UTTAR PRADESH

• 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.

• 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.

• Lucknow

  

  This capital city of Uttar Pradesh truly has royal touch to it. Apart from the posh bungalows of politicians, majestic Vidhan Sabha and beautiful railway station, Lucknow is a perfect example of Awadh’s pride. Lucknow has the reputation of proffering finger licking good Awadhi cuisine, whose aroma fills the air and satisfies the soul of any food lover. The capital is growing up from being a reflection Mughal and architecture to a cosmopolitan city with each newly opening bar and lounge, better roads and massive parks.