Vrindavan-Mathura-Agra-Allahabad-Lucknow-Ayodhaya-Varanasi-Bodhgaya-Naimsaranya


Place to Visit:

Vrindavan Mathura Agra (Sight Seeing)
Allahabad Varanasi (Sight Seeing) Sarnath
Gaya Bodhgaya Ayodhya
Lucknow Naimisaranya

Vrindavan

Vrindavan - located just 57 km from Agra, is considered by Hindu's to be a place where Lord Krishna spent part of his life. There are as many as 4,000 temples in Vrindavan , most of them dedicated to Lord Krishna. Vrindavan is believed to be the site where Lord Krishna played with the cowherds or gopis and wooed his beloved Radha. . Mathura, The Holy Birthplace of Lord Krishna

Mathura, The Holy Birthplace of Lord Krishna - Mathura, a little town on the River Yamuna is synonymous with Lord Krishna who is believed have been born here. Alive with devotion to Lord Krishna - the evergreen hero of Hinduism, the lover of Radha and re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu - it has a peaceful and refreshing air about it. Mathura without Lord Krishna is like Bethlehem without Christ. There are 25 holy tirthas (bathing places or ghatas) in Mathura. Visram Ghata is in the middle and there are 12 ghatas south of Visrama Ghata and 12 ghatas north. The 12 ghatas in the south extend to Moksa Ghata.

Agra

Agra - the city of the Taj, as it is known all over the world, is the goal of a pilgrimage to the creative best. Craftsmen who are descendants of those who worked under the Mughals know Agra for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone. Though its political significance ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jahan, it's architectural wealth has definitely secured international fame for carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes.

Agra Fort

Agra Fort : The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra fort in 1565 A.D although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shahjehan. It stands at a distance of just 2 Kms from the majestic Taj Mahal, and is built in red sandstone.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal : The Taj Mahal is a sheer poetry in white marble and its majesty and magnificence are unrivalled. It is the one and only one of its kind in the whole world, which was the ultimate realization of Emperor Shahjehan's dream for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Sikandra

Sikandra : The Mausoleum of Emperor Akbar represents his philosophy and secular outlook, combining the best of his architectures in a superlative fusion. It was started by Akbar before his death in 1605 A.D, and was completed by his son Jehangir in 1613 A.D.

Allahabad

Allahabad - one of the important cities of Uttar Pradesh, is situated at the confluence of three holy rivers--Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The confluence is also called the Triveni sangam. Named as Prayag in ancient times, the city has a historical and mythological character with a glorious past. Allahabad is one of the most vibrant and spiritually awakened cities of India. Allahabad is also a pious venue for many fairs and rituals. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year and buzzes with devotees and tourists during the world-famous Kumbh Mela.

Swaraj Bhawa

Swaraj Bhawan : The historical building built by Motilal Nehru, was donated to the nation in 1930 to be used as the headquarters of the Congress Committee. The former Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born here.

Mayo Memorial Hall

Mayo Memorial Hall : Situated near the Thornhill and Myne Memorial, this large hall has a 180-feet high tower. Professor Gamble of the South Kensington Museum, London, ornamented the interior of this memorial hall with designs. Completed in 1879, this hall was meant for public meetings, balls and receptions in commemoration of the assassinated Viceroy.

Other places to visit are Shankar Viman Mandapam, Mankameshwar Temple, Hanuman Mandir, All Saints Cathedral (Patthar Girjaghar), Minto Park, Allahabad University, Allahabad museum, Minto park, Muir College, Jawahar Planetarium, Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, and public library.

Sarnath

Sarnath - 12 km from Varanasi lies Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon and revealed the eight fold path that leads to the attainment of inner peace,and elightenment. Later stupas and other magnificient buildings were built by Ashoka, the great Mauryan Emperor. The 110 ft tall Damekh Stupa marks the place where Buddha preached first sermon. Sarnath has been a premier center for Buddhism and has collection of ancient Buddhist relics and antiques comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisatva images on display at the Archaeological.

