Uttar Pradesh Pilgrimage Travel

Category :- All India Travel Tourism > States > Pilgrimage > Uttar Pradesh

Mathura
The city of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh is the birth place of Lord Krishna and is an important pilgrimage center. Mathura is the nucleus of Brajbhoomi. The city stretches along the right bank of the river Yamuna and abounds in temples and shrines. The area of Mathura district is 3,780 sq km. It is situated at an altitude of 187 m. Mathura's population size is 2,33,000. The main Dwarkadhish temple is reached through steeps steps of the main road.

The Jami Masjid here was built by Aurangzeb's governor Abd-un-Nabi in 1661. This was erected on the foundations of the once-famous Kesava Deo temple, destroyed by the Moghul Emperor, which had itself been built on the ruins of a Buddhist monastery. Some traces of the Hindu temple can be seen around the back, where the Shri Krishna Janamsthan or Janmabhoomi complex now stands. Directly behind the mosque, approached through a corridor a shrine marks Krishna's exact birthplace; its cage -like surrounding signifies that he was born in captivity, when his parents were prisoners of the tyrant King Kansa.

How to reach: Mathura is 47kms from Agra and 141kms from Delhi. It can be reached by bus and train from both of these places.

Vrindavan
Vrindavan is 15 kms away from Mathura. It is noted for its numerous temples. Lord Krishna spent his eventful youth here. The name 'Vrindavan' refers to scented groves and forests. There are many stories of the Lord and the Gopis and their Raslila in this groove.

Govardhan
This pilgrimage center of Braj is 26kms from Mathura and is located on a narrow sandstone hill called Giriraj. It is said that Lord Krishna, when very young lifted the Giriraj hill on his finger to save the people from a violent storm. The famous red sandstone temple of Haridev and the Kusum Sarovar with exquisitely carved chhatris are among other attractions of the place.

Varanasi
Varanasi is one of the foremost tirthas (pilgrimage centers) of the Hindus. It has been a great center of learning in the past and was originally known as Kashi . Throughout history it has been a sacred place for the Hindus.

The legend has that the city was created by Lord Shiva, the cosmic lord. It is another holy dot on the river Ganges. It is believed that, one who breathes his last here attains 'Niravana'.

It is a town of winding maze of picturesque alleys, tall buildings overlooking them and numerous temples. The main attraction of the place is the long string of bathing ghats along the river and taking a holy dip in the river for soul cleansing.A boat ride here, in the evenings, is an experience shared by many poets.

BUDDHIST CENTERS- EASTERN U.P.

Kushinagar
Kushinagar in eastern Uttar Pradesh is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites of India. Lord Buddha here died or attained Mahaprinirvana at this site. This place was discovered and it's antiquity established by General Cunningham. The monuments of Kushinagar are situated in three distinct groups comprising the main site of the Nirvana Temple, the central stupa and surrounding monasteries, the Mathakuar shrine to the southwest and the Ramabhar Stupa a kilometer to the east.

Sarnath
Sarnath is the site where Buddha delivered his first sermon in the Deer Park after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The Wheel - of- Law or the (Maha-Dharmachakra Pravartan.) was set into motion here. It is one of the most sacred places for Buddhists all over the world. The Stupa here was built in 234 BC by emperor Ashoka who spread Buddhism throughout his kingdom. The town is only 10kms from the holy city of Saranath.

Sravasti
Sravasti is one of the eight sacred places for Buddhists. It is said that Buddha spent 25 rainy seasons hare teaching people the eight- fold path. According to the legends here he confounded his critics by making them witness a miraculous million-fold self-manifestation seated on a thousand-petalled lotus, as fire and water emanated from his body. The bandit Angulimal was also converted to peace loving human being by Buddha here.

This town is also important for Jains since, Lord Mahavira, founder of Jainism visited this place frequently. Sravasti also finds mention in Hindu epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata.