2. Taj Mahal When emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died in childbirth in 1630 (3 yrs. after he arose to the throne) he was overcome with grief. He built this tomb as a monument to their love and it took 22 years to complete. Shah Jahan also wanted to build a replica across the bank in black marble as his own tomb, but never got to because of the war between his sons.

3. Victoria Terminus The station was christened to commemorate Victoria Jubilee Day in 1887 when India's first steam engine puffed out to neighboring Thane. Today it has been rechristened Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus after the Maratha warrior and the old steam engines have been replaced by electric ones.

4. Bindi Indians believe that the starting point of all shapes and forms is a point. Bindi is supposed to signify the third eye of a person and when properly marked becomes the central point of the woman’s body. It is a symbol of auspiciousness, good fortune and festivity. Some believe that the area between the eyebrows is a point of great wisdom. Once the bindi used to be worn to denote a woman’s marital status, but now it is a fashion statement.

5. Red Fort, Delhi When Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi he started construction on the west bank of the Yamuna River. This fort is more like a mini-city, containing palaces, grand halls, gardens, a mosque, plazas, apartments, and a marketplace. This massive structure is built out of red sandstone and has two main entrances.

6. Golden Temple This temple located in Amritsar is the city’s main attraction. It is made of white marble and gold leaf. This temple is the most sacred for Sikhs. It was completed in 1603 and symbolizes brotherhood.

7. Varanasi is the holiest city in all of India and contains a population of over a million. The waters of the Ganges are used for bathing, spiritual cleansing, and cremations. In the waters you’ll find ashes, corpses, raw sewage and much more scum. Yet, nonetheless, thousands enter the waters to purify themselves before the rising sun. Visitors also come to pray and take shelter in some of the hundreds of shrines and temples present in Varanasi. Varanasi

8. Tigers The largest remaining population of Bengal Tigers is found today in India where 3,650 make up two-thirds of the worlds tiger population. Many reserves and foundations have been developed to aid these animals with their struggle against poachers and habitat destruction.

9. Bangalore Out of all the cities in India, Bangalore is the most known for its business. Once known for its wide variety of beautiful gardens, people now refer to it because of its booming software industry. Bangalore has a population of over 5,500,000 people.

10. The most famous tea, known throughout the world, is produced in the city of Darjeeling, where it got its name. Only teas coming from certain estates can be called Darjeeling tea, which cannot be produced anywhere else in the world. This tea is often times referred to as the “champagne of all teas”. Not only does this tea provide industrialization to this part of India, it also helps employ many Nepalese coming through the border. Darjeeling Tea

11. Mysore Palace This beautiful palace was designed by a British architect for a Maharaja and was completed in 1897. It has now been converted to a museum displaying paintings, jewelry, royal costumes, and sculptures.

12. Ellora Caves Ellora Caves, located in Maharashtra, has over 34 monasteries and temples extending over 2 km dug into the side of a hill. Tourists can witness paintings and sculptures and architecture form the Indian Middle Ages.

13. The most sacred animal in the Hindu religion is the cow, after a famous cow, Nandi, who was Shiva’s vehicle and escort. There are 26 different breeds of them in India alone. In India cows are rarely used for meat, and are allowed to roam free through streets and traffic and are not an unusual sight at all. Though sometimes they cause additional traffic, this animal is believed to be a symbol of the earth because it gives so much and asks little in return and is often used in parades and festivals. Cows

14. Kohinoor Diamond The 1 st owner of the Kohinoor was an Indian king. 200 yrs. later it was taken by Sultan Babar (Mogul Emperor). He passed it on to generations of rulers until Nadir Shah seized it when taking over Delhi. The gem was passed on/seized by rulers until the 19 th century. British ruled in India now and in 1851 a commissioner gave Queen Victoria the diamond. Today the 108.93 oval brilliant adorns Elizabeth’s crown, along with 2800 smaller diamonds.

15. Kerala This Indian state is well-known for its beautiful backwaters, friendly villagers, great scenic views and incredible boat races. House boats often roam on these waters and endless beaches can be viewed. There are industrial hotels and resorts along some of them, but it is mainly unspoiled.