Gaya

Gaya - The ancient town of Gaya, located 100 kms south of Patna, is of great significance to Hindus and Budhhists. It is on the bank of Phalgu river. Here Lord Budhha preached the essence of life and Lord Vishnu preached the reality of death. It is believed that this place has been blessed by Lord Vishnu with purificatory powers to the "Atma". VishnupadThe well known Vishnupad temple is situated at Andhargaya on the bank of river Phalgu and about 3 Kms from the heart of the town whereas Bodhi briksha (Bodhi tree) and Mahabodhi temple is situated at Bodhgaya which is about 11/ 13 Kms from the heart of the town. Legend has it that a gentle demon named Gaya, appalled by the sorrow caused by death, complained to Vishnu, and as protest died for the world. Impressed by his resolve, Vishnu blessed Gaya with the power to absolve sinners. Like Varanasi, and many other riverside towns, Gaya is a "tirtha" - a crossing across the celestial divide.

Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya - Bodhgaya in India is the holiest place for the Buddhists. Apart from being a significant archaeological site, it is also a vital Buddhist centre. Bodhagaya is located t a distance of 110 Kms South of Patna. The place in ancient imes was called URUVELLA, and famous for being a place of PEACE, REALISATON AND ENLIGHTMENT. The popularity of the place aries due to the ennlightment of Lord Buddha here more than 2500 years ago. Devout Buddhists and tourists from all over the world visit Bodhgaya, to study Buddhism and the art of meditation, or to simply absorb the aura of solemn grandeur that surrounds the place.

Ayodhya

Ayodhya - a very holy city and is an important pilgrimage site. Lord Rama was born and had many of His pastimes here. It is said to have once had a perimeter of 96 miles and was the capital of Koshala. It is on the banks of the Gogra (Ghaghara or Saryu) River, bathing in which is supposed to destory even the sin of killing a Brahmin.On the right bank of the river Ghagra or Saryu, as it is called within sacred precincts, stands the holy city of Ayodhya, believed to be the birth place of lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of lord Vishnu. Ayodhya during ancient times was known as Kosaldesa. The Atharvaveda describes it as "a city built by gods and being as prosperous as paradise itself". The illustrious Ikshvaku of the solar clan (suryavamsa) was the ruling dynasty of this region.

Ayodhya is pre-eminently a city of temples yet, all the places of worship here, are not only of Hindu religion. At Ayodhya several religions have grown and prospered simultaneously and also at different periods of time in the past. Remnants of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam can still be found in Ayodhya. According to Jain belief, five tirthankaras were born at Ayodhya, including Adinath (Rishabhadeva), the 1st tirthankar.

Naimisaranya

Naimisaranya - This is where the Srimad Bhagavatam was spoken. It is said that a pilgrimage to Badrinath and Kedarnath is incomplete without a visit to Naimisaranya. In the Mahabharata it is said, “Anyone who fasts, prays, and attains perfection at Naimisaranya finds happiness in all the worlds.”

Lucknow

Lucknow - The capital city of Uttar Pradesh State is famous for its Nawabi culture inherited in the city by the Nawabs. The handicraft work including the manufacture of gold and silver brocade, chikon work on suits, muslins and other light fabrics, glass, shawls, and jewellery are also quite famous. The chief architectural features of Lucknow to tempt you towards planning your Lucknow Tour are the fort and a mausoleum. Many mosques, including the Pearl Mosque and the Great Mosque, are also the marvels in architecture. An educational and cultural center was the capital of the kingdom of Oudh until the annexation by the British in 1856. At Lucknow, during the Sepoy Rebellion (1857-1859), a British force was besieged for 12 weeks (3 months) until reinforcements arrived.

The city is still famous for its cultivated Nawabi manners and refined urbane culture. It is also home to light-classical North Indian music and the Kathak school of dance. Each February, the Lucknow festival which continues for a fortnight promotes the traditions of music and dance made famous by the Oudh court.