Uttar Pradesh Tourism

Uttar Pradesh showcases itself as a mega state destination with acres and acres of wide farming fields, historical Hindu temples on the bank of flowing rivers, and towns and cities with narrow lanes where rich culture abides. This state has the world's oldest cities and the iconic Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh in North India is a vacation destination you do not wish to pass by 

 

A clear example of diversity, Uttar Pradesh welcomes you to a land of history, culture, art, and traditions. This 4th largest state in India spreads over an area of 240,929 sq km and is a mix of cultures that it displays proudly and attracts tourists from all over the globe.

 

Uttar Pradesh has lot to offer than the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. This destination home to numerous significant Hindu temples, Muslim Dargahs and Masjids as well as Christian pilgrimage destinations and ancient architecture, culture and wholesome yoga meditation sites.

 

Region : North India

Capital : Lucknow

Coordinate: 27.5706° N, 80.0982° E

Geographical Area 240,929 square kilometers

Total Districts :75

Religion Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain

Languages Spoken Hindi, Urdu, English

State Animal : Barasingha (Swamp Deer)

State Bird : Palash (Butea monosperma)

State Tree : Ashoka (Saraca asoca)

State Dance :Kathak

State Game: Field Hockey

Major Tourism Cities in Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Kaushambi,Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan, Kapilvastu, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Jhansi, Varanasi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow.

Major Tourist Attractions in Uttar Pradesh: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, St. John's Church, Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Digambar Jain Temple, Sarnath, Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara, Dudhwa National Park, Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

 

 

Uttar Pradesh Spiritual Tourism : Uttar Pradesh is abundant with religious places and has important spiritual sites for religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and Christianity. The state is therefore a popular point of interest for the devotees of these religions and attracts a number of tourist every year.

Blessed with the confluence of the sacred most rivers of India - Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, Uttar Pradesh is a pilgrimage destination that is important among the followers of Hinduism.

 

Famous Hindu temple in Uttar Pradesh is Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas among the country and is dedicated to the Hindu God, Shiva who is worshiped in the form of Vishwanath, the administrator of the universe. The Dashashwamedh Ghat is located near the Temple and becomes crowded with people in the evening, locals and tourists alike who gather to attend the popular Ganga Aarti.

 

Mathura the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple is another important temple of the state. This is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and is a famous place among his followers along with the nearby places of religious significance such as Govardhan, Nandgaon, and Vrindavan. The temple becomes vibrant during the occasion of Janmashtami to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.

 

Gorakhpur owes its name to the revered temple of Gorakhnath, an ascetic saint who used to travel all over India and write many texts that form the basis of foundational principles and values of the Nath community today. The temple now contains a Samadhi chamber, Gorakhnath's footprints, and his Gaddi or seat where he used to sit and is a prominent temple of Uttar Pradesh and also connect with the border country of Nepal.

 

The Tulsi Manas Temple in the city of Varanasi is dedicated to Lord Rama and built in honor of the Hindu poet and philosopher, Tulsidas. The temple is a marble structure with verses of Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas written on its walls. The stories from the epic are also depicted throughout the temple through an ensemble of pictures, paintings and sculptures.

 

 

Uttar Pradesh is an famous tourist location for followers of Buddhism as well. Among the Buddhist circuit falls Sarnath, being the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after he attained enlightenment. Sarnath is also important due to the presence of The Ashoka Pillar and the Dhamek Stupa, built centuries ago to honor Lord Buddha. Other prominent Buddhist sites in Uttar Pradesh include Kaushambi, Shravasti, Sankisa, and Kushinagar.

 

The state also houses places of religious importance for the Jains such as the Jain Shwetambar Temple at Ayodhya, which is dedicated to the first Tirthankar of the Digambar Jain sect, Rishabdev and has a 31 feet tall marble statue of him.

 

Sarnath is significant for followers of Jainism too for its Digambar Jain Temple, also called the Shreyansnath Jain Temple, built in honor of the 11th Jain Tirthankara Shreyansnath.

 

In the Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh there is the Teerthdham Mangalayatan, a Jain pilgrimage complex which houses 5 Jain temples and also functions as a research center for socio-religious purposes.

 

Other popular site for the followers of Jainism is Deogarh, in the district of Lalitpur. Along the banks of the Betwa River lie the 31 Jain Temples and Manastambhas, dating up to the 17th century. The panels of these structures showcase images of Tirthankaras and scenes from mythology.

 

When it comes to Muslim pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh, Jama Masjid comes to mind. The Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century and has the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, a Sufi Saint. The structure is considered to be one of the finest architectural achievements of Akbar.

 

Another mosque built by the Mughals i.e., a popular tourist attraction in Uttar Pradesh. The Jama Masjid at Agra is a beautiful structure built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his daughter Jahanara Begum and is made of red sandstone and white marbles.

 

Dewa Sharif at Lucknow's Barabanki district is another Muslim pilgrimage site. It is a tomb erected in memory of the Sufi Saint, Syed Haji Waris Ali Shah. Every Year festival is held for 10 days at the site known as the Dewa Mela and includes musical performances, Mushairas, and Kavi Sammelans.

