8 Ancient Towns And Cities You Should Visit In India

India is home to many towns and cities that have not just stood the test of time, but have also thrived decade after decade. Such ancient towns and cities can be found all over India and bear testimony to the evolution of human civilization. Here’s looking at eight of these cities and towns.

Varanasi

“It is said that Benaras is older than history, older even than legend, older than tradition, and is easily as old as all of them put together.” These words by Mark Twain capture the essence of the Kashi of the olden days. The seat of Aryan religion and philosophy, Varanasi is not only a city of temples but it is also famous for its silk, muslin and brocade fabrics. A trip to this holy city is never complete with a dip in the Ganga.

Ayodhya

Ujjain

The capital of ancient Avanti was Ujjain, on the banks of the Kshipra River. Back in history, Ujjain was the literary, political and cultural centre of the Malwa plateau. Ujjain is also where the Simhastha Kumbh Mela is held once every 12 years. The seat of Puranic tradition, today, Ujjain is most notable for its temples, like the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple.

Madurai

Known the world over for its temples and jasmine blossoms, Madurai has been the muse of many poets and artists. Once the seat of the Tamil Academy of Learning, Madurai has been mentioned in the travelogues of Megasthenes, Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo. Devotees and visitors flock to Madurai throughout the year to witness ancient Tamil culture.

Kannauj

The city of Kannauj gets its name from Kanyakubja, meaning ‘the maiden’s womb.’ Touted as the perfume capital of India, the city is well-known for its attar and rose water that is traditionally distilled. Some of its landmarks include the famous Raja Jaichandra Fort and the ancient Ajaipal Temple. Once the bone of contention among three powerful dynasties of India, Kannauj is a must-visit for its heritage and splendour.

Tanjore

The art capital of India is well-known for its musical instruments, like the veena and the mridangam, exquisite bronze statues and pith temple models. Once the city of the Chola dynasty, Tanjore (or Thanjavur) derives its name from the demon, Tanjanasura, that was killed by Vishnu. The Sivaganga Fort and the Brihadeshwara Temple are some of the city’s historic attractions.

Pushkar

This small town by the side of the Sarovar Lake is most famous for the Brahma Temple, considered the only such temple in the country. The Pushkar Mela, or the cattle fair, is an annual event that draws tourists from not only all over India but from around the world as well. Exciting events, exhibitions and competitions take place during this week-long colourful occasion. The Man Mahal, on the banks of Sarovar Lake, is another one of the town’s tourist attractions that is not to be missed.

Gwalior

Not many are aware that Gwalior is also an ancient city of India that has given us icons like music maestro Tansen and Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. Some of the major attractions in this Jainism centre of yore are the Tansen Tomb, the Gwalior Fort and Shivpuri.

India is a land with a myriad of cultures and traditions. These ancient towns and cities have lived through various changes in the course of history and still stand tall to tell the tale.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.