World Heritage Site

Agra which lies on the west bank of river Jamuna became one of the principal cities of the Mughal Empire after the death of Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526. When Akbar choose Agra as his capital he laid the foundation of the Fort of Agra. After Taj this was one of the most important group of buildings. The construction was started in 1565 and was completed in about eight years at a cost of thirty five lakh of rupees under the superintendence of Qasim Khan Mir Barr-u-Bahr.

The Ellora Caves: The Ellora Caves are listed in the world-heritage list. They are located about 30 km from Aurangabad.

The Kailash Temple of the Ellora caves is the most attractive and masterpiece of the creator. The Kailash temple in the Ellora caves is one of the world’s largest and massive sculpture. It was curved out of a rock with the help of 7000 laborers and took nearly 150 years to complete. The shrines are a mix or both Hindu and Jain faiths. Cave number 32 is famous for a glorious Yakshi statue and beautiful ceiling paintings.

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The Ajanta Caves: The Ajanta Caves have 30 rock cut Bhuddhist caves and it is 106 km from Aurangabad. The basic designs of the caves are called ‘Chaitya grihas’ and ‘Viharas’. Five caves are Buddhist cathedrals and the remaining 25 are monasteries.

The Chaityas are large, rectangular chambers separated by rows of pillars. They are decorated by sculptures and murals which depict the many incarnations of Buddha.

The Vhharas are rectangular shaped halls. They have series of small cells which are attached on both sides. Opposite to the entrance is an image of Buddha.

The caves also include a visual form of the life of Buddha and interesting stories from Jatakas.

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Stretched over to a large expansion Nanda Devi National Park is a natural habitat to bizarre and scarce species. Beautifully placed in the midst of snowy mountain ranges of the Himalayas, this National Park proffers the lovely companionship of animal kingdom and the Mother Nature. A lovely place that has been a dream destination of nature lovers and mountaineers, Nanda Devi National Park is suitably complimented by the tender countryside of the Valley of Flowers.

The park boast of rich bio-diversity with so many exotic varieties of Himalayan Plants and endangered animals. Rare species like the snow leopard, Asiatic black bear, blue sheep and brown bear are on the verge of extinction and the park gives them a natural environ to inhabit.

The stunningly beautiful Valley of Flowers is a high-altitude National Park in the upper reaches of Garhwal mountain range in Uttarakhand.

Inaccessible through much of the year, the valley comes to life after the snows have melted and the monsoon have arrived. Approximately 500 species of flowers carpet the ~88 sq km park for miles on end. Adding to its beauty, the park is surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan mountains of the Zanskar range.

The Valley of Flowers was declared a National Park in 1982 and is recognised as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO).

Sundarbans National Park was proclaimed as the core area of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in 1973 and is declared wildlife sanctuary in 1977. It was adorned on the UNESCO World heritage in 1987 and the Sundarbans region as a whole was announced in 1989 as Biosphere Reserve.

Sundarbans National Park is the leading mangrove forest in the world, containing majority of mangrove types identified in the world and these grow up well in the Sundarbans. There are many varieties of plant species, nearly 64, with the capacity to withstand extreme conditions and salty shower on account of tidal effects. Some of the more commonly found plants and trees in the park are Goran, Genwa, Dhundal, Garjan, Kankra, Sundari and Passur.

Champaner-Parvagadh Archeological Park in Champaner represent a perfect blend of Hindu-Moslem architecture, mainly in the Great Mosque (Jami Masjid), which was a replica for later mosque architecture in India. This special style comes from the noteworthy period of regional sultanates. The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is an ideal example of a very short living Capital, making the best use of its setting, topography and natural features. It is quite exposed due to abandonment, forest takeover and modern life. The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park in Champaner is a place of worship and continuous pilgrimage for Hindu believers.

A 13th century temple dedicated to Lord Surya, Sun Temple at Konark displays the glory of ancient Orian architecture at its zenith. Built in the year 1250 AD, in the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I, Konark temple depicts the varied materialization of Hindu architecture. Till recently, this temple serves as a navigation point to the sailors and the Europeans called this temple as 'Black Pagoda' owing to its black colour.

Mahabodhi Temple is the main attraction of Gaya and it is also an architectural masterpiece. Of course, the temple is like is other most popular temples in India, but as you enter inside the temple complex you find an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Extensively renovated during the 19th century, the temple is supposed to be a replica of the 17th century structure that was standing on the site of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka's original 3rd century shrine. The imposing single spire of the temple rising to the lofty height of 55mts and is visible from all over the surrounding countryside. Atop the temple there are Chhatras which symbolise sovereignty of Buddhism.

One of the most bravura National Park of India, the Manas National Park is situated 180 km from Guwahati. The Park rests at the foothills of the Himalayas and is spread over an area of 390 sq km.

The park is replete with breeding grounds as well as the playgrounds of Tigers, Langurs, Water Buffaloes, Rhinos, Assamese Macaque and Hoolock Gibbon.

The verdant forest cover and marshy shades also provide an opportunity for the Avian Kingdom species to create a zone for themselves. It is possible to watch the giant hornbills (pied and gray), jungle fowl, scarlet minivet, etc.