Uttar Pradesh is a state in India which is home to some of the most incredible collection of Indian heritage and culture. Embedded peacefully in the heartland of India and the home of evolution of a plethora of religions and well-preserved traditions this place is perfect if you are looking to have a trip around some of the most remarkable places that define what India truly is. This heritage destination is filled with some of the most majestic structures of historical relevance, gushing rivers, holy spiritual sites and of course the heritage arc comprising of Agra, Lucknow and Varanasi. If it is the real India that you wish to see then this is the place to be.
Here are some of the top tourist destinations of Uttar Pradesh that will appeal to all types of travellers:
Taj Mahal (Agra)
This iconic landmark of Agra has to top the list for being one of the most significant tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh. The eternal sign of love created entirely in white marble and adorned with incredible designs, patterns and carvings this Mughal architecture constructed by Shah Jahan for his beloved wife has occupied a place in 1 of the 7 wonders in the world. Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna which once used to flow by in great charm, Taj mahal is also dotted with a number of green lawns and gardens which combines well with brilliant styles of the bygone era. The beauty of this place cannot truly be written down in words but it can only be witnessed by visiting it.
Timing – 6 am to 6:30 pm (except Fridays)
How to Reach – 4 hours of road journey from Delhi
Best Time to Visit – September to April
Things to Do – Check out the sun rise from Taj Mahal, visit Agra Fort, excursion up to Fatehpur Sikri, Shop for Memorabilia and other items etc.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi)
Deemed for being one of the oldest and the most significant shiva temple in India and a prominent Jyotirlinga for avid Shaivites and devout Hindus, this temple is one of the prime temples in Varanasi which remains thronged by visitors every day. the temple which is topped off by a gold ceiling has found its mention in the holy book of the puranas and several other literatures later on which makes this place incredibly spiritual and a very important place of worship. The Vishwanath Linga inside the main temple is said to have been a Swayambhu or a self-manifested Linga and its history is also very tumultuous. This jyotirlinga temple is built in Hindu style of architecture by Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780.
Timing – 4 am to 11 am / 12 noon to 7 pm
How to Reach – 2 kms from Varanasi railway station
Best time to Visit – October to March
Things to Do – Offer prayer, shop for holy things in the markets lining the streets, visit the ghats, visit other temples etc.
Ramabhar Stupa (Kushinagar)
Kushinagar in all is one of the most sacred places of Buddhist pilgrimages in India where people and Buddhist followers from all over the world come to visit. Ramabhar stupa is a huge, holy place which is built on top of the ashes of Buddha making it a significant place of visit for people following Buddhism. This is the place where Gautam Buddha had attained his Mahaparinirvana after attaining nirvana and spreading the word all over. This peaceful town is home to a number of important statues, scriptures and all the details of the life of Buddha. Go there for a tranquil filled soulful trip to the soul of Buddhism.
Timing – 7 am to 7 pm
How to Reach – 2 hours of road journey from Gorakhpur
Best time to Visit – September to May
Things to Do – Offer prayer to lord Buddha in the Stupa, visit some other surrounding important places related to the life of the lord and learn more about him and his achievements etc.
Vrindavan (Mathura)
The entire holy town of Vrindavan is a very important religious destination especially for the followers of Vaishnavism. Located at a distance of 11 km from the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura Vrindavan is the place where lord Krishna had spent a lot of time in his childhood by the river Yamuna. There are several places in Vrindavan where one can experience the aura of the lord since a lot of the temples here are dedicated to Radha and Krishna. If you are a true follower of the teachings of Krishna then this place is a must visit where you will truly feel closer to him and even get to learn a lot more.
Timing – Temples remain open till 7 pm – 8 pm
How to Reach – 11 km from Mathura, 3 hours from Delhi
Best time to Visit – October to March
Things to Do – Offer prayer at temples like prem mandir, Govind Dev temple, Banke Bihari temple, Uma Shaktipeeth, Madan Mohan temple etc.
