Uttar Pradesh Tour
Uttar Pradesh was back in limelight just a few days ago, owing to the grand Bhoomi Poojan ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Once constructed, this temple is certainly going to be one of the biggest draws for pilgrims and travellers alike and will add a feather in the hat of Uttar Pradesh Tourism. Uttar Pradesh is indeed special in so many ways. It’s here that once Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Lord Buddha walked among humans, making it the cradle of Indian mythology and civilization. Uttar Pradesh is such a vast state that many times, in the due course of visiting the world-famous Taj Mahal, the holy Kushinagar, bustling and vibrant Varanasi or the city of Tehzeeb Lucknow one may not realise that all these diverse places are a part of this single north Indian state. A beautiful kaleidoscope of monuments, architectural wonders, pilgrim centres, spiritual experiences and wildlife
AGRA
The city forms part of the popular Golden Triangle Circuit for tourists along with Delhi and Jaipur and also a part of the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc including Varanasi and Lucknow. Agra is a heaven for history fanatics, architecture buffs and foodies, all alike. It’s famous for its Petha and also well-known for its marble artefacts. Agra is therefore among the must-visit destinations in Uttar Pradesh for anyone living in or visiting India.
FATEHPUR SIKRI
A city made of red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri was founded in 1571 by Mughal Emperor Akbar. It’s located at a distance of 40 km. from Agra and is rightly known as the pride of the Mughal Empire. Fatehpur Sikri is essentially a fortified city and had been the capital of the Empire for fifteen years. A unique blend of Indo-Islamic architectural excellence and religious beliefs adorns Fatehpur Sikri.
VARANASI
Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Benaras and considered to be the world’s oldest living city is one of the most famous tourist places in Uttar Pradesh. Being one of Hinduism’s seven holy cities, Varanasi is indeed the spiritual capital of India. While you would find temples at almost every turn in the city, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, is the most visited and the oldest of all.
MATHURA
Being the birthplace of Lord Krishna makes Mathura one of Hinduism’s seven sacred cities and therefore attracts a horde of pilgrims from all over the world, making it one of the most visited pilgrims and tourist places in Uttar Pradesh. Similar to the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, the Yamuna Aarti is one of the highlights of Mathura. The town is flooded with tourists and pilgrims during the two main festivals – Janmashtami and Holi.
VRINDAVAN
Located only 10 km. away from each other, Mathura and Vrindavan are often considered twin cities. One of the oldest cities on the banks of Yamuna, Vrindavan is considered to be one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the devotees of Lord Krishna. Considered to be his childhood abode, the city of Vrindavan, which is located along the waters of river Yamuna hosts hundreds of Lord Krishna and Radha temples scattered throughout.
AYODHYA
Ayodhya, located on the banks of river Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the seven sacred cities for Hindus. Ayodhya plays a critical role in the Hindu epic of Ramayana as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. This religious town is also the birthplace of four of Jainism's 24 Tirthankaras (religious teachers), beckoning tourists with its serene ghats.In 2005, Ayodhya witnessed a terrorist attack at the site of Ramlalla Temple.
NATIONAL CHAMBAL WILDLIFE
Just a 1 hour drive down from Agra, this is a perfect destination for the wildlife enthusiasts. It is a habitat of some of the most endangered species, but the main attraction here are, Gharial, Red crowned turtles, Gangetic Dolphins, Indian skimmers, among others.The beautiful sanctuary is surrounded by the Chambal river, known to be one of the cleanest river of India.
CHITRAKOOT
Chitrakoot, a small town situated in the north Vindhyan range, is located over the districts of Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh and Satna in Madhya Pradesh. It holds great importance according to Hindu mythology and the epic Ramayana. Legends have it that Chitrakoot was the place where Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana stayed for eleven and half of their fourteen years of exile making it a reverred site among pilgrims.
SARNATH
A quiet and spiritual town set amidst the otherwise densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is a city of historical marvel with numerous Buddhist stupas, museums,
excavated ancient sites and beautiful temples that prove to be a source of immense wonder and astonishment to tourists due to their mystical and serene setting.