Often referred
to as the cow belt or Hindi
belt, Uttar Pradesh has been the most dominant state in Indian politics and culture since
Independence, producing over half of India’s Prime Ministers. This is
partly
because
it’s the nations most populous state - it has as many inhabitants as Brazil!
Most of Uttar Pradesh consists of the vast Gangetic
Plain, an area of awesome flatness which
often floods dramatically during the monsoon. The people of this area are predominantly
poorly educated farmers.
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Climate |
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Summer :45oC
-11oC
Winter :32oC - 2oC
Monsoon:June - October. |
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Places to visit |
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Agra: In the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of
India under the Mughals, and its superb monuments date from this era. They include a
magnificent fort and the building which many people come to India solely to see-the Taj
Mahal.
Taj Mahal: Described as the most extravagant monument ever
built for love, this poignant Mughal mausoleum has become the de facto tourist
emblem of
India. It was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory
of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whose death in childbirth in 1613 left the emperor so heartbroken that his hair is
said to have turned gray overnight.
Fatehpur Sikri: This magnificent fortified ghost
city is a
perfectly preserved example of a Mughal city of the height of the empire's
splendour.
Spending the night here would allow you to watch the impressive
sunset over the ruins.
Mathura: This area, popularly known as Briji Bhoomi, is a major pilgrimage place for
Hindus. Krishna, the popular incarnation of Vishnu, is believed to have been born in
Mathura.
Dehra Dun: This old centre
of the Raj is situated in the
broad Doon Valley between the Siwaliks and the front range of the Himalaya. Dehra Dun is
at the center of a forest area and the Forest Research Institute is here. The town is a
major academic and research centre and a base for the Indian Military
Academy and the Survey of India.
Mussoorie: It is a popular hill station having several
ravishing old Raj hotels and a couple of palaces which once belonged to Indian princes.
Mussoorie was known in British times as a place to have an affair; this tradition
continues today in a more chaste form with Mussoorie being a popular honeymoon destination.
Haridwar: Haridwar’s
propitious
location, at the point where the Ganges emerges from the Himalaya to begin its slow
progress across the plains, makes it a particularly holy place. There are many ashrams
here but you may find Rishikesh more pleasant. (Haridwar means Gateway to the Gods).
Rajani National Park: This beautiful park, covering 820 sq km
in the forested foothills east of Haridwar, is best known for its wild elephants
numbering around 150.
Corbett Tiger Reserve: Established in 1936 as India’s
first national park, Corbett is famous for its wide variety of wild life and its beautiful
location. In the foothills of the Himalaya by the Ramganga River.
Nainital: This attractive hill station was once the summer
capital of UP. The hotels and villas of this popular resort are set around the peaceful
Naini lake or tal, hence the name. This is certainly one of the most pleasant hill stations to visit and there are many
interesting walks through the forest to points with superb views of the Himalayas.
Aligarh: Famous for Aligarh Muslim
University.
Kanpur: Although Lucknow is the capital of UP, Kanpur is the
state’s largest city.
Lucknow: The capital of UP, is very spread out. The historic
monuments are mainly in the north-western part of the old city, near the Gomti River.
Allahabad: The city of Allahabad is 135 km west of
Varanasi
at the confluence of two of India’s most important rivers- the Ganges and
the Yamuna. The mythical Saraswati River, the River of Enlightenment, is also
believed to join them there. |
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