This place has always been special since time immemorial. A place with so much religious and spiritual significance, memories created during the trip to Uttar Pradesh are going to stay with you forever. It is in Uttar Pradesh only where once Lord Buddha, Lord Krishna, and Lord Rama walked among humans.
The land of Uttar Pradesh is known to have the world-famous Taj Mahal, the holy Kushinagar bustling and vibrant Varanasi, or the city of Tehzeeb Lucknow. A perfect amalgamation of monuments, architectural wonders, pilgrim centers, spiritual experiences, and wildlife, the Uttar Pradesh trip is sufficient to offer a wide range of options to explore and discover the treasure trove.
Here are some of the famous places to visit in Uttar Pradesh:
One of the most famous places of Uttar Pradesh for being the home of the Taj Mahal, Agra occupies the banks of River Yamuna, thereby glorifying it with its presence. Besides, Agra also holds the record of housing two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri). In short words, this place is the present-day mirror of ancient architectural history and the legacy of the Mughal Empire.
The Taj Mahal, located on the right bank of River Yamuna, is spread across an area of nearly 17 hectares. It was built under the supervision of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal with construction starting from 1632 AD and completed in 1648 AD, with the mosque, guest house, and the main gateway on the south, the outer courtyard, and its cloisters were added subsequently and completed in 1653 AD. Artisans from Central Asia and Iran were also involved in its construction as masons, stone-cutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, and dome builders. Ustad-Ahmad Lahori was the main architect of the Taj Mahal.
This man-made marvel is considered to be the greatest architectural achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture. Its uniqueness lies in some truly remarkable innovations carried out by planners and architects.
This is a city that was constructed using red sandstone and was founded by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the year 1571. It is situated at a distance of 40 km from Agra and has received the honor of being the pride of the Mughal Empire. It had been the capital of Mughals for fifteen years and thus, it is considered to be a unique blend of Indo-Islamic architectural excellence and religious beliefs. It is home to the three palaces for each of Emperor Akbar’s favorite wives- one a Hindu (Jodha Bai), one a Muslim, and one a Christian. Jama Masjid- a stunning mosque that is still in use today; Buland Darwaza and a tomb of Salim Chisti among many other famous monuments. It is a must-add-on place to visit during your Uttar Pradesh trip.
It is considered to be a city with historic and mythological importance. Lord Vishnu’s seventh manifestation, Lord Ram, is said to have been born at Ayodhya, as per the epic Ramayana. In addition to its well-known temples as well as monuments, the city of Ayodhya also has a number of sacred ghats that are open to visitors.
Devotees gather year-round in this pious land because of its religious ties, making it a popular pilgrimage site. One of the best places to visit in Ayodhya is the “Ram Janma Bhoomi” which translates to “Lord Ram’s Birthplace”. This location is one of the first seven most significant pilgrimage sites for Hindus, that you must include during your Uttar Pradesh trip. Some other important locations that you can visit during your “Ayodhya darshan” include Hanumangarhi, Kanak Bhawan, Nageshwarnath Temple, Treta Ke Thakur, and Choti Chawni.
People also call this place Sarangnath, Isipatana, Rishipattana, or Mrigadava. It is situated at a distance of approximately 10 km northeast of Varanasi and is known to be the place where Gautam Buddha taught his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. It is also the same place where the Buddhist sangha first came into existence.
Sarnath houses some of the most significant sites that are of great importance to Buddhist pilgrims such as the Dhamek Stupa, the Dharmarajika Stupa, the Ashokan pillar, the ruins of the ancient Mulagandha Kuty Vihara, and the Chaukhandi Stupa. Other tourist attractions of Sarnath include the Sarnath Deer Park and Fish Canal, and the Sarnath Turtle Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre.
Lucknow is considered to be one of the most famous cities in Uttar Pradesh. This place allows us to explore the art, culture, and cuisine of architecture and has successfully preserved its essence of grandeur. Courtly manners, breathtakingly beautiful gardens, poetry, music, and fine cuisine patronized by the Persian-loving Shia Nawabs of the city are well known amongst Indians and students of South-Asian culture and history. Some of the best places to explore in Lucknow include Rumi Darwaza, Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Charbagh, Dewa Sharif, Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Park, and Shahnajaf Imambara.
Formerly known as Allahabad, Prayagraj is the most populous district in Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the four holy cities that play host to the Kumbh Mela, probably the largest human congregation in the world. This holy city attracts devotees, holy men, tourists, and photographers from all over the world. Millions of people arrive here every year during the Maha Kumbha mela which is held at Sangam every 12 years and the Kumbh mela which is held every six years. Some other attractions of Prayagraj include Prayagraj Fort, Ashoka Pillar, Sangam, Anand Bhawan and many more.
Glorifying the region between the Betwa and Pahunj rivers, the historic city of Jhansi has received worldwide recognition for its courageous queen, Rani Lakshmibai who valiantly fought against the British forces during the First War of Indian Independence in 1857. A fascinating light and sound show at the Jhansi Fort reflects the gist of the life of the queen in an eloquent rendition and is a must-watch if you are planning for a Uttar Pradesh trip.
The Jhansi Fort is considered to be one of the landmarks of Jhansi which was constructed under the guidance and supervision of Raja Bir Singh Deo in the 17th century. Some other attractions include Chanderi, Deogarh, Barua Sagar, and Rani Mahal.
The best time to visit Uttar Pradesh is from October to March as the weather gets pleasant with the approaching winters.