Uttar Pradesh Travel Guide
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Sightseeing in Uttar Pradesh
The land Uttar Pradesh offers a lot of exciting things to explore – nature or history. It is not only gifted by awe inspiring nature but it is also home to some of the best man-made monuments. All tourist places in Uttar Pradesh are amazing; be it its rich cultural heritage, ancient temples, extravagant palaces or monuments .
Agra
Agra is home to the world famous Taj Mahal. This ancient city has wonderful monuments making you fascinated by the sheer brilliance behind the construction. Here are some top attractions for you to visit in Agra.Key attractions:
- Taj Mahal
- Agra Fort
- Itmad-Ud-Daula
- Fatehpur Sikri
- Wildlife SOS
- Sikandara
- Aram Bagh
- Khas Mahal
- Panch Mahal
- Musamman Burj
- Jama Masjid
- Agra Art Gallery
- Mehtab Bagh
Lucknow
Lucknow is famously referred to as ‘The city of Nawabs’. Lucknow is capital of Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow retains its ancient charm along with the modernity which is quite unique in itself. The city enjoyed the generosity in music, literature, arts and crafts. Given below are some of the important attractions in Lucknow.Key attractions:
- Bara Imambara
- British Residency
- Chhota Imambara
- Lucknow Zoo
- Ambedkar Park
- Hazratganj
- Constantia House
- Lucknow Museum
- Rumi Darwaza
- Chattar Manzil
- Begum Hazrat Mahal Park
Varanasi
Varanasi is also called as “The Religious Capital of India,’since it is one amongst the seven holy spots of Hinduism’. It lies on the banks of the river Ganges, which adds magic to the atmosphere. Given below are the top tourist spots in Varanasi.
- River Ganges
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Sarnath
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Archaeological Museum
- Man Mandir Ghat
- Chaumsathi Ghat
- Ramnagar Fort
- Chunar Fort
- Banaras Ghats
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri, was built by the renowned Mughal emperor Akbar. Its breathtaking architecture makes the city eternally famous. The palaces found here reflect the architectural brilliance of the bygone era. Here are some top spots that need to be visited on your tour to Fatehpur Sikri.
Key attractions:
- Panch Mahal
- Diwan-i-Khas
- Buland Darwaza
- Johbhai Palace
- Lotus Throne
- Khwabgah
Vrindavan
Located near Mathura, Vrindavan and Mathura are considered twin holy cities. Vrindavan is an important destination for pilgrims belonging to Hinduism, as it is associated with Lord Krishna. Temples found here are ancient. Given below are some of the leading tourist destinations in Vrindavan.
Key attractions:
- Yamuna River
- Govind Dev Temple
- Iskcon Temple
- Kesi Ghat
- Bankey Bihari Temple
- Shahji Temple
- Rangaji Temple
Ayodhya
Ayodhya, the ancient city, is amongst the sacred cities for followers of Hinduism, as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. It is also a place of religious significance for followers of Islam as the place was home to Babri Masjid belonging to the 16th century. Given below are some of the important attractions in Ayodhya.
Key attractions:
- Moti Mahal
- Kanak Bhawan
- Hanuman Garhi
- Ramkot
- Treta Ke Thakur
- Mausoleum of Bahu Begum
- Gulab Bari
- Guptar Ghat
- Faizabad Museum
Sarnath
Sarnath is the place where Buddha gave his first sermon. The place is sacred for Jains as well. Excavations conducted here reveal how this ancient city flourished in the past. Some of the leading attractions in Sarnath include:
Key attractions:
- Chaukhandi Stupa
- Sarnath Museum
- Deer Park
- Thai Temple
- Mulagandha Kuti Vihar
- Dhammek Stupa
- Tibetan Temple
Allahabad
Allahabad is an important pilgrim center to Hinduism. The city is located at the confluence of three rivers namely Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswathi. This ancient city, also called as Prayag, witnesses one of the largest gatherings of religious nature during Kumbh Mela once every 12 years. Here are the top attractions in Ahmedabad.
Key attractions:
- Triveni Sangam
- Khusro Bagh
- Allahabad Museum
- Allahabad Fort
- Patalpuri Temple And Akshaya Vat
- Jawahar Planetarium
- Anand Bhavan
Kanpur
Kanpur is the biggest city of Uttar Pradesh and lies on the bank of Ganges River. It was earlier called Manchester of the country. Being a major industrial center, Kanpur is now referred to as the commercial capital of Uttar Pradesh. Some of the important tourist attractions in Kanpur include:
Key attractions:
- Bithoor
- Jajmau
- Boodha Bargad
- Kanpur Gardens
- Shri Radhakrishna Temple
- Jain Glass Temple
- Mecca Masjid
- Allen Forest Zoo
- Agricultural Gardens
Mathura
Mathura is considered the birthplace of Lord Krishna and hence it is one amongst the seven sacred cities for followers of Hinduism. This ancient town has a number of temples belonging to various ages. It was earlier a Buddhist center and was home to 20 monasteries before Hinduism rose to prominence. Some of the tourist attractions of Mathura include:
Key attractions:
- Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir
- Jama Masjid
- Dwarkadhish Temple
- Kusum Sarovar
- Radha Kund
- Kans Qila
- Mathura Museum
- Raja Bharatpuras Palace
- Govardhan Hill
Kushinagar
Kushinagar is a popular Buddhist pilgrim center and here Lord Buddha made his last sermon. The place finds a place in Hieun Tsang’s travelogues as well. Here are the top attractions of Kushinagar.
