Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is a heavily populated state and has some of India's greatest attractions. Sitting firmly at the head of these is the wondrous symmetry of the Taj Mahal, the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Varanasi is the holiest pilgrimage town in the country and flowing through it, the Ganges River, or "Great Mother" is Hinduism's sacred river. In Varanasi the ghats along the Ganges teem with humanity, and a boat ride in the soft evening light is an unforgettable experience. The towns of Mathura and Vrindavan are associated with Lord Krishna and draw in many pilgrims and sadhus. The various melas in Allahabad are important ...

Uttar Pradesh is a heavily populated state and has some of India's greatest attractions. Sitting firmly at the head of these is the wondrous symmetry of the Taj Mahal, the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Varanasi is the holiest pilgrimage town in the country and flowing through it, the Ganges River, or "Great Mother" is Hinduism's sacred river. In Varanasi the ghats along the Ganges teem with humanity, and a boat ride in the soft evening light is an unforgettable experience. The towns of Mathura and Vrindavan are associated with Lord Krishna and draw in many pilgrims and sadhus. The various melas in Allahabad are important religious festivals involving a dip at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. The Kumbh Mela, held once every twelve years, is the greatest religious gathering on Earth and can pull in about 30 million pilgrims - an unrivaled sight. Buddha left his mark at Sarnath which is part of a larger Buddhist trail through this area of India and southern Nepal. It's a major Buddhist center and the stupas and shrines are well worth exploring.

About the Expert

Alan Murphy is coauthor of Lonely Planet's Britain, Scotland, India and North India. He has been writing and updating travel guidebooks for the past eight years.