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Top 6 lesser known monuments of India

Most people who visit India carry an itinerary in their hand. These itineraries usually list the most well-known places to visit in India. But what if you have already visited these places? Maybe you are someone who is looking for a little adventure and wants to explore the more unexplored parts of the country. Here are seven lesser known monuments in India that you should consider visiting today.

1. Chand Baori Step Well, Abhaneri

A beautiful step well, tucked away in a village called Abhaneri, this destination is situated in Rajasthan. If you visit this step well, you’ll find that it’s around 30m deep. This makes it both one of the largest as well as one of the deepest step wells located within India.

2. Belur & Halebidu, Karnataka

This destination is situated in Karnataka. Belur is a town that you will find within the southern state of Karnataka. Here, you will find a renowned temple that’s dedicated to Vishnu. Belur also has buildings reminiscent of Hoysala architecture. There’s also a large temple that has survived from the 14th century, where you can find vestiges of the tradition of the Karnataka-Dravidians.

Halebid is situated in the Hassan District of Karnataka. It used to be known as Dwarasamudra and was the capital of the Hoysala empire in the early 11th century. In the 14th century, the Delhi Sultanate looted this region, after which it became known as Halebidu. Here you’ll find some of the best examples of Jain and Hindu temples. Traditional Hindu artwork also thrives here. The Hindu and Jain traditions can blend here, with Hindu temples having Jain reliefs. Jains too incorporate Hinduism in their tradition. Visiting the Hoysaleshwara Temple is a must, if you’re visiting Halebidu

3. Kanch Mahal, Sikandara

The Kanch Mahal is situated close to the tomb of Akbar, in Sikandara. The architectural style showcased here is very typical of those found during the Mughal periods. The Kanch Mahal is shaped like a square. Originally, there was a garden that circled this building. There were water courses making their way through the garden as well.

The Kanch Mahal used to be a resort for the ladies. But it was also a hunting lodge used by Jahangir, the emperor. It was he who built this beautiful structure. According to historians, this structure was built between 1605 and 1619.

4. Bada Bagh, Jaisalmer

Also known as Barabagh, this is a garden complex that can he found around six kilometers to the north of Jaisalmer, within the state of Rajasthan. The Bada Bagh overlooks a luscious grove of mangoes. The Maharajas who built the Bada Bagh also created cenotaphs that can still be seen today. On these cenotaphs, you’ll find information not just on the Maharajas of the region, but also their families.

The construction of the Bada Bagh is said to have taken place in the 18th, 19th as well as the 20th centuries.


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5. Basgo Monastery, Leh

This destination is also known as Basgo, or Basgo Gompa. The Basgo Monastery is located in the Leh District of Ladakh. Originally, this monastery was built for Namgyal rulers in 1680. It used to be a political and cultural center of Ladakh.

In the 15th century, a palace would be built in Basgo. The Basgo Monastery can be found on the top of a hill. This hill looks over the ancient town ruins, and you can find a Buddha statue as well as murals here. The temples you’ll find here include the Chamba Lakhang, the Chamchung, as well as the Serzang temples. These are dedicated to Maitreya Buddha.

6. Marble Palace, Kolkata

The Marble Palace is a large palatial mansion that was built during the 18th century, situated in North Kolkata. It’s known for being one of the best preserved historical houses that you can find in the region. The Marble Palace is famous for having marble floors and walls, which is where it gets its name from.

There are several lesser known places that you can explore in India, even if you’ve visited the country before. Learn more about Indian history and immerse yourself in local cultures, by visiting the seven destinations mentioned in this guide.

Jay Kajaria is Founder of Bespoke India Holidays. Bespoke India Holidays is an award-winning company that specialises in creating luxury trips to India and the subcontinent.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Jay Kajaria

Jay Kajaria is the Director of Erudite Travel Consultants LLP – the company that owns Bespoke India Holidays. The company specializes in offering high quality bespoke tours, offbeat experiences to guests traveling to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Dubai and Southeast Asia region. The company has received National Tourism Award and has been nominated as a leading Luxury tour operator in Asia by World Travel Awards for year 2020, 2021 and 2022. Erudite Travel Consultants LLP is a responsible travel company focusing on community tourism, animal friendly tours, reducing carbon footprint and engaging in CSR initiatives.

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6 Comments

  1. Not that I’ve been to any of these, they’re not bad for a collection monuments that don’t make the top list. It all goes to show the depth of India’s culture and heritage.

  2. What always impresses me about ancient Indian architecture is the immense amount of detail. All created without modern power tools. We must be talking about 100s of craftsmen working away for years on some of these buildings. For many of the craftsmen it could literally have been their life’s work.

  3. It’s when you read a post like this that you realise that there are so many layers to India.

    Although I’ve never been, I can understand why one couple I know head off to India to explore for 4 or 5 weeks at a time.

  4. How did the architectural style of the Kanch Mahal influence other Mughal structures of that period, and what elements of its design make it particularly unique compared to other buildings of its time?

  5. Oh no! I’m completely addicted to India. Now you’ve given me even more reasons for yet another visit. India is my favourite country and I think I’ve already been there about 7 times.

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