Best Places to Visit in Uttar Pradesh

Taj Mahal

An ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra.

Varanasi Ghats

Embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions.

Agra Fort

A colossal red-sandstone Mughal fortress beside the Yamuna that served as the main residence of the emperors until 1638. A UNESCO World Heritage site with sweeping views of the Taj Mahal.

Fatehpur Sikri

Akbar's red sandstone capital — built in fourteen years of architectural frenzy starting in 1571, abandoned after only fourteen because the wells ran dry. A UNESCO World Heritage Site 40 km from Agra, it remains the best-preserved Mughal city on earth, frozen at its moment of greatest ambition.

Sarnath

Where the Buddha gave his first sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to the five ascetics — a UNESCO-tentative archaeological complex 10 km from Varanasi, anchored by the 5th-century CE Dhamek Stupa and the Ashokan Lion Capital that became India's national emblem.

Kushinagar

Where the Buddha entered Mahaparinirvana under twin sal trees in 483 BCE — a UNESCO-tentative archaeological complex anchored by the 6.1-metre reclining Buddha at the Mahaparinirvana temple and the Ramabhar Stupa built over the cremation site.

Alopi Devi Temple (Madhaveshwari)

The fourteenth peetha of the Ashtadasha — Sati's wrist fingers fell here — at Prayagraj near the Triveni Sangam. Unique among Indian temples: there is no idol — only a wooden palanquin (doli) is worshipped, recalling the legend that the goddess vanished into thin air leaving only her doli behind.

Sravasti

Capital of the ancient Kosala kingdom and where the Buddha spent 24 of his 45 monsoon retreats — the site of the Twin Miracle and the Anathapindika-built Jetavana monastery, whose foundations still mark the Gandhakuti where the Buddha resided.

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