Travel to Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is one of the largest states in India, and in certain senses, the heart of the country. The defining feature of this state is the large, fertile Gangetic plain that has been a cradle of civilization for over 2000 years.

Traveling to Uttar Pradesh is not difficult since it’s well connected to the rest of India by road and rail. The cities Agra, Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow and Varanasi have domestic airports.

Travel to Uttar Pradesh
How to reach Uttar Pradesh
Top cities of Uttr Pradesh
Temples in Uttar Pradesh
Hotels in Uttar Pradesh
Tourist Attractions of Uttar Pradesh

In certain parts of the state it is not advisable to travel at night due to law and order issues.

Accommodation to suit various budgets is available in all tourist spots but like everywhere else in India, it’s advisable to book your room in advance as far as possible.

The best time to travel to Uttar Pradesh is between September and Mid-March. One may need light woolen clothing in December and January.

What is now Uttar Pradesh forms part of the Gangetic plain that has attracted travelers, invaders and settlers from time immemorial.

This has made the region a center stage of Indian history and the relics of many civilizations and empires coexist in uncanny proximity in this state. Some of the places worth a visit are:

• Agra: home of the Taj Mahal the immortal testimonial of the love of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Agra also has a fort built by the same emperor that has unique architectural features such as the stone links embedded inside adjacent bricks in the fort walls.

• Fatehpur Sikri: The capital of Mughal India during its heyday, showcasing Mughal palaces and tombs.

• Sikandra: has the mausoleum of Emperor Akbar

• Lucknow: Capital of modern Uttar Pradesh. Was the capital of Avadh or Oudh, the kingdom of the Nawabs. The Bara (Great) Imambara and Chhota (little) Imambara are two grand mosques that reward any lover of architecture. The Shah Najaf mosque with its exquisite crystal chandeliers is also worth a visit. To complete a visit of Lucknow one must also partake of the delicious mutton kebabs of many varieties available in the city. You should also sample some of the delicate perfumes manufactured here, including one that has a subtle fragrance similar that released by the earth after the very first rains of a monsoon! Lucknow is also famous for its chikan work (running stitch embroidery on cotton fabric) clothing.

• Varanasi: One of the oldest cities on earth, sacred to Hindus for the Ganges and the famous Vishwanathji (Siva) temple. To get a quintessential Varanasi experience a traveler should hire a boat and ride past the numerous ghats on the riverfront, preferably early in the morning. Varanasi is also famous for its opulent silk sarees and pale but richly aromatic paan.

• Sarnath: An hour’s drive from Varanasi, it is the grove where the Buddha delivered his first sermon thereby starting the Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana or the turning of the wheel of dharma. Has an interesting archaeological museum and modern Japanese monastery and study center.

• Allahabad: Known as Prayag, this city is at the confluence or ‘sangam’ of the three sacred rivers are the Ganga, the Jamuna and the mythical subterranean Saraswati.