Top 10 Lesser-Known Monuments in India that Outshine the Taj Mahal

There’s something almost magical about stepping off a flight in India and realizing the country’s history isn’t just in museums, it’s scattered across its landscapes like breadcrumbs from the past. Everyone’s seen the Taj Mahal, but what about the ancient rock shelters where art predates time itself? Or palaces that look like they were dreamt up by architects with a flair for drama? If you’re planning your next escape, maybe book those cheap flight tickets first, because this journey through the monuments of India isn’t just another travel list. It’s a treasure map.

1. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh

Hidden deep within the Vindhya hills, the Rock Shelters at Bhimbetka are like nature’s own art gallery. These caves, dating back nearly 30,000 years, cradle prehistoric paintings, displaying red and white figures of hunters, dancers, and animals. There’s a stillness there, broken only by the rustling teak leaves and the occasional call of a langur. Few realize this spot is older than most civilizations, yet strangely peaceful for those who secure cheap flights to Bhopal.

Built during: Paleolithic Age
Made of: Natural Rock
Entry Fee: INR 25 for Indians and INR 500 for foreigners.  

2. Belur and Halebidu, Karnataka

The twin temple towns of Belur and Halebidu are a sculptor’s daydream, housing walls carved with dancers, warriors, and divine stories frozen in stone. Built during the Hoysala Empire, these temples are not just monuments of India but poetry written in soapstone. Exploring with all-inclusive Karnataka tour packages only makes the journey more exciting! Every corner gleams under the sun, and the air smells faintly of jasmine from the nearby stalls.

Built during: 12^th century
Made of: Soapstone
Entry Fee: INR 25 for Indians and INR 250 for foreigners.

Discover: A Ghazal to Love: Romantic Backstories of Historical Monuments of India.

3. Chand Baori, Rajasthan

Ever seen geometry get poetic? That’s Chand Baori in Abhaneri, a 13-story stepwell built around the 9th century. Perfectly symmetrical, eerily silent, and dizzyingly deep. It’s one of those famous monuments of India that quietly hides behind the louder tourist spots. In the early morning, the light hits the greenish water below and makes the entire structure glow. Secure the best hotels in Jaipur to feel like royalty right after exploring one of the top 10 unknown monuments in India!  

Built during: 8^th century
Made of: Stone
Entry Fee: INR 20 for Indians and INR 250 for foreigners.

4. Basgo Monastery, Ladakh

Perched on a cliff, Basgo Monastery feels like it’s balancing between heaven and earth. Built in the 15th century, its mud-brick ruins overlook the Indus Valley, with murals that shimmer in the thin mountain air. There’s incense, butter lamps, and that hush you only find at 11,000 feet. One of the rare heritage monuments of India, where time really seems to stop, is only visible if you secure cheap flights to Ladakh.

Built during: 11^th century
Made of: Stone
Entry Fee: Around INR 40.

5. Maluti Temples, Jharkhand

Ever heard of Maluti Temples? Most haven’t, so reserve the best hotels in Jharkhand to be among the few! A cluster of over 70 terracotta temples, each one carved with intricate myths of Durga, Shiva, and Krishna. They date back to the 17th century, yet sit quietly in a sleepy village where goats wander past ancient art. If anyone were to rank the top 10 historical monuments of India based solely on charm, this place would likely sneak right in.

Built during: 17^th and 18^th centuries
Made of: Terracotta
Entry Fee: No fee

6. Kanch Mahal, Agra

No, it’s not the Taj Mahal. The Kanch Mahal, meaning “Palace of Glass,” once hosted royal ladies of Emperor Jahangir’s court. Built around 1605, its red sandstone walls shimmer faintly, thanks to traces of glazed tiles. It’s delicate, feminine, and often missed by those rushing to the marble wonder next door.

Secure reservations at the best hotels in Agra after securing cheap flights to Agra to feel like you’ve stepped into the past of royal balls and extravagance!

Built during: 1605 – 1619
Made of: Plaster and Red Stone.

7. Bada Bagh, Jaisalmer

Bada Bagh isn’t your typical garden. It’s a hauntingly beautiful royal cenotaph complex that glows gold under the desert sun. Built in the 16th century, each chhatri (dome) marks a bygone ruler. As the wind hums through the sandstone pillars, it feels both eerie and peaceful, the kind of place where time folds in on itself. Grab personalized Jaisalmer tour packages to explore to your heart’s content!

Built during: 1746
Made of: Sandstone
Entry Fee: INR 20 for Indians and INR 50 for foreigners.

8. Rabdentse, Sikkim

Hidden amid moss-covered forests, Rabdentse was once the capital of the Sikkimese kingdom (1642–1814). Now, it’s a haunting ruin, wrapped in mist, with prayer flags fluttering above. There’s a trail that winds from Pemayangtse Monastery, which is steep, slippery, and stunning. Hop on cheap flights to Pakyong to marvel at Rabdentse, one of the most atmospheric historical monuments of India.

Built during: 1670
Made of: Bricks and stones

Discover: Think You Know India? UNESCO World Heritage Sites Will Prove You Wrong.

9. Unakoti Stone Carvings, Tripura

Unakoti is wild, literally carved into a forest hillside. The name means “one less than a crore,” and legend says this massive rock faces represent Lord Shiva and his companions, who turned to stone for missing his call. The place feels alive with moss, monkeys, and mystery. You’ll wonder how these giant sculptures have survived since the 7th–9th centuries. To know more, explore with domestic tour packages.

Built during: 7^th to 9^th centuries
Made of: Stone
Entry Fee: No fee, only registration.

10. Kumbhalgarh Fort, Rajasthan

Kumbhalgarh, nicknamed the Great Wall of India. Built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century, its walls stretch over 36 kilometres, second only to the Great Wall of China. When mist settles over its ramparts at dawn, the whole place feels cinematic. Definitely one of the famous monuments in India that still manages to stay under most radar. Explore by securing exciting Rajasthan tour packages!

Built during: 15^th century
Made of: Lime mortar and stone.
Entry Fee: INR 60 for Indians and INR 400 for foreigners.

Don’t hesitate to apply for online visa services for 180+ countries if you’re coming from abroad. Because the beauty of India? It’s not just in its famous monuments of India, it’s in the quiet corners history forgot to brag about.

Summing Up

Forget the postcard clichés, these 10 lesser-known monuments of India whisper history in silence. From Bhimbetka’s ancient art to Ladakh’s sky-high monasteries and Jaisalmer’s glowing cenotaphs, each site feels personal, secret, alive. Perfect for travellers chasing stories beyond the Taj Mahal, this journey mixes history, colour, and chaos with a side of chai and sand-dusted sunsets. Hidden India, uncovered.FAWw

FAQs: Indian Monuments

Which monument is very old in India?
The Rock Shelters at Bhimbetka are around 30,000 years old, making them one of the oldest monuments in India.

What are the 10 famous monuments in India?
The top 10 famous monuments in India are:

• Taj Mahal
• The Gateway of India
• Qutub Minar
• The Golden Temple
• Sanchi Stupa
• Ajanta and Ellora Caves
• Hawa Mahal
• Charminar
• Sun Temple
• Red Fort

How many monuments does India have?
India has around 3,679 monuments and archaeological sites all over the country.

What is India’s most visited monument?
Agra’s Taj Mahal is the most visited monument in India.

Also Read:

• Magic Through the Lens: The Most Instagrammable Places in India
• World Peace Day 2025: If You Think We Need More Peace, Visit These Monuments.
• Friendship Monuments Around the World: Places That Signify Friendship.

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