Naimisharanya (Lucknow)
Naimisharanya or Neemsar is another one of the most religious places of Uttar Pradesh which is steeped in a deep sense of mythology which is present even today. The mythical accounts link it to lord Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and goddess Parvati. Another fact which makes it incredibly significant among the Hindu devotees is the fact that it is considered as the abode of 33 million of all the gods and goddesses known in India. The temple is located on the banks of the holy river of Gomati with a paved street encircling the water body where taking a bath is considered to be extremely holy.
Timing – 5 am to 11 am / 4 pm to 9 pm
How to Reach – 1 hour 45 minutes of road journey from Lucknow
Best time to Visit – September to January
Things to Do – Visit Chakra Tirth, explore the Ghats, Balaji temple, visit Vyas Gaddi, Lalita Devi Temple etc.
Fatehpur Sikri (Agra)
Founded and created in the 17th century by Akbar the great, this fortified city is built entirely in sandstone. A UNESCO world heritage site it boasts of incredible Mughal styles and architectural designs. Some of the most incredible and worth witnessing features inside this walled city includes Buland Darwaza, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Jama Masjid etc. people generally include this place in their itinerary for travelling to excursion places around Agra. This city literally means the city of victory and had also served as the capital of Agra.
Timing – 6 am to 6 pm
How to Reach – 1 hour of road journey from Agra / 4 hours 30 minutes from Delhi by road
Best time to Visit – November to March
Things to Do – Visit Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Ibadat Khana, Panch Mahal, Tomb Of Salim Chisti, Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid etc.
Sarnath (Varanasi)
Located in close proximity to the confluence of the river Ganga with the Varuna River in Uttar Pradesh sits one of the most significant places of Buddhist worship in the world. This is the place where he first visited after attaining nirvana, with an aim of spreading the word of dhamma to the very first Buddhist sangha. The deer park here is held at a very high accord by the followers of Buddhism who make it a point to make a pilgrimage to this place at least once in their lifetime. It is located at a distance of almost 10 kms from the holy city of Varanasi – one of the holiest Hindu towns in India.
Timing – Open throughout the day
How to Reach – 13 km from Varanasi
Best time to Visit – September end to early April
Things to Do – Visit places like Chaukhandi Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Tibetan Temple, Thai Temple, Archaeological Museum etc.
Triveni Sangam (Prayagraj)
In literal words a Sangam means the meeting point and Triveni translates into three rivers which is one of the most holy and auspicious places to be India. This is the place where the holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical river of Saraswati meet and it is believed that taking a holy dip at this point will free you of all your sins and even grant you moksha. The spiritual feel of this place very special and unlike any other holy place in the world. this place in Uttar Pradesh is the host for the grand kumbh Mela that takes place once in every 12 years which is one of the most widely anticipated holy event in India.
Timing – Early morning to sunset
How to Reach – 3 hours 30 minutes of road journey from Varanasi
Best time to Visit – April to June to September to November
Things to Do – Take the holy dip in the Sangam, visit some nearby temples and ashrams for spending a day there in deep divinity etc.
Ayodhya (Faizabad)
Recognized as the ancient city of Ayodhya which was mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayan this has to be another one of the holiest and one of the most commonly visited places in Uttar Pradesh. Identified for being the birth place of Ram (an incarnate of Lord Vishnu) and serving as the setting for Ramayan this city houses several holy sites related to this Hindu legend. This place is also an important place for the people of the Jain community. There is a long dispute concerning the Ayodhya temple going on currently in India but the spiritual vibe here is very warm and welcoming making it a significant Sapta Puri – a holy destination.
Timing – Open 24 hours
How to Reach – 3 hours of road journey from Lucknow
Best time to Visit – November to April
Things to Do – Visit the Kanak Bhawan temple, Vijayaraghava Temple, Jain Temple etc.
Jhansi (Jhansi)
Every Indian young or old knows about the bravery of Rani Laxmi Bai or Jhansi ki Rani for her unnerving bravery and courage while fighting against the british oppressors. This place is a must visit if you wish to take a peek into the bygone era and walk the path of the great royals and feel closer to the iconic historical past that had helped in shaping the present face of our nation. It is also famed for being the 3rd cleanest city in Uttar Pradesh and is dotted with a number of palaces, forts and historical sites.
