India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [7]
• The Temples of Khajuraho (Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh): Built between the 10th and 12th centuries by the Chandela Rajputs, these World Heritage Site monuments are most famous for the erotic sculptures that writhe across the interiors and exteriors. But even the temple designs—their soaring shikharas (spires) serving as metaphoric “stairways to heaven”—are striking, and are considered the apotheosis of medieval Hindu architecture. See “Khajuraho” in chapter 10.
• Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur, Rajasthan): The impenetrable walls of this 15th-century edifice to Rajput valor rise seamlessly from the rocky outcrop on which they were built, literally dwarfing the labyrinthine city at its base; from its crenelated ramparts you enjoy postcard views of the “Blue City” below. In the distance is the grand silhouette of Umaid Bhawan Palace, heritage hotel and residence of the current maharaja. Within the fort is one of the best palace museums in India.
• Jain Temples of Rajasthan (Ranakpur and Mount Abu, near Udaipur, Rajasthan): The Jains put all their devotional passion (and not inconsiderable wealth) into the creation of the most ornate marble temples; with exquisitely detailed relief carvings covering every inch, they are all jaw-droppingly beautiful. Make sure you visit at least one while you’re in India, preferably either Ranakpur Temple or Dilwara Temple in Rajasthan.
• Kumbhalgarh Fort (near Udaipur, Aravalli Hills, Rajasthan): Protected by impenetrable bastions and a towering perimeter wall which is the second most visible object from space, this 15th-century rambling hilltop fort was only besieged once by Akbar when he poisoned the water supply. Steeped in history and well preserved, march to the top and survey the beautiful Aravalli countryside and the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary that surrounds you.
• Golden Temple (Amritsar, Punjab): Arguably the greatest spiritual monument in India. The name derives from the central gold-plated Hari Mandir—the inner sanctuary featuring gold-plated copper cupolas and white marble walls inlaid with precious stones—which sits at the center of the “Pool of Nectar.” Every day thousands of disciplined devotees pay their respects, touching their heads to the glistening marble floor while singing devotional songs continuously—a wonderful, welcoming, and humbling experience. See “Amritsar and the Golden Temple.”
• Tabo (Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh): This 1,005-year-old Buddhist complex houses magnificent frescoes and brilliant stucco and relief figures that recount ancient myths and celebrate the deities and demons that make up the Buddhist pantheon. You’ll need a flashlight to adequately explore the dark, smoldering halls and shrines lit only by thin shafts of natural light, and brought to life by the resonant chants and ringing of bells by the monks and nuns who populate this sacred center of Tibetan Buddhism. See “Exploring Kinnaur & Spiti” in chapter 13.
• The Sun Temple at Konark (near Bhubaneswar, Orissa): An enormous war chariot carved from a massive chunk of rock during the 13th century, this masterpiece of Indian temple art is covered with detailed sculpted scenes, from the erotic to the mythological. Guarded by stone elephants and lions, the immense structure is seen as the gigantic chariot of the sun god emerging from the ocean, not far from Orissa’s 500km (310-mile) beach. See “Orissa’s Golden Temple Triangle.”
3 Unique Places to Stay
Not surprisingly, most of these are in Rajasthan, which has almost 80 heritage properties—castles, palaces, forts, and ornate havelis (traditional mansions), now hotels offering varying degrees