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Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow was associated with the princely court of Oudh and then with the British, both traditions lingering on in the city whose finest monument is the Bara Imambara. Further east, Varanasi is the oldest city in India. An important centre of Hindu pilgrimage, it is believed that those who die in Varanasi will be released from the cycle of rebirth. Pious Hindus still come to Varanasi to spend their last days, living in spartan communes run by a multitude of religious trusts. The focus of interest to a visitor is the sacred River Ganga. At the series of steps leading down to it, people come to wash away their sins by bathing in the river, the dead are cremated and holy men meditate. In the narrow bylanes of the city are crowded bazaars selling brassware and silk brocades.

Agra

Agra, the city of the inimitable Taj Mahal is now an educational and business centre-known for its craftsmen & handicrafts. Marble and softstone inlay work, carpet and leather goods are some important traditional crafts of the city Agra, and the nearby city of Fatehpur Sikri, are conveniently close to Delhi to warrant an all day excursion by coach or taxi although there are several hotels of every standard of comfort. Besides the Taj Mahal are Agra Fort, Sikandra, Ram Bagh and Itmad-ud-Daulah. 35 km away are the imperial ruins of the Mughal city, Fatehpur Sikri. Agra and Fatehpur Sikri are not merely rich legacies of Mughal history – they are the finest examples of architecture which combined Hindu and Muslim elements.

How to get there

	Air : Indian Airlines connect Agra with Delhi, Khajuraho and Varanasi.
	Rail: Agra is connected by rail with major cities, like Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Jaipur, Madras, Secunderabad and Trivandrum.
	Road: Agra is connected by good motorable roads to Delhi- 204 km, Jaipur-237 km, Khajuraho- 395 kms, Mathura- 54 kms, Gwalior- 110 kms, Lucknow- 257 kms, Bharatpur 54 kms etc.
	Locat Transport: City bus services, tempo/scooter/cycle rickshaws and tongas. Regular bus services from Mathura, Delhi, Khajuraho, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Gwalior, Haridwar, Lucknow, Brindavan etc.

Places of Interest

• Taj Mahal (3 kms)

• Agra Fort (3 kms)

• Dayal Bagh (8 kms)

• Chini-Ka-Roza (9 kms)

• Itmad-Ud-Daula Tomb (6 kms)

• Radhaswami Samadhi (8 kms)

• Mariyam's Tomb (13 km)

• Sikandra (10 kms)

• Jama Masjid

• Motilal Nehru Park

• Shah Jahan Gardens & Rosary

• Ram Bagh (10 kms)

Excursions

• Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary 54 kms

• Fatehpur Shikri 37 kms

• Kaitham Lake 23 kms

• Keoladeo Ghana National Park

• Mathura 54 kms

• Van Vihar Widlife Sanctuary 60 kms

Lucknow

Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, one of the biggest states in India and is situated on the banks of the river Gomati, tributary of the Ganga. It 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.

How to get there

	Air : Lucknow is connected to Calcutta, Patna, Delhi, Bombay by Indian Airlines. Vayudoot services also connects Lucknow with Delhi.
	Rail: Lucknow, on the Northern and North-Eastern Railway, is directly connected with Calcutta and all other main places in India.
	Road: Lucknow is connected by road with Agra (314 kms), Allahabad (225 kms), Calcutta (985 kms), Corbett National Park (280 kms), Delhi (514 kms), Kanpur (79 kms), Varanasi (314 kms) etc.
	Locat Transport: Taxis, buses, cycle, rickshaws, tempo service available.

Places of Interest and Excursions

• Residency

• Bada Imam Bara

• Rumi Darwaza

• Hussainabad

• Clock Tower

• Shah Nazar Zoo

• State Museum

• Macchi Bhawan

• Khurshid Mahal

• Botanical Gardens

• Picture Gallery

Excursions

• Chinhat Lake (13 kms)

• Kukrail Picnic Spot (15 kms)

• Nawab Ganj Bird Sanctuary (40 kms)

• Nimsar (102 kms)

• Dudwa National Park (60 kms)

• Golaknath Temple (171 kms)

Ayodhya, a religious place, is directly connected by regular bus services with Lucknow (141 kms).

 What to see

Hanumangarh
Janmasthan
Kanak Bhawan
Jain Temple
Treta-ke-Thakur
Mani-Parvat Nageshwar Nath Temple
Amawan Temple
Tulshi Chaura
Tulshi Smarak
Brahma Kund

Allahabad

Allahabad is situated at the confluence of the 3 sacred rivers - Ganga, Yamuna & the invisible Saraswati. It is here at the sangam that hindus Converage for a holy dip especially during the Kumbha Mela, held here every 12 years after.

How to get there

	Air : The nearest airport Varanashi (135 kms) is connected by Indian Airlines flights with Agra, Bhubaneshwar, Bombay, Delhi, Khajuraho, Lucknow.
	Rail: Allahabad is an important rail terminus connected by rail with all the major cities in India.
	Road: Allahabad is connected by road with the major cities in India. Important road distances from Allahabad are:- Agra 483 kms, Delhi 612 kms, Lucknow 227 kms, Lumbini 406 kms, Khajuraho 294 kms, Varanashi 127 kms, Bombay 1,502 kms, Chitrakoot 128 kms.
	Locat Transport: Direct buses are available from Allahabad to Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, Varanashi, Lucknow and Kanpur.

What to see

• Anand Bhawan (Home of the Nehru family)

• Allahabad Fort

• Bhardwaj Ashram

• Khusro's Tomb

• Patlipuri Temple

• Sangam

• Swaraj Bhawan

• Botanica Gardens

• Allahabad Museum

Excursion

• Kaushambi 6O kms

• Chitrakoot 132 kms

• Ayodhya 167 kms.

Festival

The Kumbh Mela is held at the sangam in Allahabad for over a month every 12th year.

The Magh Mela (Mini Kumbha) is held every year(except in the years of Kumbha Mela & Ardh Kumbh Mela) in the month of Magh(January-February)

Varanasi

As the sacred river Ganga flows the snow-clad Himalayas into the vast plains, half way between Delhi and Calcutta it curves into a gentle crescent and along the crescent lies Varanasi. Said to be the frist created spot on earth according to legend, in existence for over thousands of years. Varanasi is the city which enshrines the very essence of Hinduism.

How to get there

	Air: Indian Airlines connect Varanasi to Bhubaneshwar, Lucknow, Agra & Delhi, where the above places are directly connected by flights with Calcutta.
	Rail: Varanasi is connected by rail with all the major cities in India.
	Road: Good bus service connects Varanasi with most of the important places of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Some of the road distances are:- Agra 610 kms, Allahabad 127 kms, Bodh Gaya 240 kms, Gorakhpur 215 kms, Khajuraho 406 kms, Kushinagar 260 kms, Lucknow 320 kms, Lumbini 320 kms, Patna 270 kms Calcutta 681 kms, Bombay 1550 kms, Delhi 710 kms etc.

Places of Interest

• River Front 5 kms,

• Alamgir Mosque 8 kms

• Bharat Mata Temple 3 kms

• Tulsi Manas Temple 8 kms

• Gyanvapi Mosque 5 kms

• Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple) 5 kms

• Vishwanath Temple (Benaras Hindu University) 12 kms

• Durga Temple 8 kms

• Sarnath 10 kms

• Archaeological Museum Sarnath (1000-1700 hrs. Friday Closed)

• Fort Museum, Ramnagar (0900-1200 & 1400-1700 hrs)

• Bharat Kala Bhavan Hindu University (0800-1200 hrs. Summer & 0900-1630 hrs Winter). Closed on Sundays & University holidays.