Ayodhya to Banaras: explore the beautiful sacred cities of Uttar Pradesh

By Nancy Tiwari  |  First Published Mar 27, 2024, 2:26 PM IST

Numerous locations of spiritual significance may be found in Uttar Pradesh, the state famed for being the birthplace of Lord Ram. Therefore, you should visit Uttar Pradesh and its pilgrimage sites if you wish to witness India's religious diversity or if you are a real believer.

India is regarded as the country of temples and faith. India is a wonder just for being able to live with such unity in diversity, with so many distinct castes and communities all adhering to their own unique religions. Since Hinduism is the most popular religion in India, there are many holy sites and places of pilgrimage there. Uttar Pradesh is one such state that is well-known for its pilgrimage sector.

It is replete with temples and other places of worship that draw year-round pilgrims and religious aficionados. These Uttar Pradeshi cities and towns are well-known not just for their stunning topography but also for their temples and pilgrimage. The purest kind of travel to India is to visit these Uttar Pradesh pilgrimage sites. 

1. Ayodhya:
Another well-known religious site in Uttar Pradesh is Ayodhya, which gained notoriety due to its connection to the valiant figure of Ram from Hindu legend. Ayodhya is one of the seven most significant pilgrimage places, or Saptapuri, for Hindus in India. It is thought to be the birthplace of Ram. Known by its previous name, Saket, the city has long been associated with Indian mythology and history. It was once the seat of government for the vast Kosala kingdom. The fame of Ayodhya originates from the numerous references it has in the renowned Indian epic Ramayana. 

2. Varanasi:
One of the most well-liked tourist spots in India is Varanasi. It is essentially a place of worship, and a very active one at that! Varanasi, formerly known as Kashi or Benaras, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns on Earth. During major festivals, pilgrims swarm its various ghats, or Ganga river bathing sites, because it is said that a plunge in the river can atone for sins. After taking a bath in the Ganga, devotees typically visit the neighboring temples to pay their respects to Shiva, a revered Hindu deity.

3. Mathura-Vrindavan:
Mathura-Vrindavan is a popular tourist destination year-round because of its connection to Shri Krishna, one of the most beloved and respected gods in Hindu mythology. Krishna's birthplace is thought to be Mathura. At the present site of the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, Krishna was born precisely in the middle of Braj, or Brij-bhoomi. Mathura is one of the seven locations—the other six being Ayodhya, Avantika, Kasi, Puri, Kanchi, and Dwarka—that can bestow moksha upon a person, as per the religion literature Garuda Purana.

4. Prayagraj:
The world's largest religious gathering, the Kumbh Mela, is a well-known event that most people have heard about. One of the four locations where the Kumbh Mela is conducted every twelve years is Allahabad. Ujjain, Haridwar, and Nashik are the other three locations. As a result, if you want to experience the renowned Hindu culture and traditions, Allahabad is among the most crucial destinations in India. One of the holiest locations in India for Hindus is Allahabad, formerly known as Prayag, which means "place of offerings." The renowned Indian rivers Yamuna, Ganga, and Saraswati (fabled) converge at Allahabad.

5. Sarnath:
Sarnath, a small town near the confluence of the Ganga and Gomati rivers, is just 13 km away from the holy city of Varanasi and is one of the most visited religious sites in India. Because it is thought to have been the location of Gautam Buddha's first sermon, it is incredibly well-known. It is the location of the Buddha's initial dharma teachings. It is also the place where the Buddhist Sangha was founded and where Kondanna attained enlightenment. Thus, Sarnath becomes one of the four primary locations for Buddhist pilgrimages. Numerous nations that consider Buddhism to be their primary religion have built temples in Sarnath. 
 

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