Known for its sanctity and divinity, Uttar Pradesh is the land which bestowed rich culture and heritage to the world around. Ever since the time began, Uttar Pradesh made its appearance in each of the episodes of India's history, all of which has a significant place in the Hindu minds. But, the land & soil, which is very close to the Hindu hearts & souls, is no less esteemed for the people of other sects. This most venerated land of ancient India, has made a place in the tourist world map for being home to several other religious shrines and sacred places of world's religion, besides also being an abode to numerous architectural wonders of the world.

Treasured by the Hindus for housing the most revered land (Varanasi), said to be originally created by Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati, and the also for being the birthplace of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama, Uttar Pradesh is no less venerated by the Buddhists around the world for housing their two most sacred places - Sarnath and Kushinagar.

Located towards the east of the state, close to the Nepal Border, both Sarnath & Kushinagar are two of the four most sacred destinations of the Buddhists, but visited by all from all the parts of the world for the place of reverence it holds in the hearts of the people.


Significance of Buddhism in Uttar Pradesh
Bihar(ancient Magadha) marked the Buddha's realisation of the truth, while He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. After achieving enlightenment or nirvana, Lord Buddha meditated for seven weeks at the same place and then moved on towards Uttar Prdesh in search of His five fellow ascetics, who had earlier accompanied Him. At Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, He met them, who were surprised to see the mesmerising glowing countenance of the Buddha. The Buddha convinced them and delivered before them His first sermon based on the 'middle path', and thus was laid foundation of the Buddhist Sangha on the land of Uttar Pradesh. The next 45 years of the Buddha's life, till His mahaparinirvana, were further spend at different places in Uttar Pradesh along with parts of Bihar.

Later, the Indian rulers mainly Mauryan emperor Ashoka and Gupta rulers also promoted Buddhism in the land of Uttar Pradesh including other parts of India. The Indian emperor, Ashoka, who had converted to Buddhism, visited Sarnath, Kushinagar and other Buddhist sites of the region and got erected the doctrines of Dhamma on the pillars and rock edicts and built temples, and stupas to promote Buddhism. The tradition followed till the Turks and Arabs arrived in India in the 12th century BCE and demolished the stupas, monasteries and temples. But, in the 19th-20th century, again Buddhism was revived in India and like other Buddhist places, the sites of Uttar Pradesh were revived too only to make the state a host to major Buddhist destinations in India.


Major Buddhist Places in Uttar Pradesh

• Sarnath : Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is one of the most venerated places among the Buddhists from all over the world as it marks the first sermon of the Buddha, also known as 'Dharmachakra Pravartan'. It was at Sarnath where Lord Gautam Buddha, after attaining the divine light of enlightenment, met His first five disciples, who were earlier His fellow ascetics, and preached them the middle path to overcome the worldly sufferings. The three jewels of Buddhism : 'Buddham Sharnam Gachchhami', Dhammam Sharanam Gachchhami', and 'Shangham Sharanam Gachchhami' traces their origins to the first sermon of the Buddha or rather Sarnath. The sacred place, which also homes Dhamekha stupa, the Ashoka pillar and other stupas, temples and monasteries, is revered by every Buddhist or non-Buddhist pilgrim.
  
  
• Kushinagar : Since 5th century BCE when the Lord Buddha passed away or attained 'Mahaparinirvana' at Kushinagar near the Hiranyawati river in Uttar Pradesh, Kushinagar or Kushinara has been one of the most revering places for the Buddhists. After the Buddha's death, the entire village was turned into a memorial site with stupas, containind the holy relics of the Buddha. A huge statue of the Buddha in Kushinagara, excavated in 1876 symbolises the great demise of the Buddha.
  
  
  
  
• Sankasia : Situated in the central Uttar Pradesh near Farrukhabad, Sankasia is believed to be the place where the Buddha, along with Brahma and Devraj Indra descended after giving sermons to His mother. The holy site today houses a temple of the Buddha and a Ashokan pillar.
  
  
• Kaushambi : The old city of Kaushambi, which is in ruins today, was visited by the Buddha in the 6th and 9th years after His enlightenment. In both of His visits, Lord Buddha preached several sermons here, which were subsequently followed by the people of Sravasti, who by now started following the doctrines of Buddhism. Today Kaushambi is more of ruins under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India, but still the treasures of Kaushambi such as an Ashokan pillar, an old fort and the Ghositaram monastery remind us of the golden days of Buddhism in India.
  
  
• Sravasti : Sravasti in Uttar Prdesh is believed to have witnessed the presence of the Lord Buddha and His sermons for almost 24 years. The Buddha is believed to have spent this long duration in the Jetavana garden, where He preached several sermons and also performed some miracles. Sravasti is even today blessed with Anaanda Bodhi tree, stupas, temples and the ruins of kutis or huts(where the Buddha lived) in the Jetavana garden.

Major Buddhist Monuments in Uttar Pradesh

• Dhamekha Stupa, Sarnath : The Dhamekha stupa, located in Sarnath, is the most prominent Buddhist holy structure of Uttar Pradesh. Better known as the 'holy seat of the Buddha', the Dhamekha stupa was the spot where the Buddha delivered His first sermon of 'middle path' to His five disciples.
  
  
• Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath : The Ashoka pillar commemorates the visit of the Buddhist Indian emperor Ashoka to Sarnath. The pillar also includes the famous lion capital - the National Emblem of India.
  
