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| Uttar Pradesh |
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Whether one is on a spiritual quest, or in search of adventure, or just on a curiosity trip, Uttar Pradesh is the right destination. The most populous and the fourth largest state of India, Uttar Pradesh has something to offer to everyone. It is a wealthy state in terms of historical monuments and relics, nature's splendour and religious locations.
This is perhaps the most visited state in the country. Tourists throng Agra to admire the world famous Taj Mahal. The confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, the two most sacred rivers of India, at Allahabad, has been a vital pilgrimage site through the centuries. Lucknow, the capital of the state, is a hallmark of cultural extravaganza, known all over the world for its splendour. Uttar Pradesh also has the oldest living city in the world, which is Varanasi - an important centre of Hindu pilgrimage.
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| GETTING HERE |
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Lucknow, being the capital city, is the gateway for Uttar Pradesh, which is easily accessible through air, road and rail from the other major Indian cities. Many major train routes touch the important cities of the state. Most of the domestic flight operators have regular scheduled flights to the Lucknow airport, which is about 15 kms from the main city area. Almost all the major train routes touch this city. With the two major railway junctions, namely Charbagh and Lucknow, lying side by side, one has a variety of choices for travelling to and from the city. Lucknow is very well connected by a network of roads and road transport to all major towns of Uttar Pradesh and surrounding areas. Delhi is 497 kms from Lucknow, Agra is 363 kms, Allahabad is 238 kms, Dehradun is 582 kms, Kanpur is 77 kms and Varanasi is 300 kms. To travel inside the state, local taxies are easily available.
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| WHAT TO SEE |
The major places of tourist interest in Uttar Pradesh are Agra, Allahabad, Ayodhya, Bithoor, Braj-Bhoomi, Deogarh, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaunpur, Jhansi, Kalinjar, Kanpur, Kapilvastu, Kushinagar, Lucknow, Mahoba, Sarnath, Sravasti, Varanasi, Vrindavan and Dudhwa National Park.
Taj Mahal, the wonder of the ancient world in Agra, is visited by a vast number of tourists every day. Another important tourist attraction in Agra is the Agra Fort. Also famous is a 16th century capital city built by the Mughal emperor Akbar, known as Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. Dayal Bagh is a temple built in modern times that many visit. It is still under construction, and would take an estimated hundred years to complete. The life-like carving in marble is not seen anywhere else in India.
The most sacred places for the Hindus are located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar and Allahabad are all considered to be the holiest cities in India.
The state also hosts a Kumbha Mela (a very large religious fair) every 12 years, in which over 10 million Hindu devotees congregate - the largest gathering of human beings in the whole world.
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About 13 kms from Varanasi is the historically important town of Sarnath. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath after his enlightenment and hence it is an important pilgrimage site for the Buddhists. Also at Sarnath are the Ashoka Pillar and the Lion Capital, both very important archaeological artefacts of great national significance.
Uttar Pradesh is famous for its art and craft. Specific regions such as Varanasi for its saris and silk, Mirzapur for its carpets, Agra and Kanpur for their leather-craft, Moradabad for its metal-ware, Lucknow for its cloth work and embroidery, and the entire state for its pottery are not only famous in India but also around the world.
Furthermore, the legacy of the imperial splendour of Lucknow has always fascinated people from all over the world. The ambience of Avadh has commonly been associated with leisurely habits, etiquette, fine architecture, delicious food and refinement - the residue of Nawabi culture. Over the years, the city has preserved this spirit of bygone days. Exploring Lucknow is a truly rewarding experience.
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