The Buddhist Circuit
Thousands of years ago, a large part of the life of Gautam Buddha was spent in this area. The Buddha attained enlightenment, travelled widely, spread his message and towards the end, attained mahaparinirvan in this region.
The circuit has places having grand Stupas, ancient monasteries, Buddhist chants and a steady stream of Buddhist pilgrims and monks who come here for meditation and worship.
What a devout can perceive of the entire life of Lord Buddha in Uttar Pradesh, cannot be replicated anywhere else. If you are looking for enlightenment in your life, this is the Circuit to visit.
Kapilvastu
- This is the holy place where Prince Siddharth grew up as a child.
- It is identified with the present day township of Piprahwa in Siddharthanagar district.
- Devotees feel transported thousands of years back to an era when young Prince Siddharth renounced all worldly riches and pleasures in search of salvation.
Kaushambi
- About 60 km from Prayagraj, this is believed to be the place where Buddha delivered many sermons.
- Renowned as a centre of higher learning for Buddhists, it is believed to be among the most prosperous cities of those times.
- Excavations have revealed ruins of an Ashokan Pillar, an old fort and a grand monastery, besides a huge number of sculptures and figurines, cast coins and terracotta objects.
Sarnath
- Just 10 km away from Varanasi, this is where lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining Enlightenment.
- The great Dhamekh Stupa and its ruins still reverberate with the Buddha’s teachings.
- The smooth glistening pillar established by Emperor Ashoka in 273-232 B.C. marks the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha.
- The Lion Capital atop this pillar is now India's National Emblem.
Sankisa
- Legend says that Lord Buddha descended here after giving sermon to his mother in heaven.
- It is identified with Basantpur village on the bank of Kali river in Farrukhabad district.
- Emperor Ashoka erected a pillar here with an elephant capital to mark this holy spot.
Sravasti
- About 15km from Bahraich, lies this sprawling complex of well-preserved stupas and ruins.
- It was the capital of the ancient Kosala Kingdom and here the Buddha showed his divine prowess to impress upon the non-believers.
- Believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, it is the place where Buddha spent many monsoons and delivered important sermons.
Kushinagar
- About 50 km from Gorakhpur, it is the place where the Lord Buddha left his corporal self and attained Mahaparinirvana.
- A uniquely designed Mahaparinirvana temple houses a huge statue of the reclining Buddha, excavated in 1876.
- Extensive excavations have revealed the presence of a large community of monks living here as late as 11th Century A.D.
The Bundelkhand Circuit
The romance and magic of Bundelkhand are still alive today.
Rugged palaces and forts, tough, valiant and courageous people make a visit to this land a magical experience.
Tales of chivalry and valour bear a silent testimony to the splendor of an era long gone by.
Bithoor
- A small temple town on the outskirts of Kanpur, on the bank of the holy Ganga.
- Take a quick trip around Valmiki Ashram, Brahmavart Ghat, Dhruv Teela and Nana Saheb’s palace.
- It offers a grand view of the vast expanse of the Ganga on sunrise and sunset.
Chitrakoot
- It is famed in Hindu mythology and the epic Ramayana as the place where Lord Ram and Sita spent many years of their exile.
- This holy town along the Mandakini river is spread over U.P. and Madhya Pradesh.
- Visitors say that they could feel the tranquility and peace of mind as soon as they reach Chitrakoot.
- Hanuman Dhara, Kamad Giri, Sphatik Shila and Ram Ghat are some of the must-see places here.
Jhansi
- Jhansi is the gateway to the legendary Bundelkhand region known for tales of valour and courage.
- It is linked with the legend of Rani Laxmibai who at the age of 22 had led freedom fighters against the British.
- A picturesque town overseen by the majestic Jhansi Fort, it also has several temples and lakes.
Kalinjar
- About 280 km from Jhansi, close to Banda, the ancient Fort of Kalinjar had strategic importance during medieval times.
- The Kalinjar Fort, situated at a height of 700 ft, is a veritable historical treasure house.
- The picturesque Vindhya ranges give it a charm which will linger in your memory for a long time.
- The Neelkanth Temple, legend says, is built at the spot where Lord Shiva, after consuming poison that emerged from the churning of ocean, came to rest for some time.
Mahoba
- It is small town known for its myriad lakes and temples situated on hills and valleys.
- The impregnable hilltop fort and the man-made lakes built by Chandela kings are engineering feats.
- Ballads praise its days of glory and narrate the inspiring saga of Alha and Udal, the two legendary warrior brother to sacrifice their lives for the honour of their land.
- The Sun Temple at Rahila is a unique 9th century granite structure. Its basic architectural plan is similar to temples found in Khajuraho.
Braj Circuit
This ancient land is an integral part of the life of Lord Krishna.
