How Many Of These Forts, Monuments and Palaces Have You Visited At Night?

Tripoto

Grand forts, temple and monuments that are reminiscent of India's glorious cultural past also form the very fabric of present India. While most of you may have had the opportunity of visiting them during the day, here are a few that are most magical during night-time.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Photo of Taj Mahal, Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India by Saumiabee

We Indians are blessed to have something as magnanimous as one of the seven wonders of the world in our country. Taj Mahal is one monument that most of us have visited, but if you're someone who wants to experience it a little differently, did you know you could also visit it at night? Taj Mahal remains open for 5 nights every month, on full-moon nights, two nights before and after it. The monument also remains open on nights in case there's a unique celestial phenomenon that is to occur.

Timings: 8:30pm - 10:30pm

You can check out exact dates on their website here.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Photo of Golden Temple Amritsar - Tour Packages - Sightseeings, Sultanwind Road, Ram Singh Colony, Kotatma Ram, Amritsar, Punjab, India by Saumiabee

While visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar is a highly blissful experience, you can add extra charm to your visit by going at night. It's a marvel to behold the blazing golden edifice and its equally mesmerising reflection on the holy lake. When birth anniversaries of important Sikh Gurus are celebrated, the experience is heightened by added lights, decoration and firecrackers.

Timings: 8pm - 10pm and 2am - 5am

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Photo of Amer Fort, Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India by Saumiabee

Amer Fort in Jaipur is the exemplum of Rajasthan's royal past. Located far away from the city, this 11km long monument is adorned in bright yellow lights that stand in stark contrast to the night's darkness. The fort looks as majestic as it must have centuries ago as it stands tall and firm on a mountain. On some nights, most of the palace is open for night-viewingin lieu of an important temple located within its premises. At the fort, you can also enjoy a beautiful sound and light show that is written by Gulzar.

Timings: 7:30pm (Hindi show); 8pm (English show)

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Photo of Golden City Fort Jaisalmer, Khejer Para, Manak Chowk, Amar Sagar Pol, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India by Saumiabee

One of the very few inhabited forts in the entire world, Jaisalmer Fort is the second largest in Rajasthan. Inside the fort, an entire town is established with about 3000 people residing within. At night, you can watch the entire town spring to life. Men running shops wearing traditional angarkhas, women in poshaks dancing, and melodious folk music enveloping this typically Rajasthani scene in its magic. The fort is lit up bright from where you can observe the golden city sprawling as far as the eye can see. One can even stay in one of the many hotels within the fort.

Timings: 7pm onwards

Image credit: Taj Hotels

Photo of Falaknuma Palace, Fatima Nagar, Falaknuma, Hyderabad, Telangana by Saumiabee

Now renovated into a 5-star hotel, the Falknuma Palace in Hyderabad is the epitome of ethereal beauty. Dating back to the 19th century, each of its 60 rooms and 30 halls are done up in exquisite themes and designs. Each corner of the palace reflects the opulence that the Nizam of Hyderabad lived his life with. At nights, the palace shines bright and looks right out of the Victorian Era. You can either visit the palace for dinner in one of its 6-dining options, or stay here for a night to experience it in its full glory.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Photo of Akshardham Temple, Delhi by Saumiabee

One of Delhi's major tourist attractions, the Akshardham Temple is a spiritual and cultural complex. The 140ft. high main temple stands amidst 20,000 statues of sadhus, gurus and devotees, 148 life-sized elephants and 234 ornately carved pillars. Displaying finely crafted architecture, the temple once lit up, looks beautiful at night. One of its main attractions, the musical fountain comes to life at night which conveys a story from Kena Upanishad. An amalgamation of video projections, water jets along with music, lights and actors, this 24-minute show is worth a watch.

Timings: 7:45pm onwards

Image credit: Anantha BS

Photo of Mysore Palace, Agrahara, Chamrajpura, Mysuru, Karnataka by Saumiabee

Located right in the middle of Mysore city, this is a historical palace that serves as the official residence of Wadiyar dynasty and the is seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. At night, the entire palace is blanketed in yellow lights, a sight that has become photographers' delight over the years. Looking regal and absolutely breathtaking, the palace also hosts a light and sound show which gives the audience an opportunity to view the palace from inside at night.

Timings: 7pm - 8pm

Representative Image credit: Nevil Zaveri

Photo of Somnath Temple, Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, India by Saumiabee

Believed to be one of the 12 jyotirlingas where Lord Shiva appeared as light, Somanth Temple in Gujarat is considered a highly auspicious temple among Hindus. Located right at the edge of sea's shore the temple of gold look majestic as it bathes under moonlight. One can walk along the beach and enjoy the magical atmosphere, amplified by the lapping of waves and sounds of temple bells. The temple also hosts a wonderful sound and light show that explains the historical and religious significance of the temple.

Timings: 8:00pm - 9:00pm

So experience these architectural delights a little differently, and immerse yourself in history and culture like never before.

Been to some of these monuments and learnt of interesting legends? Share your story on Tripoto by creating a blog.

Don't forget to check out Tripoto's Youtube page for more travel inspiration.

Related to this article
Weekend Getaways from Agra,Places to Visit in Agra,Places to Stay in Agra,Things to Do in Agra,Agra Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Uttar pradesh,Places to Stay in Uttar pradesh,Things to Do in Uttar pradesh,Uttar pradesh Travel Guide,Things to Do in India,Places to Stay in India,Places to Visit in India,India Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Amritsar,Places to Visit in Amritsar,Places to Stay in Amritsar,Things to Do in Amritsar,Amritsar Travel Guide,Places to Stay in Punjab,Places to Visit in Punjab,Things to Do in Punjab,Punjab Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Punjab,Places to Stay in Punjab,Things to Do in Punjab,Punjab Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Jaipur,Places to Visit in Jaipur,Places to Stay in Jaipur,Things to Do in Jaipur,Jaipur Travel Guide,Places to Stay in Rajasthan,Places to Visit in Rajasthan,Things to Do in Rajasthan,Rajasthan Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Jaisalmer,Places to Stay in Jaisalmer,Places to Visit in Jaisalmer,Things to Do in Jaisalmer,Jaisalmer Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Hyderabad,Places to Visit in Hyderabad,Places to Stay in Hyderabad,Things to Do in Hyderabad,Hyderabad Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Telangana,Things to Do in Telangana,Telangana Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Mysuru,Places to Visit in Mysuru,Places to Stay in Mysuru,Things to Do in Mysuru,Mysuru Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Karnataka,Places to Stay in Karnataka,Things to Do in Karnataka,Karnataka Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Gir somnath,Places to Stay in Gir somnath,Places to Visit in Gir somnath,Things to Do in Gir somnath,Gir somnath Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Gujarat,Places to Stay in Gujarat,Things to Do in Gujarat,Gujarat Travel Guide,