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NORTH INDIA
UTTAR PRADESH

In Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow was linked with the princely court of Oudh and then with the British, both traditions lasting on in the city whose finest monument is the Bara Imam Bara. Further east, Varanasi is the oldest city in India. A significant centre of Hindu pilgrimage, it is believed that those who die in Varanasi would be released from the cycle of rebirth. Pious Hindus still come to Varanasi to expend their last days, living in Spartan communes run by a mass of religious trusts.

The center of interest to a visitor is the sacred River Ganga. At the series of steps foremost 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 by lanes of the city are with full bazaars selling brassware and silk brocades.

Agra

Agra is well-known as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World-the Taj Mahal. An enjoyable town with reasonably slow pace, Agra is known for its excellent inlay work on marble and soapstone by craftsmen who are successor of those who worked under the Mughals. The city is also well-known for its carpets, gold thread sewing and leather shoes.

Agra, and the nearby city of Fatehpur Sikri, is expediently close to Delhi to warrant an all day tour by coach or taxi although there are several hotels of every normal of comfort. Besides the Taj Mahal is Agra Fort, Sikandra, Ram Bagh and Itmad-Ud-Daulah.-35 kms away are the regal ruins of the Mughal city, Fatehpur Sikri.

Agra is an old city and it is said that its name was resulting from Agrabanad, a forest that finds state in the epic Mahabharata.

Climate (deg C) - Summer- Max.45, Min.21.9; Winter- Max.31.7, Min.4.2.,

Rainfall - 66 cms (June to September),

Best Season - October to March.

Places Of Interest:

Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb, Moti Masjid.

Excursions:

Fatehpur Sikri – 35kms.

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Lucknow

Lucknow is a city identical with the Nawabi Culture. The imperialistic magnificence and magnificence of the Nawabi Era has been glorified and eulogized down the ages by writers, poets and historians alike. Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, one of the main states in India and is situated on the banks of the river Gomati, branch of the Ganga. It is well-known for its Gardens, Parks and unique archaeological monuments. Lucknow is linked with its legendary hospitality, leisurely moods of life, fabled edifices steeped in history, world-renowned cuisine and beautiful Sham-e-Avadh.

Altitude - 123 meters (403 ft. above sea level),

Climate (deg C) - Summer- Max 36.6, Min 25; Winter- Max 21.1, Min 11.1.,

Rainfall - 44 cms (June-Sept),

Best Season - October to March.

Places Of Interest:

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.

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Ayodhya

Ayodhya is importantly a city of temples. At Ayodhya some religions have grown and prospered concurrently and also at different periods of time in the past. Remnants of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism can still be found in Ayodhya. On the right bank of the river Ghaghra or Sarpy, as it is called within holy precincts, stands the holy city of Ayodhya, believed to be the birth place of Lord Rama, the seventh embodiment of Lord Vishnu. It is an outing tour from Lucknow - 141 kms.

Places of Interest:

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

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Allahabad

Allahabad is located at the meeting of the 3 sacred rivers - Ganga, Yamuna & the invisible Saraswati. It is here at the sangam that Hindus Converge for a holy dip particularly during the Kumbha Mela, held here every 12 years after. 'Prayag' or 'Allahabad' as it is known today is one of the mainly sacred pilgrimage centers of India. The Magh Mela is the yearly version of the Kumbh and Ardh Kumbha mela which starts every year from Makar Sankranti in January and ends at Maha Shivratri in February. Realizing its planned importance as a waterway landmark in north India, Akbar built a superb fort on the banks of the holy 'Sangam'.

Altitude - 322 ft.,

Climate (deg C) Summer- Max 46.6, Min 27.2; Winter- Max 25.6, Min 10.5.,

Clothing - Summer- Cottons/Tropical; Winter- Woollens,

Languages Spoken - Hindi, Urdu, English,

Best Season - October to March.

Places Of Interest:

Anand Bhawan (Home of the Nehru family), Allahabad Fort, Bhardwaj Ashram, Khusro's Tomb, Patlipuri Temple, Sangam, Swaraj Bhawan, Botanical Gardens, Allahabad Museum.

Excursions:

Kaushambi- 60 kms, Chitrakoot- 132 kms, Ayodhya – 171 kms.

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Varanasi

Sandwiched between the rivers Varuna and Ashi as they link the Ganges, Varanasi takes its name from its location. It is also called Kashi, the city of light, but the British, in an attempt to make simpler matters, had coined their own name for the place-Benaras. Varanasi is the city of a thousand temples. The chief object of all devotees is the Kasi Vishwanath Temple. According to Hindu belief, Benaras or Varanasi as it is known is the space center of the Universe. The renowned American novelist Mark Twain once wrote, "Benaras is older than history, older than custom, older even than fable and looks twice as old as all of them put together."

Area - 73.89 sq.km.,

Altitude - 80.71 mts.,

Climate (deg C) - Summer- Max. 46 Min. 32; Winter- Max. 15.5, Min. 5,

Rainfall - 11.1 cm. (June to September),

Clothing - Summer- Light cottons, Winter- Woollens,

Languages Spoken - Hindi, Bengali, English,

Best Season - Throughout the year, but preferably October to March.

Places of Interest:

River Front, Alamgir Mosque, Bharat Mata Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque, Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple), Vishwanath Temple (Benaras Hindu University), Durga Temple, Sarnath, Archaeological Museum, Sarnath , Fort Museum, Ramnagar, Bharat Kala Bhavan Hindu University.

