10 Ancient Cities You Can Visit in India
India's allure lies in its profound tapestry of culture, heritage, and history, woven over millennia. From the ancient marvels of the Indus Valley Civilization, dating back to 2500 BC, to the bustling metropolises of today, the country boasts a wealth of ancient cities that serve as portals to the past. Though modernity has transformed these cities, they remain steadfast guardians of India's rich cultural heritage, offering glimpses into bygone eras and preserving the essence of its storied past.
# Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi comes at the topmost cities when considering the most ancient cities in India. The history of this city in Uttar Pradesh dates back 5000 years and beyond that.Varanasi or Banaras is mostly known as the City of Lights or Kashi. The city is located on the west bank of the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi silk is extremely popular all over the country. Moreover, the gold and silver threadworks of this city are also highly famous. One more famous thing about Varanasi is the Banarasi Paan.
# Delhi, New Delhi
Another famous ancient city in India is Delhi. The history of Delhi dates back to the period of the Mughal dynasty. This was known as Indraprastha and was the site of the Pandava’s capital, as mentioned in Mahabharata( the great Hindu epic). Five dynasties ruled Delhi in ancient periods. It is believed that ancient Delhi came into existence in 800 BCE b King Dhilu. Delhi is known for its rich past that goes back to the 11th century.
# Kolkata, West Bengal
Kolkata, earlier known as Calcutta, is a historical city in India. It is the capital city of West Bengal and is also a metropolitan city in India. Though Kolkata has become a developed city in the country and is now regarded as the “City of joy”, it is one of the most known ancient cities in India. Here Maa Durga and Goddess Kali are honored and worshipped a lot. Howrah Bridge connecting Kolkata to Howrah is one of the best things to witness here. You can enjoy delicious street food, finger-licking Bengali sweets, and desserts, and also witness Asia’s largest flower markets at Mallik Ghat in Kolkatta.
# Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh is a holy city that is known for its numerous temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. Mathura is a city where Lord Krishna lived in his childhood and it is known for its rich history and culture. Vrindavan is near Mathura and is also famous amongst Krishna’s devotees The Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan attracts lots of tourists from far and wide. You can also visit the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple and Keshi Ghat.
# Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama and is an ancient city known to be originated in the 6th century BCE. This is a place of religious importance to the Hindu and Jain devotees. Ayodhya has countless temples and riverside ghats. The city is filled with a spiritual ambiance. You can visit Treta Ke Thakur, Moti Mahal, Guptar Ghat, and many more places here.
# Lothal, Gujarat
Lothal in Gujarat is another ancient city in India and was once an important trade center. It is located between Bhogavo and Sabarmati rivers in Gujarat. The city was first discovered in 195. The most dominating feature of Lothal is the unique dockyard. Several rare antiquities like beads, jewelry, pottery, and seals are found at this site.
# Madurai, Tamil Nadu
When we are talking about the ancient cities in India, how can we forget Madurai in Tamil Nadu? The history of this city dates back over 4, 000 years. This city has numerous temples among which Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is the finest one. This temple is known for its architectural brilliance. Some of the tourist attractions of Madurai include Gandhi Mandapam, Samanar Hills, Kooda Azhagar Temple, Gandhi Museum, etc. You should try out local foods, especially Murugan Idli Kadai when you are in Madurai.
# Puhar, Tamil Nadu
Puhar, also known as Poompuhar is located near Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu. This was once ruled by the Chola Kings. It was a port capital to the kings. This ancient city of Puhar also finds a mention in several texts in Tamil and poetic works, and also in Greco-Roman manuscripts. In 1910 it was revealed that Phar was a well-planned city with the remains of beautiful temples, buildings, brick figures, and copper coins.
# Dwarka, Gujarat
Out of the many ancient cities in India, Dwarka in Gujarat is one of the most ancient ones. This city has a spiritual aura and is considered to be a part of the Char Dham Yatra. There are several religious monuments and exclusive temples that talk about the rich Indian culture. A lot of pilgrims come to the city every year. The Nageshwara Temple is located here, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Many tranquil beaches attract many nature lovers to Dwarka. Some other best places in the city are Badkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Rukmini Temple, Sharda Peeth, etc. You can also enjoy the camel ride here.
# Kalibangan, Rajasthan
Kalibangan is an ancient city situated in the Hanumangarh district in Rajasthan. This town is set on the banks of River Ghaggar. Harappan remains can be found in the city and that is what makes the place one of the prominent tourist attractions in the state. Kalibangan served as an important provincial capital of the Indus Valley Civilization. Kalibangan is known for having the world’s earliest attested plowed field.
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