Referred to as the cow
belt or the Hindi belt, Uttar Pradesh has been the most dominant
state in Indian politics and culture since Independence. The
Ganges which forms the backbone of the state, is considered
sacred by Hindus, and has seven holy towns including Varansi, the
holiest of the holies. Uttar Pradesh is also of importance to
Buddhists; it was at Sarnath that Buddha first preached his
message.
Most of Uttar Pradesh consists of the vast Ganges plain, an area
which often floods during the monsoons. In stark contrast to the
plains, the scenic north-western corner has hill stations which
offers some of the best trekking opportunities. The main
languages spoken here are Hindi, Urdu and English.
The highlights of Uttar Pradesh are the Taj Mahal, the Fatehpur
Sikri, the ghats at Varanasi, the hill stations and the Corbett
Tiger Reserve.
Lucknow, the capital city, is a city rich in culture and history.
Built by the Nawabs, it's a city that takes its manners
seriously. Here, the Bara Imambara, the Chota Imambara, the
Residency and the Rumi Darwaza are the primary draws.
The city of Agra, home to the world-famous Taj Mahal, is a
typically north Indian city. The Agra Fort a massive red
sandstone structure, begun by Akbar was completed by his grandson
Shah Jahan.Known for leather goods and jewelry, the Sadar Bazar
is full of emporiums.
As for the Taj, this monument of love, is magical at dawn. Its
gateway, long watercourse and minarets make it a thing of eternal
beauty.
Mussoorie, Naintal, Ranikhet and Kasauni afford good getaways.
Their scenic beauties and cool climate are a welcome respite from
the sweltering heat of the plains. Best time to visit: October to
March.
