By Jessica Russo
Close your eyes and picture a kaleidoscope of color: rainbow temples, pastel-painted buildings, vibrant spice and fruit markets, gilded statues, and brilliantly patterened textiles. India is a whimsical wonderland of vivid color and ornate detail.
If you've always dreamed of visiting the vibrant fantasyland you see in movies and postcards, here are cities you'll definitely want to check out.
Jaipur
Must-See Sites:
- Amber Palace
- Hawa Mahal
- City Palace
“The Pink City” is bursting with vibrancy and culture. Dotted with stunning pastel-painted palaces and temples, Jaipur is a mesmerizing kaleidescope of royal beauty.
Varanasi
Must-See Sites:
- Ganges River
- Ghats
- Ramnagar Fort
- Vishwanath Temple
Nestled on the Ganges River, this ancient city is known as the spiritual capital of India. Varanasi's incredible temples and shrines draw tons of Hindu pilgrims, who make sure to take a "holy bath" in the Ganges River's sacred waters.
Madurai
Must-See Sites:
- Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Koodal Azhagar Temple
- Gandhi Museum
- Alagar Koyil
Set in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu, this energetic, ancient city boasts some of the most colorful temples in all of India. Feast your eyes on Meenakshi Amman Temple's stunning skyline of 14 "gopurams" (gateway towers), which are covered in vibrant carvings of Hindu gods!
New Delhi
Must-See Sites:
- Red Fort, Qutub Minar
- Humayun's Tomb
- India Gate
- Jama Masjid
- Lotus Temple
- Akshardham Temple
This colorful capital city is an urban metropolis of amazing architecture and traditional culture. Visit 15th- and 16th-century landmarks and browse vibrant markets!
Chennai
Must-See Sites:
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple
- Santhome Cathedral
- Marina Beach
Nestled on the Bay of Bengal in eastern India, this beachfront city is home to colorful Dravidian style temples, stunning shrines, and sparkling coastal beauty.
Trichy
Must-See Sites:
- Srirangam Temple
- Rock Fort Temple
Also known as "Tiruchirappalli," this candy-colored ancient city is known for its sacred Hindu sites which include temples, shrines, and carved gopurams. Feel your eyes widen as you step in front of the colorful structures that dominate the city.
Pondicherry
Must-See Sites:
- Auroville
- White Town
- Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple
Also known as "Puducherry," this beachfront city is overtaken by ornate architecture and rainbow-colored homes & buildings. Once a French colonial settlement, this city boasts a picture-perfect French Quarter lined with trees, chic boutiques, and pastel-colored colonial villas.
Agra
Must-See Site:
- Taj Mahal
- Agra Fort
- Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb
