HOLY SITES Holy Destinations : Varanasi, Mathura & Vrindavan Famous Hindu Pilgrimage : ISKON Temple and Vishwanath Temple Sacred Buddhist Sites : Sarnath, Kapilwastu, Kushinagar Holy Celebrations : Maha Kumbh Mela at Allahabad, Holy Ritual

Holy Sites of Uttar Pradesh - Home To Spirituality

Evening Ganges Aarti at Varanasi Ghats

Varanasi Ghats Allahabad Ritual Performances

Buddhist Sites Varanasi

Mathura & Vrindavan Buddhist Circuits

In the land of believers, spirituality is the life and blood of the country portraying the diversity of religions in a single tone. The sound of bells in the temples welcomes the first ray of dawn on the ghats of the river Ganga. The 'Azan' from the tall minarets of the mosques declare the dusk. Likewise the whole day remains full of religious activity. The temples, ghats, shrines, monasteries etc due to all these places Uttar Pradesh state has emerged as one of the important tourist pilgrimage place in India as well as abroad. The mystical charm of its traditions, music, festivals and rituals gives Uttar Pradesh an edge over other countries.

It is only here, you will see the harmony among the people of all religions. The Hindus visiting the shrines and Muslims thronging the temples. The Holi being celebrated by the Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs all together and sharing the sweets on Eid. A keen look at the state will find hundreds of religious places dotting its map. The destinations where these holy places are located are also the ideal holiday getaways and you have the privilege to choose any cradle of faith. Visit the Uttar Pradesh to gain the spiritual enlightenment in the company of the great Sufi saints and sages , pundits and sadhus.

Holy Structures of Divinity

Iskcon Temple, Mathura

For an inbound tourist, India is a country of mysticism where he looks forward to see and feel the diverse culture, its cheerful people and enigmatic rituals and Uttar Pradesh is a microcosm of it. With the hub of the religious sites Uttar Pradesh is visited by people from all the religions from all across the world.

Home to Maha Kumbh Mela, Allahabad is the most sacred place where millions of people visit to enjoy the bath in the holy river Ganga as a penance for sins committed and also for the promise of Moksha. You will be amazed to know that the number of devotees from the western world is growing ever and ever. Mathura with the beautiful temples and birth place of Lord Krishna is another sacred place. For the discovery of the soul of India visit the famous temples Bankey Bihari Temple and ISKON Temple of Vrindawan. In the worlds one of the oldest cities Varanasi, the Vishwanath temple stands tall and touching the sky of glory, built in the year 1627 it was rebuilt in 1776 and became the most auspicious place for pilgrims. Besides temples, Varanasi has the ghats which are famous for the sight of sun rise.

Mosques

Jama Masjid Fatehpur Sikri

The Atla Masjid in Jaunpur was built by Sultan Ibrahim in the year 1377 is one of the largest mosques in the world. The Jamia Masjid of Fatehpur Sikri and Moti Masjid of Agra are other holy structures for Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. The colonial architecture represents the churches built during the government of East India Kingdom among which St. Joseph's church in Meerut is the oldest one built in 1819 by Henry Fisher, the other churches are Kanpur Memorial Church and The church of Meerut.

Buddhist Trial

Buddha Temple, Sarnath

The state of Uttar Pradesh is blessed by the foot impressions of Gautam Buddha who moved from place to place to enlighten the people and pioneer the new era of divinity in India. Having followers from all parts of the world, Gautama Buddha first preached his ideology at Sarnath after achieving nirvana some 2500 years ago. Sarnath has Damekh Stupa and the Ashoka Pillar. The lion capital on top of this pillar is National Emblem of India and is a must visit site for every one.

Kapilwastu, now Piprahwa 110 kilometers fro Gorakhpur is another holy site of Buddhists. At this place the holy soul of Prince Siddartha (Gautama Buddha) spent his childhood in the opulent environs of then Sakya clan Capital city. The tourists throng the city in thousands to pay tribute to the founder of Buddhism.

After 6th and 9th year of enlightenment Buddha visited the Kaushambi and delivered lectures there elevating it to the center of learning. The ruins of Asoka pillar, an old fort and Ghosiataraman Monastery are all that will soak you in the divine memory of Lord Buddha And finally at Kushinagar, Lord Buddha left for the heaven with the last words "Behold now, brethren I exhort you, saying decaying is inherent in all component things! Workout your salvation with diligence!" today a temple namely Mahaparinirvana stands tall amidst the serene 'Sal' grove reminiscing the demise of Tathagata, the reciter of truth. Oh the preachers of the universal religion, come to this part of the world and share the ideology of Buddha and you will feel the Buddhism is really a religion of peace and tranquility.