India has hundreds of heritage monuments that attract millions of domestic and international tourists every year. Who among us hasn’t taken a tour of the Taj Mahal (perhaps for the umpteenth time) or boarded a ferry to see the Gateway of India on the way to the Elephanta Caves? There are many ways to see the same structure from a different angle or viewpoint, provided one has the time and inclination. For instance, in 2023, a “Fly Hyderabad” event offered visitors helicopter rides to see iconic monuments like the Charminar, Salar Jung Museum and Falaknuma Palace from above.
If you want to see some of India’s beloved monuments from a different angle, consider the following places for a new perspective.
There is nothing like getting up close and personal with the Taj Mahal and exploring its Indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture. But did you know that one of the best lookout spots to see this symbol of romance is from across the Yamuna River? On the left bank of the river near Mehtab Bagh, the Taj Mahal Viewpoint ADA (which stands for Agra Development Authority) provides a panoramic view of the structure that is often overlooked by many. From sunrise to sunset, visitors can see the golden rays glint off the white marble in the morning and the interplay of shadow and light during twilight.
Other places to see the Taj Mahal within Agra include stays at the Hotel Kamal, the Hotel Saniya Palace Inn, Joey’s Hostel and The Oberoi Amarvilas.
The majesty of the Gateway of India, which was built in 1924, is best enjoyed from the similarly iconic Taj Mahal Palace. However, an underrated viewing spot is the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, a minute's walk away on foot. The seafront clubhouse was built in 1881 and it hosts sailing programs and events, including a “Learn to Sail” weekend session where veteran sailors volunteer their time and expertise to teach the basics of sailing to members and guests. Check out the building’s dining, bar and banquet spaces, and let the views of the Gateway of India and the breeze of the Arabian Sea draw you in.
As one of the top monuments of Delhi, the Qutub Minar has no shortage of viewpoints from where you can look at its fusion of Hindu and Islamic architecture with a drink in hand. Set up in a refurbished 150-year-old haveli, the Rooh restaurant and cocktail bar provides a cosmopolitan experience within a lush green crescent dotted with chic stores that wind around the heritage monument. Enjoy fresh, seasonal dishes with the Qutub Minar blinking in the sunlight.
Then there is Dramz, an elegant space serving European cuisine with a whiskey bar. Its lounge and roof provide splendid city views, which are best enjoyed at night from around 8PM-9PM. The soft lighting contributes to a tranquil ambience that will have you dragging your friends and family along.
This third-longest cantilever bridge at the time of its construction is an enduring symbol of Kolkata. Officially known as Rabindra Setu, after the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, the Howrah Bridge carries approximately 100,000 vehicles daily. Curiously, the structure does not have nuts and bolts but was formed by riveting the whole edifice. One of the top places where you can see bridge is the Bhootnath Mandir, a few metres away on the Hooghly River. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple has a small park that gives scenic views of the bridge and river at all times of the day. Another place to consider is the Hotel Kiaan Inn, where views of a lit-up Howrah Bridge at night will take your breath away.
Directly opposite the Hawa Mahal—a red and pink sandstone palace that is the emblem of Jaipur—are the Wind View Café and the Tattoo Café and Lounge. These two places have outdoor seating, enabling visitors to sip on their coffees and eat their meals while overlooking the honeycomb-like structure with numerous portholes. The best time to visit these places is during sunset, when the dying rays of the sun illuminate the palace one final time. The photographs you take at dusk are absolutely stunning.
The Golden Temple, also known as the Harmandir Sahib, is one of the holiest Sikh sites in the world. Attracting people from all walks of life, including celebrities like Vicky Kaushal, it has four entrances and a circumambulation path around its famous pool. The four entrances to the gurudwara symbolise the Sikh belief in equality and that all people are welcome into their holy place. While there are no restaurants or cafés that provide a view of the Golden Temple, accommodations like 4N Homestay and the Hotel Le Golden have lovely views of the religious site at all times of the day.