Uttarpradesh

Uttar Pradesh conjures an image of acres and acres of wide swaying fields, ancient Hindu temples on the bank of meandering rivers, and towns and cities with narrow alleys where rich culture abides. Home to one of the world’s oldest cities and the iconic Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh in North India is a holiday destination you do not want to miss.

The epitome of diversity, Uttar Pradesh welcomes you to a land of history, culture, art, and traditions. This 4th largest state in India spreads over an area of 240,928 sq km and is a mix of cultures that it displays proudly and attracts tourists from all over the world.

Uttar Pradesh has more to offer than the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. The North Indian state is also home to numerous significant Hindu temples, Muslim Dargahs and Masjids as well as Christian pilgrimage destinations.

Uttar Pradesh – The Land of Diverse Religious & Spiritual Places

Uttar Pradesh is abundant with religious places and has important pilgrimage sites for religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and Christianity. The state is therefore a popular point of interest for the devotees of these religions and attracts a number of them each year.

Sanctified by the confluence of the sacred most rivers of India – Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, Uttar Pradesh is a pilgrimage destination that is important among the followers of Hinduism.

A prominent Hindu temple among the many that Uttar Pradesh has, is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas among the country and is dedicated to the Hindu God, Shiva who is worshiped in the form of Vishwanath, the ruler of the universe. The Dashashwamedh Ghat is located near the Temple and becomes crowded with people in the evening, locals and tourists alike who gather to attend the famed Ganga Aarti.

The Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple at Mathura is another important temple of the state. It is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna and is a revered place among his followers along with the nearby places of religious significance such as Govardhan, Nandgaon, and Vrindavan. The temple becomes especially lively during the occasion of Janmashtami to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.

The district of Gorakhpur owes its name to the revered temple of Gorakhnath, an ascetic saint who used to travel all over India and write many texts that form the basis of foundational principles and values of the Nath community today. The temple now contains a Samadhi chamber, Gorakhnath’s footprints, and his Gaddi or seat where he used to sit and is a prominent temple of Uttar Pradesh.

The Tulsi Manas Temple in the city of Varanasi is dedicated to Lord Rama and built in honor of the Hindu poet and philosopher, Tulsidas. The temple is a marble structure with verses of Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas written on its walls. The stories from the epic are also depicted throughout the temple through an ensemble of pictures, paintings and sculptures.