In Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow was associated with the princely court of Oudh and then with the British, both traditions lingering on in the city whose finest monument is the Bara Imambara. Further east, Varanasi is the oldest city in India. An important centre of Hindu pilgrimage, it is believed that those who die in Varanasi will be released from the cycle of rebirth. Pious Hindus still come to Varanasi to spend their last days, living in spartan communes run by a multitude of religious trusts. The focus of interest to a visitor is the sacred River Ganga. At the series of steps leading 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 bylanes of the city are crowded bazaars selling brassware and silk brocades.

Agra, the city of the inimitable Taj Mahal is now an educational and business centre-known for its craftsmen & handicrafts. Marble and softstone inlay work, carpet and leather goods are some important traditional crafts of the city.

Agra, and the nearby city of FATEHPUR SIKRI, are conveniently close to Delhi to warrant an all day excursion by coach or taxi although there are several hotels of every standard of comfort. Besides the Taj Mahal are Agra Fort, Sikandra, Ram Bagh and Itmad-ud-Daulah. 35 km away are the imperial ruins of the Mughal city, Fatehpur Sikri. Agra and Fatehpur Sikri are not merely rich legacies of Mughal history - they are the finest examples of architecture which combined Hindu and Muslim elements


Places of Interest
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Dayal Bagh, Chini-Ka-Roza, Itmad-Ud-Daula Tomb, Radhaswami Samadhi, Mariyam's Tomb, Sikandra, Jama Masjid, Motilal Nehru Park, Shah Jahan Gardens & Rosary, Ram Bagh .


Excursions
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary 54 kms, Fatehpur Shikri 37 kms, Kaitham Lake 23 kms, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Mathura 54 kms, Van Vihar Widlife Sanctuary 60 kms.

Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, one of the biggest states in India and is situated on the banks of the river Gomati, tributary of the Ganga. It is famous for its Gardens, Parks and unique archaeological monuments. The people of Lucknow are known for exquisite charm, courtesy and flair of the Urdu language.


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), Golaknath Temple (171 kms).

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Allahabad is situated at the confluence of the 3 sacred rivers - Ganga, Yamuna & the invisible Saraswati. It is here at the sangam that Hindus converage for a holy dip especially during the Kumbha Mela, held here every 12 years after

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


Excursions
Kaushambi 6O kms, Chitrakoot 132 kms, Ayodhya 167 kms.


Festivals
The Kumbh Mela is held at the sangam in Allahabad for over a month every 12th year.

The Magh Mela (Mini Kumbha) is held every year(except in the years of Kumbha Mela & Ardh Kumbh Mela) in the month of Magh(January-February


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

Clothings : Summer- Cottons/Tropical; Winter- Woollens.

Best Season : October to March

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As the sacred river Ganga flows the snow-clad Himalayas into the vast plains, half way between Delhi and Calcutta it curves into a gentle crescent and along the crescent lies Varanasi. Said to be the frist created spot on earth according to legend, in existence for over thousands of years. Varanasi is the city which enshrines the very essence of Hinduism.


Places of Interest
Fort, jay Stambha, Kirti Stambha, Rana-Kumbha Palace, Padmini Palace, Meera Temple and Kumbha Shyam Temple and Kalika Mata Temple, State Archaeological Museum. Nagari: 14 kms. An ancient town in Rajasthan, it is situated north of Chittor. According to excavation, a civilisation flourished here from the Maurya to the Gupta dynasty. Notable excavations indicate these having both the serenity of Hinduism and the sacrifice of Buddhism. Excavations are continuing.

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Dehradun  |  Rishikesh | Badrinath  |  Haridwar

Uttaranchal is one of the most beautiful, well-preserved and enchanting states located on the northern part of India. The region is blessed with magnificent glaciers, majestic rivers, gigantic Himalayan peaks, skiing resorts and dense forests. Nature has endowed this region with so much beauty and spiritual bliss that the land is also known as Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods). It has within its borders the char-dhams (the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples): Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. This is the land where Vedas and Shastras were composed and the great Indian epic - Mahabharata was written. The region has always been the source of inspiration for nature lovers and seekers of peace and spirituality. The locals are friendly, warm, with rich culture and traditions


The Himalayas
The highest and the youngest mountain ranges in the world, the Himalayas form the northern border of the Indian sub-continent. In Sanskrit Himalayas means "abode of snow", truly characterizing the vast and permanent snowfields above the snowline. In the heart of these majestic mountains lies the state of 'Uttaranchal' with Kumaon district on its east and Garhwal on the west. This mountainous region offers a wonderful panorama of high snow-clad peaks, making one fall in love with the Himalayas and feel closer to God. Of the many beautiful peaks the most famous are Mt. Everest, Mt. K2, Mt. Kamet and Mt. Nanda Devi.


Home of the Ganga
Ganga, Yamuna and scores of other rivers originate in Uttaranchal. Among them Ganga is the most holy and prominent. It represents the soul of India - her rich culture, history and civilization. The source of Ganga is at 'Gaumukh' (the shape of the ice formation is like a cow's mouth), where the mighty river emerges from the depths of the Gangotri glacier. Rising in the icy caves the gushing and gurgling Bhagirathi starts its long journey downwards where later it joins river Alaknanda and becomes Ganga.

