India is known for one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Right from prehistoric times till today, India has been mentioned in many old historical scriptures and works of literature. It has one of the well-known rich history and heritage. There are many old towns and cities in India which shows the exquisite history of India. By visiting these places, tourists can get an insight into the glorious past of the country and also admire the architectural brilliance that has been there for ages. Many couples who are passionate about history visit these places and stay in couple-friendly hotels to soak in the rich past of Indian Culture and Traditions. Many history buffs and bloggers book day use hotels and hotels on an hourly basis to stay comfortably and experience the old charm of the towns. Here are the top 10 old towns in India that everyone must visit in their lifetime.
1-Varanasi
“Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”- Mark Twain
Benaras, Varanasi or Kashi is one of the oldest cities in India whose history goes back to around 3000 years. Many tourists from India, as well as some international travelers, travel to this city daily to enjoy the town. It showcases the culture of India and its historical prosperity in the best way possible. Most of the people come here to witness the majestic Ganga Aarti and to visit the temples which are around 1000 years old. The Banarasi sarees, the exquisite woodwork, and the hand-knotted carpets are some things that attract a lot of tourists to the city. The food, the delicacies, the Benarasi paan, the stories, and the legends are something one would experience when in Varanasi. A trip to Varanasi is not complete without taking a holy dip in river Ganga. You can book a hotel in Varanasi for a hassle free and relaxing vacation.
2-Ayodhya
The city of Ayodhya, as we all know the birthplace of Rama was a major trade center and a religious city of ancient India. Situated on the banks of the Sarayu River, the city was known to be established by the Hindu god Manu. The city is believed to be 9000 years old and is still one of the frequent religious destinations for people from all over the world. Some of the notable places to visit in the city are Treta ka Thakur temple, Kanak Bhavan, Guptar Ghat and Hanuman Garhi
3-Madurai
Madurai, which is a 4000-year-old city is a city of temples and jasmine blossoms. The city has been mentioned in the ancient scriptures written by Megasthenes, Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo. One of the notable temples in the city is Meenakshi Amman Temple. It is one of the most popular temples in the country known for its architectural brilliance. Constructed in the 7th century, it attracts lots of tourists daily. Other places worth visiting while you are at Madurai will be Koodal Azhagar Temple, Gandhi Museum, etc. Not to forget, the famous Murugan Idli Kadai of Madurai which is a must-have in here.
4-Ujjain
This ancient city is famous for many old and new temples and is one of the religious hotspots in India. It is located in the banks of river Kshipra. It is famous for the world-famous Kumbh Mela. The notable places to visit are Mahakaleshwar temple, Kark Rajeshwar Temple, etc. The city was one of the well-known literary, political and cultural center during the ancient times. A trip to the city is not complete without a holy dip in the Kshipra River and gorging into delicious Dal Bati Churma.
5-Patna
Patliputra, currently known as Patna is the capital of the state of Bihar. This ancient city was the capital of the Magadha Empire and is located on the southern bank of the river Ganga. Some important places to visit while you are at Patna are Kargil Chowk War Memorial, Kumhrar, Sher Shah Suri Masjid, Shitla Mata Temple. Patna Sahib Gurudwara, Mahavir Mandir, etc. You can also visit one of the ancient universities in the world Nalanda University. Though it is in ruins now, it is a perfect place for all history lovers. Do not forget to try the famous litti chokha at Patna while you are there. You can always book a couple friendly hotel at Patna and enjoy a trip with your partner.
6-Kannauj
Kannauj is one of the ancient city of India which got its name from the word "Kanyakubja" which means Maiden’s womb. During the time of Harsha, it was made the capital and was a very important religious spot. Raja Jichandra Fort and ancient Ajaipal Temple are the landmarks that you must visit while you are in the city. Some of the notable places worth visiting are Government Archaeological Museum, a 500-year-old Siddheswar Temple, and Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary.
7-Hampi
Hampi, located in the Bellary region of Karnataka, is one of the ancient South Indian village famous for its stone temples and ruins. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the legendary stone temples. The pages of history describe Hampi as one of the wealthiest cities in India. It was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and is ruled by the mighty Krishnadevaraya. Its riches and glories attracted merchants from all over the world especially those from Portugal and Persia. It is a must-go place for all history buffs to get a glimpse of the rich culture and heritage of India. You can book a couple friendly hotel in Bangalore with your partner and can get on with your trip to the old city of Hampi.
8-Tanjore
The city of Tanjore/Thanjavur derived its name from the demon Tanjanasura who was killed by Lord Vishnu. It was ruled by the Chola dynasty back in the ancient times. One of the landmark sites at this place is the famous Brihadeeswara Temple which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was constructed by Raja Chola I, around the 10th century. Other notable places worth visiting in the city are Chola Temples, Saraswati Mahal Library, Thanjavur Maratha Palace, Sivaganga Park, Schwartz Church, and Royal Palace Museum.
9-Pushkar
The city of Pushkar has the only Brahma Temple in the world and is situated by the side of Sarovar Lake. It is one of the religious hotspots for the Hindus. The city has still preserved its ancient old charm and attracts many tourists all over the world. The Pushkar Mela is a yearly occasion happening in the city which is a week-long fair filled with variant events and displays. Trip to Pushkar is not complete without getting a dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake and visiting the Man Mahal.
10-Puri
Located in the state of Odisha, Puri is a coastal city situated near the Bay of Bengal. It is a well-known ancient city in India and is famous for the Jagannath Temple. It is one of the char dhams known in the country. Apart from the Jagannath temple, other landmark places worth visiting are Konark Sun temple, Markandeshwar Shiva Temple, and Chilka Lake nearby. Puri is also blessed with beautiful and serene seashores. Not to forget the Balukhand-Konark wildlife sanctuary which features seashores, hills, cashew ranches, and forests of casuarina trees. This is a home to blackbuck and olive ridley sea turtles. You can book a hotel in Bhubaneswar and travel to Puri which is just 60 kms from the city.
These cities are just a glance into what India is all about. The rich culture and heritage of India are much more than this.
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