  
• Dharmarajika Stupa, Sarnath : One of the holy structures venerated by the Buddhists, the Dharmarajika stupa was built by the Indian emperor Ashoka to enshrine the relics of Lord Buddha
  
  
• Mahaparinirvana Temple, Kushinagar : Standing amidst a serene 'sal' grove, the Mahaparinirvana temple in Kushinagar is dedicated to the 'mahaprinirvana' of Lord Buddha. The temple comprises a long statue of about 6 meters representing a picture of the dying Lord Buddha reclining on his right side with his face turned towards the west.
  
  
• Nirvana Stupa, Kushinagar : The Nirvana stupa, also known as the Rambhar stupa, is a huge brickwork structure(2.74 meters) made on the spot where Lord Buddha was cremated.
  
  
  
  
• The Ruins of Old Kaushambi, Kaushambi : The ruins of the ancient city of Kaushambi in Uttar Pradesh discloses a huge prosperous Buddhist site rich in monasteries, stupas, pillars and numerous sculptures. The revered site is believed to have been visited by the Buddha twice, who also preached several sermons here.
  
  
• Jetavana Vihara, Sravasti : The Jetavana vihara in Sravasti is one of the most venerated Buddhist sites in Uttar Pradesh as Lord Gautam Buddha spent 24 years of His life at this place while in Sravasti.

Other Major Attractions of Uttar Pradesh

• Agra : Situated on the western bank of the river Yamuna, the city of Agra is worldwide famous as a home to the Taj Mahal. However, Agra is also famous for its tombs, forts and cemeteries, which due to their magnificent architectural style, attract a large number of tourists from all around the world.
  
  
• Luckhnow : The state capital of Uttar Pradesh, Luckhnow, is situated on both the sides of the river Gomti. Better known as the cultural centre of entire India, Luckhnow is also famous for its legend hospitality, Nawabi etiquettes, architectural splendor, silks, chickenkari(embroidery), musical legacy and last, but not the least, its exotic dishes. The beautiful city of Luckhnow, once known as the 'pride of Awadh', is also known for its beautiful parks, gardens, palaces and monuments belonging to the medieval era.
  
  
• Varanasi : "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older than even legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together." Mark Twain
  
  Varanasi, earlier known as Benaras, is one of the oldest existing cities of the world. Situated on the northern bank of the river Ganga, the holy city of Varanasi is believed to be the blessed by the Hindu God Shiva, and therefore, frequently visited by the pilgrims and spiritual people. Besides numerous temples of Hindu deities and bathing ghats, the religious and spiritual city of Varanasi is also famous for a lively rich tradition of art and craft, classical music, Benarasi silk sarees and silk brocades along with a traditional centre of learning.
  
  
• Mathura-Vrindavan : Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, is a prominent pilgrimage centre for the Hindus as according to the Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was born here in a prison in the reign of his uncle, Kansa. The holy site of Mathura, which lies in the western part of the Yamuna, forms the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, which covers an area of about 3800 square kilometers. The place boasts of beautiful ghats along the river Yamuna(which once witnessed the childish acts of mischieveous Krishna), arched gateways and temples surrounding these ghats.
  
  Vrindawan, located 15 kilometers from Mathura, is another centre of Hindu pilgrimage in Uttar Pradesh. The place is believed to have once witnessed the eternal love of Lord Krisnna and His beloved, Shri Radha. Today, Vrindawan woos the tourists with its numerous Hindu temples, dedicated to Radha-Krishna.
  
  

Other Major Monuments of the State

• Taj Mahal, Agra : The Taj Mahal, a symbol of the eternal love, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. A huge hit with the tourists from all over the world, the white marble monument Taj Mahal, with its splendid architecture and aesthetic beauty, is also privileged to be the eighth wonder of the world.
  
  
• Fathehpur Sikri, Agra : The city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal emperor, Akbar in the honour of a great saint Sheikh Salim Chisti, by whose grace the emperor was blessed with a son, Salim, later known as Jahangir. Fatehpur Sikri, now a heritage site, not only symbolises the unique combination of the Hindu and Muslim architecture, but at the same time, also witnesses a large number of pilgrims especially during the holy month of Ramzaan.
  
  
• Agra Fort, Agra : The Agra fort, built by the Mughal emperor, Akbar, is one of the major attractions of Uttar Pradesh. It is a massive structure made of red sandstone with several palaces and halls inside the fort. The river Yamuna flowing along this huge structure further adds to its beauty.
  
  
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi : Dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, the Kashi Vishwanath temple or the Golden temple stands along the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi. The Shivalingam installed in the temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and believed to have the divine powers.
  
  
• Bathing Ghats, Varanasi : Stretched over an area of 4 kilometers along the holy river Ganga in Varanasi, the bathing ghats offer a picturesque sight especially in the evenings with devotees offering prayer to the Goddess Ganga. It is believed that, the cremation of one's body at the Ghats of Varanasi helps one attain salvation.
  
  
• Bada Imambara, Luckhnow : Built by Asaf-Ud-Daula in 1784 CE as a part of a famine relief project, the Bada Imambara, which is a fort like structure, attracts a number of tourists because of its splendid architecture.
  
  
• Shri Krishna Janma Bhoomi, Mathura : One of the major sacred places for the Hindus, the Shri Krishna Janma Bhumi is believed to the spot where the Hindu God Krisna was born inside the prison of His maternal uncle Kansa.

Climate
The climate of Uttar Pradesh is tropical monsoon, but still some variations are there owing to the difference in altitudes. The winters which fall during the months between mid-November to January, are chilled with the temperature falling to 4 degree Celsius. The summers are generally hot with the temperature saturating as high as 46 degree Celsius. In the monsoon season from July to September, the eastern part of the state receives heavy rainfall, though its a bit less towards the north-east.

The ideal time to visit the places of the state is from October to March.