The Heartland of India -Uttar Pradesh

On the Northside, Uttar Pradesh has an international border with Nepal. Bihar is to the east, while Madhya Pradesh is to the South, and Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are to the Southeast. Uttar Pradesh is blessed with three world heritage sites- the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri. The Taj Mahal is the most visited destination in Uttar Pradesh. Some of the prominent tourist places include Ayodhya, Vrindavan, Mathura, Varanasi, Agra, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, and Allahabad.

Due to the large number of temples in Uttar Pradesh, it is considered to be the most religious region in India. Some of the prominent and most fascinating temples are- Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mandir, Gorakhnath Math Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banke Bihari temple, Sarnath temple, SankatMochan Hanuman temple, TulsiManas temple, Baldev Dauji temple, and Bharat Mata mandir. 

One can find Uttar Pradesh apt for shopping as the state has some fascinating markets for shopaholics that deal in clothes, furniture, art and handicrafts, and a lot more other items. Many of them are made by skilled artisans locally. These are renowned the world over, and visitors find it very exciting to own them.

When it comes to street food, Uttar Pradesh is considered the most unbeatable, as the streets of Uttar Pradesh have many lip-smacking cuisines that are flavored with rich spices for its visitors, like Chaat, samosas, Pakoras, tunda kebabs, kakori kebabs, Bharwan Chicken pasanda, Mutton Kofta, Bedmi, and many other delicacies. Out of these, some have been invented here in Uttar Pradesh that find customers from far and wide.

Some of the famous fairs and festivals of Uttar Pradesh, which are celebrated with great pomp and show, are the Taj Festival, Barsanaholi, Nandgaon Holi, MahaShivratri, Kampil Fair, Ganga Dusshera, and Kailash Fair. As Uttar Pradesh has seen a mix of cultures from prehistoric times to the Sultanate of Delhi, Mughals, Britishers, and other Asians, one will be awestruck by the varied customs and traditions followed here. The food and handicrafts, too, that can be seen here have a lasting impact on the visitors.

Things to do in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s most culturally rich states, is filled with heritage monuments, spiritual cities, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you love history, food, or spiritual travel, the state offers something for everyone. Here are the 8 best things to do in Uttar Pradesh for a memorable trip.

• Visit the Iconic Taj Mahal in Agra

No trip to Uttar Pradesh is complete without seeing the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Its white marble beauty, stunning symmetry, and romantic history make it the top attraction in the state. Sunrise is the best time to visit.

• Experience the Spiritual Vibes of Varanasi

Explore the ancient ghats of Varanasi, witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, and take a peaceful boat ride on the Ganges. The spiritual energy of this city is unmatched.

• Explore the Architecture of Fatehpur Sikri

Walk through the red sandstone marvels of Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar. The Buland Darwaza, Diwan-i-Khas, and Jama Masjid showcase Mughal artistry at its best.

• Discover the Beauty of Lucknow’s Heritage

In Lucknow, visit the Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, and enjoy the city’s royal charm. Don’t miss the famous Tunday Kababi and Lucknowi biryani.

• Enjoy a Wildlife Safari at Dudhwa National Park

Nature lovers can explore Dudhwa National Park, home to tigers, elephants, swamp deer, and hundreds of bird species. The jungle safari here is an excellent escape from city life.

• Explore the Temples of Mathura & Vrindavan

For devotees, Mathura and Vrindavan offer deep spiritual experiences. Visit Banke Bihari Temple, ISKCON Temple, Prem Mandir, and take part in the colourful celebrations of Holi.

• Discover the History of Prayagraj

In Prayagraj, visit the Triveni Sangam, Anand Bhavan, and the beautiful Allahabad Fort. During the Kumbh Mela, millions gather to experience the world’s largest spiritual gathering.

• Relax at the Scenic Town of Ayodhya

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Ram, offers peace, devotion, and beautiful temples. The newly developed Shri Ram Mandir and the evening aarti on the Saryu River are must-see experiences.

Popular Tourist Places of Uttar Pradesh

• Ayodhya

Ayodhya is also known as the Ram Janmabhoomi, as it is the birthplace of Lord Rama. Ayodhya is located on the bank of the Sarayu River. It is the seven most important pilgrimage sights of Saptapuri. Places to be visited in Ayodhya are Ram Janmabhoomi, Kanak Bhawan, Nageshwarnath temple, Hanuman Garhi, Gulab Bari, and Tretake Thakur. Then there are - Bhuteshwar Mahadev temple, Sri

• Mathura

Mathura is one of the Saptpuris. It is famous as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The place is known for many temples, such as Keshav Dev temple, Banke Bihari temple, and Birla Mandir.

