Uttar Pradesh is a land of cultural and geographical diversity, blessed by a innumerable tranquil expanses of meadows, perennial rivers, dense forests, fertile soil, playing a very important role in the education, culture, industry, agriculture and Tourism of India. A place of gods and goddesses, a land which has a glorious history. It is the land of Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Mahavir, Ashoka, Harsha, Akbar and Mahatma Gandhi. It is a land dotted with countless shrines and pilgrimage which hold a special significance in the lives of the Indian people.
Enjoy the north India tour, guarded by the majestic Himalayas, garlanded by Ganga and Yamuna and surrounded by states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal and Haryana. It has a strategic importance for Indian defence as it touches Tibet and Nepal on the Northern border of the country.
The total Land Mass of 294,411 Square Kms, lies at the latitude 24 Deg to 31 Degrees and Longitude 77 to 84 Degrees East. It is the fourth largest state of India.
Buddhist Pilgrimage:
Kapilvastu:
The capital city of the Sakya clan, and one of the earliest republics, it was in Kapilavastu's opulent environs, that the holy soul of prince Siddarth (Gautam Buddha) spent his childhood.
Sarnath:
The blessed locale where more than 2,500 years ago Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon, after attaining Nirvana. The five disciples who had followed him were surprised to see the mesmerizing glowing countenance of Buddha, who convinced them and delivered his first sermon before them, now termed Dharamachakra Pravartan.
Kaushambi:
Was visited by Buddha in the 6th and 9th years after his enlightenment. He delivered several sermons here, elevating it to a center of learning for Buddhists. Today one can see the ruins of an Ashokan Pillar, an old fort and the Ghositaram Monastery.
Kushinagar:
It was here that the Tathagata, the reciter of truth, breathed his last with the last words, "behold now, brethren, I exhort you, saying , decay is inherent in all component things ! Work out your salvation with diligence !". A temple dedicated to the event - the Mahaparinirvana temple today stands amidst a serene 'sal' grove, as if still reminiscing the great demise.
Sravasti:
The capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honor for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens.
Sankisa:
It is believed to be the place where Buddha, along with Bramha and Devraj Indra descended after giving sermons to his mother in heaven.
Char dham Yatra:
Yamunotri:
The shrine of Yamunotri, situated at an elevation of about 3,235 mts. is a point of paramount religious importance. Situated in the direction opposite to Gangotri, the road bifurcates from a place called Dharasu, somewhere between Rishikesh - Uttarkashi and goes on to Yamunotri. The shrine can also be visited vow Mussoorie and Barkot. (More)
Gangotri:
This shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,200 mts. is the source of the river Bhagirathi. It is surrounded by the mountain peaks of Shivling, Satopanth and Bhagirathi sisters. Accessible by a motorable road, it is one of the most pious Hindu pilgrimages. (More)
Kedarnath:
The Kedarnath shrine is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. At an altitude of 3,581mts. it is a 14 kms. trek from Gaurikund. (More)
Badrinath:
Situated in the lap of Nar-Narayan Parvat, with the towering Neelkanth peak (6,597 mts.) in the background, Badrinath is one of the most revered Hindu shrines of India. It has been said that "there were many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heaven and earth and the other world but neither is there any equal to Badrinath nor shall there be one".
