All pic credits: Shutterstock
By Srimoyee Chowdhury 6 August 2025
These aren't your usual Red Forts or Qutub Minars. Take a closer look, rack your travel brain, and guess which stunning Indian monument you’re staring at! So, let’s get started!
1. Clue: That’s not a tiled roof, it’s a crown of clay. Look closely! This layered beauty is built entirely of baked terracotta. It was once a stage for a town’s biggest religious celebration, with idols paraded inside. Now it quietly sits in a sleepy Bengal town.
It’s Rasmancha in Bishnupur, West Bengal. Built by King Bir Hambir in 1600, this is India’s only pyramid-style terracotta temple. Bishnupur is a 3–4 hour train ride from Kolkata and worth every second if you’re into art, architecture, or hidden gems.
2. Clue: You’re staring at centuries-old basalt. These coastal caves saw monks before they saw tourists. Look at the intricate façade, it hints at both Hindu gods and Jain influences, all carved into one hillside. Also, the view of the Krishna river? Underrated.
It’s the Undavalli Caves near Vijayawada. These fourth to fifth century caves are a mix of architecture and religion, with a reclining Vishnu that’s 5 metres long. A short cab ride from Vijayawada and you’ll feel like you've entered an ancient time capsule.
3. Clue: What’s 60 metres long and filled with stairs, echoes and eerie calm? This structure is hidden right in Delhi’s chaos. From above, it’s a stepwell. From inside, it’s a photographer’s dream. Super symmetrical. Super mysterious. You may have even seen it in a Bollywood movie.
It’s Agrasen Ki Baoli, Connaught Place, Delhi. No one knows who exactly built it, but this 14th-century stepwell is now one of Delhi’s best-kept secrets. Free to enter, and just a 5-minute walk from CP’s main circle.
4. Clue: Delicate floral inlay. Pale blue domes. Silence. Often mistaken for a Taj Mahal sidekick, this monument tells its own royal Mughal tale. It was the first of its kind to use marble so richly — and yes, it inspired something much bigger.
It’s the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, Agra. Known as the Baby Taj, it’s older than the Taj Mahal and just as mesmerising. Built by Nur Jahan for her father, this tomb is Agra’s hidden jewel. Visit after sunrise to skip the crowds.
5. Clue: Columns go down, not up. A marvel of geometry and devotion, this inverted temple was commissioned by a queen in memory of her husband. What you see above ground is nothing compared to what lies beneath.
It’s Rani Ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat. Built in the 11th century by Queen Udayamati, this UNESCO site is one of India’s most beautifully carved stepwells. The details are mind-blowing. Get here from Ahmedabad and dive into literal history.