India is one of the oldest civilisations in the world with many places that speak of a rich history and several amazing stories of the bygone era. Visiting these ancient cities will help you understand the past and admire their history, and how they look in the present day. These ancient cities were important centres of trade, commerce, art, culture and architecture. History buffs will especially love the vast number of historical facts they are going to discover in these cities. So, here is the list of some of the best ancient cities in India that you must visit right now.

Varanasi

Often called then spiritual city of India, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. It is one of those places that people should visit at least once in their lives. Pilgrims from every corner of the earth come to this holy city. When here, the evening Ganga aarti is one of the experiences that you shouldn’t miss. Visit the different ghat and take a dip in the holy waters of River Ganga.

Ujjain

Located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is said to be over 5000 years old with many fascinating stories to tell. It is also home to one of the twelve jyotirlingas, Mahakaleshwar, the sacred abode of Shiva. The city also has one of the five Jantar Mantars, an 18th-century observatory which was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II when he was the governor of Ujjain. It is still operational and a must-visit when in Ujjain.

Rajgir

This ancient is located in the Nalanda district of Bihar and even finds mention in many of the scriptures of the Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. In the ancient times, Rajgir was an important seat of powerful dynasties including, Mauryans and Pradyotas. It is also the place where the 5th century university of Nalanda was discovered.

Kannauj

Located in Uttar Pradesh, Kannauj dates back to as early as 200 AD and has been an important seat of power for several dynasties. You’ll find here numerous ruins that speak of the past. Today, Kannauj is India’s perfume capital with home to more than 200 perfume distilleries that still uses the age-old method. If you plan to visit the city, make sure to visit one of these distilleries to get a glimpse of the craft.

Madurai

According to the travel accounts of Greek historian Megasthenes, Madurai’s history goes back to the 3rd century BC. This ancient temple town is also an important pilgrimage place for Hindus. Meenakshi Amman Temple is quite impressive and a must-visit attraction here. You will be mesmerised by the fine craftmanship and architectural design of this temple that is hard to find anywhere else in the country.

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