Tourism in Uttar Pradesh
Embedded in the heart of India is Uttar Pradesh, a land where cultures have evolved and religions emerge. The greatness of Uttar Pradesh lies not only in this confluence, but also in the emergence of cultural and religious traditions along some of the greatest rivers in the Indian sub-continent – the Ganga and the Yamuna. Throughout history, great cities have emerged and established along great rivers. Within India, the Ganga and the Yamuna have nurtured a culture because of which religious faith, rituals, culture and intellectual enlightenment have evolved in places along the two rivers.
Some of the best tourist attractions in uttar pradesh are as follows:
Agra
The land of Taj, Agra has earned itself international fame for being a heritage hotspot in the country. Reflecting the architecture excellence of the Mughal Era, Agra stands on the bank of River Yamuna. The Mughal Empire has endowed Agra with architectural grandeurs like tombs and mausoleums; forts and palaces; gardens and mosques. A creative ground for the art lovers like Akbar, Shah Jahan and even the Lodi rulers, Agra is one such destination that alone brings a great boost in Uttar Pradesh tourism.
Mathura
‘Krishnabhoomi’ or the land of Krishna, Mathura is amongst the most visited places in Uttar Pradesh. The town near the famed Vrindavan is dotted with temples and a sacred Yamuna River flows past it. The entire lined with 25 ghats, which are thronged by devotees at dawn and sunset. Mathura was once a Buddhist centre and the home to thousands of monks and several monasteries, today all that remains of the old sights are the beautiful sculptures recovered from ruins.
Vrindavan
Holding immense religious importance amongst Hindu devotees, Vrindavan is a place where the worshippers of Lord Krishna throng to seek the blessing. Dozens of temples, old and modern, dot the town and they come in all shapes and sizes holding their own peculiarities and stories. Each temple can be reached by narrow winding lanes that are plush with shops that sell worship items and sweets. One thing, one has to be aware of are monkeys, who practically mug visitors.
Varanasi
This religious city in Uttar Pradesh is said to be one of the oldest continually inhabited places in the world. Sitting on the bank of River Ganges, Varanasi is known for its ghats and the winding lanes dotted with temples that come in all sizes and shape. Haunt of Shiva devotees and home to some bizarrely-dressed sadhus, Varanasi is an absolutely a must visit place in Uttar Pradesh. Dasaswamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, New Vishwanath Temple, Kathwala TempleKashi Vishwanath/Golden Temple, Monkey Temple, Bharat Mata Temple etc. are some of the important tourist attractions in Varanasi.
Sarnath
An important Buddhist site in India, Sarnath is a scintillating gem of Uttar Pradesh tourism. Reckoned to be the place where Buddha preached his first sermon, Sarnath is a neighbor of Varanasi city. Later magnified by Ashoka by the establishment of stupas and monasteries, this city became a popular destination amongst Buddhist devotees. It is believed that the site disappeared completely in 12th century but was rediscovered during 19th century by British archaeologists. Today, Sarnath is amongst the most important Buddhist destinations in India.
Ayodhya
The much controversial yet sacred Ayodhya has been an infamous destination in Uttar Pradesh for more than two decades now but the controversy has earned it an ambiguous international acclaim. The birthplace of Lord Rama, Ayodhya besides its controversial site is a great place to take a plunge into the pool of spirituality. The city is dotted with temples and thus makes another apt place to go for temple tour in Uttar Pradesh.
Kapilvastu
Recognized as the Shakya Capital, where Lord Buddha was born, Kapilvastu is an important place for Buddhist devotees. Situated about 27kms from Siddhartha Nagar district, the place has ruins that back to 8th century BC. The archeologists have excavated as many as 14 different layers of human habitat in this region, there are several Stupas found here that were built by Ashoka and the Gupta Kings. Today, Kapilvastu comprises of the several villages like Piprahwa, Ganvaria and Salagarh.
Allahabad
Famed for its Sangam (confluence of rivers) and the Kumbh Mela, Allahabad is an important tourism destination in Uttar Pradesh. The city has been an important part of Indian history and has also been the home of eminent Indian celebrities like Jawaharlal Nehru and Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Allahabad boasts its British era buildings, Mughal fort and tombs and its special ‘red’guavas.
Chitrakoot
A tranquil retreat, Chitrakoot is an ideal holiday destination in Uttar Pradesh. Chitrakoot is also amongst the holy places of India. Legend has it that it was the abode of Lord Rama, his consort Sita and brother Lakshman for eleven years of their fourteen years of exile. Dotted with numerous temples and nature’s splendor, Chitrakoot is wrapped in peace and tranquility that is only disturbed by the sound of chirping birds and gushing streams. Kamadgiri, Sphatik Shila Hanuman Dhara Ram Dhara, Janku Kund are some of the most important tourist attractions in this region.
Lucknow
Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, lies in the middle of the Heritage Arc. This bustling city, famed for its Nawabi era finesse and amazing food, is a unique mix of the ancient and the modern. It is home to extraordinary monuments depicting a fascinating blend of ancient, colonial and oriental architecture.
The Bada Imambara lies in the old city. It was built by the Nawab of Awadh, Asif-ud-Daula in 1784. The complex consists of several buildings. It has a mosque, a labyrinth and a bowli- a step well. The labyrinth, commonly called a maze is one of the main attractions here, it might get a bit confusing to find your way out here with lots of steps, yet people have a great time solving that puzzle. It might become a little difficult if you forget to carry a torch. The Bada Imambara is a great place to see cultural integration in terms of architecture, a Nawab’s care for the people of his kingdom and the techniques adopted to ensure maximum security.
Kushinagar
Kushinagar is an important destination of Buddhist Circuit in India. It is recognized as a place where Lord Buddha breathed his last. Therefore this place is revered high amongst the Buddhist devotees. There are several temples where one can stay, chat with monks or simply contemplate one’s existence in the world. There are three main historical sites, including stupa, which is erected at a place where Buddha is said to have been cremated.