 

Apart from Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Muslim religious places, Uttar Pradesh also has Christian pilgrimage sites such as the St. John's Church at Meerut. It is one of the most popular churches of the state and is the oldest church in North India, made in 1819 by the East India Company during British rule, glimpses of which can be seen in their architecture.

 

Another popular church in Uttar Pradesh is the St. George's Cathedral at Agra. It is yet another church built by the Britishers and was constructed in 1828. This Anglican church was made for the British population who resided in this part of the country. The cathedral has commemorations remembering the British soldiers who died during battle while in India.

 

Other popular Christian pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh include the Lalbagh Methodist Church at Lucknow, All Saints Garrison Church also at Lucknow, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Graces at Sardhana in Meerut.

 

The most progressive state, Uttar Pradesh is expanding on its already existing infrastructure. Well-connected by road, rail and air, and thus, reaching any tourist destination is fairly easy. Actually rail and road remain the best way to reach Uttar Pradesh. Most part of the state is easily accessible through state and national highways along with good rail connectivity. The air connectivity is also good in the state with a total of 2 International airports and at least 4 more functional domestic airports and many more proposed for the near future.

 

By Air :The international airports in Uttar Pradesh are Chaudhary Charan Singh Aiport in Lucknow and Lal Bahadur Shashtri Aiport in Varanasi. Apart from them, there are domestic airports in Gorakhpur, Agra, Jhansi, Meerut, Prayagraj (Allahabad), and Kanpur.

 

By Train : This is the best way to reach Uttar Pradesh is by railways. With a total of more than 430 functional railway stations in the state, reaching tourist destinations in the state via train is easy. The biggest railway stations in the state are Lucknow, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Kanpur, Varanasi, Meerut, Jhansi, Agra, and Mathura.

 

 

By Road : One of the easiest ways to reach Uttar Pradesh is via roads. There are several National Highways and expressways in the state like Yamuna Express Way, Agra Expressway, NH 19, NH 34, NH 30 and NH 21. The state highways are also well-maintained and Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation operates buses with all  major routes in the state.

 

The avenue of heritage tour is open across the length and breadth of the state with the capital city Lucknow reflecting the rich Mughal and British architecture to Varanasi showcasing a meld of Nagara style of architecture.

 

Among the wonders of the world, The Taj Mahal resides at Agra, Uttar Pradesh. This mausoleum made with white marble is crafted to perfection and was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal and is considered to be the finest example of Mughal architecture. This beautiful structure was constructed between 1631-1648 and truly stands to be the pride of Uttar Pradesh and India.

 

The Agra Fort is another heritage site in Uttar Pradesh's Agra. It used to be the main residing place for the Mughal emperors till 1638 when they shifted the capital to Delhi from Agra. The fort, made of red sandstone, is built like a walled city and is located at a distance of 2.5 kilometers from the Taj Mahal.

 

At a distance from Agra, is built the fort city of Fatehpur Sikri. Constructed by the Mughal emperor Akbar, the city was made to honor the Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. The forts at Fatehpur Sikri are made in the classic Mughal architecture using red sandstone. Popular attractions at Fatehpur Sikri include the Jama Masjid Mosque, Buland Darwaza, Palace of Jodha Bai, and the Hawa Mahal.

 

Along with being the site where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, Sarnath is also known for its historic importance due to the presence of The Ashoka Pillar and the Dhamek Stupa, both important for being built centuries ago.

 

The ancient city of Hastinapur is also a popular point of interest for tourists especially for the devotees of Hinduism. Hastinapur finds mention in the Mahabharata for being the center of many events. The city is also revered for Jains as well. It has the Jambudweep Jain Tirth and the Shri Digambar Bada Jain Mandir.

 

If you have interest in the cloths then visit the capital city of Lucknow for all the intricate designs and embroidery  A warm welcome to the capital city, Lucknow will leave you spoilt for choice with the beautiful and intricate Chikankari suits, kurta, and sarees.

 

So when you go for shopping in Lucknow, make sure to check out the soothing attars or perfumes that are made locally. These are organic in nature and long shelf life.

 

Other famous thing in Uttar Pradesh are the Zardozi embroidered handicrafts and the ever gorgeous Banarasi Silk Sarees from Varanasi, crafted with utmost patience and care.

 

The glass city of India, Firozabad is sure to enchant you with its intricately designed glassware of bangles, lamps, and bowls.

 

Known for its exquisite metalware that is famous worldwide, you will get attracted with Moradabad's brass handicraft.

 

The state of Uttar Pradesh is also abundant in wildlife and encompasses wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that are home to a variety of flora and fauna. Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary and Okhla Bird Sanctuary are amongst the top wildlife destinations in Uttar Pradesh.

 

The Dudhwa National Park is a Tiger Reserve located in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, along the Indo-Nepal border. The park is home to Tigers, Rhinoceros, Elephants, Swamp Deer, Porcupines, etc. and has over 450 species of birds.

