Monday, August 18, 2008

Uttar Pradesh Pilgrimages



Uttar Pradesh Pilgrimage Center

Travelling the pilgrimage sites in India has been a very popular activity among the Indians as well as among foreigners visiting India for the last many decades. For an Indian, visiting the sacred pilgrimages is something very inevitable and should be done once in lifetime. Travel to Uttar Pradesh, the most sacred land for Hindus in India, for housing innumerous ageless pilgrimages from ancient India. In fact, Uttar Pradesh is a holy place for the people of all religions, as it boasts of many sacred sites of worship representing various religions and sects. Apart from being one most sacred and age old pilgrimage destination of Hindus, Uttar Pardesh also possesses several most revered pilgrimages of Muslims, Buddhists and Jains. Visit the ancient and timeless cities of Varanasi, Mathura - Vrindavan, Allahabad, etc., and quench your spiritual thirst with our pilgrimage tours to Uttar Pradesh India. Uttar Pradesh shelters innumerous pilgrimages since the ancient times. Nowhere in the world one can find people worshipping sacred rivers, the banks of which are thronged by devotees to get purified from the worldly sins. Uttar Pradesh has some of the popular pilgrimage centers where every year millions of pilgrims gather in order to fulfill their religious desires. Varanasi, the sacred place for the Hindus lies on the banks of the holy 'Ganges'. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. It has a very rich historical heritage. Pilgrims throng around the steps of Ganges to have a holy bath. The attraction of Varanasi is great to the tourists in India.The twin cities of Mathura & Vrindavan, is also no less sacred than the other pilgrimage sites of Uttar Pradesh India. Mathura being the birth place of Lord Krishna is one of the most venerated cities of the Hindu pilgrims. The city of Allahabad is also most revered for it is the place where the three most sacred perennial rivers of the Hindu religion - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meets. Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Rama is the pride of the Hindus, who come here to take a glimpse of this eternal city. Other than the Hindu pilgrimages, there are Buddhist, Jain and Muslims pilgrimages in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath and Kushinagar are the two most holy pilgrimages of the Buddhists. Travel to Uttar Pradesh and visit Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Also, there are innumerous Jain Shrines which dots the topography of Uttar Pradesh. There are Jain shrines in Ayodhya, Allahabad, Agra, Kashi, etc. Besides, there are Muslim pilgrimages at several parts of Uttar Pradesh. The Jama Masjid at Agra is one of the largest mosques in India. The pilgrimage sights of Uttar Pradesh India will pacify and mollify your inner self and make your pilgrimage tour to Uttar Pradesh India completely soothing and ethereal.

Sarnath

Sarnath is located at a distance of 8 km from Varanasi in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, preaching the middle path for attaining 'Nirvana'. Realising the sanctity of the site, emperor Ashoka, in the 3rd century B.C. built some of the finest monuments and legacies, a rare site to appreciate. The 34-metre-high 'Dhamek' stupa stands as a remarkable structure, which contains the remains of Lord Buddha. The area is now graceful and pleasant, breathing the spirit of the enlightened one, glowing with the devotion of the many followers who inhabited it through the centuries that followed.

Attractions in Sarnath

The Stupas
The great Dhamekh stupa and Dharmarajika stupas stand testimony to the great Buddhist works. The most notable structure at Sarnath, is the cylindrical Dhamek stupa, 28 m in diameter at the base and rising to 43.6 m in height. Dhamek stupa is built partly of stone and partly of brick. The stone facing the lower part is beautified with delicate floral carvings of Gupta period.
Choukhandi Stupa
Built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1555 A.D., Choukhandi Stupa is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha met his five disciples. The magnificent Ashoka pillar states the visit of emperor Ashoka to Sarnath. It was originally adorned by a capital of four lions, now housed in the Sarnath museum. The capital became the state emblem of modern India.
Mulgandha Kuti Vihara
Built in 1930, the Tibetan Buddhist shrine, Mulgandha Kuti Vihara, treasures sacred antiques from various places and a lifesize golden statue of the Buddha. It is adorned with fantastic frescoes by Japanese artist, Kosetsu Nosu. The place also has few Chinese and Jain temples. The 'Bodhi' tree growing within the campus is believed to be the offspring of one under which Buddha had attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya.
Archaeological Museum
The museum exhibits a magnificent statue of the Buddha turning the wheel of law, and many other excavations that exhibit the flowering of the Indian Plastic arts.

Mathura

Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is located at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and 58 km north-west of Agra, the city of Taj. Covering an area of about 3,800 sq. km., today, Brajbhoomi can be divided into two distinct units - the eastern part in the trans-Yamuna tract with places like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat and Bajna and the western side of the Yamuna covering the Mathura region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon.A long stretch of beautiful ghats - with their steps leading to the water's edge, arched gateways and temple spires extending along the right bank of the River Yamuna, enhances the sacred character of the town of Mathura. The birth place of Lord Krishna - Mathura is today an important place of pilgrimage, flocked by thousands of pilgrims daily.

Attractions in Mathura

Shri Krishna Janma Bhoomi
The birth place of Lord Krishna. It is believed that this is the place where about 5,000 years ago lord Krishna was born in the prison of King Kansa. While excavating this area, many old statues were found which are now displayed in the museum. At present this place has a beautiful temple of lord Krishna.

Dwarkadheesh Temple
The Dwarkadish Temple, built in 1814, is a popular temple in the center of town. It is the main temple of the town, during the festive days of Holi, janmashtami and Diwali. Situated on the city outskirts, the temple carving and paintings are major attraction. This is the most visited temple in Mathura. This temple is managed by followers of Vallabhacarya. Once you enter this temple from the street, it is fairly interesting architechually and there is a lot of activity inside. It is located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna River.
Jamma Masjid
Built by Nabir -Khan in 1661 A.D. the Mosque has 4 lofty minarets, wit bright coloured plaster mosaic of which a few panels currently exist. Vishram Ghat.The sacred spot where Lord Krishna is believed to have rested after slaying the tyrant Kansa.
Archeological Museum
Located at Dampier Park, it has one of the finest collection of archaeological interest. Rare items from the Gupta and Kushan period (400 B.C.-1200A.D.) are on display. The museum has the richest and by far the most important collection of Mathura School of Sculptures of c. 3rd cent. B.C. to c. 12th cent. A. D. which attained the pinnacle of glory during the reign of Great Kushan and Gupta Emperors. With the most impressive quantum of plastic forms with vast and varied meaning on display, the museum provides perhaps the best material available for the study of Indian Art and Iconography.

Varanasi

Varanasi, called Benaras by the English is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Mark Twain, the English author and literateur, who was amazed by the legend and sanctity of Benaras, once wrote : "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together".Situated in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is also renowned for its rich tapestry of music, arts, crafts and education. Standing timelessly on the north bank of Ganga, Varanasi is located midway between Delhi and Kolkata. Known as the religious and cultural capital of India, Varanasi's known history dates back to about 3500 hundred years. However, Hindus believe that the city is eternal. Also been known as Kashi, Varanasi's present name is restoration of an ancient name meaning the city between two rivers - the Varuna and Asia.

Attractions in Varanasi

Bharat Kala Bhawan, B.H.U
Established in 1950 as a university museum, Bharat Kala Bhawan is famous for its outstanding collection of miniature paintings. It has a rich collection of Rajasthani paintings, Pichhawai’s, pahari painting, Nepalese & Tibetan Thankas, company paintings as well as paintings of contemporary artists, illustrated Mrigavati, Kalpa Sutra, Chora-Panchasika, Laura-Chanda, Shah-nama and some pages of Humza-nama are the rich possessions of this museum.
Bathing Ghats
The splendid 4 km stretch of the Ghats is an unique sight at Varanasi. The Ghats of Varanasi are best viewed at dawn, as a steady stream of devotees-swelling to thousands on auspicious days –perform rituals by the Ganga. The Ghats are best approached by Dashashwamedha ghat, where boats are available on hire.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Also known as the Golden Temple, it is dedicated to Lord shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Varanasi is believed to be the point at which the first jyotirlinga, the fiery pillar of light by which shiva manifested has supremacy over others gods, broke through the Earth’s crust and flared towards the heavens. More than the Ghats and even the Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in the temple remains the devotional focus of Varanasi.

Bharat Mata Temple
This Temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 and houses one perfect relief maps of India carved out of marble.The Temple was gifted by the nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta (Barat Ratana ) and shri Durga Prasad Khatri, leading numismatists and antiquarians. This is a must place top visit in Varanasi.

Vrindavan

Vrindavan, just 15 km from Mathura, is another major place of pilgrimage in the state of Uttar Pradesh in the northern part of India. Vrindavan is known for its numerous Hindu temples - both ancient and modern. The name Vrindavan evokes the playfulness and lovable characteristics of Shri Krishna. This is the wood where he frolicked with the gopis and tenderly wooed Radha. This most revered destination of the Hindus is thronged by thousands of Tourists from all over the country.

Attractions in Vrindavan

The Madan Mohan Temple.
The Madan Mohan Temple located near the Kali Ghat, built by Kapur Ram Das of Multan. This is the oldest existing temple in Vrindavan today. The temple is closely associated with the saint Chaitanya. The original idol of Lord Madan Gopal was shifted from the shrine to Karauli in Rajasthan for safe keeping, during Aurangzeb's rule. Today, a replica of the image is worshipped at the temple.

The Banke-Bihari Temple
Built in 1864, the Banke-Bihari Temple is the most popular shrine at Vrindavan. The image of Banke-Bihari was discovered in Nidhi Vana by Swami Haridas, the great Krishna devotee, belonging to the Nimbarka sect.

Radha Vallabh Temple
The famous Radha Vallabh Temple set up by the Radha - Vallabh sect, has the crown of Radha-Rani placed next to the Shri Krishna idol in the sanctum.

Jaipur Temple
The Jaipur Temple is a richly embellished and opulent temple in Vrindavan. The temple was built by Sawai Madhav Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur in 1917. The fine hand - carved sandstone is of unparalleled workmanship. The temple is dedicated to Shri Radha Madhav.

The Shahji Temple
Designed and build in 1876 by a wealthy jeweller, Shah Kundan Lal of Lucknow, the Shahji Temple is another popular temple at Vrindavan. The deities at the temple are popularly known as the Chhote Radha Raman. Noted for its magnificent architecture and beautiful marble sculpture, the temple has twelve spiral columns each 15 feet high. The `Basanti Kamra' - the darbar hall is famed for its Belgian glass chandeliers and fine paintings.

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