What cities do you want to visit?

India is like a basket of colourful, fragrant flowers. It is home to approximately 1.4 billion people. A blend of culture, languages, and cuisine, India shows unity in diversity. Its cities and its people make it colourful. A religious hub, Varanasi is home to the Kashi Vishwanath temple and showcases iconic Indian traditions. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state of India, where 240 million people live. With cities like Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Agra, Uttar Pradesh is historically and culturally significant.

Introduction

Tour and Travel have been an essential part of life since ancient times. Business voyages were usual. Traders from China taking the Silk Route travelled far and wide up to the Middle East for trade and commerce. They were not only traders but also acted as Cultural Ambassadors too. Touring helps understand various cultures, food, lifestyles, customs and traditions of various places and countries. It is far more than only a pastime. A source of inspiration and knowledge, tourism recreates and allows the traveller to experience and feel the place one visits.

Countries of world

Including non-member states, the Holy See (Vatican City), and Palestine, there are 195 countries in the world. Each part of the world and country has its own history and culture. From Siberia to Mongolia, from China to India and the Middle East, the countries are vivid, vibrant and culture-rich. By the same token, European Nations, Nordic Nations, Caribbean Countries, and South American countries are geographically rich and lively. One of the primordial Amazon forests and its varied wildlife grace this area. A heaven for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, naturalists and scientists, the forest of the Amazon has been a favourite destination.

India

A major country and emerging economic giant, India, is full of colours and lively people. India is the most populous country. It is the home of 1400 million proud Indians. With a rich history and culture, the country known for many firsts. Wise ancestors invented decimal systems and zero, adding an entirely new dimension to the world of mathematics.

(1) Physical features

From North to South and East to West, the area of the country is 32,87,263 Square Kilometres. With 28 states and 08 Union Territories, India is the mother of democracy. In a mammoth quinquennial general election, 970 million voters exercise their right to franchise to choose their representatives.

(2) States and cities

With 792 cities spread over 28 states, India is very colourful and varied with many languages, festivals, traditions and cultures. It is a land of harmony and peace with hard-working and industrious people.

(3) Uttar Pradesh

One of the 28 states, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), is the most populous province. Situated in the fertile alluvial Gangetic plains, Uttar Pradesh is the land of Ram, Krishna, Buddha and Mahavir. Many mystic saints blessed the soil of Uttar Pradesh. Kabeer, Tulsi, Surdas and Ravidas lived and worked in various cities of Uttar Pradesh. The saints significantly enriched the Indian ethos and culture with their devotional preachings. Moreover, it is where the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati meet. They form the “Triveni” confluence at Prayagraj (Formerly Allahabad). This is the seat of the duodecennial mega fair “Kumbh”. An estimated 48 crore people will take a holy dip during “Kumbh 2025”. (UP Tourism)

Varanasi: A holy city

Lanes and bylanes are bustling with activities. Devotees throng to temples and beeline for a “Darshan” of God. Tintinnabulations from temples amidst occasional devotional slogans fill the air. The flowing river Ganga, with boats ferrying devotees and tourists. It all boiled down to a holy ancient place, “Banaras”. A mix of tradition and modernity, the city is now known as Varanasi. It is a major religious city of Uttar Pradesh.

(1) City of Lord Vishwanath and Buddha

The city is famous for its temples. “Kaal Bhairav” is considered the “Kotwaal” of Varanasi. Out of twelve “Jyotirlinga”, the famous Kashi-Vishwanath temple houses one. The holy footprint of Buddha still felt in the Sarnath area of Varanasi. After attaining enlightenment Siddhart became Buddha. He revisited Sarnath in Varanasi. He met his estranged companions. Buddha gave his first sermon and started “Dhamma Chakra Pravartan” from here in Sarnath.

(2) Morning of Varanasi

Belching smoke from the hearth is the sign that Varanasi has awakened. It is 4 a.m. Activities have started. People are heading towards Ganga for a holy dip and performing rituals before seeking the blessings of “Baba”…

(3) A vibrant city

A vibrant city, Varanasi is laden with the fragrance of devotion and simmering incense sticks. Believed to be an eternal city, it rests on the trident of Lord Shiva, affectionately called “Baba Vishwanath”. The city is famous for traditional “Banarasi Saari”, sweetmeats, “Chaat” and morning breakfast. From early morning to late night, Varanasi is full of vigour, devotion and hectic activities. 

