Uttar Pradesh, also known as the "Heartland of India," has a vast cultural heritage. The state offers a feast for curious minds, whether they are interested in nature or history. It not only has natural beauty, but it also has some amazing man-made monuments. The religious rivers the Ganges, Yamuna, Chambal, Som, Ghagra, Gomti flow through this state. You can find one of the Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh. This state harbors the oldest city in the world which is Benaras. This state is the birthplace of the two most auspicious and revered God- Lord RAM and LORD SHRI KRISHNA which are AYODHYA and MATHURA respectively.
Moreover, this state is also one of the most sought-after religious pilgrimages of BUDDHIST which is KUSHINAGAR. Ramayan and Mahabharata are also based on this state. Words biggest fare which is MAHA KUMBH MELA is also held here in ALLAHABAD (PRAYAGRAJ). It is also known as the sugar bowl of INDIA because it produces sugarcane. It produces 50% of the total produce. The border of the second-largest state is connected with 9 states.
The current Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is Shri Yogi Adityanath. He is in office since 19 March 2017 after the Bharatiya Janata Party secured the 2017 State Assembly Elections and is now serving as the 22nd Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Top 5 cities to visit in Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi
Varanasi also called Kashi (city of life) and Banaras, is the spiritual capital of India and the oldest living city in the world. Varanasi is one of the seven holy cities in Hinduism. It is stretched across a labyrinth of narrow galis along the Ganges' western bank. Prepare to trek on foot and watch some holy cows. Varanasi is surrounded by temples everywhere, but the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most frequented and oldest of all of them.
Sightseeing
You will undoubtedly spend a lot of time sightseeing and watching life happen around the Ganges. Consider awakening early and taking a sunrise cruise along the river — negotiate with one among the countless boatmen hanging out along the ghats.
In the afternoon or early evening, one among the best things to try in Varanasi is to purchase a floating religious offering crammed with fresh flowers and a candle and release it onto the Ganges. The blissful experience will connect you more deeply with Hindu culture and stay in your mind for years to return.
Pilgrimage
Varanasi is taken into account as an auspicious place to die because it is believed to grant moksha or liberation from the cycle of life and death. Spiritually enlightening, the guts of the town pulsate around the ghats, about 80 of which border the Ganges. Be prepared for the sights, sounds, and smells! Don't miss out on the tastiest chaat and lassi. Though, all chaos and noise on the ghats take an interruption before dusk when the Ganga Aarti begins, a ceremony of immense grandeur.
This divine city is additionally a crucial destination for Buddhists. Gautam Buddha preached his first sermon in Benaras, a neighborhood that is now in Sarnath.
Things to do in Varanasi
The holy Ganges River supplies Varanasi with a spiritual charm with dinghy rides and spiritual baths during the dawn is probably one among the best things to try in Varanasi. Due to their religious significance, temples, evening aarti, and ghats at sunset hours feature high on the list of things to try to do in Varanasi.
Varanasi Airport
Situated 18 km northwest of Varanasi, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport provides all the required facilities for the convenience of the passengers. Varanasi Airport is well-connected to the town by cabs, buses, auto-rickshaws,, and prepaid taxi services by the local police.
This was discussed by officials during a virtual review meeting of civil aviation projects in Uttar Pradesh by Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. As a part of the Center’s Digi Yatra scheme, Varanasi was among the four airports chosen for paperless entry through face recognition.
Best time to visit Varanasi
Peak Season
The best time to go to Varanasi is during the winter months (November to February). Although it gets fairly cold during the winters, this is often the ideal time when you can explore the Celestial City without getting tired. The typical cold is around 5°C.
Off-Season
You can plan a spiritual tour to Varanasi any time of the year to book domestic air tickets but remember that summers in Varanasi last long (from April to October) and therefore the temperature generally is on the upper side of 30°C rising to 45°C in peak summers. If you go during this time, do not forget to pack your sunscreen.
