Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh invited to witness the history and culture of India. The ancient
most states of India, Uttar Pradesh is said to be the founder of India as a
nation. The state has another distinction of being a favored destinations of
tourists all over the world. The history of Uttar Pradesh dates back to pre
historic times, when Ramayana and Mahabharata were written. One of the earliest
civilisations is also found here. Aryans came to Uttar Pradesh and settled here
permanantly. The real taste of Uttar Pradesh can be tasted only by visiting the
state. So visit Uttar Pradesh soon.
Situated in the northern part of India, it has the distinction of being the most
populous state of India. In terms of area, it is the fourth largest, among all
the states. The wealth of its monuments, mystical call of its mountains and
lakes, and the religious fervour that it evokes, have rendered Uttar Pradesh,
one of the most fascinating states of the Indian Union. Whether one is on a
spiritual quest, or in search of adventure, or just on a curiosity trip, Uttar
Pradesh has something to offer to everyone.
Uttar Pradesh offers an
endless array of attractions, to the tourist by way of monuments, health
resorts, mountain peaks, a wealth of ancient temples and viharas, rich flora and
fauna, fascinating rivers and captivating valleys. Agra, Ayodhya, Sarnath,
Varanasi, Lucknow, Mathura and Prayag combine religious and architectural
marvels; Nainital, Mussorie, Ranikhet and Almora are hill resorts of rare charm;
Corbett and Dudhwa National Parks head a long list of wildlife reserves and
sanctuaries; Yamnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund and the Pindari
Glacier, enfolded wthin the Himalayan ranges, offer a combination of adventure,
pilgrim centres and natural beauty.
Getting There :
- By Air: Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is well connected by air with New Delhi, Patna, Calcutta and Mumbai.
- By Rail: Lucknow is an important junction of the Northern and North Eastern Railways. It is well connected with all important cities of India.
- By Road: Lucknow is well connected with New Delhi (497 km), Agra (363 km), Calcutta (985 km), Kanpur (79 km) and Allahabad (225 km).
Fast Facts :
- Area: 2,38,566 sq km
- Capital: Lucknow
- Population(2001 census): 166,052,859
- Principal Language: Hindi and Urdu
- Major Cities: Sarvasti,Vrindavan, Mathura, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Ayodhya,Gokul, Bundi, Lucknow
Tourist Attractions :
Agra :
The Taj at Agra is, of
course, the best place to start with. This superb specimen of Mughal
architecture is a veritable poetry in stone constructed by Shahjahan in memory
of his wife Mumtaz. Located 40 km away is Fatehpur Sikri built by Akbar.
Fatehpur Sikri :
Situated at a distance of 40 km from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri has the mausoleum
of the famous saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. The mausoleum is in the premises of a
mosque and was built during the reign of Akbar.
Lucknow :
Lucknow is a city synonymous with
the Nawabi Culture. The imperialistic splendor and magnificence of the Nawabi
Era has been glorified and eulogized down the ages by writers, poets and
historians alike. At the same time its mystical elegance and amorous ethos has
caught the fascination of many world famous romantics. Known for its Adab and
Tehzeeb (cultural refinement), Lucknow is also associated with its legendary
hospitality, leisurely moods of life, fabled edifices steeped in history,
world-renowned cuisine and exquisite Sham-e-Avadh.
Bara Imambara
:
Built like a fort, this huge
and elegant building is also called the Asafai Imambara. This building was built
in a famine relief program in 1784 by Nabab Asaf-ud-Daulla. The structure took
six years to be completed. Just as we enter the building there is a hall almost
fifty meters long and 17 meters wide. The architecture of this 15 meter high
room is very unique and unparalleled. Here the Nawabs used to hold there '
Darbar ' or their public hearings. It is said that this hall is the worlds
largest arched room without any pillars. The upper part of this building is in
shape of honey bees comb and is surrounded by the famous 'Bhul Bhulliya'. This
has got numerous steps and there are 489 doorless galleries which are similar in
appearance. People get lost in these galleries. The largest of these mazed rooms
and galleries has a speciality that even when a paper is torn on one of the end
sit is heard on the other end. In the courtyard of Bara Imambara is the Sahi
Masjid which stands tall on a platform, non muslims are not allowed here. Just
besides the Sahi Masjid is the bottomless well. The BaraImambara also has the
tomb of Asaf-Ud-Daulla.
Varanasi :
Varanasi is one of the oldest
living cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus, who believe
that to die in the city is to attain instant salvation. Varanasi is the tract of
holy land lying between the Ganga and the Assi rivers. The Assi river also flows
into Ganga. Varanasi is also known as Kashi, the city of light since one of the
twelve 'Jyortinglinga's is installed here. Varanasi has been a great cultural
centre, especially in the fields of music, learning and the craft of silk
weaving.
Kushinagar :
Kushinagar is situated in
the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, 51 km off Gorakhpur. The place, which
is famous for the Mahaparinirvana (death) of Lord Buddha, has been included in
the famous Buddhist trail encompassing Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.
Taj Mahal :
The
crowning jewel of Indo-Islamic architecture, the Taj Mahal is one of the world’s
most beautiful and beloved structures. The monument was built in Agra, India,
for Mumtaz Mahal, the favorite wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Construction
of the tomb began in 1632 and employed more than 20,000 laborers for 20 years.
During the reign of Shah Jahan, the structure was known simply as the rauza, the
tomb. Later, the mausoleum would be called the Taj Mahal, a derivative of the
name Mumtaz Mahal.
Agra
Fort :
Though Agra is more famous world over as the city of Taj, Agra
Fort is another dimension to the city that attracts tourists in hordes. Built by
Akbar in Red Sandstone when he was through with the consolidation of his power
after accession to power in 1654, Agra Fort worked both as a military strategic
point as well as the royal residence. Many of the palaces inside the fort were
later added by next generations of Mughal Emperors like Jahangir and
Shahjahan.Most of the buildings within the Agra Fort are a mixture of different
architectural styles. The assimilation of these different styles has given the
buildings within the fort a distinctive look. For instance, the Jahangiri Palace
built by Akbar is a good blend of Islamic (Persian) and different local Hindu
styles. Other buildings either have a mixed style or conform predominantly to
the Islamic style.
