Thursday, September 4, 2008

The Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh tourism enables the tourists to explore the majesty of one of the most populated states of the country. The state is full of religious pilgrimages which are of importance for both the Hindus and Buddhists. Uttar Pradesh also retains the legacy of the Mughal dynasty and houses the famous icon and one of the world's seven wonders, the Taj Mahal. Uttar Pradesh has witnessed the rise and fall of various famous dynasties of Indian history. The region formed a part of the empire of King Ashoka. Archaeological artifacts excavated from the region stand as evidences of the glorious rule of Ashoka. Between the 11th and the 16th century, UP Tourism was dominated by the Mughal Dynasty. The economy and culture of the region flourished under the reign of the Mughal emperors. After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Nawabs of Avadh dominated the region. Under their patronage, the city of Lucknow emerged as a flourishing center of art and culture. The region played an important part during the Uprising of 1857 and since then has produced many heroic leaders. Once the capital of the Mughal rulers, Agra, now is one of the most popularly visited tourist destination sites of Uttar Pradesh. This old city is ornamented with the best Mughal architectural monuments, its crowning glory being the Taj Mahal. The memorial built of white marble was constructed by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Designed by Ustad Ahmad Lahori, a Persian Architect, the monument was completed in 22 years. It stands as a memorial of love and is visited by tourists from all over the world. Agra also houses the Agra Fort, on the bank of River Yamuna, which is built of massive red sandstone. Initially built for military purposes, the fort later became a palace for the Mughal Rulers. The construction of the fort was started by Emperor Akbar and completed by his grandson, Shah Jahan. Some of the other places to see in and around Agra include:
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb
Chini Ka Rauza
Jami Masjid
Jahangir Mahal
Chisti's Tomb
Sikandra
Fatehpur Sikri Along with its oriental mysticism, Uttar Pradesh is also the heartland of the religion of Hinduism and Buddhism. Situated along the River Ganga and Assi, Varanasi is one of the oldest pilgrim cities of the country. It houses a large number of temples of which the Vishwanath Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple and the Durga Temple are most reputed. The city is thronged by a large number of devotees round the year. Mathura and Ayodhya are the other popular cities of this state. Uttar Pradesh is also a popular seat of Buddhism. Lord Buddha preached his first sermon at Sarnath which is located in Uttar Pradesh. Dhamek Stupa, Bodhi Tree, Ashoka Pillar, Chaukandi Stupa, Dhamarajika Stupa and Moolgandha Kuti Vihara are some of the places to see in Sarnath. The capital city of Lucknow still retains the vestiges of the bygone era of Nawabs through the habits and manners of the residents. The city is the abode of a rich culture that is presented in the music, dance and delicacies of the city. The Imambaras and the bhulbhulaiyans are the only architectural splendors still present in the city.
A visit to Uttar Pradesh is incomplete without a visit to other renowned cities like:
Kausambi
Allahabad
Kushinagar
Chitrakoot
Mahoba
Deogarh
Jhansi
Kalinjar
Shravasti
Kanpur These tourist sites are well connected with the different parts of India through an excellent network of railways, roadways and airways. It is interesting to note that most of the cities are located in 'Grand Chord' route, which is one of the busiest routes of the country. National Highway Nos. 2, 25, 29, 45, 27 and 26 connect Uttar Pradesh to different parts of the country. Accommodation in Uttar Pradesh is easily available in some of the luxury and budget hotels of the state. Some of the major hotels of Uttar Pradesh are Taj Residency, Aypee Palace, Mughal Sheraton, The Oberoi Amar Vilas, Taj View, Hotel Clarks and Taj Ganges. These hotels are known for their warm hospitality and state-of-the-art facilities. The ideal time to visit the state is between the months of October and March. While winters in the state are cold, Uttar Pradesh is drained heavily during the monsoon season.

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