Ayodhya
You must have heard of the Ram Mandir of Ayodhya, right? It is the most popular religious and tourist attraction of Ayodhya.
The ancient city of Ayodhya is known by most to be the setting of the traditional Hindu epic Ramayana and is believed to be the birthplace of the God-King, Ram. The town is found at the banks of the Sarayu River and was the capital of the traditional kingdom of Kosala.
Ayodhya was known to be founded by the Hindu deity Manu and is believed to be 9000 years old. It is one of the foremost frequented pilgrim spots and is known for its various temples which are visited by people of different religions, the most important one being the Ram Mandir.
Sightseeing
An environmentally developing city with beautiful gates and ramparts, attractive urban planning with leafy squares and public parks, cosmology-astrology/ Sanskrit/ Yoga universities, the great temples, theatres, and museums, easily accessed by a really fast train from Delhi and book flight tickets. Ayodhya is full of sightseeing places. It is a beacon of all that is magnificent about India.
Pilgrimage
Sprawled along the serene Saryu river, Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the holiest cities of Hinduism and attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. Revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama, as mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana, the city is dotted with temples, some of which are connected to the ghats of Saryu.
Thousands of devotees visit Ram Mandir every year as their pilgrimage journey. After years of inter-communal riots between the Hindus and Muslims for that land, it was decided by the Supreme Court that Ram Mandir will be built there. The verdict took place in 2019 and the ground-breaking rite was performed on 5th August 2020 by the Prime Minister of India, Sri Narendra Modi. It is still under construction and it was said that the temple premises will include deities Durga, Ganesha, Surya, Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiv.
Things to do in Ayodhya
Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi are some of the foremost religious and holy places to ascertain in Ayodhya. Moti Mahal is another great example of unique architecture and is visited by several tourists every year. It has become a special part of a tourist’s Ayodhya tour.
Best time to visit Ayodhya
The weather is usually pleasant in Ayodhya, throughout the year. There are occasional heatwaves and cold breezes during the height of summer and winter seasons. The best time to go is between October to December, both for its weather as well as the festivities.
Prayagraj
Allahabad, now named Prayagraj, is referred to as the city of offerings and is one of the foremost religious cities in India. It is the most important city of Uttar Pradesh and is legendary for being enveloped during a past that boasts of history and mythology like no other.
The city has undergone massive development in the last few years because of its most popular tourist attraction, the Kumbh Mela which is held every 12 years and attracts millions of domestic and international tourists. The annual Magha Mela also attracts thousands of pilgrims to Allahabad.
Sightseeing
Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj is the auspicious spot that marks the confluence of three rivers: the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Each river is revered in Hinduism. The three rivers maintain their visible identity and may be identified by their different colors and qualities: the water from the Ganges is clear, while the Yamuna is greenish, and the Saraswati is claimed to form its presence felt underwater. This is often the holiest point within the deeply spiritual city of Prayagraj, and a dip in the Triveni is believed to free one from all sins.
From Kumbh Mela to Allahabad Fort, from historical marvels to splendid architecture; there are tons of places to go to in Allahabad which can keep you engulfed.
The city is popular as a venue for Kumbh Mela and for housing edifices just like the Allahabad Fort, Allahabad University, and Anand Bhawan which is the ancestral home of the Nehru Family. The town isn't just the house of the Nehru family but 13 other Prime Ministers of India.
Pilgrimage
A combination of history, religion, tradition, sanctity, and architecture, Prayagraj draws the attention of pilgrims and heritage lovers. The town opens the tourists to a world of mythological and spiritual wonders. Situated at the confluence river Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati, Prayagraj holds the world’s largest congregation of devotees i.e, Kumbh Mela which gives an altogether unique experience. Prayagraj is indeed a perfect place to visit in Uttar Pradesh for travelers trying to find a soulful escape.