Key attractions:
- Sun Temple
- Mahaparinirvana Temple
- Kushinagar Museum
- Ramabhar Stupa
- Chinese Temple
- Wat Thai Temple
- Pawanagar
Jhansi
This historic city is situated on Pahujor Pushpavati riverbanks. Given below are some of the tourist attractions in Jhansi.
Key attractions:
- Jhansi Fort
- Rani Mahal
- Government Museum
- Chirgaon
- Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Ki Chatri
- Parichha
Meerut
Meerut is an ancient city and many of its historical buildings date back to the era of the Indus Valley Civilization. Meerut saw its rise under the rule of the Mughals and was a prominent site during the 1857 revolt. The place is considered to be an important historical town and has plenty of monuments and memorials that can be visited.
Aligarh
Aligarh is also known as Koil, or Kol. Aligarh is also one of the most significant commercial and educational centers of India.Famous for ‘Locks’, the city of Aligarh is a historical city in Uttar Pradesh. The city is famous for being the ground for the famous battle of Aligarh which involved the British takeover of the Aligarh fort from the Maratha Confederacy. The city’s famous Aligarh fort is thus a must visit. The city is also famous for the various tombs of the Muslim saints. The Aligarh Muslim University is a famous college established in 1875-78. There are also various marketplaces in this city and should definitely be visited.
Shopping in Uttar Pradesh
With its rich cultural heritage, Uttar Pradesh offers a wide variety of items for shopping.
The items to be shopped are clothes, embroidery, jewellery, footwear, fashion accessories, handicraft items, leather items, cane and wooden furniture, metalware, stone ware, clay items, handloom items, carpets, glass items, gift items, sweets and other edible items.
The major shopping centres for exclusive items are:
- Varanasi: Banarsi sarees, embroidery, handicraft items, carpets, sweets
Banarsi Sari : Varanasi is best known for its Banarasi sari. There are some popular areas in the city where you can buy the best of silk saris like peelikothi area of Varanasi and the whole sale shops in Thateri bazar. Here you can find the best saris with best prices.
Hand Knotted Carpets :. One can buy beautiful hand knotted carpets from here which are available in different patterns, colors and sizes. Mirzapur is the place where you’ll find the best hand knotted carpets in the city.
Sweets : Lal Peda is the specialty of this city. There are variety of sweets available in the markets which will definitely satisfy your taste buds.
Gulabi Minakari :Gulabi Minakari is an unknown art of Varanasi. Minakari on silver and golden metals especially on silver is done in Gujarat or Rajasthan but Gulabi Minakari is what found in Varanasi only.
- Lucknow : Chikan embroidery, jewellery, fashion accessories, perfumes, kababs, sweets
The city is quite famous for its traditional chikan embroidery work, which attracts travellers from all across the country. Apart from chikan work, the royal city is also renowned for its exquisite jewellery pieces and ittar (perfume). A visit to Lucknow’s most famous shopping hubs such as Aminabad, Janpath, Chowk, Gadbadjhala and Alambagh, is guaranteed to be a memorable experience in more ways than one. Some of the best places to go shopping in Lucknow include Alambagh Market, Nakhas Market, Chowk, Janpath Market, and Aminabad among other places.
- Mathura: Handicraft items, souvenirs, sweets
Sweets : Their most famous offering is the traditional Mathura Ke Pede, a local delicacy made of khoya (made by thickening milk).
- Bareilly: Cane and wooden furniture
Bareilly is very famous for its Zari and Zardosi, Surma, Patang Manjha, Cane & wooden furniture. There are many famous markets like Kutub Khana, Butlar Plaza, Model Town where one can find a large variety of items to shop for.
- Moradabad: Brassware, metalware
Moradabad offers some of the best works of Copper and Bronze in the world. Apart from Copper, Moradabad is also famous for its Wrought-Iron items. These include furniture, decorative, Lamp-sheds and vase. The main market in Moradabad is Peetal Mandi.
- Khurja: Clay items, pottery
Khurja is now famous for its ceramics. With over 500 factories producing ceramic works, its skyline is dotted with chimneys.
- Agra: Handicraft items, leather goods, stone ware
Agra is one of the largest markets for embroidery and textiles. Most of the major shopping complexes are situated near the Taj Mahal, the most famous ones being Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Munro Road.