• Vrindavan

Vrindavan is located in the Mathura district. The place is considered a holy city for Hindus. It is known for Lord Krishna temples like Prem Mandir, Govind Devji Temple, Mandir, Banke Bihari Temple, Meera Bai Temple, Sri Krishna Balarama Temple, Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple, Sri Radha Raman, and Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir. The Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is the world’s tallest and most expensively constructed temple in India.

• Agra

Agra is known for the Taj Mahal, which is one of the seven wonders of the world. Agra is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna and is a part of the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc tourist circuit and one of the tourist sights of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit. Fatehpur Sikri and the Agra Red Fort are the other tourist destinations in Agra.

• Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is the finest example of Mughal architecture in India. It is situated in the Agra district. The famous and most popular attractions in Fatehpur Sikri are the Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal, Jama Masjid, and Buland Darwaza.

• Chitrakoot

The premise of Chitrakoot is spread within the borders of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is well known for its religious sights and ancient temples. It has a beautifully constructed Ramghat, Bharat Milap temple, Hanuman Dhara, and Kamadgiri temple to visit.

• Deogarh

Along the bank of the Betwa River is a famous village, Deogarh, that comes under the Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The village is known for its ancient Gupta monuments, which are under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India. There are three other temples: the Varaha temple, the Dashavatara Temple, and the Shantinath temple.

• Varanasi

Varanasi, Banaras/Kashi, is the holy city situated on the banks of the river Ganges. It is famous for the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The other very famous temples are the Durga temple and the Sankatmochan Hanuman temple. The Banaras Hindu University is a famous and Asia’s largest university. The university is residential. Varanasi is also famous for its many ghats. Apart from the aforementioned sights, visitors can visit Varanasi for Jantar Mantar, Ramnagar Fort, Alamgiri Mosque, Parshvanath Jain temple, and Ganga Ghats.

• Sarnath

The city of Sarnath is about 13 km from Varanasi. Buddhist pilgrims visit the holy city of Sarnath, which is situated near the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Varuna. The pilgrims visit the 128-foot-high Dhamek Stupa. Visitors can adore the sights of Mulagandhakuti Vihara and the Ashoka Pillar.

• Kushinagar

Situated at 50 km east of Gorakhpur, Kushinagar is a holy pilgrimage site for Buddhist pilgrims belonging to different parts of the world. Kushinagar has some splendid tourist attractions like Ramabhar Stupa, Parinirvana Stupa, Nirvana Statue of the Buddha, and the Indo-Japanese Sri Lanka temple.

• Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur district is located on the banks of the Rapti River. Gorakhpur city is one of the important cities of Uttar Pradesh and is located in the Gorakhpur district. Gorakhpur is famous for Gorakhnath Math and Gorakshanath temple. Gorakhpur has a 1.35 km-long railway platform that is the longest in the world.

• Prayagraj

Prayagraj is the second-oldest city in India. It has a number of religious sights like Sri Bade Hanuman Mandir, Tomb of Nithar located at Khusrobagh, Kumbh Mela, Triveni Sangam, and All Saints Cathedral. Kumbh Mela is the largest Mela in the world. It is organized once every 12 years. The Triveni Sangam at Allahabad is the confluence of three sacred rivers, the Yamuna, the Ganges, and the Saraswati.

• Dudhwa National Park

The Dudhwa National Park is situated on the Indo-Nepal border of Uttar Pradesh. This national park has several endangered species. The National Park is famous for Tigers, Leopards, honeybadgers, Barasingha, Elephants, bears, Hog deer, and Sloth bears.

• Jhansi

 Jhansi is a historic city and was a princely state. It belongs to the Bundelkhand region and was ruled by the queen of Jhansi. The popular sights for visitors are: the Herbal Garden, Government Museum, Rani Mahal, Jhansi Fort, and Laxmi Temple.

• Mirzapur

Mirzapur is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh. It has a large number of ghats, Ghanta Ghar, Chunal fort, Baba Ashram, Dams, Waterfalls, and natural spots. Visitors can visit the Vindhyavasini temple.