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Rishikesh

Rishikesh, a most calm place in northern Uttar Pradesh, bounded by hills and bisected by the broad and sluggish Ganges, is often claimed as the `Yoga Capital of the World'. It is correctly called the gateway to the Himalayan Shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamnotri. Situated 24 km upstream from Haridwar, at the meeting of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga, Rishikesh has long been a religious centre. It is said that the sage Raibhya Rishi did harsh penance here and as a reward, God appeared to him in the shape of Hrishikesh, hence the name. The whole place is careful to be sacred, as it is supposed that meditation at this place leads to achievement of salvation. The Riverside is scattered by the ashrams of Sadhus and sages.

Altitude:

11.20 sq.km., Altitude:356 mts., Climate: (deg C) Summer- Max.44.4, Min.29; Winter- Max.32.2, Min.18.3, Clothing: Summer- Cotton & tropical; Winter- Heavy woolen, Languages Spoken: Garwali, Hindi, Punjabi, English, Best Season: Throughout the year.

Places Of Interest:

Bharat Temple, Rishi Kund & Raghunath Temple, Laxman Jhoola , Pushkar Temple , Shatrughan Temple, Muni-Ki-Reti , Swarg Ashram, Gita Bhawan, Parmath Niketan , Lakshman Temple, Sadanand Jhoola, Triveni Ghat, Shivanand Ashram, Kailash Ashram, Academy of Meditation.

Excursions:

Haridwar- 24 kms, Dehradun- 45 kms, Uttarkhand- 144 kms, Kedarnath- 228 kms, Badrinath- 203 kms, Gangotri- 253 kms, Yamnotri- 226 kms, Nilkanth- 16 kms, Mussourie -77 kms.

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Dehradun

The Doon Valley is located between the two most important rivers of India i.e. Ganga & Yamuna, is most charming having moderate climate, nestling a number of places of tourist interest. It is a most pleasing region at the foothills of the panoramic Shivalik ranges.

Altitude:

640 meters, Climate: (deg C)-Summer- Max 36.6, Min 16.7; Winter- Max 23.4, Min 5.2, Clothing: Summer- Cottons, Winter- Woollens, Languages spoken: Garhwali, Hindi, English, Best Season: Throughout the Year.

Places Of Interest:

Sahastradhara Cold Sulphur Springs, Tapkeshwar (Shiva) Temple, Robber's Cave, Lakshman Sidh, Tapovan, Botanical Garden of Forest Research Institute.

Excursions:

Rajiji National Park- 20 kms, Dhaulkhand Forest Reserve, Dakpathar- 45 kms, Chakrata Hill Resort- 94 kms.

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Gangotri

Gangotri is located in Uttarakhand at the height of 3,048 meters in the superb Garhwal Himalayas. The 6 meters high Gangotri shrine is dressed in white brickwork stone and is located on the right bank of the river, Bhagirathi. This 18th century temple is devoted to the Goddess Ganga who is believed to have descended from heaven as the "stream of life" in response to King Bhagirathi's penance.

14 kms from Gangotri is Gaumukh, where the source of the sacred Ganges - the Gangotri glacier - is located. Submerged in the water is the "shivling", the rock on which Lord Shiva allegedly sat to receive Ganga. At the famous source of the river, Goddess Ganga is worshipped in the type of deity. The trek to Gaumukh is gradual, and some pilgrims take on the journey to pay homage to the river at its known source.

Altitude - 3140 meters,

Climate - Summer - Max.20, Min.5; Winter- Max Subzero, Min.Snowbound,

Clothing - Summer - Light woollens, Winter- Heavy woolens,

Languages Spoken - Garhwali, Hindi, English,

Best Season - May-June and September-October.

Places Of Interest:

Submerged Shivling:

A natural Shivling formed of rock, inundated in the river, where according to mythology; Lord Shiva sat when the Ganga first descended to earth. The Shivling is evident only when the water is clear in early winter.

Gaumukh Trek (23 Km)

Snout of Gangotri glacier & source of the river Bhagirathi, Gomukh is located at an altitude of 4200 meters.

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Yamnotri

Yamnotri is the basis of the river Yamuna, which is the main branch of the holy river, Ganges. As the legend goes, Yamnotri was the home of Asit Muni, a well-known sage of ancient times. Built in the 19th century, the Yamnotri temple has a black mineral idol of Goddess Yamuna. Recently, the temple was shattered twice by snow and floods but has been rebelled each time. There are plentiful hot water springs near the temple in which pilgrims immerse potatoes and rice tied in pieces of cloth. The meals thus ready are offered to the deity and then dispersed among the pilgrims. Yamnotri, the source of the river Yamuna, is the westernmost temple in the Garhwal Himalayas, located on a flank of the Bandar punch peak. It is said that Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the temple of Yamnotri in the last decade of the 19th century.

Altitude - 3322 Meters,

Climate: (deg. C) - Summer Max 20, Min 6; Winter Max Sub-zero, Min Snow-bound,

Clothing - Summer - Light woollens, Winter - Heavy woolens,

Languages Spoken - Hindi, Garhwali, English,

Best Season - May-June and September-October.

Places Of Interest:

Yamnotri stands in the shadow of Bandar punch Mountain (6315 Meters, Temple of Yamnotri, Surya Kund, hot water spring, Divya Shila. Saptarshi Kund-10 Kms.

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Badrinath

The abode of Lord Vishnu, Badrinath, is located in the Himalayas (Uttarakhand) at the height of about 3,124 meters above sea level. It is on the left bank of the river, Alaknanda. At one time the spot was covered with wild berries ("badris") and was renowned as the "Badri Van" (the garden of wild berries).

Built by the Garwal kings, the Badrinath shrine dates rear to more than two centuries. The temple has a black stone statue that depicts Lord Vishnu - the preserver - in a pensive stance with both hands on his lap. Fed by the Badrinath glaciers and the sacred Ganges, the sacred river Alaknanda flows by the temple. The temples of Shiva and Vishnu at Kedarnath and Badrinath have been the purpose of pilgrims for centuries.

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