- Ferozabad:Glassware, bangles
Firozabad is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the centre India’s glassmaking industry and is known for the quality of the bangles produced there.
- Kannauj: Perfumes, attar
Kannauj is known as the perfume capital of India. In this age of technology, the perfume industry at Kannaujhas retained its culture. It uses the traditional method of manufacturing ‘attar’, as it is locally called.
- Kanpur:Leather items, furniture
Kanpur is a largest city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The city is famous for its leather and textile industries.It is now one of the major industrial cities with aviation, wool and leather industries, cotton, flour and vegetable oil mills, sugar refineries and chemical works.
- Prayagraj: Handicraft items, sweets
Exotic looking brassware, rare artifacts and antique pieces are few souvenirs which entices you to buy them immediately. One can check out popular shops like New Green Sweet House, Sulaki’s, Chandra Sweets, Chhappan Bhog, Netram Moolchand Agarwal among others.
Uttar Pradesh Cuisine
Uttar Pradesh food has been greatly influenced by Mughal cooking techniques. The Awadhi and Mughlai cuisine of Uttar Pradesh bears similarities of Kashmir and Punjab due to common influence of the Mughal rule.
- Batti Chokha
This dish most liked one in the area of eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is an authentic dish comprising of a wheat baati, and chokha which is made of mashed potatoes, brinjal, and tomatoes. The battis are baked in mud ovens which give it a unique aroma and taste.
- Bedhai
It is a famous dish in the areas of Agra, Firozabad, and Mathura. The crispy, deep-fried wheat chapattis (puri), with spicy curry based potato sabzi.
- Pedha
The city of Mathura and Vrindavan, is known for its sweet delicacy. They are made of mawa with cardamom or saffron.
- Petha
It is another famous delicacy of Agra. It is made of pumpkin. A wide range of flavors are available for this delicacy like chocolate, kesar, paan, etc.
- Tehri
The finest of all basmati rice is used to make this dish. Varieties of vegetables are cooked with the rice with different spices.
- Baigan Ki Longe
This is a special dish. The brinjal is sliced from between and filled with masala.
- Galaouti Kebabs
It’s the most famous dish of the city of Nawabs. The minced meat is mixed with spices and baked on a tava.The specialty of this dish is that it will melt down as soon as you keep it in your mouth.
- Bhindi Ka Salan
The crispy fried ladyfinger is an authentic Awadhi cuisine, and enjoyed by every other person.
- Malpua
It is a sweet dessert of Uttar Pradesh. It is a deep fried maida puri, soaked in cardamom flavored sugar syrup.
- Dum Aloo
The crispy fried potatoes are soaked in thick gravy, and is made out of various spices.
- Chaat
This is a favorite street food of Uttar Pradesh. It consists of an enormous variety of flavors, with various toppings and masala. The samosa chaat, aloo tikki chaat, matar chaat are the most known among the wide variety.
- Aloo Puri
This is most liked breakfast choice of Uttar Pradesh people. As the name tells, the dish is the combination of crispy and spicy aloo sabzi with deep fried wheat chapattis.
- Bedmi
Bedmi is the deep fried maida puri stuffed with urad dal and masala. The bedmi can be enjoyed with chutney or with any curry based dish.
- Revari
This is a sweet delicacy. It is made out of white til. It is a small and healthy sweet. It is usually available in winters.
- Kebab Parantha
It was a considered as a royal dish in past years, is a favorite evening time snack. The veg or non-veg kebabs are being rolled in a parantha with green chutney and sliced onion.
- Kofta
This dish is available in both veg and non-veg cuisine. It is a curry based dish with meat or vegetable made balls soaked in it. The spices added to its curry make a great combination.
- Biryani
It is an Awadhi cuisine and also known as non-veg pulao. The rice is cooked with different spices and meat. The spices provide drooling taste and aroma to the rice and meat.
- Gujiya
It’s an important part of the festival of colors “Holi.” The maida flour chapattis are filled cardamom flavored mawa and dry fruits, and deep fried.
- Fara
It is a rarely known dish to people of other states. It is made out of rice flour stuffed with urad or moong dal. It is cooked in steam and served green chutney. It is a healthy and delicious dish.
- Kulfi
It is a famous dessert which is usually enjoyed in summers. It is made of churned milk, flavored with cardamom and saffron, and mixed with dry fruits. The kulfi is served with white or saffron colored faluda.
Interesting Facts of Uttar Pradesh
Agra: It houses Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place of his beloved wife Mumtaz.
Varanasi: It is one of the world’s oldest living cities. Old temples, Hindu monks, and the ghats of the holy river Ganges are the major attractions of the place.
Sarnath: Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon here. This place is close to Varanasi.
The colour changing Parijaat Tree : Known for its flower that changes colour Parijaat is said to have brought from The Heaven.
Shiv Nagar become Snapdeal.com nagar after Snapdeal installed 15 Hand Pumps saving The Villagers, long walks for water.
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