Culturally rich Uttar Pradesh

Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Ram. Mathura and Vrindavan are the lands where Lord Krishna was born. He played and grew there. Kabeer is resting in the soil of Maghar (Sant Kabeer Nagar). Hazarat Waris Ali Shah is resting in Deva Sharif at Barabanki near the state capital, Lucknow.

Flower basket

A colourful tapestry of culture, tradition, food, languages and rich history, India is like a basket of fragrant flowers. The country’s unity in diversity attracts tourists from all over the world. Each city of Uttar Pradesh is peculiar. Some are hubs of industrial activities, while some are famous for their handicrafts, cuisines and etiquette.

Major towns

Here are a few major cities with their sketchy narration. These towns are important for tourists and religious reasons:

Lucknow

• Situated on the bank of the river Gomti in the Awadh region of the province. Lucknow is the state capital and a happening place.
• Sobriquet “City of Nawabs”, it is famous for Nawabi culture, ornate buildings, minarets, cupolas and domes which grace the skyline.
• This city of Uttar Pradesh is also known as the “City of Nawabs.” It is famous for its etiquette, Urdu poetry, and sumptuous food. The fast-changing city is becoming modern with modern edifices, new localities, sprawling parks and gardens.
• The newly created 367 Acre Janeshwar Mishra Park is Asia’s biggest. Please visit my blog here for a more detailed account of the city.

Prayagraj

• Formerly known as Allahabad, it is a famous city. It was the capital of India for a few days during the colonial period. It has many colonial buildings, including the grand All Saints’ Cathedral and the famous Minto Park. The latter is named Madan Mohan Malviya Park. It was the place where Queen Victoria’s Proclamation was read out in 1858.
• The immortal Chandrashekhar Azad was martyred here in the then Alfred Park (now rechristened as Chandra Sekhar Azad Park). The world-famous duodecennial mega “Kumbh” festival is organised here.
• The city is also known for its affiliation with Jawaharlal Nehru. The first Prime Minister of free India, Nehru, was born here. “Anand Bhawan” is his paternal house. The city is also famous for its sites of historical importance. The fort near the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna.
• Khusaro Bagh, where Khusaro was buried. Son of Jehangir from his Rajput wife, Khusaro, revolted against his father. Jehangir, his father, blinded him by gouging out his eyes.
• Prayagraj (Allahabad) is one of the main pilgrimage sites. It is related to Lord Ram and his path of going to the jungle – the “Ram Van Gaman Path”.

Ayodhya

• Ayodhya is one of the holy places.
• The famous city is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. It is also considered his kingdom.
• A recently constructed grand and imposing temple of Lord Ram attracts millions of devotees from across the world.
• Situated on the bank of the holy river Sarayu, the place is of utmost religious importance.

Mathura and Vrindavan

• The twin places of Mathura and Vrindavan are also important pilgrimage sites. It is related to Lord Krishna, who was born here in a dungeon.

• As the saying goes, the autocrat Kansa, the king of Mathura, imprisoned his sister Deoki and her husband Vasudev. He was cursed by an Oracle. At the eighth childbirth, the shackles of Vasudeva were opened. Putting the infant in a bamboo basket, Vasudev crossed the swelling Yamuna amidst torrential rain in the dark at midnight. Reaching the house of Nand, he exchanged the infant and returned to the dungeon. The infant was Lord Krishna, who later eliminated Kansa and played a pivotal role in the Mahabharata.

Agra

• A historical city that happened to be an important city during the Mughal period.
• Akbar tried to shift his capital to Agra, and he constructed a lavish and ornate city in Fatehpur Sikri. Due to the dearth of water, he shifted to Delhi.
• The historical nature of Agra is clear from the grand edifices. The historical edifices like Red Fort, Itimad-Ud-Daula, Tomb of Akbar, Aaraam Bagh and the world-famous monument Taj Mahal are important.
• Besides these attractions, the ornate and grandiose Radha Swami temple is eye-catching and attracts many tourists and devotees.

Summation

Knowing and getting the feel of various places is enriching. It not only offers perspectives but also adds dimension to our vision and perception of life. Historical and archaeological sites take us back in time. They allow us to visualise the way of life of their owners. Similarly, a natural site like a pristine cascading waterfall makes us feel about our tiny existence. It also gives us a thought about life, and its ever-changing aspects, encapsulating positive and negative sides.

Further reads:

• Urbanization’s Impact on Rural Nostalgia and Environment
• Kushinagar: Where Lord Buddha took his last breath
• Discovering Lucknow: A Journey Through My Favorite City
• Exploring Mental Touring: A Unique Travel Perspective
• Famous vs Infamous: What Meeting Means

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