5 Places to be Visited in Uttar Pradesh

India is known as the land of temples and religion. With so many different castes and communities all following their own respective religions, India is a marvel just for the fact that it is able to exist with such unity in diversity. Hinduism is India’s most followed religion and as such, India is full of religious places and pilgrim destinations. One such state which is known for its pilgrim tourism is Uttar Pradesh. It is full of religious places with temples that attract pilgrims and religion enthusiasts throughout the year. These cities and towns in Uttar Pradesh are not just popular on account of the temples and pilgrims but also for their beautiful geography. A visit to these pilgrim centres in Uttar Pradesh is the most genuine tour of India you can ask for.

# Mathura-Vrindavan

Known for its association with Krishna, one of Hindu mythology’s most revered and loved deities, Mathura-Vrindavan is visited by tourists throughout the year. Mathura is believed to be Krishna’s birthplace. Krishna was born right at the centre of Braj or Brij-bhoomi where the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple is currently located. He is believed to have spent his childhood and adolescence in the Braj area of Mathura-Vrindavan. According to the religious text Garuda Purana, Mathura is one of the seven sites which grant moksha to an individual, the other six being Ayodhya, Avantika, Kasi, Puri, Kanchi and Dwarka.

# Allahabad

Unless you live under a rock, you must have heard of the famous Kumbh Mela which is the world’s largest religious gathering. Allahabad is one of the four venues where the Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years. The other three venues are Nashik, Ujjain and Haridwar. This makes Allahabad one of the most important places to visit in India if you wish to witness the famous Hindu culture and tradition. Earlier known by the name Prayag which means place of offerings, Allahabad is one of the holiest places for Hindus in India. Allahabad is situated at the confluence of the famous Indian rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati (mythical). It also finds mention in travel accounts of Hsuan Tsang , a Chinese traveler. Tsang describes Allahabad as part of Harshavardhan’s empire.

# Varanasi

Varanasi is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. It is primarily a religious spot and a vibrant one at that! One of the oldest inhabited cities on the planet, Varanasi which was previously known as Kashi or Benaras has seen a lot of changes over the years. Its several ghats which are bathing spots on the banks of the river Ganga are thronged by pilgrims during major festivals as it is believed that a dip in the Ganga can forgive your sins. Devotees usually follow the dip in the Ganga with a visit to the nearby temples to pay their respects to Shiva, a respected deity in Hinduism.

# Sarnath

Located just 13 km away from the holy city of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganga and Gomati rivers, Sarnath is just a small village and yet one of the most popular religious places in India. It is extremely famous because it is believed to be the site where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon. It is the place where Buddha first taught the dharma. It is also where the enlightenment of Kondanna happened and the Buddhist Sangha came into existence. This makes Sarnath one of the four main Buddhist pilgrim destinations. Several countries which follow Buddhism as a major religion have established their respective temples in Sarnath. These countries include Thailand, Japan, Tibet and Sri Lanka.

# Agra

Agra is arguably India’s most visited tourist destination. No points for guessing why! While religion may not be the reason so many people are drawn to the Taj Mahal, the beautiful mausoleum also serves as a place for prayer for several Muslims. The Taj Mahal complex includes a mosque and a guest house. It single-handedly boosts the tourism of India thanks to its renowned beauty and its popularity as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Agra is also home to many ancient temples, mosques, mausoleums, tombs and historical monuments making it a place of interest for those with a religious inclination.