By Mallika Bhagat

Copyright timesnownews

Taj Mahal, Agra, No list on heritage sites in India is complete without a nod to Taj Mahal, arguably the most famous monument in India and certainly among the prettiest. In October, the monsoon haze has lifted, the Yamuna flows gently beside it, and the marble seems to drink in the softer autumn light. The mornings are also gentler, making it easier for you to explore the monument, along with other city landmarks like Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra. Qutub Minar, Delhi, Delhi in October is festive and golden. The Qutub complex, with its intricately carved minaret, feels alive against the backdrop of clear blue skies and cool evenings. Completed in 1220, it represents the beginning of Muslim rule in India and showcases intricate carvings and designs that blend Islamic and Hindu styles of architecture. The Qutub Minar is also surrounded by other historical monuments, including the ancient Iron Pillar. Jaipur City, Rajasthan, As one of India’s only two cities who are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Pink City comes into its own in October. Amer Fort looks sharper under the post-monsoon sun, Jantar Mantar gleams against cloudless skies, and the markets around Hawa Mahal burst with colour as Diwali approaches. You should also keep a day to explore the Bapu Bazaar market for trinkets. , Hampi, Karnataka, Few places wear October as beautifully as Hampi. The boulder-strewn landscape sparkles after the rains, the Tungabhadra flows fuller, and the ruins are framed by a surprising green you won’t see in harsher months. You should keep at least 3-4 days for this corner of Karnataka, and make trips to Virupaksha and Vitthala temples, as well as the Royal Enclosure and Anjanadri hills. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra, If you want drama, go to Ellora in October. The stone carvings are monumental on their own, but with waterfalls trickling nearby and the plateau dressed in green, the caves feel more alive, less ancient. But the most iconic site here lies in Cave 16 which features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailash temple, a chariot-shaped monument dedicated to Lord Shiva. Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha, Odisha in October is about energy. With Durga Puja still in the air, the Sun Temple at Konark, a 13th century temple straddling the eastern shore of India, stands not just as an architectural wonder, but as part of a wider cultural rhythm. The air feels charged, and the temple’s great stone chariot seems to roll with it. You can make a trip to Jagannath Puri and plan a visit to the Sun Temple as a day vacation. , Kaziranga National Park, Assam, After months of closure, Kaziranga throws its gates open in October. Everything is renewed—the grass taller, the lakes brimming, the skies filled with returning birds. To see a rhino against this freshly rinsed canvas is to feel like you’ve stumbled into a painting. Kaziranga also offers different kinds of safari options that are perfect for travellers of all kinds Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, West Bengal, The Darjeeling toy train ride in October is one of India’s small joys. With mist giving way to crisp skies, tea gardens awash with green, and the Himalayas visible in the distance, the journey is as scenic as it is educational, especially when it comes to the history of India’s mountain railways.