Situated in the north of India, Uttar Pradesh is an incredible treasure trove of architectural and cultural splendour. The state is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the world-renowned Taj Mahal. In addition, there are several historic sites, temples, forts, wildlife sanctuaries, and ghats that add to its popularity.
| TRAVEL SEASONS | MIN/MAX TEMPERATURE | SEASON |
| April to June | 23-40 °C | Summer – Hot |
| July to September | 25-35 °C | Monsoon – Moderate rain |
| October to March | 7-36 °C | Winter – Pleasant and Cool |
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Rainfall (mm) | 13.9 | 15.2 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 20.1 | 97.3 | 225.2 | 205.6 | 151.9 | 38.9 | 4.9 | 7.8 |
The winters are pleasant and would offer the perfect climate to move around in this region. The months from October to March are the winter months and you may plan your holidays to Uttar Pradesh during this period. Summers of Uttar Pradesh are very hot and not at all comfortable for travelling. It is from March and goes on till May or June.
A large number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are a part of the cuisine. The scrumptious Awadhi cuisine and the royal Mughlai cuisine are the two famous food cultures here. Batti Chokha, Bedhai, Tehri, Baigan ki Longe, Galaouti Kebab, Bedmi, Kebab Paratha, Bhindi ka Salan, Fara, and Biryani are some of the amazing food you must try. Sweet dishes such as Petha, Pedha, Malpua, Revari, and Kulfi are very popular in this state. Chaas and Gilori Paan are the other must-try items.
Some of the best things to buy from Uttar Pradesh are: Stone carvings, Embroidered fabrics, Fabrics and garments with Chikan work, Zardozi work items, Copper and bronze statues, Locks, Banarasi Sari, Musical instruments
Languages prominently spoken in Uttar Pradesh are Hindi, Urdu, Awadhi, Braj, Bhojpuri, Bundelkhandi and English.
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES – (AS OF MARCH 2023)
1. AGRA
Located on the banks of River Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is a popular tourist destination as it is home to one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. It is a sneak peek into the architectural history and legacy of the Mughal Empire with two other UNESCO World Heritage Sites Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. History, architecture, romance all together create the magic of Agra, and hence, makes for a must-visit for anyone living in or visiting India.
Places to visit in Agra: Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-daulah’s Tomb, Mehtab Bagh, Tomb of Akbar
2. VARANASI
Varanasi is known as the religious capital of India and it holds this position sincerely. There is a different spiritual vibe in this city. Situated on the Ganges river banks, this part of Uttar Pradesh attractions is considered the holy pilgrimage of Hindus. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is among the most famous temples in Varanasi.
Places to visit in Varanasi: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Asi Ghat, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Tulsi Manasa Temple, Durga Temple, Varanasi, Manikarnika Ghat
3. SARNATH
Sarnath is a quiet and serene city from the otherwise densely populated Uttar Pradesh attractions. It is 10 km away from Varanasi. This is a pilgrimage place for the Buddhists as Gautam Buddha preached his first ever sermon from here. Several Buddhist museums, stupas, and gorgeous temples are a great source of amazement for the tourists.
Places to visit in Sarnath: Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath Archaeological Site, The Mahabodhi Society Temple, Chaukhandi Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Thai Temple, Tibetan Temple
4. VRINDAVAN
One of the oldest cities on the banks of Yamuna, Vrindavan is considered to be one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the devotees of Krishna. It is said that Lord Krishna had spent his childhood in Vrindavan. The name of the city has been derived from Vrinda (meaning basil) and van (meaning grove) which perhaps refer to the two small groves at Nidhivan and Seva Kunj. Since Vrindavan is considered to be a sacred place, a large number of people come here to abandon their worldly life.
Places to visit in Vrindavan: Banke Bihari Mandir, Prem Mandir, Radha Raman Temple, ISKCON Vrindavan
5. LUCKNOW
Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, lies in the middle of the Heritage Arc. This bustling city, famed for its Nawabi era finesse and amazing food, is a unique mix of the ancient and the modern. It is home to extraordinary monuments depicting a fascinating blend of ancient, colonial and oriental architecture. Discover Bara Imambara, Vidhan Sabha, La Martiniere, Rumi Darwaza, Chhota Imambara, Residency, Chikankari, Nawabi Delicacies and Hospitality of Nawabs by discovering the lavish Lucknow.
