Taj Mahal, Agra

Uttar Pradesh

Best time to visit: October to March
How to reach: Agra Cantt railway station and Agra airport are close; Delhi is about 230 km.
Recognition: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Map: View on OpenStreetMap

The ivory-white marble mausoleum raised by Emperor Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal in the 17th century, a masterpiece of Mughal architecture.

Gujarat

October to March

The 182 m statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the Narmada, among the tallest statues in the world.

Uttar Pradesh

October to March

Where the Buddha gave his first sermon. The Ashokan Lion Capital found here became the State Emblem of India.

Kerala

Throughout the year

The former palace grounds that shelter the temple elephants of the Guruvayur Devaswom, a unique cultural site close to home.