rich in plateaus, ample plain lands, rain forests, water reservoirs, etc.

About the 7 Wonders of India

Gomateshwara

It is a statue situated in Shravan Belagola in Karnataka. It is dedicated to Kammateswara/ Gommateshwara/ Bahubali. He was the son of Rishabh Dev, who was the first Jain Tirthankar. Bahubali literally means “The strong-armed”. Bahubali meditated in the standing posture for a year and attained Kaivalya Gyana (omniscience). The statue is 65 feet tall. It was built in 983 AD and remarks the Kayotsarga posture (meditating while standing).

Hampi

It is a group of monuments situated in the Vijaynagar district of the state of Karnataka. Hampi is an ancient city and was the capital of Vijaynagar till the 14th century. Ramayana and the Puranas do mention this site hence one can imagine its historical existence. It has other names as “Pampa Devi Tirtha Kshetra”. The city was rich and affluent. However after the Muslim Invaders got to know about this site, only ruins remained in existence. Yet considering the importance of this site it is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Harmandir Sahib Golden Temple

It is a Sikh shrine located in Amritsar, Punjab. The name Harmandir Sahib literally translates to “the abode of god”. The top of the temple was made of gold by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1830 and that is why it got the name “Golden Temple”. People of all faiths and religions can visit the Golden Temple. The temple has four entrances symbolizing equality. It has a clock tower, an office, a museum and a kitchen where langar (vegetarian meal) is served to visitors on a daily basis.

Khajuraho

These are a group of monuments belonging to the Hindus and the Jains. It is located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. They were built by the Chandelas during 885 – 1000 AD. These monuments symbolize the amalgamation of Hindus and Jains and the respect and acceptance for both religions. The monuments are famous for their erotic sculptures. These were made to teach the sages about the other half of the world (the family and household). The Nagara style of architecture is used in these monuments. Khajuraho is also on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. See our 2 days 1 nights Khajuraho Trip.

Konark Sun Temple

Located in Konark, Odisha this is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god. It was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva 1 of the Ganga dynasty. It is also called the “Surya Devalaya”.

The temple has been destroyed but the cause of its destruction still remains a mystery and a debatable issue. It is made up of the Odisha style of Architecture or the Kalinga architecture. This temple is enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nalanda

Nalanda was the largest university of ancient times in the whole world. This university still exists and is located in the state of Bihar. Bihar is a state which is now very below the list of education.

But there was a time when people around the globe used to study at this university. It was also the first residential university in the world. The Guptas established this university. Grammar, medicine, logic and mathematics and a few other subjects were taught here.

It was destroyed by Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji because he could not digest the fact that there were scholars who were greater and more knowledgeable than his court scholars. Therefore he led his troops and set fire to the university in order to destroy the roots of knowledge.

Nalanda is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. In current times, it is again rising and being rebuilt as a University. Although for now only a few subjects are taught here. More information about this university can be found on it’s website.

This university is not merely a place of study instead it is a live demonstration of the heights of India’s position in the field of education.

Although the number of books could not be estimated the traditional Tibetan sources do mention a group of three large multistoried buildings as libraries. Even a normal person can state that there would be at least hundreds of thousand of books can be there in these edifices.

Taj Mahal

It is an Islamic mausoleum situated in the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Taj Mahal translates to the “Crown Palace“. It was built by Shah Jahan in 1653 for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

It has the tomb of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is enlisted in the “New 7 Wonders of the World”.

Best time to visit these 7 wonders of India

Best time to visit Shravan Belagola

The best time to visit Gomateshwara in Shravan Belagola is from October to March. Although the peak season is April-May and September-October. Winters are the best to visit Shravan Belagola and nearby sites.

However, if you wish to visit in summer then avoid the peak summer and then the best time would be March to May for the visit. Again Monsoon is also a good time to visit Shravan Belagola and the weather remains pleasant.

Best time to visit Hampi

Winters are the best to visit Hampi. Wondering why? The reason is the Hampi festival which is organized in the month of November making it the best time to visit Hampi. Summer would not be the best time to visit. Monsoons are low in temperature but are too humid making it difficult for an enjoyable trip. The ideal time to visit Hampi remains from October to March when the temperature is low and the weather is favourable which makes your trip memorable.

Best time to visit Golden Temple

October to March is the best time to visit Golden Temple in Amritsar. Inside the temple, you will see a very disciplined environment. One has to wait in line for a long time most of the time however after 9 at the night to 2 am it is the least crowded. If possible, visit in this time slot otherwise you have to go with the flow.

Best time to visit Khajuraho

The best time to visit Khajuraho is from October to March. Khajuraho is in the state of Madhya Pradesh and the temperature remains high throughout the year. Hence summers are not the best time to visit Khajuraho. Also in Monsoons, though the temperature goes low weather becomes too humid to travel with comfort. So until and unless you have to, try to avoid visiting in summer.

Best time to visit Konark Sun Temple

Konark is one of the best destinations for winter. As Konark lies in a coastal region where summers are very hot and humid it makes it very difficult for anyone to travel. So, the best time to visit Konark is from September to March.

Best time to visit Nalanda

Nalanda is a district in Bihar near Patna. It is easily accessible by road and Railway. The nearest railway station is Nalanda Railway Station and the nearest airport is Patna Airport. Bihar experience high temperatures in summer and a good amount of rain in Monsoons. In summer, you can’t travel and that is well known. Though the temperature is low in the Monsoon it becomes a little humid and also the water management is not that good. Therefore you will see water on the roads in the rainy season. Hence Nalanda becomes one of the best destinations for winter. And the best time to visit Nalanda would be from October to March.

Best time to visit the Taj Mahal

However, winters are very pleasant and good for travelling in western Uttar Pradesh. But winter is not the ideal time to visit the Taj Mahal. The reason is that the fog covers the mausoleum and hence its visibility is not that good. Summers are also not the best to see this magnificent masterpiece because it’s too hot making it difficult to travel. The best time to visit the Taj Mahal is February to April and if the weather remains kind enough then maybe May as well.