Things to do in Prayagraj
Prayagraj's life mainly revolves around River Ganga and Triveni Sangam. Therefore, the ghats on the bank of the river bring important places to ascertain in Prayagraj. Going for a boat ride on the sacred waters of Ganga is one among the best things to try, alongside taking a holy dip in the water. The town also offers a spread of dishes from savory chats to aromatic biryanis, and no Prayagraj city tour is often complete without trying out one or more of those delectable delicacies.
Allahabad (Prayagraj) Airport
Owned by the Indian Air Force and managed by the Airports Authority of India, Bamrauli Airport is located 12 km from the town and majorly serves domestic air tickets routes. Allahabad Airport has state-run buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws as the main mode of transportation to and from the airport. The airport construction has been seen in the past five years.
Best time to go to Prayagraj
October to March and November to February are the best seasons to visit Prayagraj.
Lucknow
Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is one of the most important cities in North India. Its history dates back to many years when Nawabs were the rulers of Awadh Kingdom. They were major admirers of literature, art, dance, music, and food, and hence this city was bestowed with an array of cultural treasures.
Today, Lucknow is legendary for its immersive heritage found in rich cuisine, vibrant embroidery, classical buildings, British bungalows, gorgeous gardens, and intricately designed magnificent monuments. The royal culture of this city still exists within the behavior and lifestyle of the people. No wonder Lucknow is known as the ‘City of Nawabs’.
Sightseeing
Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara, British Residency, Rumi Darwaza, Dilkusha Kothi, Husainabad Clock Tower, Amrapali, and Four Seasons Fun City water parks, Aminabad and Hazratganj markets, Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Ambedkar Park, Nawab Wahid Ali Shah Zoological Garden, State Museum, Ram Manohar Lohiya Park, Gomti Riverfront Park, Janeshwar Mishra Park, Chandrika Devi Temple, Fun Republic Mall, Jama Masjid, and Constantia House are the popular sightseeing places of the city of nawabs.
Pilgrimage
Lucknow enjoys wide connectivity with many pilgrimage places of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism Pilgrimage Places.
Things to do in Lucknow
Lucknow features a rich collection of places worth visiting. From old buildings to unique galleries and even food lanes, there are tons of options to explore during a visit to the present city. Aside from the local sightseeing spots, Allahabad, Banaras, and Vindhyachal are some of the important tourist places near Lucknow. Places like Bara Imambara, Chandrika Devi Temple, and Lucknow Zoo are some of the popular attractions within the city that deserve to be added to every itinerary.
Lucknow Airport
Lucknow International Airport is a fully-fledged operational airport, connected with major Indian cities via air. Regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Patna, Ranchi, Kolkata, and Chennai arrive and depart from this airport at regular hours. Lucknow is additionally connected with Dubai, Sharjah, Jeddah, and Muscat on international routes with international air tickets.
Best Time to go to Lucknow
Lucknow is found within the plains of North India which suggests that it experiences the acute side of all the weather. The temperature within the summer season goes up to 40 degrees, the winters are chilly and it rains heavily during the monsoons.
Agra
Agra lies within the western part of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of River Yamuna. Though the wonderful allure of the Taj Mahal attracts people from around the world over to Agra, it's not a standalone attraction. The town offers a trail of fascinating tombs and mausoleums to explore. Acclaimed for its lavish crafts like Pietra Dura (marble inlay) work, rugs, and leather goods, and therefore the luscious Petha, Agra equally caters well to shopaholics and foodies.
Dr. BR Ambedkar made his last, stirring speech in Agra during which he expressed his anguish at educated Dalits taking over government jobs. He asked them to refrain from working as self-seeking government clerks without bothering about the travails of their fellow Dalits. Agra is additionally a center of Dalit consciousness, besides being the town famous for the Taj Mahal.
Sightseeing
Agra is synonymous with the Taj Mahal! Though there is a ‘world’ beyond this magnificent monument which provides immense fuel for sightseeing activities in Agra. There are various places to go to in Agra which will make your tour truly meaningful. These include several buildings, forts, and monuments from the Mughal era with their strong historical heritage both within the city of Agra and within the adjoining suburbs. Agra forms a neighborhood of the Golden Triangle with the cities of Delhi and Jaipur and features a strong fervor of the old with a touch of fashion.
