Uttar Pradesh

The land of spirituality and architecture, Uttar Pradeshalso has deep roots in history and culture. The most populous state in the country boasts of having one of the seven wonders of the world and other world heritage sites. Uttar Pradeshor UP, as the state is popularly known, at its core is vibrantly coloured and loud.

Places to Visit in Uttar Pradesh

This state attracts religious devotees and history buffs alike. A blend of different cultures and religions, this place has much to offer to any and all curious eyes. Some of the tourist places in Uttar Pradeshare

Agra

One of the best tourist places in UP,Agrais synonymous with the state. Its fame is due to the historical monument of theTaj Mahal, the symbol of love from the Mughal Empire, rightly proclaimed one of the seven wonders of the world. With the Taj Mahal, marble artefacts, and other Mughal architectures, Agra is the poster child of Uttar Pradesh tourism.

Fatehpur Sikri

Located some 40 km away from Agra is another city with its roots in the Mughal Empire. Made of red sandstone, this fort city is one of thebest places to visit in Uttar Pradesh.Built during the reign of Emperor Akbar, today this place is a UNESCO world heritage site. Some of the must-visit places in Fatehpur Sikri are Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, and the tomb of Salim Chisti, all made during the reign of Emperor Akbar.

Varanasi

Varanasi, famously one of the oldest living cities in the world, is also an important Hindu religious site. Located at the banks of the sacred Ganges, this place is famous for its Ganga aarti. There are about 80 ghats in total and innumerable temples here. Among thefamous temples in Uttar Pradesh, theKashi Vishwanath templeis situated here. A few of the many famous ghats of Varanasi are Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat,Manikarnika Ghatand Raj Ghat.

Sarnath

Along with places of Hindu and Mughal significance, this state also has a place of Buddhist interest, Sarnath. This place is believed to be the place where Buddha preached his first sermon. There are many stupas and monasteries here, made during the time of Ashoka. This is why it is one of the Uttar Pradesh famous places.

Mathura

Mathurais also known as 'Krishna Bhumi'. Though sacred to Hindus due to the place's connection to Krishna, this place was once a sacred Buddhist centre. Located on the banks of river Yamuna, Mathura, too, has a lot of ghats, always crowded with devotees.

Best Time to Visit Uttar Pradesh

The mercury reaches 45°c to 48°C in UP during summer. It also receives decent rainfall during the monsoon season. Therefore, the best time to visit Uttar Pradeshis between October and March, when the weather is comparatively pleasant for marvelling at the architectural wonders of UPfor long hours.

Food to Try in Uttar Pradesh

The Hindu and Mughal culture prevalent in Uttar Pradeshhas influenced its food culture. There is a good mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Some of the sweet delicacies of this state are peda from Varanasi and Mathura and Petha from Agra. Galouti Kebabs of Lucknow, along with kebab paratha and koftas, and korma are among the Uttar Pradesh famous food.

Festivals in Uttar Pradesh

This state celebrates most of the festivals celebrated in India regardless of religion, however, the ones celebrated with the most pomp have to be the Hindu festivals. Holi, for instance, is celebrated with much fervour in Nandgaon and Barsana. Shiv Ratri is a special day at Kashi Vishwanath temple as is Janmashtami in Mathura. Ganga Dussehra is another famous festival of Uttar Pradesh.

Culture in Uttar Pradesh

This state is a blend of various histories, cultures, and traditions. The diversity in culture of the state is notable in its architecture, festival, and food. The most evident traditions that have influenced the culture of the state are that of Hindu religious tradition and that of the Islamic Mughal Empire. It is in places like Sarnath which contains both the influences of Hindu and Buddhist, that this diversity is most noted.

Conclusion

This state forms a corner of the tourist triangle of Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. These are the Uttar Pradesh nearby tourist places.Itis a place to witness India's rich history in terms of culture, religion, and tradition. If you would like to understand the soul of India, head to UP.