India Images

Vibrant, colourful India at its best

How well India can be represented through images, photos and slideshows or even as a montage?

A country of sub continental size, India is a marvel to first time visitors who are bewildered by the sheer diversity of life, cultural elements, social vignettes and daily happenings of this vast heterogeneous land mass.

Here is a walkthrough in the form of a series of pictures showcasing the humanity, architecture, flora, fauna and landmark sites of India.

In short, this is a snapshot of a colourful India:

Taj Mahal

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, this marble mausoleum in Agra is a love tribute paid by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (17th Century) to his wife Mumtaz.

Qutb Minar

At 74 meters, this is the second tallest minar in India after Fateh Burj in Chappar Chiri at Mohali which measures 100 meters in height.

Qutb Minar along with the ancient and medieval monuments surrounding it, formthe Qutb Complex which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Humayun's Tomb

A tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in Delhi.

The tomb was built by Humayun's first wife Bega Begum in 1569-70, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, a Persian architect chosen by Bega Begum.

Agra Fort

The Agra Fort is a Unesco World Heritage site located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal.

The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city.

The Red Fort

The Red Fort was the residence of the Mughal emperors of India for nearly 200 years until 1857.

It is located in the centre of Delhi and houses a number of museums.

Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple)

The Harmandir Sahib, also Darbar Sahib and informally referred to as the "Golden Temple", is the holiest Sikh gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab.

The city was founded in 1574 by the fourth Sikh guru Guru Ram Das.

Akshardham

Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham complex is a Hindu temple, and a spiritual-cultural campus in New Delhi.

The Swaminarayan temple trust owns many such grand temples across the country.

Hawa Mahal

A grand palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was so named because it was essentially a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivities while unseen from the outside.

Amber Palace

This is located in Amer, a town with an area of 4 sq. km and at a distance of 11 km from Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Located high on a hill, it is the principal tourist attraction in the Jaipur area.

City Palace

This vast palace includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces and other buildings. It is a big complex in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan.

Lake Palace

Formerly known as Jag Niwas, this is a luxury hotel which has 83 rooms and suites featuring white marble walls.

The Lake Palace is located on the island of Jag Niwas in Lake Pichola, Udaipur. Its natural foundation spans 4 acres.

The hotel operates a speed boat which transports guests to the hotel from a jetty at the City Palace.

Lotus Temple

Located in New Delhi, this is a Bahai house of worship completed in 1986.

Notable for its flowerlike shape, it serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent and has become a prominent attraction in the city.

Mehrangarh Fort

Located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, this is one of the largest forts in India.

Built around 1460 by Rao Jodha, the fort is situated 120 metres above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls.

Jantar Mantar

It is a collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh and completed in 1738 CE.

It features the world's largest stone sundial and is a Unesco World Heritage site.

Mysore Palace

The palace of Mysore is a historical palace in the city of Mysore in Karnataka.

It is the official residence and seat of the Wodeyars - the Maharajas of Mysore.

Dussehra is celebrated with a grand manner and has state patronage.

Mysore Zoo

A 157-acre wildlife park located near the palace in Mysore.

It is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in India, and is home to a wide range of species.

Mysore Zoo is one of the city's most popular attractions.

Udaipur Palace

City Palace, Udaipur, is a palace complex in Udaipur in Rajasthan.

It was built over a period of nearly 400 years being contributed by several kings of the dynasty starting from the Maharana Udai Singh II.

It is located on the east bank of the Lake Pichola and has several palaces built within its complex.

Gateway of India

This is a magnificent monument built during the British rule in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra.

It is located on the waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai and overlooks the Arabian Sea.

India Gate

At the centre of New Delhi stands the 42 metre high India Gate, a beautiful archway in the middle of a crossroad.

Almost similar to its French counterpart 'Arc-de-Triomphe', it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I.

Varanasi Ghats

Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges.

The city has 87 Ghats. Most of the Ghats are bathing and puja ceremony Ghats, while a few are used exclusively as cremation sites.

Most Varanasi Ghats were built after 1700 AD, when the city was part of Maratha Empire.

Western Ghats

Also known as Sahyadri hills, they are a mountain range that runs almost parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity.

Bollywood

Hindi cinema is termed as Bollywood as a token of comparison with Hollywood in Los Angeles, US.

Based in Mumbai, the production houses and studios are collectively known as Bollywood.

In a year, the Hindi film industry produces nearly 150-160 movies that run to packed houses in many theatres and multiplexes across North India.

Lodi Gardens

A park in Delhi spread over 90 acres.

The park complex contains Mohammed Shah's tomb, Sikander Lodi's tomb, and many architectural works.

