Uttar Pradesh Tourism

Uttar Pradesh is a colorful land filled with ancient culture, spirituality, and good food. The state is a mixture of the various cultures that existed in it at some point of time, prominent ones whose remnants can still be found today include the Awadh and the Mughal culture. You can visit Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi if you are looking for a spiritual experience and relax along the Ghats of river Ganges or explore the city of Agra, once a Mughal capital.

The most popular tourist attractions in Uttar Pradesh are Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Varanasi and its Ghats, Mathura-Vrindavan, Ayodhya and Sarnath.

The best time to visit Uttar Pradesh is between the months of October and March when the weather is colder and pleasant and is the peak season for tourism in the state.

The top heritage sites to visit in Uttar Pradesh are Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Hastinapur, and Sarnath.

To travel within the state, trains are ideal since Uttar Pradesh has a good network of railway lines. Within the cities of Uttar Pradesh, you can either take up a taxi or the local auto-rickshaws.

Uttar Pradesh can feel daunting for a solo trip but it really isn’t. It can be so much fun by yourself. The cities of Agra, Varanasi, and Lucknow are the main tourist destinations ideal for solo travelers.

Kumbh Mela, Taj Mahotsav, Dussehra, Ganga Mahotsav, Chhat Puja, Holi, and Buddha Purnima are the top cultural festivals of Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh will not disappoint the shopaholic in you. Some of the popular markets in the state include the markets of Aminabad and Hazratganj of Lucknow for your traditional Chikankari clothing, Sadar Bazar of Agra, and the Golghar, Godowlia, and Chowk markets of Varanasi.

The top pilgrimage destinations in Uttar Pradesh include the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Gorakhnath Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Ayodhya for followers of Hinduism.

Sarnath, Kaushambi, Sankisa, Shravasti, and Kushinagar are significant for followers of Buddhism.

Jain Shwetambar Temple, Digambar Jain Temple, Teerthdham Mangalayatan, and the Jain Temples at Deogarh are important for Jain devotees.

Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, Jama Masjid at Agra, and Dewa Sharif at Lucknow are important pilgrimage sites for Muslims.

For the followers of Christianity the St. John’s Church, St. George’s Cathedral, Lalbagh Methodist Church, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Graces at Sardhana hold importance.

Uttar Pradesh’s cuisines are a mix of Sattvic and Nawabi cuisine such as the Galouti Kabab, Nargisi Kofta, Awadhi Biryani, Puri Aloo, Mathur’s Peda, Agra’s Petha, and the sweet and salty Chaat, along with the Banarasi Paan.

The state is also abundant in wildlife and encompasses wildlife sanctuaries and national parks such as the Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary and Okhla Bird Sanctuary, housing a variety of wildlife like Tigers, Rhinoceros, Crocodiles, Swamp Deer, etc.

The climate of Uttar Pradesh is generally defined as tropical monsoon type and has the seasons of summer, monsoon and winter. Summer season occurs during the months of March and May, monsoon through June to September, and October to February is winter. The winter temperatures can drop to 3-4 degree celsius whereas temperatures can reach sometimes up to 47 degrees during the summer!