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Top Tourist Places to Visit in Uttar Pradesh, India

The Birthplace of Lord Rama, the births place of Lord Krishna, and the place where Buddha gave his first sermon, Uttar Pradesh is home to ancient epic heroes who were worshipped and celebrated all across the globe. This state always remains in limelight due to one reason or another. U.P. is one of the largest states of India whose population is more than many European countries. This vast stretch of land is home to the world-famous Taj Mahal, Buddha Parinirvana stupa, the world’s oldest city Varanasi, and also the city of tahzeeb Lucknow. This state will offer you an amalgamation of different cultures and faith and make you feel in the best possible ways. From historical monuments to pilgrims’ centers, from spiritual experience to a wildlife sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh has everything for you.

Here we have shortlisted a few famous destinations of the State which you should have a look at if you are planning a trip to Uttar Pradesh. This blog will help you to get an overview of Uttar Pradesh Tourism.

 Agra  

One of the most beautiful places to visit in the state of Uttar Pradesh is Agra which is famous all across the globe as it is home to the 7 wonders of the world’s Taj Mahal. This city is located on the bank of the river Yamuna. Agra is also home to two more UNESCO World Heritage sites namely Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. This city will give you a chance to take a glance at the architectural legacy of Mughal architecture. Agra is a part of the Golden triangle circuit along with Delhi and Jaipur which gives tourists easy access to this city and also to Uttar Pradesh Heritage cities such as Varanasi and Lucknow. If you are a history buff and love to explore, Agra is the perfect place for you. Along with monuments and a fort, this city is famous for its street food and Petha. And therefore, Agra is among the best places to visit in Uttar Pradesh.  

Fatehpur Sikri  

Fatehpur Sikri city is made out of red sandstone and was founded in the year 1571 by then-Mughal Emperor Akbar. Located at a distance of 40 km from Agra this city was proud of the Mughal Empire. This city was fortified and served as the capital city of the Mughal empire for fifteen years. Fatehpur Sikri is a unique blend of Indo-Islamic architecture and religious beliefs. Fatehpur Sikri is on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Three palaces are there, one which is made for the favorite wife of Emperor Akbar – Jodh Bai (who was Hindu), one was Muslim and one was Christian. Jama Masjid, which is a stunning mosque and still used by people today for offering namaz; the tomb of Salim Chishti and Buland Darwaza are other famous places to visit in Fatehpur Sikri. This place looks magical, especially during sunset. Fatehpur is one of the best places to visit in Uttar Pradesh.

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Varanasi  

World’s oldest city Kashi is one of the most famous tourist destinations of not only Uttar Pradesh but off India. Also known as Varanasi or Banaras, this place is the holy city of Hinduism and also the spiritual capital of India. When you are in Kashi, you will find temples almost at every corner of the city. Kashi Vishwanath, which is one among the 12 jyotirlingas is also located here and it is the most visited and oldest among all. Legend state that Varanasi is an auspicious place to die and it is believed that a person gets moksha from the cycle of life and death. There are in total 80 ghats along the bank of the river Ganga which form the heart and soul of the city. Ganga aarti which is held here in the evening and Subah-a-Banaras in the morning time is must experiences if you are in Varanasi. The city offers street food to food lovers and hot chat and cold lassi will act as the perfect feast for you.

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Mathura  


Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and it is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. This city attracts thousands of pilgrims from every corner of the world, which makes this place one of the most visited destinations in Uttar Pradesh. Similar to the Ganga aarti, Mathura is famous for the Yamuna aarti. This town is famous for two activities and it was almost flooded with people during that time i.e., Krishna Janmashtami and Holi. Shri Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great zeal and devotion in Mathura as this place is considered to be the exact place where Lord Krishna was born. The prison where lord Krishna was born is now displayed for tourists to see. Other famous tourist attraction of this city is Dwarkadhish Temple and Gita Mandir. This place is famous from ancient times and also it has a history of delicious street food. You must try aloo-puri, Gulab-jamun, Kachori, and other local snacks while you are in Mathura.

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Vrindavan  


Located at a distance of merely 10 km from Mathura, Vrindavan is another famous tourist detention of Uttar Pradesh and is also known as the twin city of Mathura. Vrindavan is one of the oldest cities on the bank of the river Yamuna. This place is among the important places of which is related to Lord Krishna. This place is considered to be the child abode of Krishna. You can witness hundreds of temples of Krishna and Radha which are scattered throughout the Vrindavan. Among all the temples Banke Bihari temple is the most famous among all and also the ISKON temple. Vrindavan derived its name from two words namely Vrinda which means basil and Van which means grove. It may perhaps refer to the two small groves Nidhivan and Seva Kunj. As Vrindavan is considered to be a sacred place, these places attract thousands of devotees every year from every corner of the world.

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Lucknow  


The largest city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow is a place that welcomes its visitor with a whole heart on a warm note that Muskuraiye, Aap Lucknow me Hai.
This capital city of Uttar Pradesh is located on the bank of river Gomti and is well known as the city of Nawabs. Apart from its magnificent architecture, history, and literature, this city has its own culture which welcomes its guests wholeheartedly. People of Lucknow are well known for their courtly manner and attitude of Pehle aap culture which means you first and this behavior of their always leaves a smile on the face of its visitor. Rumi Darwaza and Mughal gateway which are built in the city center of Lucknow divide the city into old and new parts. While old Lucknow is known for its vibrant street, and mouth-watering food such as kabab and biriyani, New Lucknow is famous for its urban culture, and shopping malls, and also it is the most planned city in Asia. When it comes to the most visited places and famous tourist destinations of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow surely makes its place on the list.

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Prayagraj  

Known by the name of Prayagraj, this city is famous for its Triveni Sangam. Allahabad is the place where you got to see the conjunction of three rivers namely Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati and it is one of the famous tourist spots of Uttar Pradesh. Located on the site of the ancient site of Prayag, Allahabad, since the time of Harshvardhan held the largest Hindu gathering on the bank of Sangam which is the Maha Kumbh Mela. The Maha-Kumbh is organized here every after 12 years and were attended by millions of pilgrims every year from every part of the globe. Prayag was the ancient name of the city but after the Mughal invasion, this city’s name was changed. Mughal emperor Akbar was impressed by the city and changed its name to Ilahabas which meant Abode of God. After that Emperor Shah Jahan changed the city’s name to Allahabad.  Allahabad Fort, Anand Bhavan, and Allahabad Museum are other famous tourist spot in the city.

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Sarnath  

Another holy city on the list of Uttar Pradesh tourism is Sarnath which is a spiritual city with a number of Buddhist stupas, museums, and beautiful temples. Sarnath is one of the four holiest sites of Buddhism and is located at a distance of just 10 km from Varanasi. This place witnesses a huge gathering of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu pilgrims every year from every part of the world. Sarnath is believed to be the place where Buddha gave his first sermon after getting enlightened under the Bodhi tree in Gaya. Ashoka Pillar and Dharma Stupa which were built by Emperor Ashoka in 260’s BC are famous tourist spots of the city. This historical importance makes Sarnath one of the most visited places in Uttar Pradesh.

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Ayodhya  

Another holy city in the state of Uttar Pradesh is Ayodhya which was in limelight for many years but in the recent past this place was in news because of the Bhoomi puja of the Ram Mandir which is going to be constructed here. Located on the bank of river Saryu, Ayodhya is known as the Birthplace of Lord Rama and is among the seven sacred cities of Hindus. This place is also the birthplace of 4 Jains Tirthankaras out of all 24 Tirthankaras which makes it one of the most important destinations in the state for Jains too. In recent years, the Uttar Pradesh government has renovated this city and adorned all its ghats which are located on the Saryu river. Despite the controversy, Ayodhya still has spirituality and different colors to offer to its visitors.

Jhansi

Jhansi is known for the fact that it is the place where Jhansi Ki Rani – Rani Lakshmi Bai lived and reigned. This city is located on the bank of the rivers Betwa and Pahunch. Jhansi derived its name from the Jhansi fort which was built by Raja Bir Singh. The city was named so because the rulers could only see the shadow on the distant hill when gazing at the fort. Balwant Nagar was the original name of this city. Jhansi was a walled city that was built around a fort. The historical importance and the variety of monuments make Jhansi one of the important tourist destinations of Uttar Pradesh.

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Kushinagar

One of the most famous tourist spots of Uttar Pradesh Kushinagar is located in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh. This place is located nearby Gorakhpur and is one of the four holy sites of Buddhism. Kushinagar derived its name from Kush which means grass as you will get plentifulness in the region. This place is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha spent his last days and attained Mahaparinirvana. Due to its Buddhist importance, Kushinagar is an international tourist destination. These temples are run by a Buddhist nation where you can stay or you can simply chat with the Buddhist monk. Every year on the day of Buddha Purnima, this place witnesses a grand fair which was attended by thousands of local and international pilgrims from far and wide.

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Dudhwa National Park

Uttar Pradesh is so diverse that it has something for everyone. Be it a spiritual or be it adventurous person, history buff, or wildlife enthusiast. One such place is Dudhwa national park which is located in the district of Lakhimpur Kheri of the state on the side of the Indo-Nepal border. This national park is home to rare and endangered species such as Hispid hare, swamp deer, Bengal Florican, bara Singha and many more. You can see more than 400 species of exotic and migratory bird species. Dudhwa is widely known as one of the finest tiger reserves in India. There are several options while you are here such as a jeep safari, or an elephant ride.

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Vindhyachal Tourism

One of the most famous Hindu pilgrims sites, Vindhyachal is close to Mirzapur and Varanasi and it has several temples in its vicinity. This city has its own interesting stories. This holy city is located on the bank of the river Ganga and people often come here to take a dip into the river Ganga.
This place also witness countless devotees who came here to perform trikona parikrama which includes the three most important temples Vindhyavasini, Astabhuja, and Kali Khoh temples. Vindhyachal received lakhs of pilgrims all year round and during the time of Navratri, this city has its own vibe.