These structures were built in 15th century by Lodhis, an Afghan dynasty, that ruled parts of northern India from 1451 to 1526 CE.

Mahabodhi Temple

A Unesco World Heritage Site in Bodh Gaya, the Buddhist pilgrim centre in Bihar.

This is the place where Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.

Rashtrapati Bhavan

This is the Presidential residence and is the official home of the President of India.

The grand Republic day parade and related events are held near this complex.

Golconda fort

Golconda means 'shepherd's hill'.

A fort ruin was once a capital of the medieval sultanate of Qutb Shahi dynasty (1518-1687 CE).

It is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad and a tehsil of Hyderabad district in Telangana.

Charminar

This aesthetic edifice is a monument and mosque located in Hyderabad, Telangana.

The landmark has become a global icon of Hyderabad and listed among the most recognised structures of India.

The Charminar is situated on the east bank of Musi River.

Hussain Sagar Lake

The lake in Hyderabad, Telangana, was built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562 during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah.

It is spread across an area of 5.7 sq. km and is fed by River Musi.

Falaknuma Palace

One of the finest palaces in Hyderabad, Telangana.

It once belonged to Paigah of erstwhile Hyderabad state and later owned by the Nizam of Hyderabad.

It is on a 32-acre area in Falaknuma, 5 km from Charminar.

Nehru Zoological Park

The zoo is located near Mir Alam Tank in Hyderabad, Telangana.

It is one of the most visited destinations in Hyderabad.

Zoo hours vary by season and is home to wide range of wildlife species.

Tirupathi temple

Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple is a landmark Vaishnavite temple and a pilgrimage centre nestled on a hill range.

It is in the hill town of Tirumala at Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

Millions of Hindus visit this holy temple each year to have darshan of Lord Balaji.

Dal Lake

A vast, beautiful lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

The urban lake, which is the second largest in the state, is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir.

Dal Lake is called the "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir" or "Srinagar's Jewel".

Sabarmati Ashram

Also known as Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram or Satyagraha Ashram.

It is located in the Sabarmati suburb of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, adjoining the Ashram Road, on the banks of the River Sabarmati, four miles from the town hall.

It was from this place that Gandhi led the Dandi march also known as the Salt Satyagraha on 12 March 1930.

Victoria Memorial

This marble building in Kolkata was built between 1906 and 1921.

It is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and is now a museum and tourist destination under the auspices of the ministry of culture.

Vaishno Devi temple

It is a very popular Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi.

It is located at Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir.

More than 10 million pilgrims visit this shrine every year.

Rohtang Pass

It is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas around 51 km from Manali.

It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh. Manali-Leh Highway, a part of NH 21, passes through Rohtang Pass.

Ladakh

An autonomous hill district of Jammu and Kashmir sharing borders with Tibet in China.

Snow-filled landscapes, monasteries and friendly Buddhist monks make this place a sought after among foreigners.

Sikkim

The smallest state in the north-eastern region of India shares borders with Nepal, Bhutan and China.

Its capital Gangtok is known for its cleanliness and offers a host of facilities for tourists amid Himalayan surroundings.

Kaziranga National Park

A national park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam. A World Heritage Site, the park hosts two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses.

Brahmaputra River

Assam tourism conducts cruise rides on Brahmaputra river that flows from a glacier in Tibet.

An important river in Assam, Brahmaputra river valley is home to enchanting spots and hidden treasures of flora and fauna.

Moreover, Assamese attach much spiritual importance to Brahmaputra as it is veritable lifeline to the people here.

Arunachal Pradesh

The eastern most state known for its alpine forests and tribal habitats is yet to open up to rest of the country.

Indians visiting this state needs to have inner line permit (ILP) issued by the government.

Some of the strategic places like Tawang and Bomdilla and far east districts can be accessed after special permission from the Army.

Kumarakom

A popular tourism destination located near Kottayam in Kerala.

Kumarakom is known for its backwater tourism.

It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala.

Padmanabha Swamy temple

Located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

The presiding deity is enshrined in the "Anantha Sayanam" posture, the eternal yogic sleep on the serpent Adisheshan.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy is the tutelary deity of the royal family of Travancore.

In line with the 'Temple Entry Proclamation', only those who profess the Hindu faith are permitted entry to the temple and devotees have to strictly follow the dress code.

Meenakshi Amman temple

This majestic temple complex dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi is located on the southern bank of Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

Goddess Parvati known as Meenakshi and her consort Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) are the patron deities of Madurai.

The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500 year old city of Madurai which is symbol of Tamil pride and culture.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

This structure is a popular tourist monument in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari.

The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 meters east off mainland of Vavathurai, India's southernmost tip.

It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock.