The Menon family from Coimbatore, made a trip to Uttar Pradesh to explore the heart of North India. It was their life's ambition to see the Taj Mahal, and they wanted their children to witness it too.
Uttar Pradesh stands for the peak of Mughal grandeur, symbolised by the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fateh pur Sikri. Later it was home to the refined nawabi culture of Lucknow. The city of Allahabad is the 'sangam' of the Ganga and Yamuna, and also entwined with the Independence Struggle; while close-by is the ancient Buddhist shrine of Sarnath harking back to the 5th century AD. However, with the division of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal, the newly formed state has taken over many of the prime tourist destinations
This city reached its zenith in the 16th and 17th centuries under the Moghul emperors Akbar, Shah Jahan and Jahangir. It has three UNESCO world heritage sights - the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
We
all know about this famous testament of love by the Emperor Shah Jahan
to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The monument takes on a different appearance
at different times of the day - at dawn it is soft and mysterious, as
the light grows stronger in the day, the magnificent structure dazzles
your eyes, and again in the evening it becomes mellow and romantic,
with the setting sun in the background. Look out for these highlights:
The intricate marble screen carved around the tomb area
Main tomb of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan in the enclosed chamber of the mahal
Intricate calligraphy on the walls and in-lay work based on floral designs
Agra Fort -
Akbar built this imposing red sandstone fort. However, its tragic
associations with Shah Jahan who was imprisoned here by his cruel son
Jahangir, lend to the myth and legend built around it. Look out for
these highlights:
Jahangiri
Mahal - this was the living quarters and has elaborate halls, chambers
and courtyards. Below it is the private ladies' area and the dungeons
(!)
Khas Mahal is a marble chamber with an ornate painted ceiling and a unique roof shaped like medieval houses in Bengal.
Anguri Bagh - a typical Mughal garden with lotus ponds.
Musamman Burj is an tower where Shah Jahan was imprisoned and spent his days looking at the Taj Mahal in the distance.
Diwan-e-Khas is the emperors' durbar with beautiful in-lay work on the walls and pillars and the royal marble throne.
Diwan-e-Aam is an awesome hall with a series of pillars and arches - the peacock throne was once placed here.
Itimad-ud-Daulah's Tomb -
this is a miniature work of art it is carved out of marble and
surrounded by a beautiful garden. It was built by Nur Jahan for her
father who was the royal treasurer.
Sikandra -
Akbar's tomb designed by the emperor himself. The huge red sandstone
gateway with coloured stone in-lay is an impressive sight.
Fatehpur Sikri -
Akbar's visionary city, which flaunted his grand philosophy, has
fascinating monuments that are in excellent condition this is because
the city was occupied for only a few years and then abandoned due to a
shortage of water.
Highlights:
Diwan-I-Khas -
Akbar's court, inspired by Gajarati architectue - has a magnificent
carved central pillar and a balcony where the emperor sat looking down
on his subjects. This is where his 'nav-ratnas' held meetings.
Diwan-I-Aam - a sprawling hall used for public meetings and celebrations.
Panch
Mahal - this elegant five-storeyed building overlooking the courtyard
was where the queens enjoyed the cool evening breeze and listened to
Mian Tansen singing in the Anup Talao - a square pond with a platform
in the centre.
Rani Jodhabai's palace - this belonged to Akbar's favourite queen and has blue glazed tiles on the roof
Birbal's House - the intricately carved mansion of Akbar's favourite courtier.
Hiran Minar -
you will have to trudge through some scrubby bushes to reach this
minaret but it is an absolute novelty - it was the tomb of Akbar's
beloved elephant and is studded with stone tusks along its entire
length. At least shoot it with a long lense, if you can't reach it.
Jami Masjid and Salim Chisti's tomb -
this masjid was the model for many more Jami Masjid's in the country.
It houses the tomb of Akbar's guru, Salim Chisti, upon whose wishes he
built this magnificent city of Fetehpur Sikri.
Salma and Arif Hussein from Bombay went to Lucknow to visit a distant grand-aunt who belonged to a nawabi family. They enjoyed the food, traditions and history of this city, which has such a laid-back and genteel culture compared to Mumbai.
We all know about Lucknawi 'tehzeeb' shown in so many Hindi films - this city, which prides itself in being the most cultured in North India, is now a mix of modernity and old monuments, sprawling parks, and congested alleys serving the most delicious food.
Highlights
Bara Imambara - The huge srawling hall with minarets and mosque, dominates the landscape of Lucknow.
It was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-daulah to provide employment to people
during a famine. Its most famous sight is the bhulbhulaiya or maze you
might just get lost in it for hours.
Sikander Bagh is a beautiful garden built by Wajid Ali Shah for his queen, it now houses the botanical gardens.
QaiserBaghPalace -
an elaborate mansion and garden built by the great romantic Wajid Ali
Shah Residency - The British headquarters that were raised to the
ground by mutinous Indian soldiers in 1857 - the ruins almost talk to
you about the events that happened then.
Chhota Imambara - on the outskirts of Lucknow,
this exquisite structure has a golden domed roof and intricate
calligraphy and engravings on its walls. Inside you will find enormous
mirrors, painting, chandeliers and vases.
Food Experience - no visit to Lucknow is complete without eating biryani, kababs and kormas - the famous Avadhi cuisine of Lucknow.
Visit Chowk and Aminabad markets for the numerous kabab shops, out of
which Tunde ka Kabab is most famous (there are branches in both the
markets).
Two things make this make this city famous - the holy sangam of the Yamuna and Ganga, and its association with Jawaharlal Nehru. Thus the city spans a history from times immemorial to the Independence Struggle and modern India.
Highlights
When in Allahabad take a boat ride along the Ganga
and even if you don't take a dip in the waters as devout Hindus do,
sail up to the Sangam or meeting point of the two rivers. Stroll down
the Yamuna banks and see worshippers float lighted lamps into the water
at dusk.
Allahabad Fort with its creeper-covered ramparts is best seen from a boat ride. You can alight on the eastern bank and visit the Patalpuri temple - you will be fascinated by the undying banyan tree- or Akshayavat, which legend claims was even recorded by the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang in the 7th century.
Khusru Bagh
is a classic ornamental Mughal garden, built by Jahangir's eldest son,
notorious for planning a rebellion against his father, and later killed
in a succession battle with his brother Shah Jahan.
Appreciate Indo-Saracenic architecture at the Muir College, and see the beautiful marble interiors and stained glass windows of the All Saints Cathedral.
Anand Bhavan - take a glimpse into the life and times of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, at his former home.
Know Uttar Pradesh - The history of the State of Uttar Pradesh is very ancient and interesting. It is recognised in the later Vedic Age as Brahmarshi Desha or Madhya Desha.
Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh - Travel Blog about Sarnath & its Buddhist monasteries, Culture, Traditions, Links, News, Articles, Tourism, Places etc.,
Official Websites
Government of Uttar Pradesh - Uttar Pradesh Government portal covering diverse topics including health, tourism, culture, climate, Tenders and e-Governance.
Uttar Pradesh Tourism - Uttar Pradesh Tourism Government portal - Official website of Dept. of Tourism, covers Places of Interest in Uttar Pradesh, Lists of Hotels in Uttar Pradesh and Historic places in Uttar Pradesh.
Other Useful Links
Uttar Pradesh at a Glance - In this Web site, you will find information on all aspects of Uttar Pradesh: History of Uttar Pradesh, Geography of Uttar Pradesh, Economy of Uttar Pradesh etc.,
World Heritage Sites - Agra - Taj Mahal - Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his queen, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.