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Chitrakoot Tourism

Located in the north Vindhyan range, Chitrakoot is a small town which is situated in the district of Chitrakoot of Uttar Pradesh and Satna in Madhya Pradesh. This place holds great importance in Hindu Mythology. According to the epic Ramayana, Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and Brother Lakshman spent eleven and half years out of fourteen years of exile which makes it a revered site among the pilgrims. 

Legend also states that Chitrakoot is also the same place where Bharata, brother of Rama came to meet Ram and ask him to come back to Ayodhya and rule the kingdom. There is also another theory that believed that it is the same ocean where the principal god of Hinduism (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) took incarnation. This city is also known as the ‘hill of many wonders’ and this place justifies it. The Chitrakoot range has a number of other great religious importance like Bharat Milap Temple, Janki Kund, Hanuman Dhara, and many more. This pale is indeed the gift of nature.

Chitrakoot is also the same place where Goswami Tulsidas who was the author of Ramcharitmanas spent many years of his life. Very few people know that Chitrakoot is also home to a world-only university named Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University which is made for differently abled people.

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National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary Tourism

Located at a distance of just 1 hour from Agra, Chambal wildlife sanctuary is a perfect destination for wildlife enthusiasts. This wildlife sanctuary is home to some endangered species but the main attraction of this wildlife sanctuary is the Red-crowned turtle, Gangetic Dolphins, Indian Skimmers, and many more. This beautiful sanctuary is surrounded by the Chambal river which is one of the cleanest rivers in India. This place provides you with a combo of unique and amazing landscapes.

Most of the tourist here usually rent a  motorboat and go up and down the river through the ravines which make their trip memorable. The boatmen here are so experienced that they take you as close as possible to the birds and animals without even disturbing them so that you get an opportunity to get the best sight of beautiful animals

You may also get a trained wildlife expert who will accompany you on the trip and will provide you with testing information on the wildlife. Take a walk around the river and ravin which were also organized by the experienced team during morning and evenings. This place is not only wildlife lovers and birdwatchers’ paradise but it is also a perfect place for leisure breaks. You can also go on a jeep safari, river safari, bicycle ride, and horse safari.

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Hastinapur Tourism

One of the ancient towns and the center of the epic Mahabharat, Hastinapur has its own glorious past. This city is located on the bank of river Ganga near Meerut in Uttar Pradesh and this is also the birthplace of three jain teerthankars which makes this place equally important for jains pilgrims. In ancient times this city was the capital of Kauravas and it was ruled by Pandavas after winning the Mahabharata. This place is a fascination in its way as it has still kept the spirit of mythology alive. As this place kept an important place in epic, every corner of this city has been a part of it and locals have fascinating stories to tell.

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Pilibhit

A small sleepy town Pilibhit is cloaked in dense forest and is famous for its hidden beauty. This city is also known by the name of Bansuri Nagri means the Land of Flutes because of the production of the flute undertaken here. This city is a perfect weekend gateway with picturesque beauty and several temples that were carved beautifully. This city has everything which makes a vacation perfect in its own sense. The historical and religious importance of this place is something that is unique in its own way.

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Barsana Tourism


A place of historical importance, Barsana is located in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh which is another famous tourist destination of the state. This town is named as it is the birthplace of Radha Rani, a Hindu goddess (Lord Krishna Consort). Lathmar Holi is another reason which attracts thousand of flocks every year as it is a unique holi celebration that is celebrated only in Barasana during holi festivals.

Barsana is also known by the name of Vrishbhanupura, which is named after Vrishbhanu Maharaj who was the father of Radha Rani. This town has several places to visit which are of great importance in Hinduism. This place is surrounded by many places where Radha Rani spent a host of childhood with her Sakhi and Lord Krishna. You can find many temples here which are dedicated to lord Krishna and the goddess Radha. The hills, ponds, and several other places of Barsana have their own stories to tell.

Barsana is situated around two hills that is Brahma Hill and Vishnu Hill. According to the legend, these peaks are the head of Lord Brahma. You can find temples on every peak of the hills.

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Naimisharanya, Uttar Pradesh Overview

Naimisharanya is located on the bank of river Gomti in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh. This place has a revered Hindu Temple of God Vishnu. Also known by the name of Nimkhar, Naimisharanya is one of the Divya Desam that is one of the 108 Vishnu temples which are mentioned in the work of Alvars saints. This temple has been mentioned in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, which is another collection of verses by 12 Alvars.
Naimisharanya is one of the most important pilgrimage places of Hindus and the main highlight of this temple is the holy tank which is called Chakra Kund where devotees often take baths to clean themselves of any sins. It is said that this holy tank is created by the chakra which was the weapon of Lord Vishnu. This temple is one of the most ancient temples though it was reconstructed by several rulers over the year. Legend state that several sages have performed penance here and the land of Naimisharanya is so holy that just by visiting here, a person can get rid of his sins and one can attain Moksha.

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