Uttar Pradesh literally translates to the ‘north state’. It is indeed the northern jewel of India, attracting hordes of tourists every year to its most famous inhabitant – the Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world. But Uttar Pradesh is home to numerous other attractions too. Each city of Uttar Pradesh has something attractive for the tourists who visit them. Let’s explore at least 10 of the top places you must see in Uttar Pradesh.
Also, before we begin, it’s worth noting here that hiring a guide for your trip might be a good idea to proceed. Local guides are generally well-versed with the area – its culture, cuisine, native language, and best sights in and around the place. They can effectively plan your itinerary for each day depending on how much time you have in hand. This can prove to be highly cost-effective too since you wouldn’t have to spend money figuring out different routes and transport to get to a place. The only thing to remember is that be careful about who you choose to be your guide. You may come across a number of dupes or frauds as well. The best way to get in touch with an authentic source would be to ask your hotel of stay or checkup online on where to find the best guides in Uttar Pradesh before you commence your trip.
Top 10 places of Uttar Pradesh
1) Agra – The City of the Taj, as it’s popularly known, Agra has to be on your list of places to visit in Uttar Pradesh, and that too on the top. For, you can’t afford to miss the mesmerizing beauty of Taj Mahal, the prime attraction of the city. Then there’s also the red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, Mehtab Bagh, Tomb of Akbar, and Chini ka Rauza.
2) Varanasi – The holy city of Uttar Pradesh, it’s visited by tourists from all over the world who come on pilgrimages to Sarnath, Ganga Ghat, and Shree Kashi Vishvanath Temple. It is also commonly referred to as Banaras.
3) Prayagraj – Another holy city situated along with the union point of the three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. It’s a famous pilgrimage site teeming with mythological and spiritual legends. The most famous attraction for pilgrims is the Kumbh Mela which witnesses a record number of devotees every single year. Do attend the Ganga Aarti at Nehru Ghat and Saraswati Ghat also enjoy a boat ride at the confluence in the evening.
4) Sarnath – It’s a popular place in the Varanasi city but commands equal attention as the latter to be noted here as a separate attraction of Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath is renowned for the fact that Gautam Buddha first taught the Dharma here. For this reason, it’s a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Jains alike.
Do visit the Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmarajika Stupa, Archaeological Museum, Ashoka Pillar, and Bodhi Tree under which Buddha attained his enlightenment.
5) Vrindavan – The place where Lord Krishna is believed to have spent his childhood, Vrindavan attracts visitors from India and foreign countries alike. The city is most famous for its splendid innumerable temples, the most popular being the Pagal Baba Temple, Prem Mandir, Bankey Bihari Temple, Govind Dev Temple, Rangaji Temple, and the ISKCON Temple.
6) Lucknow – The capital of Uttar Pradesh, this city is most renowned for its Nawabi era culture, most importantly, the food. Its ancient monuments are worth noting and you may visit some of the famous ones during your trip. Bhul Bhulayyan (Bada Imam Bara), Ghanta Ghar, Shahi Bowli, Rumi Darwaza, and Picture Gallery are some must-visits. Don’t forget to try some delectable local cuisine while you’re here. Your guide might be able to help you suggest some great eat-outs.
7) Jhansi – A historic town, the legend of which dates back to the pre-independence period, Jhansi was renowned for Rani Lakshmi Bai, also popularly addressed as the Rani of Jhansi. Even today, people come in large numbers to catch a glimpse of this ancient town and some of its most popular attractions such as Jhansi Fort, Rani Mahal, Orchha Fort, Maha Lakshmi Temple, and Maharaja Gangadhar Rao ki Chathri.
8) Kushinagar – An ancient town in Uttar Pradesh named after Kusha, the son of Lord Rama who established the city and ruled it in those times. It is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists today and has a number of places to visit such as Mahaparinirvana Temple, Thai Temple, Kushinagar Museum housing the archaeological findings from the era, Ramabhar Stupa, and Sun Temple.
9) Mathura – Like Vrindavan, Mathura too is a famous spiritual site in Uttar Pradesh. You’ll find a number of splendid temples here, most of them devoted to Lord Krishna, the city’s presiding deity. A tour through these temples throws a glimpse into the various stages of Lord Krishna’s life. Do visit the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Gita Mandir, and Sri Rangji Temple while you’re here.
10) Fatehpur Sikri – It has earned the coveted title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located just about 37 km from Agra, the city is easily accessible by road and is a must-visit during your Agra trip in Uttar Pradesh. The whole city is marked by magnificent Mughal structures, the most famous being the Jama Masjid. The mosque’s southern entrance is the Buland Darwaza, one of the greatest works in architecture of the time. The gateway is built in pure red sandstone and has some attractive carvings all along.
To Sum Up
Uttar Pradesh lies at the heart of the northern part of India and is renowned for its historical and mythological sites. There are some which have earned international acclaim as well such as the Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri. Besides, the culture of the place is quite fascinating drawing influence from the ancient Mughal or Nawabi era, which can be quite interesting to learn. Do pay a visit to Uttar Pradesh and seek guidance from your guide in planning an itinerary for you.
