World’s most fascinating tomb attractions

There’s nothing more fascinating than an old and historic tomb or mausoleum, which narrates the tale of its era. Sadly, a number of ancient tombs have been destroyed in natural disasters over a period of time. But what’s left today is equally interesting and will leave you intrigued.

Let’s have a look at some of the most old and famous tombs in the world.

It is among the most famous mausoleums in Central Asia. Shah-i-Zinda (meaning the living king) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, features four-arched domed passages. Legend has it that Kusam ibn Abbas, who was Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, was beheaded here. But he carried his own head to the deep well or the Garden of Paradise, where he continues to live till date.

The Tomb of Cyrus the Great is where the founder of the ancient Achaemenid Empire was buried. The mausoleum is situated in Pasargadae, an archaeological site in the Fars Province of Iran. He lived in the 6th century and his tomb is the most important monument in Pasargadae today. The tomb was looted by Alexander back then and a golden bed, a gold coffin and a table along with some precious stones studded ornaments were discovered.

Set along the banks of the Ravi river, this 17th century tomb belongs to the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The famous mausoleum was built by his son nearly 10 years after the death of his father. It’s a beautiful tomb and a major tourist draw in Lahore.

The Taj Mahal needs no introduction. The monument of love or white marble beauty in Agra was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. It is probably one of the most well-preserved mausoleums in the world.

The Mausoleum of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty belonging from 221 BC to 206 BC was a discovery that left the world all shook! Though the emperor’s tomb has not been unearthed yet, his terracotta army was excavated. Soon, it became one of the prime tourist hotspots in China. Most of the army still remains buried.

It is probably one of the most historic and religiously significant sites in the world. The Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain in the city of Karbala, Iraq has the grave of Husayn ibn ‘Ali, who was the second grandson of Muhammad. His tomb is close to where he was killed during the Battle of Karbala. The tomb is considered the holiest place for Shi‘a Muslims.

Who doesn’t know Lenin? Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow is the current resting place of Vladimir Lenin, a Russian revolutionary and politician. After his death in 1924, his mummified body has been on public display here. Every day, a special team takes care of the corps. It's moisturised, injected with preservatives and kept at a static temperature of 16 °C. Then, every 18 months, the body is treated with a special chemical bath to keep it fresh. Photos or videos are strictly forbidden inside the tomb.

Constructed in 1570, Humayun’s Tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The tomb was commissioned by the famous Mughal emperor Humayun’s wife in 1562. This redstone beauty from the past is one of the prime attractions in Delhi.