The empire of Chandra Gupta Maurya extended nearly over the whole of Uttar Pradesh. In the medieval ages, great muslim empires were established in this region. It played a prominent role in India's first war of independence in 1857. The Britishers gave in the name of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. In 1935 the name was shortened to "United Provinces". After independence, the state of Rampur, Banaras and Tehri-Garhwal were merged with United Provinces. The name of the United Provinces was changed to Utaar Pradesh in 1950.

Uttar Pradesh is the fourth largest and the most populous state in India. The main language spoken in Uttar Pradesh is Hindi.
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It is also one of the great historical and religious centers of India.The Ganges River, which forms the backbone of Uttar Pradesh, is the holy river of Hinduism, and there are several important pilgrimage towns along it.
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The state is the largest producer of foodgrain and oil seeds in the country.The state also ranks first in the production of wheat , maize , barley, gram , sugarcane, and potatoes.
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Uttar Pradesh can be easily considered as the nerve centre of India and all the images of India can be experienced here. This is the state that gave the world Taj Mahal, the mascot for India; Varanasi, the spiritual hot spot; Sarnath, where Buddha preached for the first time, and Mathura, the place so much synonymous with the life and times of Lord Krishna.

AGRA

Taj Mahal, Sheer poetry in marble. Majesty and magnificence, unrivalled. The Taj Mahal, the one and only one of its kind across the world. The monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen. The ultimate realisation of Emperor Shahjahan's dream. One of the wonders of the world. From 1631 A.D., it took 22 years in the making. An estimated 20,000 people worked to complete the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks of the Yamuna. For a breathtaking beautiful view of the Taj Mahal, see it by moonlight.

The Agra Fort -The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565, A.D. although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shahjahan.

Chini Ka Rauza - This was constructed by Afzal Khan - a high official in the court of Shahjahan. Decorated by glazed tiles on the façade, the structure clearly depicts the Persian influence in architecture. Open : Sunrise to sunset.

LUCKNOW

Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is famous for its Gardens, Parks and unique archaeological monuments. The people of Lucknow are known for exquisite charm, courtesy and flair of the Urdu language. 

ALLAHABAD

The meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, Sangam is one of the most sacred places of the Hindu religion. It hosts the Maha Kumbh Mela (the largest gathering of Hindus) and Ardh Kumbh.

Swaraj Bhawan, the historical building built by Motilal Nehru, was donated to the nation in 1930 to be used as the headquarters of the Congress Committee. The former prime minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born here.

A fine museum today, Anand Bhawan was once home to one of the most powerful families of Indian politics, the Nehrus. Today, it houses memorabilia of the Gandhi–Nehru family.

Khusro Bagh is a large garden where tombs of Khusro, son of emperor Jahangir, and Shah Begum are located.

Hanuman Mandir is a unique temple famous for the supine image of Hanuman. This is the only temple to have Hanuman in a reclining posture.

Mayo Memorial Hall is situated near the Thornhill and Myne Memorial. This large hall has a 180-feet high tower. Professor Gamble of the South Kensington Museum, London, ornamented the interior of this memorial hall with designs. Completed in 1879, this hall was meant for public meetings, balls and receptions in commemoration of the assassinated Viceroy.

AYODHYA

Ayodhya has 7000 temples, but there are some 100 temples of relative significance. Near the remains of the Babri Masjid, the traveler can see the Ram Janmabhumi (birthplace of Lord Ram) shrine. It is believed that Lord Ram spent much of his childhood here. There are several Jain shrines in Ayodhya. One kilometer east of the Ram Janmabhumi shrine is Hanumangadhi (Fortress of Hanuman, the revered monkey god and friend/devotee of Lord Ram). It is said that Lord Hanuman lived in a cave nearby to protect the Ram Janmabhumi.

VARANASI

The great river banks at Varanasi, built high with eighteenth and nineteenth-century pavilions and palaces, temples and terraces, are lined with an endless chain of stone steps – the ghats – progressing along the whole of the waterfront, altering in appearance with the dramatic seasonal fluctuations of the river level. Varanasi is the city which enshrines the very essence of Hinduism.