Timing – Open 24 hours
How to Reach – 6 hours of road journey from Lucknow
Best Time to Visit – September to April
Things to Do – Visit places like Jhansi Fort, Shri Ram Raja Mandir, Rani Mahal, Chaturbhuj temple etc.
Deogarh (Lalitpur)
Situated on the bank of river Betwa on the western end of the hills of Lalitpur is a humble little quaint town of Deogarh which houses a regal collection of rare sites and antiquities. This place is primarily famous for its monuments and structures dating back to the Gupta era. It is also home to the oldest known Panchayatna Temple in all of north India. A fort present on one of its hills is dominated entirely with Jain temples making it an important place of visit for the Jain population as well. All the monuments of Deogarh are protected by the archaeological survey of India for its religious and historical importance.
Timing – Most monuments open at 6 am and close at 7 pm
How to Reach – 2 hours and 30 minutes from Jhansi
Best time to Visit – October to April
Things to Do – Visit Dashavatara temple, Muchkund Caves, Jain temple, Lord Buddha paintings, archaeological museum visit etc.
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Unnao)
Previously named as Shahid Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary and situated off the Kanpur – Lucknow highway this lush green cover serves as the home to more than 250 species of colourful migratory birds from all over the world. This is a wetland area where one can easily spot various mammals and reptiles along with birds which will make up for a pretty fun filled trip. It is quiet a magnificent site during the winter times when the region gets covered entirely in chattering birds some of whom even migrate from beyond the Himalayas.
Timing – 7 am to 5 pm
How to Reach – 1 hour 15 minutes from Lucknow
Best time to Visit – November to March
Things to Do – Go on bird watching tours, hiking trails, nature walks, bird photography etc.
Shravasti (Shravasti)
This is one of the most ancient city in India which holds its relevance to Gautam Buddha since he is believed to have spent several days here before going to Gaya for attaining his nirvana. Located on the western bank of the holy Rapti River this humble village was also a part of the Kosala kingdom in the past during the 6th century BCE to 6th century CE. The city had once thrived as an agricultural epicentre in the ancient ages and has also found its mention in Hindu epic of Mahabharata making it even more important for sacred tourism in India.
Timing – open 24 hours
How to Reach – 4 hours from Lucknow
Best time to Visit – September to May
Things to Do – Visit Jetavana Monastery, Angulimala’s Stupa, Anathapindika Stupa, holy monuments and other places etc.
Barsana (Mathura)
Known for being the birth place of the Hindu goddess and consort of lord Krishna, goddess Radha was born. This is one of the holiest places to visit in India for every devout Hindu. The place holds immense historical significance and has also been called as Vrishabhanupura who was the founder of Shri Radha. If you are looking to spend you time in Uttar Pradesh by exploring some ancient places of religious importance then Barsana is the place to be for you. The city is very beautiful and is surrounded by brahma and Vishnu hills which offers magnificent views of the surroundings.
Timing – Open 24 hours
How to Reach – 2 hours from Kanpur
Best time to Visit – October to March
Things to Do – Shri Radha Rani, Rangeeli Mahal, Kushal Bihari Temple, Shri Radha Sarovar etc.
Dudhwa National Park (Kakhimpur – Kheri District)
Panning over an area of 490 sq. km. this national park serves as home to a wonderful ecosystem of rich biodiversity. Supporting a large number of endangered species along with fauna found primarily in the grassland regions this national park is one of the most underrated places to visit in India. you can witness a huge collection of deer like barking, spotted, hog, sambar etc. over 350 different species of birds also form one of the most important part of the whole biodiversity here.
Timing – 6 am to 9:30 am / 3 to 7 pm
How to Reach – 5 hours and 30 minutes from Lucknow
Best time to Visit – February to May
Things to Do – Bird Watching, Nature Trails, Wildlife Photography, witnessing some Wildlife, Jeep Safari etc.