• Sonbhadra

Sonbhadra is known as the Energy Capital of India, as there are several electrical power stations here. Visitors visiting this place will find it worth visiting as the tourists can find some magnificent temples like Jwaladevi temple, Shivdwae temple, Renukeshwar, and Mahadev temple. Tourists can also visit Vijaygarh Fort, Salkhan Fossil Park, and Rihand Dam.

• Bada Gaon

Bada Gaon is located near Khekra. It is an important Jain religious site in India. Bada Gaon is known for the Lord Parshvanath Trilok temple. Visitors can find the Teerth Dham, which is 317 feet high in the Jain temple and is designed in the shape of a Jain Emblem.

• Hastinapur

Hastinapur was the capital of the Kauravas during the Mahabharata times. It is snugly located on the banks of the river Ganga. Hastinapur comes from the Meerut district. Hastinapur is known for Kailash Parvat, the Shwetambar Jain temple, Jambudweep, Gurdwara, and the Hastinapur Sanctuary.

• Lucknow

Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh. It is the largest city in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow is a part of the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc. Visitors coming to this city can find several major tourist attractions to go to, such as Bada Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, La Martiniere School, Hazratganj, and Ambedkar Memorial Park.

• Kanpur

Kanpur is located in Uttar Pradesh, and it is the second-largest city of Uttar Pradesh. According to the Mythology, Kanpur was the town of Karna from the Mahabharata. The place has several tourist spots like Anandeshwar Mandir, Kanpur Memorial Church, JK Temple, Khereshwar Shiv Mandir, Bithoor, and Allen Forest Zoo.

• Aligarh

Aligarh is a district of Uttar Pradesh. It is known as Aligarh Muslim University. Visitors can visit the Academic Museum, which has Indian arts, culture, the history of Medicine, and sciences. There are other places like the Maulana Azad Library. It is one of the largest university libraries. Shekha Jheel is famous for Bird watching, Khereshwar Temple, Teerthdham Mangalaayatan, located at Aligarh-Agra Marg, Aligarh fort, Chacha Nehru Gyan Pushp, and an educational museum.

Where to Stay

Uttar Pradesh's visit will be a comfortable experience for the tourists as several cheap and luxury hotels, resorts, and even heritage hotels are available in the major cities and historical towns of Uttar Pradesh. In more insignificant areas, one may find Dharmshalas for a comfortable stay. One can visit off-season and book hotels and resorts upon reaching the site of their visit. On other occasions, one can book online in advance, which will make one escape from the anxiety of the travel tour.

Best Time to Visit Uttar Pradesh

Although visitors can visit Uttar Pradesh all around the year, it is more comfortable to visit in winter, from October to March, as the weather allows visitors to stroll, loiter, and walk at a leisurely pace in the marketplaces, historical sites, and other sites of interest. It is the ideal time as it is also the season of festivals. One can enjoy Holi, which happens to be in March, and Gokul and Nandgaon are such places to enjoy this festival. Ayodhya is also a destination where the festival of Diwali is celebrated with great pomp and show, as it is Lord Ram’s hometown.

Visitors visiting Uttar Pradesh in December and January can get the opportunity to celebrate Makar Sankranti. People can take a holy dip in the river Ganga during the festival. It is a fascinating experience. Visitors visiting Mathura can enjoy Lath Mar Holi, which is celebrated a few days before Holi in Barsana near Mathura. This festival is the main attraction as ladies are found hitting laths at each man, as it is the custom of this festival. Festivals thus form an added attraction to the visits.

How to Reach

By Air

It is the fastest way to reach Uttar Pradesh. There are two international airports, one in Lucknow -  Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, which is at a distance of about 15.1 km from the center of Lucknow city, and the other is in Varanasi - Lal Bahadur Shastri Airpor,t which is at a distance of about 23.8 km from the center of the city. There are other domestic airports located at Kanpur, Varanasi, and Agra that serve passengers from other cities of India and the passengers of Uttar Pradesh itself.

By Road

Uttar Pradesh is well connected with national and state highways. NH 19, NH 34, NH 30, and NH 21 highways can be taken to reach Uttar Pradesh. One can opt for Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, which pylon all major routes of Uttar Pradesh. Yamuna Expressway can be taken to drive on.

By Rail

It is the most convenient way to reach Uttar Pradesh. The main station is in Lucknow, the Lucknow Charbagh railway station, which is about 3.2 km from the main city. There are other stations in Agra, Mughal Sarai, Kanpur, Moradabad, Varanasi, and other cities in the state. This travel mode is the most inexpensive and quite comfortable too.