Where is Uttar Pradesh?
Uttar Pradesh, the fifth largest state in the Union of India, covers a
large part of the Gangetic Plain. It shares its boundary with Nepal and
Tibet on the north, Himachal Pradesh on the northwest, Haryana and
Delhi on the west,
Rajasthan on the southwest,
Madhya Pradesh on the south and Bihar on the east.
What is the state famous for?
The monumental treasure
Taj Mahal
is located in the city of Agra. The state also boasts of having some very
sacred pilgrimage centres of the country like
Varanasi and
Mathura. Lucknow
is popular for its 'Nawabi Culture' and for the courteous behaviour of the
people.
What are the main spoken languages?
Hindi, Urdu and English are the main spoken languages of the state.
Which are the important cities?
The important cities of Uttar Pradesh are Agra, Allahabad, Lucknow, Jhansi,
Kanpur, Mathura, Meerut, Aligarh, Noida and Varanasi.
» Agra
Located
on the banks of the river Yamuna, Agra abounds in tourist attractions. There
are a number of places to visit like Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itamad-ud-Daula's
Tomb and Sikandara Fort.
» Allahabad
Lying at the confluence of the holy rivers the Ganges, the Yamuna and the
Saraswati, Allahabad is an important pilgrimage centre in the country. The
city of Allahabad is a perfect amalgam of history, culture and religion.
» Lucknow
The city is widely popular for its cultural refinement and cultivated
manners. This erstwhile 'City of Nawabs' still retains much of its charm to
bedazzle the visitors. Bada Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Qaisar
Bagh Palace and Jami Masjid are sure to take you back in times of the
Nawabs, contemplating the Nawabi culture and their sense of style.
» Jhansi
The
city of Jhansi provides enough testament to the valour and glamour that
prevailed there in the ancient times. The Jhansi Fort, built by Raja Bir
Singh Ju Deo, is the key attraction of the place. Other tourist attractions
of the city are Maha Lakshmi Temple, Rani Mahal, Government Museum and
Ganesh Mandir.
» Kanpur
The city offers a number of places to visit. The Kanpur Memorial Church was
erected in the year 1875 to honour the British who lost their lives in the
mutiny of 1857. The church is built in the Lombardic Gothic style. Other
attractions include Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Indian
Institute of Technology, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College,
Kanpur Zoo, Phool Bagh and Nana Rao Park.
» Varanasi
The city is counted among the world's ancient centres for learning and
wisdom. The city is a very sacred city of the Hindus and therefor is held in
high esteem by the people of the country. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the
presiding deity of the city, stands the famous Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir.
Other worth-visiting places of the city are Central Institute of Higher
Tibetan Studies, Bharat Kala Bhawan, Banaras Hindu University, Kashi Vidya
Peeth, Alamgir Mosque, Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple and lots more.
What
does the climate say?
The climate of Uttar Pradesh varies from moderately temperate to tropical
monsoon. In the plains the average temperature ranges between 12.5 to 17.5
degrees centigrade in Januray and between 27.5 to 32.5 degrees centigrade in
May and June. During the winters temperature drops down to a minimum of 4.2
degrees centigrade. In the eastern part of the state, the rainfall ranges
between 1000 and 2000 mm while in the west it is between 600 and 1000 mm.
October to March is the ideal time to visit.
Which are the famous wildlife sanctuaries?
Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh is no less than a paradise for animal
lovers. The northern edge of the park lies along the Indo-Nepal border,
while river Suheli marks the southern boundary. The inmates of the sanctuary
include elephant, spotted dear, stag deer, barking deer, blue bull, wild
boar, fox, porcupine, jungle fowls, peacocks etc. Jeeps and mini buses can
be hired from the park for a safari. Elephant rides are available too.
What can be the best buys?
The state of Uttar Pradesh has abundant testimony to prove the ace
craftsmanship of the artisans. Exquisite Chikan work of Lucknow is famous
all over. Brass ware of Moradabad, glasswork of Firozabad, woollen carpets
of Bhadoi and Mirzapur, terra cotta of Gorakhpur and hand printing of
Farrukhabad are very popular inside and outside the country. Agra is known
for its leather industry all over. Here one can buy leather shoes, leather
bags, leather belts, and various other leather-made items.
