India Cultural Holidays: Our Top 5 Lesser-Known Heritage Gems

Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra, Western India

Evoking a sense of awe and wonder, rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora are arguably two of the most prominent and elaborate Buddhist archaeological sites in the world, both recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

The Ajanta Caves are a collection of thirty Buddhist prayer halls and monasteries that were carved into a horseshoe-shaped rock face between the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD.

Abandoned and forgotten by the outside world for over a thousand years, these magnificent sites were rediscovered by accident in 1819 by John Smith, a young British cavalry officer, on a hunting expedition. Inside the caves, the walls and ceilings are adorned with elaborate murals, regarded as the finest and most intricate ancient Buddhist masterpieces in the world, depicting events from the life of Buddha and scenes from Jataka Tales.

The Ellora Caves consist of thirty-four rock-cut caves featuring Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples and monasteries, built between the 6th and 11th centuries AD.

Widely regarded as the most remarkable single work of art in the country, the 8th century Kailasa Temple is without a doubt the highlight of the cave complex at Ellora and it resembles the Parthenon in Athens in terms of its scale and beauty.

How to visit the Ajanta and Ellora Caves?

The best place to stay to visit both the Ellora Caves and Ajanta Caves is in Aurangabad (recently renamed to Chhatrapati Sambhaji). These are best visited over two days as they are located in opposite directions from the city. Guests are driven by private car by our trusted driver, who will transport you in comfort. My top pick for a luxury hotel in Chhatrapati Sambhaji is the Gateway.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, North India

Hailed as one of the most prosperous and cultural cities in Asia during the 18th and 19th centuries, Lucknow is renowned for the rich legacy of the Nawabs of Awadh, whose passion for finer things in life shines through the city’s magnificent architecture and artistic and culinary traditions. Even today, the Urdu spoken in Lucknow is considered to be the most refined in India.

One of my favourite aspects of the city is the fabulous chikan embroidery work known as Chikankari, which is a speciality of this region. Sadly, a dying tradition in wake of the modern fast-fashion trends, one of our philanthropic partner organisations – SEWA – works very closely with the women artisans in Lucknow to support and empower them to help preserve this precious cultural heritage.

In relation to India’s modern history, the Siege of Lucknow was one of the most important events during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which is widely regarded as a turning point in the British Empire’s regime in the region. Although the British forces were able to regain control, the Indian Mutiny led to the end of the East India Company’s reign and marked the beginning of India’s long struggle for independence. The remnants of the colonial empire and the violent battle can still be seen at the Residency complex.

How to visit Lucknow on your luxury holiday to India

My favourite place to stay in Lucknow is the luxurious Taj Mahal Lucknow. Situated on the riverside in expansive gardens, it is well located to access the many heritage sites of the city.

Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, Central India

The 16th century capital of the Bundela kingdom, Orchha is one of my favourite historical sites in Central India. Dreamy, romantic, and overlooked by most visitors, this sleepy town is located on a bend of the Betwa River with an impressive collection of royal palaces, cenotaphs, ancient temples, and pleasure gardens built along the river.

The view from the palace, of soaring spires and cenotaphs, is spectacular, and the walls and ceilings of the Raj Mahal and Laxminarayan Temple are covered in beautiful murals of the famed Bundela School of Painting. It’s a wonderful place to explore on foot, and to me, it is remarkably reminiscent of Bagan in Myanmar.

Sunsets in Orchha are particularly atmospheric, with the beautiful monuments bathed in a golden hue shimmering in the waters of Betwa River. For a deeper immersion, I would recommend combining Orchha with Gwalior, which is home to a stunning fort complex as well as royal palaces and Jain temples.

A visit to Orchha can be combined with time in Gwalior to Khajuraho in Central India, which both have fascinating history and architecture.

Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal, Karnataka, South India

Although much older than Hampi and equally remarkable, the former Chalukya Dynasty capitals of Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole have remained lost in time in one of the most remote regions of the Deccan Plateau in northern Karnataka.
Dating back to the 6th century, the temples feature a broad variety of Hindu temple architectural styles including rock-cut cave shrines to standalone temples and forts, which were used as blueprints for many other projects elsewhere in the country.

Owing to its dramatic location, I find Badami the most striking and interesting of the three sites. During my visit to Badami, I particularly enjoyed hiking to the top of the two hills for panoramic views of the town and the famous Bhuthanatha Temple.

Where to stay when visiting Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal

Due to their remote location, visiting Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal on your India trip requires a long journey and local accommodation options are far from glamourous, but the stunning ruins are well worth the effort. Badami makes the most convenient base and there is a simple but comfortable hotel here.

Konark, Orissa, East India

Of the twelve Sun Temples that have survived over time, the 13th century Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa is the most famous and prominent Sun Temple in India. Visiting it was a dream-come-true for me, as I had grown up seeing countless measure drawings and photographs of the temple in my father’s office, who was working on a temple architecture research and conservation project in Bhubaneshwar and Puri at the time.

It was every bit as impressive and awe-inspiring as in my imagination, especially its incredibly precise architecture that allowed the first rays of the rising sun to fall on the image of Surya in the sanctum sanctorum. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple is designed in the form of an enormous chariot belonging to the Sun God, Surya, with magnificently carved wheels along its sides, drawn by a team of seven horses depicting seven days of the week.

The temple’s exterior walls are adorned with exquisite carvings showcasing traditional Odissi Dance and served as an important source of reference when this forgotten dance form was being revived in the 1950s. Today, an annual dance festival is organised at Konark showcasing some of India’s finest classical dance forms including Odissi.

Where to stay when visiting Konark?

Bhubaneswar is the best base from which to visit the Sun Temple in Konark, and I would recommend the Trident, a luxury Oberoi hotel with expansive grounds and lush gardens.

When is the best time to visit India for a cultural holiday?

Generally, the best time to take a cultural holiday to India is between November and March, when the weather is pleasant. There is low rainfall and temperatures are cooler during this time. However our India specialists can give you a more detailed view of the best time to visit depending on where you will visit and your particular and interests.

Please do get in touch with our experts to discuss your own bespoke cultural journey through India.