Bristi Dey
India is a land of stories, and every brick of its ancient monuments echoes different tales of the past. From the havelis of Jaipur to the historic forts of Kerala, each structure carries its own tales, shaped by centuries of innovation, culture and changing times. Here are some remarkable places to explore if you want to admire India's extraordinary architectural ingenuity.
Rani ki Vav's inverted temple
Tucked away on the banks of the Saraswati River in Patan, Gujarat, Rani ki Vav is a sight to drool over. Built in the 11th century by Queen Udayamati of the Chalukya dynasty, this subterranean stepwell is designed as an inverted temple. It plunges seven levels down into the earth which helps in keeping the area cooler against the desert heat.
Bara Imambara's bhool bhuliya
An ancient maze that has been thrilling the people with its charm even today. The central hall of the Imambara is famous for being one of the world's largest vaulted chambers built completely without any supporting pillars or iron beams. On top of that impressive show, lies the bhool bhuliya with over a thousand interconnected, narrow passageways, staircases, and balconies
Nahargarh Fort's hidden canal system
Rajasthan is one of those places which never fails to disappoint when it comes to history. Nahargarh fort in particular features an intricate, 300-year-old ancient water harvesting and gravity-fed canal system, which has been the sheer inspiration for many modern architectures. And the best part is that the ancient canal system is still functional.
Konark Sun Temple's natural clock
While exploring the historical architectures of the Konark Sun temple, don't miss out on the sun dial. The spokes of the wheel on the temple are the hands of the clock that tells time, months and seasons. The exact position and length of shadows cast by their central hubs across the spokes, were the determinants of the time.
Kailasa Temple in Ellora, the temple carved out of mountain
The Kailasa Temple which is a part of the Ellora caves, is one of India's most remarkable feats of rock-cut architecture. Architects back in the day carved out an entire temple out of the mountain instead of building everything from scratch.
Dholavira's advanced water system
This archeological site in Gujarat has been revered as UNESCO World Heritage Site for its incredible architecture. Its network of reservoirs and channels was designed to collect and store rainwater, helping the ancient Harappan city survive in an arid landscape. Dating back thousands of years, this ingenious system reflects the remarkable engineering skills.