1. Amritsar: The Golden City In Punjab

The heart of the Sikh culture in India, Amritsar was established in 1574 as a holy town by Guru Ram Das. The 4th Sikh Guru – Guru Ram Das – excavated a tank and turned it into the lake (sarovar) of holy water or Amrit. In addition to its myriad temples, gurudwaras, and museums, there are katras (narrow lanes) that are basically self-contained residential units that provided special protection during wars.


2. Lucknow: The City Of The Nawabs

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is ranked high among the places to experience Indian culture and heritage. The city boasts of a distinctive culture due to the amalgamation of Hindu & Muslim cultures. Furthermore, many literary & performing arts flourished here. The heritage city of India is also famous for its craftsmanship and painting styles.


3. Delhi: A Potpourri Of Different Cultures

Delhi – the cosmopolitan & capital city of India – has been strongly influenced by several religions and dynasties. Rajputs, Sultans, Khiljis, Mughals, and even British ruled on these lands and left behind a part of their selves in the form of monuments, paintings, artifacts, literary works, customs, festivals, and more. It is, perhaps, the major reason that most of the famous festivals of India are celebrated here with equal enthusiasm and celebrities.


4. Rajasthan: The Land Of Rajputs

The Rajputana grandeur of the various places to visit in Rajasthan beats the best of the best when it comes to history and heritage. The nearly 5000 year old culture is exemplary of a perfect blend of tradition & history with the present contemporary lifestyle. Some of the top cultural cities in India can be found in this state itself. From dresses of vibrant colors to folk music & dances and from local cuisine to festivals of Rajasthan, there’s a lot in the state that makes it one of the best places in India to experience culture and heritage.


5. Rann of Kutch: The Land Of The White Desert

Kutch holds a reputation among local and international tourists for its famous Rann Utsav. The carnival that lasts for about 100 days is an integral part of the cultural tourism in India. But that is not all that makes the region find a spot in the list of places of Indian cultural heritage.


6. Khajuraho: The Land Of The Kamasutra Temples

Countless sculptures of cult icons, demi-gods, & Apsaras that depict love, grace, beauty, delicacy, sensuality, & eroticism can be seen the temples of Khajuraho. The perfect amalgamation of Hinduism and Jainism in its culture and heritage makes the city one of the must-visit tourist places in Madhya Pradesh.


7. Kolkata: The City Of Joy

The region that passed on from the hands of the Nawabs of Bengal to those of the earliest British representatives of the East India Company is often tagged as the Cultural Capital of India. This heritage city of India is also known to be the birthplace of urban Indian culture & literary thought and a majority of India’s notable literary figures stemmed from here. This place should definitely be on your bucket list if you want to experience the roots of modern Indian sub-culture.


8. Mysore: The Palace City Of India

Mysore has been often called the Cultural capital of Karnataka and there are reasons galore. Spectacularly built palaces and amazing museums make it one of the major heritage places in India. The myriad art galleries here showcase traditional paintings influenced by Vijayanagar kingdom (Mysore paintings) and Mughal empire (Ganjifa art). Mysore silk sarees, Udupi cuisine, and dasara festivities are other highlights of the city’s rich cultural heritage.


9. Hyderabad: The City Of Nizams

Established in 1591 by the Indo-Persian Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah, Hyderabad was ruled by Sultans, Mughals, & Nizams before becoming a Princely State under the British Raj. The region was previously under the ancient kingdoms of Chalukyas and Kakatiyas. The city’s architecture is richly influenced by all these cultures. And then there are literary arts, craftsmanship, handicrafts, paintings, dances, theatres, and dishes that make the city one of the must-visit places to experience Indian culture and heritage.


10. Kerala: God’s Own Country

The diverse culture of Kerala is a blend of Aryan & Dravidian cultures, with influences drawn time-and-again from other Indian & international places. Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity have contributed majorly to the architecture, the rituals & customs, the performing arts, and the festivals of Kerala. There are several places of Indian cultural heritage in India within the state itself.


11. Hampi: Ancient Kingdom Of Vijaynagar

Hampi is a beautiful world heritage site which is situated at the Northern part of Karnataka. This place is famous for holding the ruins of the ancient kingdom of Vijaynagar. These ruins of Hampi are considered to be a vast collection of heritage sites which reflects the Dravidian style of art and architecture. The most famous place in this city is the Virupaksha temple which holds much importance among the Hindus.


12. Pattadakal: A Group Of Monuments

Karnataka is a state which is blessed with a vast list of world heritage sites and one of them being Pattadakal. This is quite an important tourist site which is famous for its Chalukya style of Architecture. Inspired from the Aihole and blended with the Nagara and Dravidian styles of architecture, this place is a site which is mesmerizing. The Pattadakal is a place where the Chalukya kings were coronated and was considered as the capital of Chalukyas as well.


13. Goa: Land Of Beaches And Churches

Goa is a state which is famous for its ancient churches and forts which holds a rich history of Portuguese rule. During the 15th and 16th century, the Portuguese marked their territory in India and established themselves at Goa. Alongside that they also marked their rule by bringing Christianity in India. Thus it also gave birth to many churches and convents in Goa. The churches and convents reflect the beautiful architecture which makes them rank in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in India.


14. Bhimbetka: The Ancient Rock Shelters

The rock shelters of Bhimbetka are known for the rock paintings and Natural rock shelters which reflect the stone age. This place was declared as a heritage place by UNESCO in 2003, the rock shelters in Bhimbetka gave the first traces of human life in Indian subcontinent. Resting at the foothills of the Vindhya Mountains, this place is located at the Deccan Plateau. Considered from the Mesolithic period, this place gives a hint of the South Asian Stone Age. These rocks were discovered in the year of 1957.


15. Chola Temples: Architectural Heritage Of Chola Empire

The Chola Temples are located in the Southern part of India and ruled by the Chola empire.These temples are known for reflecting the beautiful architecture of the Chola empire. These temples are rich with culture and heritage and are a true example of rituals and festivities which are witnessed by many people. These three temples are known for their ancient culture of the Tamilians which brings out the best of the ancient history of these magnificent temples.