Uttar Pradesh – Where Faith and Culture Come Together

Uttar Pradesh is full of religious places and comprises significant pilgrimage sites for various religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and Christianity. The state is therefore a famous visitor attraction for the devotees of these religions and drives so many of them each year.

Blessed by the junction of the most sacred rivers of India - Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, Uttar Pradesh is a pilgrimage destination that is significant among the supporters of Hinduism.

A notable Hindu temple in the group of many that Uttar Pradesh includes is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country and is devoted to the Hindu God, Shiva, who is revered in the form of Vishwanath, the one who governs the universe. The Dashashwamedh Ghat is situated near the Temple and becomes occupied with people in the evening, locals and tourists alike, who amass to attend the popular Ganga Aarti.

The Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple at Mathura is another significant temple of the state. It is trusted to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna and is an admired place among his followers, together with the nearby places of religious importance like Govardhan, Nandgaon, and Vrindavan. The temple becomes mainly lively during the occasion of Janmashtmi to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.

The district of Gorakhpur is obligated its named after the respected temple of Gorakhnath, a hermit saint who used to travel all over India and write many text that shapes the foundation of elemental principles and values of the Nath community today. The temple now comprises a Samadhi chamber, Gorakhnath's footprints, and his Gaddi or seat where he used to sit and is a significant temple of Uttar Pradesh.

The Tulsi Manas Temple in the city of Varanasi is devoted to Lord Rama and constructed in honor of the Hindu poet and philosopher Tulsidas. The temple has a marble structure which comprises the verses of Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas written on its walls. The stories from the past are also displayed throughout the temple through an collection of pictures, paintings, and sculptures.

The state is also close to Lord Rama's birthplace at Ayodhya, Ram Janmabhoomi.

Uttar Pradesh is an important destination for followers of Buddhism as well. Among the Buddhist circuit falls Sarnath, considered the place where Lord Buddha gave his first lesson after he achieved enlightenment. Sarnath is also significant because of the presence of the Ashoka Pillar and the Dhamek Stupa, constructed centuries ago to honor Lord Buddha. Other significant Buddhist sites in Uttar Pradesh comprise Kaushambi, Sankisa, Shravasti, and Kushinagar.

The state also comprises places of religious significance for the Jains like the Jain Shwetambar Temple at Ayodhya, which is devoted to the first Tirthankar of the Digambar Jain sect, Rishabdev, and has a 31-foot-tall marble statue of him.

Sarnath is important for followers of Jainism too because of its Digambar Jain Temple, also called Shreyansnath Jain Temple, constructed 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 contains 5 Jain temples and also operates as a research center for socio-religious objectives.

Another significant site for the followers of Jainism is Deogarh, in the district of Lalitpur. Next to the banks of the Betwa River are the 31 Jain Temples and Manastambhass, as early as the 17th century. The panels of these structures display images of Tirthankaras and scenes from mythology.

When we talk about Muslim pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh, the Jama Masjid can't be ignored. The Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century and comprises the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, a Sufi Saint. The structure is recognised to be one of the biggest architectural accomplishments of Akbar.

Another mosque constructed by the Mughals is another famous tourist attraction in Uttar Pradesh. The Jama Masjid at Agra is an excellent structure created by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his daughter Jahanara Begum and is made of red sandstone and white marble.

Dewa Sharif in Lucknow's Barabanki district is another Muslim pilgrimage attraction. It is a tomb created in memory of the Sufi Saint, Syed Haji Waris Ali Shah. An annual festival is conducted for 10 days at the site popular as Dewa Mela and involves musical performances, Mushairas, and Kavi Sammelans.

In addition to Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Muslim religious places, Uttar Pradesh also comprises Christian pilgrimage sites like the St. John's Church at Meerut. It is one of the most famous churches in the state and is the oldest church in North India, constructed in 1819 by the East India Company during British rule, glances of which can be observed in their architecture.

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

Other popular Christian pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh comprises 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.

Uttar Pradesh – A Living Legacy of Indian Civilization

The path of the heritage tour is open through the whole of the state, with the capital city Lucknow representing the rich Mughal and British architecture, to Varanasi showcasing a combination of the Nagara style of architecture.

In the middle of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is situated at Agra, Uttar Pradesh. This memorial, constructed with while marble, was created to perfection and was made by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal and is recognised to be the supreme example of Mughal architecture. This remarkable structure was built between 1631-1648 and really stands tall to be the admiration of Uttar Pradesh and India.

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

Closer to Agra, the fort city of Fatehpur Sikri was constructed. Made by the Mughal emperor Akbar, the city was created to admire the Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. The Forts at Fatehpur Sikri comprises the classic Mughal architecture using red sandstone. Famous attractions at Fatehpur Sikri comprises the Jama Masjid Mosque, Buland Darwaza, Palace of Jodha Bai, and the Hawa Mahal.

In addition to being the place where Lord Buddha gave his first lesson after achieving enlightenment, Sarnath is also popular for its historic significance because of the presence of The Ashoka Pillar and the Dhamek Stupa, both essential for being built ages ago.

The old city of Hastinapur is also a famous place worth seeing for tourists mainly for the devotees of Hinduism. Hastinapur finds history in the Mahabharata for being the focus of many events. The city is also admired for Jains as well. It has the Jambudweep Jain Tirth and the Shri Digambar Bada Jain Mandir.

Uttar Pradesh – A Living Legacy of Indian Civilization

Have a great desire for clothing? You are welcome to the capital city, Lucknow, which will leave you amazed for choice with the attractive and detailed Chikankari suits, kurta, and sarees.

When you are in Lucknow, don't forget to check for mesmerizing attars or perfumes that are made naturally and locally. These are organic in nature and long-lasting smell.

Also famous in Uttar Pradesh are the Zardozi embroidered handicrafts and the evergreen Banarasi Silk Sarees from Varanasi, created with great patience and care.

Popular as glass city of India, Firozabad is never going to fail to impress you with its precisely designed glassware of bangles, lamps, and bowls.

Popular for its amazing metalware that is popular worldwide, it will make you surprised - it's Moradabad's brass handicraft.

From Tradition to Celebration – Festivals of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is growing in tourism by organizing international-grade festivals such as the Kumbh and Taj Mahotsav, which helps travelers get to know about the state's great history and culture.

The Kumbh Mela is a significant religious festival for the admirers of Hinduism and takes place every 3 years, following rotation between 4 major cities located on 4 sacred rivers. In Uttar Pradesh, the festival is conducted at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, at the junction of the River Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The devotees, who comprise saints, sadhus, and visitors, take a dip in these holy rivers, which is believed to wash away their sins.

The Taj Mahotsav is conducted by the Department of Tourism and is a 10-day event that takes place in the month of February. The Mahotsav is carried out at Shilpgram in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh and celebrates India's art, craft, and culture through music, dance, and delectable food. Different artists from various place of the country come and show their art during the festival like Bamboo work from the northeast, shawls from kashmir, and more.

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

Uttar Pradesh Cuisine – Rich, Royal, and Truly Nawabi

Uttar Pradesh has lots of flavoursome food to serve on your plate and is perfect to revive you when you get tired while visiting its attractions. Whether you prefer Sattvic food or are into non-vegetarian Nawabi delicacies, Uttar Pradesh never fails to impress. A lot of the food from Lucknow that is famous today has a history in the Nawabs' culture.

For example, the soft Galouti Kabab, Nargisi Kofta, and the Awadhi Biryani are some of the famous foods of Lucknow. Some other delicious dishes of Uttar Pradesh comprises Puri Aloo, Mathura's Peda, Petha from Agra, and spicy Chaat that you can get anywhere in the state. Read Less