Jaisalmer
Known as the 'golden city' because all its buildings are made of yellow sandstone, Jaisalmer is best known for its fort that rises virtually out of nowhere in the middle of the Thar desert. Satyajit Ray famously set a story involving his detective Feluda here and later filmed it on location. With about 3000 people living within its walls, the fort is not just a historical relic. Indeed, you can stay in a hotel inside the fort too. A camel ride through the desert sets the perfect tone for the visit. There are also many havelis where ministers and merchants once lived and some of them are architectural marvels in their own right.
Meenakshi Temple
Dedicated to Shiva's consort, this temple on the banks of the Vaigai in Madurai is massive with 14 gopurams and a reported 33,000 sculptures inside. Whether you are a pilgrim or a tourist, you can wander through the vast structure and marvel at the painted ceilings and intricate carvings. The Hall of a Thousand Pillars (actually 985) is built in a way that the pillars appear to be in a straight line from any angle. And don't miss the musical pillars where you can create a composition of your own by tapping them with your fingers.
Old Delhi
Formerly known as Shahjehanabad, this was the capital of the Mughal empire for over 200 years until the dynasty came to an inglorious end in 1857. The stately Red Fort, the residence of the Emperor, was much more than a mere fort. As an inscription in the Diwan-e-Khas says, "If heaven can be on the face of the earth, It is this, it is this, it is this." Then there is the bustling marketplace of Chandni Chowk, named for a pool which once existed here and reflected moonlight in all directions. There are lots of wholesale markets including the largest jewellery market in Asia. And if you are a foodie, there are plenty of restaurants to satiate your hunger including the famous Paranthewali Gali.
Taj Mahal
This is the most cliched entry on the list but that doesn't make it any less deserving. 20,000 people laboured over its construction and their labours were well worth it. The marble structure has some astonishing interior and exterior decorations including inlay work with precious gemstones. It is surrounded by a Mughal garden in the form of a charbagh, divided into four smaller parts. The Princess Diana bench is the most favoured spot for a snapshot. An enduring symbol of love, the Taj was memorably described by Rabindranath Tagore as "a teardrop on the cheek of eternity." Enough said.
Virupaksha Temple
This exquisite temple dedicated to Virupaksha, an epithet of Shiva, is part of the group of monuments in Hampi on the banks of the Tungabhadra. The capital of the Vijayanagar empire, much of Hampi was destroyed by invaders in 1565 but the structures that still remain are testament to the skill and artistry of its creators. The temple existed as a small shrine even before the city became the Vijayanagar capital. How it escaped the ravages of the invaders is still a mystery. Devotees of Shiva attribute its survival to the divine grace of the Lord Himself.