The capital city of Uttranchal, surrounded on the east by river Ganga, on the west by Yamuna, the Doon Valley is a most picturesque region at the foothills of the panoramic Shivalik ranges.


General Information
» Temperature (deg C) : Summer- Max 36.6, Min 16.7; Winter- Max 23.4, Min 5.2

» Clothings : Summer- Cottons, Winter- Woollens.

» Season : Throughout the Year.


Gangotri
In the hinterlands of the Himalayas is Gangotri where, it is believed, Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time. According to the Hindu religious scriptures, the goddess manifested herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirathi's sons, following his penance of several centuries. At the legendary source of the river, goddess Ganga is worshipped in the form of deity. The Gangotri temple was built in the early 18th century by a Gorkha commander, Amar Singh Thapa and later rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur. By November, Gangotri is snowbound, and so the deity is taken 25 kms downstream to Mukhba, so that her devotees are not thwarted. Despite the severe cold, however, several "SADHUS" remain at Gangotri year round, even through the very severe winter. Gomukh, the identified source of the river Ganga, is 18 kms further uphill. The trek to Gomukh is gradual, and severl pilgrims undertake the journey to pay homage to the river at its known source.


Places of Interest & Excursions
Submerged Shivling :
A natural Shivling formed of rock, submerged in the river, where according to mythology, Lord Shiva sat when the Ganga first descended to earth. The Shivling is visible only when the water is clear in early winter.

Gomukh Trek (23 Km) :
Snout of Gangotri glacier & source of the river Bhagirathi,Gomukh is located at an altitude of 4200 metres. En route accommodation is available at Bhojwasa in Tourist Rest House.


Yamunotri
Yamunotri, the source of the river Yamuna, is the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, located on a flank of the Bandarpunch peak. Yamunotri stands in the shadow of Banderpunch mountain (6315 Metres). Its various places of tourist Interest include the Temple of Yamunotri, Surya Kund, A hot water spring and Divya Shila.


General Information
» Temperature (deg C) : Summer- Max.20, Min.5; Winter- Max Subzero, Min.Snowbound

» Clothings : Summer- Light woollens, Winter- Heavy woollens.

» Best Season : May-June and September-October.

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Rishikesh is one of the most popular pilgrim centres and gateway to the Himalayan Shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Yoga Centres of Rishikesh have enhanced the significance of the place


Places of Interest
Bharat Temple (1.6 kms) [ Open from 0500 to 1100 hrs and 1300 to 2100 hrs ], Rishi Kund & Raghunath Temple (1.6 kms), Laxman Jhoola (6.7 kms), Pushkar Temple (1.6 kms), Shatrughan Temple, Muni-Ki-Reti (4.8 km), Swarg Ashram, Gita Bhawan, Parmath Niketan (8 km), Lakshman Temple, Sadanand Jhoola, Triveni Ghat, Shivanand Ashram, Kailash Ashram, Academy of Meditation.


Excursions
Haridwar 24 kms, Dehradhun 45 kms, Uttarkhand 144 kms, Kedarnath 228 kms, Badrinath 203 kms, Gangotri 253 kms, Yamunotri 226 kms, Nilkanth 16 kms, Mussoorie 77 kms.


Yoga Ashrams
Divine Life Society, Shivananda Nagar.

Yoga Niketan, Muni-Ki-Reti

Academy of Meditation (M. Mahesh Yoga Ashram) Shankaracharya Nagar

Yoga & Meditation Centre (Yoga Sadhana Ashram), Railway Road

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The temples of Shiva and Vishnu at Kedarnath and Badrinath have been the destination of pilgrims for centuries. Once reached after tortuous treks but easily accessible today by road. At Uttarkashi at a height of over 3000 metres the snow melts to form the sacred rivers of Ganga and Yamuna in the deep recess of the mountains. The route to the two sources begins at Rishikesh and passes ancient temples and Valleys along the way. The Shrines are open from 1st week of May upto Diwali day.


Useful Information :
1. Inoculation against Cholera is necessary.

2. Boiled Water is advisable for drinking.

3. Tinned provisions are useful.

4. Travellers should carry warm clothing, blankets, water proof ground sheets, rain coat, umbrella, torch, walking sticks, canvas shoes and some medicines.

5. Dandies, Kandies, Ponies are available at all the bus terminals at reasonable charges with the help of G.M.V.N. conducted tour guides.

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Haridwar located in the foothills of the Himalayas is the point where the river Ganga reaches the plains. It is an ancient pilgrimage site, held in reverence for centuries. Legend has it that King Bhagiratha brought the Ganga onto the earth, and it was at this point where his ancestors were burnt to ashes by the curse of the sage Kapila.

Haridwar (and Rishikesh) represents the gateway to the Himalayan pilgrimage shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. The pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrines begins only when the sun reaches the zodiac sign of Aries. Haridwar is also the site of celebration of the Kumbh Mela, once in twelve years, when Jupiter transits to the zodiac sign of Aquarius. The five sacred bathing spots in Haridwar are Gangadwara, Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha and Kusavarta. Gangadwara is the most important temple here. The Ganga Aarti performed in all temples at Haridwar simultaneously at 7 pm each evening, is a spectacular sight.

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