SARNATH

Believed to have been built in 500 AD, the Dhamekh stupa, the largest in the region, marks the spot where the Buddha proclaimed his faith in front of his first five followers. The main excavation site is a vast expanse of low lying structures and standing amidst them one can view the various facets of Buddhist history, its interesting twists and turns, the rise and fall of empires and kingdoms.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Uttar Pradesh experiences continental type of climate throughout the year. The winter temperature varies from the minimum 7º Celsius to maximum 28º Celsius and the summer temperature varies from the minimum of 23º Celsius to 39º Celsius. The winter months from November to February are best for a visit to this state.

TRANSPORT

Uttar Pradesh can be easily considered as the nerve centre of India and all the images of India can be experienced here. This is the state that gave the world Taj Mahal, the mascot for India; Varanasi, the spiritual hot spot; Sarnath, where Buddha preached for the first time, and Mathura, the place so much synonymous with the life and times of Lord Krishna.

AGRA

Taj Mahal, Sheer poetry in marble. Majesty and magnificence, unrivalled. The Taj Mahal, the one and only one of its kind across the world. The monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen. The ultimate realisation of Emperor Shahjahan's dream. One of the wonders of the world. From 1631 A.D., it took 22 years in the making. An estimated 20,000 people worked to complete the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks of the Yamuna. For a breathtaking beautiful view of the Taj Mahal, see it by moonlight.

The Agra Fort -The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565, A.D. although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shahjahan.

Chini Ka Rauza - This was constructed by Afzal Khan - a high official in the court of Shahjahan. Decorated by glazed tiles on the façade, the structure clearly depicts the Persian influence in architecture. Open : Sunrise to sunset.

LUCKNOW

Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is famous for its Gardens, Parks and unique archaeological monuments. The people of Lucknow are known for exquisite charm, courtesy and flair of the Urdu language. 

ALLAHABAD

The meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, Sangam is one of the most sacred places of the Hindu religion. It hosts the Maha Kumbh Mela (the largest gathering of Hindus) and Ardh Kumbh.

Swaraj Bhawan, the historical building built by Motilal Nehru, was donated to the nation in 1930 to be used as the headquarters of the Congress Committee. The former prime minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born here.

A fine museum today, Anand Bhawan was once home to one of the most powerful families of Indian politics, the Nehrus. Today, it houses memorabilia of the Gandhi–Nehru family.

Khusro Bagh is a large garden where tombs of Khusro, son of emperor Jahangir, and Shah Begum are located.

Hanuman Mandir is a unique temple famous for the supine image of Hanuman. This is the only temple to have Hanuman in a reclining posture.

Mayo Memorial Hall is situated near the Thornhill and Myne Memorial. This large hall has a 180-feet high tower. Professor Gamble of the South Kensington Museum, London, ornamented the interior of this memorial hall with designs. Completed in 1879, this hall was meant for public meetings, balls and receptions in commemoration of the assassinated Viceroy.

AYODHYA

Ayodhya has 7000 temples, but there are some 100 temples of relative significance. Near the remains of the Babri Masjid, the traveler can see the Ram Janmabhumi (birthplace of Lord Ram) shrine. It is believed that Lord Ram spent much of his childhood here. There are several Jain shrines in Ayodhya. One kilometer east of the Ram Janmabhumi shrine is Hanumangadhi (Fortress of Hanuman, the revered monkey god and friend/devotee of Lord Ram). It is said that Lord Hanuman lived in a cave nearby to protect the Ram Janmabhumi.

VARANASI

The great river banks at Varanasi, built high with eighteenth and nineteenth-century pavilions and palaces, temples and terraces, are lined with an endless chain of stone steps – the ghats – progressing along the whole of the waterfront, altering in appearance with the dramatic seasonal fluctuations of the river level. Varanasi is the city which enshrines the very essence of Hinduism.

SARNATH

Believed to have been built in 500 AD, the Dhamekh stupa, the largest in the region, marks the spot where the Buddha proclaimed his faith in front of his first five followers. The main excavation site is a vast expanse of low lying structures and standing amidst them one can view the various facets of Buddhist history, its interesting twists and turns, the rise and fall of empires and kingdoms.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Uttar Pradesh experiences continental type of climate throughout the year. The winter temperature varies from the minimum 7º Celsius to maximum 28º Celsius and the summer temperature varies from the minimum of 23º Celsius to 39º Celsius. The winter months from November to February are best for a visit to this state.

TRANSPORT