Uttar Pradesh - The Heart Land of India
Uttar Pradesh, is a state located in the north western part of India, is the heartland of India. Known for it rich heritage, culture and bounties of nature, it is home to some of the greatest monuments, the most ancient city in the world, the seat of Buddhism and the colours of all faiths. The diverse linguistic and religious ethnic groups that are native to Uttar Pradesh combined with their long histories have contributed immensely to the varied cultural heritage of the state. Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in Uttar Pradesh. Owing to its rich and varied topography, vibrant culture and captivating festivities, monuments, ancient places of worship and buddhist temples(viharas).
Uttar Pradesh has been the ancient seat of Hindu religion, learning and culture, and has many important sites of Hindu pilgrimage. The State also has several sites important to Buddhism. Due to the political and social history of the area, a large number of different cultures contributed to the culture of Uttar Pradesh. The Mauryans, the Mughals, the British, etc. all brought with them their own cultural traits.
Architectural legacies of the past of Uttar Pradesh survive to varying extent.Medieval kings and emperors have left imposing monuments: forts, palaces, temples, mosques and mausoleums, whose external and internal grandeur recalls the opulence of those times. Medieval kings and emperors have left imposing monuments: forts, palaces, temples, mosques and mausoleums, whose external and internal grandeur recalls the opulence of those times. British colonial architecture is still seen in many cities. Medieval kings and emperors have left imposing monuments: forts, palaces, temples, mosques and mausoleums, whose external and internal grandeur recalls the opulence of those times. British colonial architecture is still seen in many cities.
Uttar Pradesh is also famous for its rich heritage of art and craft. Mughal crafts, Zari work, Perfumes, Ceramics Pottery, Chikan work on silk and cotton garments,beautiful teracotta statues and black pottery, are most famous.
The state is home to a very ancient tradition in dance and music and was a major centre for musical innovation.Kathak, a classical dance form, involving gracefully coordinated movements of feet and arms along with the entire body, grew and flourished in Uttar Pradesh. Holi, Janmashtami, Ramlila, Kumbh Mela, Ganga Mahotsava and the Taj Mahotsava are the popular festvals and fairs of Uttar Pradesh.
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About Lucknow
Lucknow is a city synonymous with the Nawabi Culture is the capital of Uttar Pradesh. The creator of Lucknow , as it is today, was Nawab Asaf ud Daula.Known for its Adab and Tehzeeb (cultural refinement), Lucknow is also associated with its legendary hospitality, leisurely moods of life. The nawabs were not only gracious hosts but also extremely fond of good nutritious food. Thus emerged the skillful art of slow cooking.The field of architecture saw re-interpretation of the existing styles and experimentation in the fusion of the occidental and the oriental style of architecture.
Tremors of time have not effaced Lucknow of its cultural heritage and traditions, which once contributed in creating the city incomparable in its times. Modern Lucknow, spread evenly on both sides of river Gomti, is a perfect blend of the ancient with the modern, as many glitzy shopping arcades coexist with the old monuments.The greatest attraction of Lucknow, where the past jostles with the present, is its unique ability to achieve harmony amidst disorder and to assimilate the new into the old.
Allahabad
A city of many dimensions is what befits a description of Allahabad. In addition to being a major pilgrimage centre, the city has played an important part in the formation of modern India. Hindu mythology states that Lord Brahma, the creator god, chose a land for 'Prakrishta Yajna'. This land, at the confluence of three holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, blessed by gods, came to be known as 'Prayag' or 'Allahabad'.Foreseeing the sanctity of the place, Lord Brahma also called it as 'Tirth Raj' or 'King of all pilgrimage centres.' The Scriptures - Vedas and the great epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata, refer to this place as Prayag.
More Attractions in Uttar Pradesh
