8 Most Beautiful Ancient Cities in India to Explore

Varanasi: Also known as Kashi or Benaras, Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Located on the banks of the Ganges river, it is a sacred city for Hindus and a major pilgrimage site.

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Hampi: Located in the southern state of Karnataka, Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is known for its stunning ruins, including the Virupaksha Temple and the Vittala Temple.

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Khajuraho: Famous for its elaborate temples that feature erotic carvings, Khajuraho is located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The temples date back to the 10th century and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Udaipur: Known as the "City of Lakes," Udaipur is located in the western state of Rajasthan. It was founded in the 16th century and is known for its stunning palaces and temples, including the City Palace and the Jagdish Temple.

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Jaipur: Also known as the "Pink City," Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and was founded in the 18th century. It is known for its stunning architecture, including the City Palace and the Hawa Mahal.

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Fatehpur Sikri: Located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire for a brief period in the 16th century. It is known for its stunning palaces and buildings, including the Buland Darwaza and the Panch Mahal.

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Mahabalipuram: Located on the east coast of India in the state of Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is known for its stunning rock-cut temples and sculptures, including the Shore Temple and the Five Rathas.

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[{"selector":"#anim-c91af395-a299-4661-ab41-2e9a3505b796 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, -0.00000238520510009721%) scale(1.4716981132075473)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-121322c8-5d4d-4f3b-b304-61e6e6827a34","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(116.18123%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-25710aa0-db01-40bc-9cb0-46a49b3c23db","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-211f2fd5-2543-46f8-a275-a8afe97486f4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Puri: Located on the east coast of India in the state of Odisha, Puri is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus. It is known for its beautiful beaches and the Jagannath Temple, which is one of the four major pilgrimage sites for Hindus.