Glory Days

The ancient thrives alongside the modern in India; here, every ruin, every monument tells a story —of hope, valour, and a rich past. Listen in as we unearth these stories and bring to you the shining stars of India’s timeless heritage.

- Anuj Sarma

What if I tell you that time travel is possible? Well, not scientifically, but you can delve into the past by visiting various heritage destinations around the country which still carry the essence of ancient India. From sprawling monuments of the maharajahs to the remnants of our colonial past, India is a mixed bag offering a range of options for the discerning traveller with a penchant for history. Check out the famous Chettinad mansions, go through the inscriptions at Ajanta and Ellora that are said to be the inspiration for the famous Jataka Tales, visit the age-old churches that still stand proud in Old Goa or see remnants of the French past in Puducherry. Here is a list of some stunning heritage destinations.

SHEKHAWATI

Once termed as the largest open-air art gallery in the world, Shekhawati has been an important region in Rajasthan in terms of tourism. Ruled by the Shekhawat Rajputs more than 500 years ago, the region is home to thousands of villages, the most prominent ones being Alsisar, Mandawa, Dundlod, Fatehpur, Ramgarh, Bissau, Mahansar, Khandela, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Khetri, Nawalgarh, Mukundgarh, Bagar and Chirawa. The houses in this region are richly frescoed and Shekhawati stands out for the numerous havelis that dot the villages. Every house in this region displays frescos whose depictions range from gods and goddesses, angels and demons to nawabs and maharajahs, erotic couples and the British cavalry. Visit the Binsidhar Newatia Haveli in Mandawa, which was built in the 1920s. The most picturesque haveli in Mandawa is the Lakshminarayan Nadia Haveli, which has numerous frescos depicting Hindu mythology.

HOTLIST

Visit the Dundlod Fort, which is a mix of Mughal and Rajput architecture.

Visit the Anandi Lai Poddar Haveli in Nawalgarh, one of the famous attractions in the area.

Walk around the villages and see the diverse fresco art.