Uttar Pradesh – Mini India

Uttar Pradesh is India's largest state in terms of population, bordering Delhi and Rajasthan to the west, Madya Pradesh to the south, Bihar to the east and Nepal & China to the north. Located on the fertile Gangetic Plains, it is home to millions; while all important religions have places of worship.

Standing on the banks of the meandering Yamuna river in Agra (Uttar Pradesh) since 1644, the Taj Mahal has witnessed dyna sties rise and fall. Conceived in 1622 by Emperor Shah Jahan, it took all of 22 years and over 20,000 artisans, masons, labourers and host of skilled workers to build this enchanting monument to commemorate love. Brilliantly built with white marble and engraved with precious stones, the dome shaped monument surrounded by minarets at four corners and sloping outwards, has flummoxed generations and provided onlookers with a rare sense of satisfaction and good feeling. Close to three million visitors visited the monument in 2012, situated at the northern end of a symmetrical garden complex and built in Charbagh style. There is no denying the world's most photographed monument can neither be replicated nor replaced, such is its symmetry, aesthetic beauty and architectural brilliance. Agra is also blessed with the Agra Fort and the Baby Taj. Needless to say, Agra attracts more day visitors than any other city or town in India.

Built by three rulers, Akbar, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, over three different periods and surrounded by a moat, well preserved Agra Fort has most of its fortifications intact. Well preserved monuments include Jahangari Mahal, Sheish Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Aam and the Moti Masjid. The well preserved tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah completes a day of fabulous sightseeing in distinct Agra. For day-trippers from Delhi, a stop at Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra is recommended and well worth the effort. A hour's drive west of Agra lies the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri built by Emperor Akbar between 1569 and 1585. Yet another imposing and well maintained monument , it draws in great number of tourists, especially those driving on the Agra-Jaipur route. Many are keen to know reason for Akbar's abandonment of the city after a brief rule.

Meeting ground for religions

Hindus associate Uttar Pradesh with Mathura, Brindavan (early childhood of Krishna), and Ayodhya, the birthplace of Ram. East of Lucknow is the small town of Ayodhya, drawing in Hindu pilgrims around the year. Said to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, a number of important festivals are held to celebrate the life of Lord Rama, including Ramnavami and Parikrama.

The confluence of river Varuna & Assi at Varanasi, it is the holiest Hindu City and brings in millions of Hindu pilgrims each year. With the confluence of three rivers, Allahabad holds the Kumbh Mela once every twelve years. Buddha preached his first sermon at Sarnath; Buddhist followers from across the world make a beeline to this place of worship, which is also an intriguing monument, located east of Varanasi. To the eastern most part of Uttar Pradash lies Kushinagar a small town, and the site of Buddha;s death and cremation. This site marks his final liberation from the cycle of life and death. A number of important monument sites, including the Nirvana Stupa and Ramabahar Stupa are built in a large park in Kushinagar. Buddhist pilgrims from all over congregate at this site, especially during Buddha Purnima.

Devout Muslims frequent Lucknow especially during Muharam where a number of processions and religious discourses are held at Imambaras. The magnanimous state is clearly a meeting point for different religions, resulting in creating a pluracy of cultures, propagating non-violence and tolerance.

Capital Delights

The capital city Lucknow located in Central U.P has truly fascinating monument like the Residency and Great Imambara, a historical edifice with marvelous architecture, showing a mixture of Rajput and Moghul styles with Gothic influence. Built in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daula, it is a huge building having interesting elements within it with a strong Islamic influence especially seen at hall and vault sites. Residency on the other hand is a complex of ruins in a sprawling complex, dotted with green lawns. The first seeds against foreign invaders were first sown here, during the uprising of 1857. For 148 days the British soldiers held out against Indian mutineers consisting of persons from the serving armed forces. The ruins bear testimony to an intense struggle and have been left untouched.

Mesmerizing Varanasi

Revered as one of the seven most sacred cities of Hinduism, Varanasi finds mention in the Ramayana as well as Mahabharata and was visited by both, Gautam Buddha and Lord Mahavir. The centre for learning, education, art and culture as plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1033, while Alaudin Khilji tore down temples and replaced them with mosques during his reign of Delhi from 1294-1316. Jain followers descended because three tirthankars were born there.

From a tourist point of view, a day spent at the ghats on the banks of the River Ganga is an awesome experience. Taking a boat ride in the early morning hours witnesses a range of interesting activities on the river banks. A well restored palace of Maharaja Man Singh of Amber is seen at Man Mandir Ghat, while widows are fed at Mir Ghat. Tulsi Ghat commemorates the saint poet Tulsi Das. At the extreme southern end, Harishchandra Ghat is the cremation ground with burning pyres. It is said death at Varanasi liberates the soul from the body. The flames never die at Harishchandra Ghat. Most importantly it's the sight of hundreds of believers taking a dip in the chill waters of the Holy River that's a take home memory for most visitors. The evening arati at Dasashwameda Ghat with the chanting of Vedic Hymns by Hindu priests amidst the clashing of cymbals, sound of gongs and smoke filled incense rising into the open sky is yet another fascinating memory deeply embedded in the memory of most tourists.