Top cultural tourist places to visit in India

Amritsar is undoubtedly the heart of the Sikh culture in the country which has been recognised as a holy town too by Guru Ram Das, the 4th Sikh guru. In fact, locations such as Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border, Akal Takht and the very famous Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) best express the rich and flourishing Sikh culture. Amritsar has many gurudwaras, museums and cultural places that make it one of the best places to experience the Sikh culture. Not to mention how exquisite and delicious the cuisine is with Chhole Bhatures and Amritsari Kulchas!

From Madurai's Meenakshi Amman Temple to the monolithic structures and blissful rock carvings at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu is a land of exquisite cultural heritage. The beautiful South Indian state is known for its wondrous temples, Carnatic music celebrations, gorgeous architecture and much more. The illustrious folklore and tales that you will witness wherever you go in Tamil Nadu are going to be just as fascinating as the structures itself. Besides, teeming the cultural tourism of the state with the mind-blowing cuisine and you've got yourself quite the cultural trip.

Mysore has been considered to be the cultural capital of Karnataka and for all the right reasons. With palaces galore and myriad of museums and galleries, you would be amazed by the rich culture of the city. In fact, Mysore lights up during various festivals and celebrates with utmost gusto. In the past, the city witnessed rulers from the Vijayanagar and Mughal Empire so much of the cultural heritage that we speak of are inspired by these times. When you visit the city, do check out the Amba Vilas Palace, better known as Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hilltop Temple, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion and more to relish the fabulous cultures of Mysore.

While Mysore does have some cultural reference of the Vijaynagar empire but to get the most of its origin, you should visit Hampi. The gorgeous city is a world heritage site for housing the ruins of the ancient Vijaynagar kingdom. The Dravidian-style architecture and art collections will enthral you. Right from the Krishna temple complex to the Pattabhirama temple complex, there are many such structures with cultural relevance that would amaze you. Hampi is most certainly one of the most beautiful places in India. Plus, the cuisine of the place further makes it a place you should visit at least once in your lifetime.

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Goa might be known for its beaches and nightlife, but there are far too many churches and cathedrals that would take you by surprise. As a city that is known for its Portuguese-style constructions and architecture, you must indulge in some of the churches. The state also has the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO world heritage site that is recognised worldwide for its religious relevance. It's not just the churches and beaches but also the exquisite Goan food that would keep you engaged. You can learn more about Christianity as well as soak in all the fascinating tourist attractions. It offers the best of culture and history.

From the influence of the Nawabs of Bengal to the cultures set by the East India Company, the city of Kolkata has witnessed a tremendous cultural shift and emerged to have one of the most notable literary-rich crowd. Various artists, literary gurus and talented individuals have made massive contributions to the field of arts and literature from Kolkata. When you're in the city, you should definitely visit some places such as Victoria Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, Shaheed Minar, Writer's Building, Birla Mandir, Belur Mutt and more. Of course, their food culture is also something you cannot miss.

Located in Tamil Nadu is the arena of the Chola Temples which boast the flourishing empire of the past. The temples offer rich architecture from the empire. You would be thrilled to see how some of the temple complexes have rich cultural relevance of the Chola empire. In fact, you can use this as an opportunity to know more about the empire and its significance across the South of India. Some of the major temples with Chola architecture can be found in Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholisvaram and Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram and Brihadisvara Temple, to name a few. Even the food culture is something that you can indulge in during your South tour.

Temples of Khajuraho are known for their sensuous postures and for promoting eroticism. The sculptures are of demi-gods and Apsaras depicting love, beauty, grace, delicacy and eroticism. It has been recognised worldwide for its unique blend of Hindu and Jain culture and is often considered to be a must-visit for tourists staying in Madhya Pradesh. Temples such as Kandariya Mahadev, Devi Jagadamba, Chitragupta, Visvanath and more have been installed in the city's temple arena. For the first-timers, it is recommended that you check out the Sound and Light Show which depicts the story of the famous Chandela dynasty.

There is a reason why the state is named Rajasthan. It is because of the Rajputana grandeur and the fact that the state is a symbol of regality. Rajasthan doesn't just boast palatial grounds but also has various famous forts that helped protect the kings and cities in the past. It has the ideal blend of culinary expertise, tradition and a flourishing history that make it one of the best cultural places to visit in India. To this day, the villages of Rajasthan bustle with folk music and dancing while festivals are celebrated with vigour. From Udaipur's City Palace to Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort, you would be thoroughly amazed by the wondrous royal feel of Rajasthan.

With an architecture that is heavily influenced by the Mughals, the Delhi Sultanate, the Nawabs of Awadh and the British, you can imagine how magnificent the heritage and culture of Lucknow is. It's exquisite artwork and takes on craftsmanship further add its the city's charm and its cultural heritage. From Begum Hazrat Mahal Park's beauty to Rumi Darwaza's dramatic setting to the British Residency Complex, these places in Lucknow cannot be missed. Perhaps that is why it is also called the land of Nawabs. You would surely be amazed by Lucknow's tourist attractions as one of the cultural places in India.

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