Taj Mahal second-best UNESCO world heritage site in the world

Taj Mahal, the quintessential part of Indian heritage, has another feather in its crown. A top international travel portal has rated it as the second-best UNESCO world heritage site in the world. The Taj has been ranked just after Cambodia's Angkor Wat, with China's Great Wall on the third position. Hire car to see the white beauty which is a symbol of eternal love of a Mughal emperor for his wife. In order of ranking, the other world heritage sites in the top 10 are Peru's Machu Picchu, the Iguazu Falls shared by Argentina and Brazil, the Sassi of Matera sites in Italy, Auschwitz in Poland, the Old City of Jerusalem, areas in Istanbul, Turkey, and the Old City of Krakow in Poland.

The survey conducted by online travel portal lists the UNESCO Cultural and Natural heritage sites which are top rated by travellers around the globe.

The Taj Mahal, labelled as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, is described as ‘the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage’. The monument is immensely popular as it receives approximately 8 million visitors per year. Government statistics show that every 4th foreign visitor to India sees the Taj and it is the top priority. Car hire is opted by most of the tourists to explore the Taj. It is also one of the world's seven wonders.

The significance of being a world heritage site

Any site must be of exceptional universal value and fulfill at least one out of ten selection criteria to be included on the prestigious World Heritage List.

These criteria are described in the guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. It is the main working tool on World Heritage. The criteria are reviewed frequently by the committee for the sake of the progression of the World Heritage concept itself.

Choose online car rental service and visit Agra to see why Taj Mahal is so famous all over the world.

Enjoy Golden Triangle Tour With 9 Unmissable Offbeat Spots

Golden triangle tour is famous all over the world for the conventional spots including the splendid Taj. However, the famous triangle of the tourism circuit, viz. Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, boasts of certain offbeat spots also which are simply unmissable. Hire car for a great experience.

Let’s check out 9 such offbeat spots, 3 from each city.

Delhi 

While Delhi is known for Red fort, India gate, Qutub complex and so on, there are certain spots here which are unconventional but visited by the tourists with an inquisitive soul. These 3 spots are-

Mirza Ghalib ki Haveli:

Mirza Ghalib was an Urdu and Persian language poet who created a beautiful world of Urdu writing during the last years of the Mughal era. This Haveli was his residence located in the lanes of Chandni Chowk.


Roshanara Bagh:

Built by Roshanara Begum, daughter of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is one of the biggest gardens in Delhi. Varieties of plants get imported every year from countries including Japan. Car hire is the best option to explore it.

Tughlaqabad Fort:

The fort is the last flag-bearer of Tughlaqabad, the third historic city in the making of Delhi. See it for the tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din, 13 fort gates, and also an underground passage.

Agra

Agra is synonymous with the Taj Mahal. However, check out these 3 offbeat spots here with car hire.

Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra:

The most outstanding feature of the place is the gorgeously constructed gateway with knottily carved minarets. Akbar, himself commenced the construction of the tomb.

Chini ka Rauza:

The first building in India that was entirely decorated in tile works. It is a funerary cenotaph containing the tomb of Prime Minister of the Mughal king Shah Jahan.

Ram Bagh: 

Also know as Alasi Bagh (Lazy Garden). Legend has it that emperor Akbar proposed to his third wife, a gardener there, by lying idle for 6 days until she agreed to marry him.

Jaipur

Jaipur’s top 3 offbeat spots are that can be explored with car hire are-

Anokhi Museum of Hand-Printing:


Housed in a recently restored 400 year-old haveli, it offers a captivating display of block printed textiles, tools and images.

Galta Monkey Temple:


A scenic ruin located between two cliffs, it is home to countless friendly monkeys.

Johari Bazar:

Heart of the city, this local bazar displays the ethnic Rajasthani taste and is unmissable for an offbeat traveller.