Places to visit in Lucknow: Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, British Residency, Marine Drive, Rumi Darwaza, Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow Zoo, Hazratganj Market, Shah Najaf Imambara, Chowk Market
6. MATHURA
One of Hinduism’s seven sacred cities, Mathura is the birthplace of the very beloved Lord Krishna. Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Mathura and Vrindavan are often considered twin cities (located only 10km away from each other). Mathura is a small town dotted with temples from various ages and attracts a horde of pilgrims from all over the world.
Places to visit in Mathura: Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple, The Dwarkadhish Temple, Govardhan Hill, Birla Mandir, Barsana
7. NANDGAON
Located at a distance of 8 km from Barsana and 50 km from Mathura, Nandgaon is a quaint little town situated at the base of a Nandisvara Hill and which holds immense religious significance. The town is highly revered by Hindu pilgrims as it is believed to be the home of the foster parents of Lord Krishna- Shri Nandji and Yashoda Maiyya. There is also a spacious temple situated atop the hill which is dedicated to Shri Nandji.
Places to visit in Nandgaon: Nanda Bhawan or Nandagram Temple, Nandisvara Temple, Pavana Sarovar, Charan Pahari
8. AYODHYA
Ayodhya, located on the banks of river Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the seven sacred cities for Hindus. Ayodhya plays a critical role in the Hindu epic of Ramayana as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. This religious town is also the birthplace of four of Jainism’s 24 Tirthankaras (religious teachers), beckoning tourists with its serene ghats.
Places to visit in Ayodhya: Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Nageshwarnath Temple, Sita ki Rasoi
9. PRAYAGRAJ
Reminiscent of all that is spiritual and sacred in Hinduism, Prayagraj is famous for Triveni Sangam or the meeting point of three rivers – the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. Built on the site of the ancient town of Prayag, Prayagraj has, since time immemorial, held the largest Hindu gathering on the banks of the Sangam – the Maha Kumbh Mela. While the Sangam city is often passed over for more travel-friendly cities, there is a lot to Prayagraj besides just its religion.
Places to visit in Prayagraj: Triveni Sangam, Khusro Bagh, Anand Bhawan, Allahabad Museum, Chandrashekar Azad Park, Allahabad Fort, All Saints Cathedral, University of Allahabad, Mankameshwar Temple, Jawahar Planetarium
10. CHITRAKOOT
Chitrakoot, a small town situated in the north Vindhyan range, is located over the districts of Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh and Satna in Madhya Pradesh. It holds great importance according to Hindu mythology and the epic Ramayana. Legends have it that Chitrakoot was the place where Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana stayed for eleven and half of their fourteen years of exile making it a revered site among pilgrims.
Places to visit in Chitrakoot: Kamadgiri, Gupt Godavari, Ramghat, Hanuman Dhara, Bharat Milaap Temple, Janaki kund
11. KUSHINAGAR
Located in the north-eastern region of Uttar Pradesh near Gorakhpur, Kushinagar is a prominent Buddhism pilgrimage site. This religious town is believed to be the place where Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana, making Kushinagar an international tourist destination, especially among the followers of Buddhism. It is believed that Lord Buddha died in Kushinagar after which Emperor Ashoka built a stupa here to mark the parinirvana site.
Places to visit in Kushinagar: Nirvana Temple, Meditation Park, Wat Thai Temple, Ramabhar Stupa
12. SHRAVASTI
A sacred land that holds importance to the Hindus, Jains and Buddhists alike, Shravasti is a cultural paradise that lies in the heart of Uttar Pradesh. Monasteries from Thailand, Tibet and Korea bring to life every architect’s dream. A city that holds the ancient Bodhi Vriksh (tree) is not unfamiliar with the legends and myths of Ramayana. Shravasti is also the birthplace of Tirthankar – the founder of Jainism.
Places to visit in Shravasti: Angulimala Stupa, Anathapindika, Balrampur, Jetavana Monastery
13. NAIMISHARANYA
Located on the banks of Gomti River in Sitapur district, Naimisharanya is a revered Hindu temple enshrined by the God Vishnu. Also known as Nimsar, Neemsar or Nimkhar, it is one of the ‘Divya Desams’ i.e. one of the 108 Vishnu temples mentioned in the works of the scholarly Alvars (saints). The temple has been mentioned in Nalayira Divya Prabandham which is a collection of verses by composed by the 12 Alvars. Apart from this, the temple is one of the eight venerated temples that is believed to have self-manifested itself and is also called as Swayamvyaktha Kshetra.
Popular as one of the most important pilgrimage spots of the Hindus, the highlight of the temple is a holy tank called Chakra Kundra where the devotees take a dip to cleanse themselves of any sins.