 

The Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the Chambal river includes endangered species of gharial or small crocodiles, red-crowned roof turtles and the Ganges river dolphin and is situated across the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,and Uttar Pradesh which manage the sanctuary together.

 

Uttar Pradesh is stretching its outreach its tourism by hosting international level festivals like the Kumbh and Taj Mahotsav, which helps travelers learn about the state's rich history and culture.

 

The Kumbh Mela is religious festival for the devotees of Hinduism and happens every 3 years rotating between 4 pilgrim cities situated on 4 sacred rivers. In Uttar Pradesh the festival takes place at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, at the confluence of Rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The attendees, ascetic saints, sadhus, and visitors, take a dip in these holy rivers, which is believed to wash away their sins.

 

The Taj Mahotsav is organized by the Department of Tourism and is a 10 day affair that takes place in the month of February. The Mahotsav is held at Shilpgram in the Agra district of Uttar Pradesh and celebrates India's art, craft and culture through music, dance and delicious food. Artisans from all over the country display their craft during the festival such as Bamboo work from the northeast, delicate shawls from Kashmir, and brassware from Moradabad.

 

Other important festivals that are celebrated in Uttar Pradesh include Dussehra, Ganga Mahotsav, Chhat Puja, Holi, and Buddha Purnima.

 

Uttar Pradesh also has delectable cuisine to offer which is perfect to revive your energy when you get tired taking in its beauty. Whether you want to indulge in Sattvic food or enjoy non-vegetarian Nawabi delicacies, Uttar Pradesh has it all. A lot of the food from Lucknow that is popular today has roots in the Nawabi culture.

 

For example, the melt-in-mouth Galouti Kabab, Nargisi Kofta, and the Awadhi Biryani are some of the popular foods of Lucknow. Other popular dishes of Uttar Pradesh include Puri Aloo, Mathura's Peda, Petha from Agra, and chatpati Chaat that you can find throughout the state.

 

More of a mouth freshener than an appetizer, the Banarasi Paan is also something that the people of Uttar Pradesh love, and therefore requires special mention.

 

 

Uttar Pradesh is a colorful land filled with ancient culture, spirituality, and good food. The state is a mixture of the various cultures that existed in it at some point of time, prominent ones whose remnants can still be found today include the Awadh and the Mughal culture. You can visit Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi if you are looking for a spiritual experience and relax along the Ghats of river Ganges or explore the city of Agra, once a Mughal capital.

 

The most popular tourist attractions in Uttar Pradesh are Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Varanasi and its Ghats, Mathura-Vrindavan, Ayodhya and Sarnath.

 

The best time to visit Uttar Pradesh is between the months of October and March when the weather is colder and pleasant and is the peak season for tourism in the state.

 

The top heritage sites to visit in Uttar Pradesh are Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Hastinapur, and Sarnath.

 

To travel within the state, trains are ideal since Uttar Pradesh has a good network of railway lines. Within the cities of Uttar Pradesh, you can either take up a taxi or the local auto-rickshaws.

 

Kumbh Mela, Taj Mahotsav, Dussehra, Ganga Mahotsav, Chhat Puja, Holi, and Buddha Purnima are the top cultural festivals of Uttar Pradesh.

 

-Which are the famous shopping markets for tourists in Uttar Pradesh ?

Uttar Pradesh will not disappoint the shopaholic in you. Some of the popular markets in the state include the markets of Aminabad and Hazratganj of Lucknow for your traditional Chikankari clothing, Sadar Bazar of Agra, and the Golghar, Godowlia, and Chowk markets of Varanasi.

 

Pilgrimage destinations in Uttar Pradesh include the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Gorakhnath Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Ayodhya for followers of Hinduism.

 

Sarnath, Kaushambi, Sankisa, Shravasti, and Kushinagar are significant for followers of Buddhism.

 

Jain Shwetambar Temple, Digambar Jain Temple, Teerthdham Mangalayatan, and the Jain Temples at Deogarh are important for Jain devotees.

 

Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, Jama Masjid at Agra, and Dewa Sharif at Lucknow are important pilgrimage sites for Muslims.

 

For the followers of Christianity the St. John's Church, St. George's Cathedral, Lalbagh Methodist Church, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Graces at Sardhana hold importance.

 

Uttar Pradesh's cuisines are a mix of Sattvic and Nawabi cuisine such as the Galouti Kabab, Nargisi Kofta, Awadhi Biryani, Puri Aloo, Mathur's Peda, Agra's Petha, and the sweet and salty Chaat, along with the Banarasi Paan.

 

- What are the top places for wildlife tours in Uttar Pradesh ?

The state is also abundant in wildlife and encompasses wildlife sanctuaries and national parks such as the Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary and Okhla Bird Sanctuary, housing a variety of wildlife like Tigers, Rhinoceros, Crocodiles, Swamp Deer, etc.

 

The climate of Uttar Pradesh is generally defined as tropical monsoon type and has the seasons of summer, monsoon and winter. Summer season occurs during the months of March and May, monsoon through June to September, and October to February is winter. The winter temperatures can drop to 3-4 degree Celsius whereas temperatures can reach sometimes up to 47 degrees during the summer!