Road trip to the Monuments in India

Travelers flock to the numerous monuments in India every single year to spend some time imagining what it was like to live in the olden days. The architectural grandeur of these beautiful monuments reminds you of the history, culture, and heritage of India.  The temples & churches, forts and palaces, mausoleums and mosques and the scenery around them make for an amazing experience. Sometimes the monuments are located in the center of bustling cities, while some towns mainly exist thanks to the major structures in it. People have been planning road trips to check out these majestic structures since forever. Some of the most popular road trips in India are actually planned around visiting monuments.

Let’s check out where some of these road trips in India lead to.

Taj Mahal – The Mausoleum of Love

It should not be any surprise that the Taj Mahal is at the top of this list, as it is the most visited monuments in India.  One of the seven wonders in the World, Emperor Shah Jahan got it built in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz.  Today, this monument is just as spectacular as it was back then and stands as a symbol of love. This is an oft-visited weekend getaway from Jaipur and just a short drive from Delhi. This is one of the popular road trips in India, especially during winter.

The temples of Khajuraho – Famous for erotic sculptures

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Khajuraho features in our list of recommended road trip destinations in Madhya Pradesh. The medieval temples from the Chandela era are the largest group of Hindu and Jain temples in the country.  They are famous for their intricate carvings and architectural style. However, most people come here for erotic sculptures.  If you are planning a road trip through Madhya Pradesh, you might want to check out the many offbeat places like Kukru

Kumbhalgarh Fort

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Some of the most popular road trips in India are through the colorful and historical roads of Rajasthan. The Kumbhalgarh forts are one of the many stops on road trips. The fort is one of the unique monuments in India, famous for its walled pathway, very similar to the Great Wall of China. The main complex has palaces, temples, and gardens, surrounded by thirteen mountain peaks.  The fort houses the Palace of Clouds, or Badal Mahal, where the great warrior, Maharana Pratap was born. Winters are the best times for road trips in Rajasthan. Most places hold their annual cattle fairs and other cultural showcases in January, like the Pushkar Camel Fair and Jaisalmer Desert Festival

India Gate

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You cannot be in Delhi and miss the India Gate. One of the iconic monuments in India, the India Gate is a must-visit place in Delhi. The monument is dedicated to the seventy thousand soldiers who died during World War I, their names carved onto it.  The Amar Jawan Jyoti was added after the Indo-Pak war in 1971, to honor those martyrs as well. People often get confused between India Gate and Gateway of India in Mumbai, mostly because of the name. Delhi is often the starting point of many road trips in India. Trip to Ladakh and many places where you can see snow during winters start from here and can be a good opportunity to explore the city.

Golden Temple

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If you ever want to go on a Great Indian Food Trip, we would strongly recommend you head on a road trip through Punjab. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is one of those monuments in India where you actually feel at peace. The Gurudwara was constructed by Arjan Sahib and Baba Budha Ji. People visit the place from all over the world to pay obeisance throughout the year. You must take a dip in the pond inside the complex. Also, you must have a meal and even lend a hand at the Langar or Communal eating area at the temple.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

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One of the most famous road trips in India is Mumbai to Goa. Goa is typically famous for the quiet life in South Goa and the happening beaches of North Goa.  Beyond the beaches are the charming lanes of Goa. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is maybe one of the oldest churches in Goa. The remains of St. Francis Xavier are preserved in this church, attracting believers from everywhere. One of the most important festivals celebrated in Goa is when the public is allowed to view the remains every ten years. The Church along with Forts and Latin Quarters in Goa is part of the Goa Heritage Trail.

These are just a few of the many monuments in India that inspire people to travel. As much as we might fly/take a train to the cities, yet road trips remain the best way to explore the monuments.  Travelers from across the country and even the world go on road trips in India to check out these places. We will surely love to know more about your favorite monuments and road trip anecdotes. Please do tell us your stories on the Community Forums. If you are planning a road trip, the planning cheat sheet would be very helpful to you. Also, you will find the packing essentials, travel hacks and eco-friendly trips very useful.