In Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow was associated with the princely court of Oudh and then with the British, both traditions lingering on in the city whose finest monument is the Bara Imambara. Further east, Varanasi is the oldest city in India. An important centre of Hindu pilgrimage, it is believed that those who die in Varanasi will be released from the cycle of rebirth. Pious Hindus still come to Varanasi to spend their last days, living in spartan communes run by a multitude of religious trusts. The focus of interest to a visitor is the sacred River Ganga. At the series of steps leading down to it, people come to wash away their sins by bathing in the river, the dead are cremated and holy men meditate. In the narrow bylanes of the city are crowded bazaars selling brassware and silk brocades.

Agra

Agra, the city of the inimitable Taj Mahal is now an educational and business centre-known for its craftsmen & handicrafts. Marble and softstone inlay work, carpet and leather goods are some important traditional crafts of the city.

Agra, and the nearby city of FATEHPUR SIKRI, are conveniently close to Delhi to warrant an all day excursion by coach or taxi although there are several hotels of every standard of comfort. Besides the Taj Mahal are Agra Fort, Sikandra, Ram Bagh and Itmad-ud-Daulah. 35 km away are the imperial ruins of the Mughal city, Fatehpur Sikri. Agra and Fatehpur Sikri are not merely rich legacies of Mughal history – they are the finest examples of architecture which combined Hindu and Muslim elements

PLACES OF INTREST
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Dayal Bagh, Chini-Ka-Roza, Itmad-Ud-Daula Tomb, Radhaswami Samadhi, Mariyam's Tomb, Sikandra, Jama Masjid, Motilal Nehru Park, Shah Jahan Gardens & Rosary, Ram Bagh .

EXCURSIONS
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary 54 kms, Fatehpur Shikri 37 kms, Kaitham Lake 23 kms, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Mathura 54 kms, Van Vihar Widlife Sanctuary 60 kms.

LUCKNOW

Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, one of the biggest states in India and is situated on the banks of the river Gomati, tributary of the Ganga. It is famous for its Gardens, Parks and unique archaeological monuments. The people of Lucknow are known for exquisite charm, courtesy and flair of the Urdu language.

PLACES OF INTREST
Residency, Bada Imam Bara, Rumi Darwaza, Hussainabad, Clock Tower, Shah Nazar Zoo, State Museum, Macchi Bhawan, Khurshid Mahal, Botanical Gardens, Picture Gallery.

EXCURSIONS
Chinhat Lake (13 kms), Kukrail Picnic Spot (15 kms), Nawab Ganj Bird Sanctuary (40 kms), Nimsar (102 kms), Dudwa National Park (60 kms), Golaknath Temple (171 kms).

ALLAHABAD

Allahabad is situated at the confluence of the 3 sacred rivers - Ganga, Yamuna & the invisible Saraswati. It is here at the sangam that Hindus converage for a holy dip especially during the Kumbha Mela, held here every 12 years after

PLACES OF INTEREST
Anand Bhawan (Home of the Nehru family), Allahabad Fort, Bhardwaj Ashram, Khusro's Tomb, Patlipuri Temple, Sangam, Swaraj Bhawan, Botanica Gardens, Allahabad Museum

EXCURSIONS
Kaushambi 6O kms, Chitrakoot 132 kms, Ayodhya 167 kms.

FESTIVALS
The Kumbh Mela is held at the sangam in Allahabad for over a month every 12th year.
The Magh Mela (Mini Kumbha) is held every year(except in the years of Kumbha Mela & Ardh Kumbh Mela) in the month of Magh(January-February

GENERAL INFORMATION
Climate (deg C) : Summer- Max 46.6, Min 27.2; Winter- Max 25.6, Min 10.5.
Clothings : Summer- Cottons/Tropical; Winter- Woollens.
Best Season : October to March

VARANASI

As the sacred river Ganga flows the snow-clad Himalayas into the vast plains, half way between Delhi and Calcutta it curves into a gentle crescent and along the crescent lies Varanasi. Said to be the frist created spot on earth according to legend, in existence for over thousands of years. Varanasi is the city which enshrines the very essence of Hinduism.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Fort, jay Stambha, Kirti Stambha, Rana-Kumbha Palace, Padmini Palace, Meera Temple and Kumbha Shyam Temple and Kalika Mata Temple, State Archaeological Museum. Nagari: 14 kms. An ancient town in Rajasthan, it is situated north of Chittor. According to excavation, a civilisation flourished here from the Maurya to the Gupta dynasty. Notable excavations indicate these having both the serenity of Hinduism and the sacrifice of Buddhism. Excavations are continuing.

RISHIKESH

Rishikesh is one of the most popular pilgrim centres and gateway to the Himalayan Shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Yoga Centres of Rishikesh have enhanced the significance of the place

PLACES OF INTEREST
Bharat Temple (1.6 kms) [ Open from 0500 to 1100 hrs and 1300 to 2100 hrs ], Rishi Kund & Raghunath Temple (1.6 kms), Laxman Jhoola (6.7 kms), Pushkar Temple (1.6 kms), Shatrughan Temple, Muni-Ki-Reti (4.8 km), Swarg Ashram, Gita Bhawan, Parmath Niketan (8 km), Lakshman Temple, Sadanand Jhoola, Triveni Ghat, Shivanand Ashram, Kailash Ashram, Academy of Meditation.

EXCURSIONS
Haridwar 24 kms, Dehradhun 45 kms, Uttarkhand 144 kms, Kedarnath 228 kms, Badrinath 203 kms, Gangotri 253 kms, Yamunotri 226 kms, Nilkanth 16 kms, Mussoorie 77 kms.

YOGA ASHRAMS

1. Divine Life Society, Shivananda Nagar.
2. Yoga Niketan, Muni-Ki-Reti
3. Academy of Meditation (M. Mahesh Yoga Ashram) Shankaracharya Nagar
4. Yoga & Meditation Centre (Yoga Sadhana Ashram), Railway Road