Melody, harmony and art reign supreme in this region steeped in history and legends.
A visit to the temples and monuments in Braj is a trip straight into history.
It is also the seat of the erstwhile great empire of the Mughal kings.
Agra
- Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal and capital of the erstwhile Mughal empire.
- The marble monument is a picture straight out of a colourful history book.
- Get wonder-struck at the awesome architecture of the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
- Take a memorable walk through the gardens, the lanes where art and craft takes shape of the buzzing bazaars.
- Almost next door to New Delhi, Agra is a must-do for all those who are seeking to revisit history.
Mathura
- Mathura and Vrindavan are the fabled twin cities of Braj Bhumi.
- Amidst the mesmerizing temples, music, art and dances, the legend of Lord Krishna comes alive every day.
- Charkula dance, Raasleela and the renowned Mathura Museum will keep you asking for more.
Vrindavan
- This is the place where Lord Krishna played his flute and performed leelas.
- It is immortalised in the poems of Meerabai, Surdas and Vallabhacharya.
- The Rangaji temple, an amalgam of Rajput and South Indian architecture, is the largest temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- The Bankey Bihari temple, Radha Madhav temple and ISKCON temple are some of the examples of great architecture.
Awadh –Lucknow Circuit
Peace, harmony and finesse have made this region known all over the world.
Situated in the heart of Uttar Pradesh, this region has a global identity for its culture, cuisine, literature and spirituality.
Monuments, spiritual destinations and nature's nests beckon you in Awadh.
Dewa Sharif
- A renowned shrine of Sufi Saint Haji Waris Ali Shah about 25 km from Lucknow.
- The impressive shrine attracts devotees of all communities.
- An annual fair is organized here which in November is a perfect example of universal brotherhood.
Naimisharanya
- A sacred place of pilgrimage for Hindus dating its significance to Vedic era.
- Chakra Teerth, Vyas Gaddi and Suraj Kund are places of worship and ancient architecture.
Ayodhya-Faizabad
- Famed as the birth place of Lord Ram, Ayodhya is an important pilgrimage centre.
- Temples and mosques exist side by side in all architectural splendor in the twin cities of Faizabad and Ayodhya.
- Ramkot, Hanumangarhi,Kanak Bhawan and Suraj Kund appear to spring up from pages of history.
- The ghats of Saryu bring alive a deeply spiritual experience.
- Faizabad was the seat of the Nawabs of Awadh.
Vindhya- Varanasi Circuit
Varanasi is among the most ancient living cities in the world.
Located along the Ganga, it is a sacred place for all Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.
The Vindhya ranges of mountains straddle the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The region not only has religious and spiritual significance but is also among the richest in mineral wealth.
Varanasi
- A visit to this legendary city will be among the most moving trips you'll ever make.
- It is a land of religious, spiritual and academic thought and beliefs.
- The evening Ganga arti changes the way you see the holy Ganga.
- The fabled Banarsi silk saree and carpets have made the city a big name in global markets.
- A morning spent at the ghats and temples is a spiritually cleansing experience.
Chunar
- About 40 km from Varanasi is this unique mix of religion, history and nature.
- The forests in the Vindhya ranges along the Ganga are ideal for a day’s trek.
- The imposing Chunar Fort along the Ganga is a marvellous sight.
Vindhyachal
- Situated on the bank of the Ganga near Mirzapur amid the Vindhya hills it is a sacred pilgrimage site.
- The Shaktipeeth of goddess Vindhyavasini is supposed to be the abode of divine power and blessings.
Wildlife -Eco Tourism Circuit
The state has one of the richest biosphere reserves in the Tarai.
This lush green region is home to a host of wildlife and fauna.
Tigers, elephants, deer, crocodiles, dolphins, exquisite bird species and dense vegetation are dream come true for the nature lover.
Dudhwa
- This National Park is home to tigers, leopards, varieties of deer and antelopes, elephants and birds.
- A quiet, tranquil and green nest in the Tarai foothills is an excellent weekend getaway.
- The rich green forests and the rivers flowing through it give you the complete wilderness experience.
Pilibhit
- The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is located in the districts of Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich on the India-Nepal border in the foothills of the Himalayas and the plains of the Tarai.
- It is one of India’s Project Tiger reserves and is heavily forested, giving a good prey base for tigers' survival.
- It is home to a habitat of over 127 animals, 556 bird species and 2,100 flowering plants.
- The fauna includes tiger, Indian leopard, swamp deer, hispid hare and Bengal floricans.
Katarnia Ghat
- A swathe of pristine forest about 200 km from Lucknow in Bahraich district.
- The Girwa river is home to fresh water Gangetic dolphins.
- Have a roaring experience amidst tigers, leopards, deer and antelopes.