Pilgrimage
Showcasing India's intricate tradition of expertise, and frequented by pilgrims from all around the country, there are many places to go to in Agra that is a testament to the city’s rich heritage. A bustling city with a mixture of individuals belonging to different cultures and religions, Agra is home to a number of the foremost stunning religious structures within the country. From the much revered Jama Masjid to the relatively lesser-known Bageshwarnath Temple, Moti Masjid, Guru Ka Taal, and Soami Bagh Samadhi are a number of the city’s most religious spots that you simply must include in your pilgrimage itinerary.
Things to do in Agra
The Taj Mahal is an icon of India, drawing many tourists to the town of Agra every year. But while most travelers would be wanting to escape Agra's pushy touts and exhausting crowds as soon as they have left the Taj Mahal, you ought to consider sticking around a touch longer.
Animal lovers, take note! Agra boasts two compassionate wildlife projects (the Agra Bear Rescue Center and Elephant Conservation and Care Center) that welcome tourists to find out about several of India's most beloved creatures.
Taj Mahotsav is another reason to visit Agra. Celebrated every year with warmth and zeal, Taj Mahotsav is a 10-day carnival hosted by the Tourism Ministry of Uttar Pradesh to boost India's tourism for both domestic and international visitors. India’s delicious cuisines, traditional attires, stage shows, scenic views, dance & music, arts & crafts are the major festive activities.
Agra Airport
Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Airport is situated 5 km far away from Agra city. Agra Airport is well-equipped with necessary amenities and facilities like a spa, shops, food counters, free trolleys to call. The airport is connected with prepaid taxis and auto-rickshaws.
Best time to visit
October to March: Best time to visit Agra is between autumn and winter as by this time the warmth has ebbed and therefore the weather is pleasant and excellent for sightseeing. Spend a day at the Taj complex ambling through the grounds and enjoying the sweetness of this magnificent monument.
Mathura
Mathura is one of India's most sacred cities, and it is always bustling with visitors seeking spiritual enlightenment. Mathura, roughly 150 kilometers from Delhi, is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and is home to numerous historical and religious attractions. Shri Krishna Janmabhumi is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Mathura, as it is supposed to be the exact area where Lord Krishna was born, and the jail where he was born is now open to the public. The Shri Krishna Janmabhumi also includes a gorgeous temple in addition to the jail.
Sightseeing
What makes this holy place such a famous tourist destination? The reason is simple: Mathura's alluring environment of sacred temples, religious structures, landmark monuments, and tranquil ghats lends it a surreal beauty that is difficult to discover in other tourist sites.
Pilgrimage
Mathura is known for its rich cultural past, which is woven into tens of thousands of legends and myths. It's no surprise that Hindus from across India consider it to be one of the seven sacred cities. Mathura's allure continues to attract pilgrims from all around the country and beyond, even in this modern day.
Things to do in Mathura
Mathura is popular for being the birthplace of Lord Krishna. As a result, it's only natural that most occasions associated with Lord Krishna are commemorated with tremendous zeal in this city. For the sheer size with which it is celebrated, the Holi celebration in Mathura is famous all over India and the world. A visit to the Banke Bihari festival is equally worthwhile.
Best time to visit
The months of October to March are the finest for visiting Mathura because the weather is lovely. Holi, on the other hand, is an excellent opportunity to visit Mathura and experience the unique traditions and customs of Barsana, a Mathura village. Another noteworthy celebration to witness in Mathura is Janmashtami, a day dedicated to celebrating Krishna's birthday.
Final Words
Uttar Pradesh is located in the heart of India. It has people of various cultures and religions where inhabitants speak different languages in the same state and that builds its essence. It is also considered one of the best religious states of India. Uttar Pradesh has seen immense development in the past 10 years under different governments.
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