Sarnath
With its unique, red-walled design, the temple is worth a look, but the real reasons to visit are the peaceful gardens and large standing Buddha that…
Must-see attractions in Uttar Pradesh
Agra
The jawab, to the east of the Taj Mahal itself, was built for symmetry purposes, matching up identically with the red-sandstone mosque to the west.
Varanasi
Munshi Ghat – also known as Darbhanga Ghat – is one of the more photogenic ghats along the old town stretch of the Ganges in Varanasi.
Agra
The Taj Mahal's red-sandstone mosque to the west of the main monument is an important gathering place for Agra's Muslims.
Agra
In Agra Fort, the Hall of Public Audiences was where emperor Shah Jahan listened to petitions from ordinary citizens.
Varanasi
A colourful ghat with many steps and a small pool, where a fire aarti is held every evening at 6.30pm.
Prayagraj (Allahabad)
An attractive Mughal tomb constructed in 1625 by Nesa Begum (though it was never actually used as such).
Lucknow
This elaborate black-and-white tomb was constructed in 1832 by the third king of Oudh, Mohammed Ali Shah (who is buried here, alongside his mother)…
Varanasi
This crumbling 17th-century fort and palace, on the eastern bank of the Ganges, isn't a prime attraction, but the eccentric museum has some interesting…
Prayagraj (Allahabad)
Built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, the 16th-century Allahabad fort on the northern bank of the Yamuna has massive walls with three gateways flanked by…
Prayagraj (Allahabad)
This picturesque two-storey house is a shrine to the Nehru family, which has produced five generations of leading politicians, from Motilal Nehru …
Varanasi
Just north of Dashashwamedh Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat was built in 1600 by Raja Man Singh and later housed an observatory. The northern corner of the ghat has…
Mathura
This fine sandstone mosque was built by the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb in 1661. To clear the site, he ordered the destruction of the then-standing incarnation…
Mathura
A string of ghats and temples lines the Yamuna River north of the main road bridge. The most central and most popular is Vishram Ghat, where Krishna is…
Uttar Pradesh
Built in 1613 by Maharaja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha, Jhansi Fort still has impressive double walls (though the crocodile-infested moat has dried up) and…
Mathura
In the most important temple complex in Mathura, the small, fortresslike room known as Shri Krishna Janambhoomi marks the spot where Krishna is said to…
Sarnath
This turreted temple was completed in 1931 by the Mahabodhi Society, and is noted for its interesting wall frescoes, which depict events from Buddha's…
Uttar Pradesh
These ghats lining the banks on the River Mandakini are the focal point for pilgrims, who make holy dips at dawn before returning at the end of the day…
Fatehpur Sikri
Near the main vehicle entrance to the Diwan-i-Am, and just opposite Akbar's former Treasury, this modest museum showcases pre-Mughal artefacts excavated…
Uttar Pradesh
This palace converted into a temple is one of the most impressive in Ayodhya. It was supposedly given to Lord Rama and his wife Sita as a wedding present,…
Uttar Pradesh
This large complex, much of it off limits to visitors, features an elaborate temple surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens with bonsai-style trees,…
Uttar Pradesh
This is one of the town’s most popular temples, and is the closest of Ayodhya's major temples to the main road. Walk up the 76 steps to the ornate carved…
Lucknow
The former Kaiserbagh garden holds the tomb of Saadat Ali Khan, the fifth nawab of Oudh (ruled 1798–1814), whose body is buried in the crypt below. A ₹50 …
Lucknow
This overlooked museum houses sculptural masterpieces dating back to the 3rd century AD, including intricately carved Mathura sculptures ranging from…
Sarnath
This large, ruined stupa dates back to the 5th century AD, and marks the spot where Buddha met his first disciples. The incongruous tower on top of the…
Uttar Pradesh
Beyond the far northern end of the main road, this museum houses paintings and ancient sculptures. The museum is a short rickshaw ride from Ayodhya's main…
Uttar Pradesh
This charming green space of lawns and water features is home to the imposing tomb of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula (ruled 1753–75), the third nawab of Avadh (Oudh…
Uttar Pradesh
This small shrine, set among monastery ruins, marks the spot where Buddha is said to have made his final sermon. It now houses a beautiful gilded 3m-tall…
Lucknow
The 67m red-brick clock tower, said to be the tallest in India, was built in the 1880s in memory of Sir George Couper, a reform-minded Governor of UP …
Vrindavan
Surrounded by an orchard filled with twisted tulsi (holy basil) trees that are decorated with votive threads and red powder, it's believed that Krishna…
Vrindavan
This 10-storey white marble temple, a fairy-tale-castle lookalike, has an endearingly amateurish collection of animated puppets and dioramas on the ground…
Varanasi
This temple, dedicated to the goddess Durga, was built in the 18th century by a Bengali maharani and is stained red with ochre. It's also known as the …
Uttar Pradesh
Exhibits Buddhist relics, sculptures and terracotta, most of it from Kushan-era Mathura but some unearthed from the Kushinagar region, though it suffers…
Uttar Pradesh
Inside a colourful entrance, you'll find a peaceful courtyard where musicians play and orange-clad sadhus read scriptures.
Lucknow
A run-down red-brick baradari (pavilion) built in 1842 that was once a royal summer palace. It overlooks a large artificial water tank and houses…
Varanasi
Named after a 16th-century Hindu poet, Tulsi Ghat has fallen down towards the river, but in the month of Kartika (October/November) a festival devoted to…
Vrindavan
This cavernous, red-sandstone temple, built in 1590 by Raja Man Singh of Amber, has 'bells' carved on its pillars. The resident monkeys here are…
Prayagraj (Allahabad)
This extensive museum in the grounds of Allahabad's nicest park has archaeological artefacts, Nehru family items, miniatures and ancient sculptures,…
Mathura
This four-storey (17m) tower was built by the son of Behari Mal of Jaipur in 1570 to commemorate his mother’s sati (self-immolation on her husband’s…
Mahasukhamdada Chin Thargyi Pagoda & Myanmar Temple
Uttar Pradesh
This white, octagonal temple is topped by a graceful golden spire. The peaceful vibe is thrown off a bit by the somewhat creepy statues of pilgrims…
