Page 45 - Grasshopper Magazine

included in these circuits are very mesmerising prose and poetry at most spectacular religious and
well connected by trains and bus/ different places in this part of the cultural gathering anywhere in the
taxi services. Some of the most land. For hundreds of thousands of world. in fact travellers and tourists
exciting and significant circuits are visitors seeking solace in spiritualism wait for years to plan their visit to
Ramayana Circuit, Krishna Circuit, and religion, Uttar Pradesh is India in such a manner that they
Buddhist Circuit, Eco Tourism the most-favoured destination. can visit Prayag to be a part of
Circuit, Kashi and the Ganga, Visitors experience deep comfort this deeply-moving, life-changing
Bundelkhand region, Sufi Circuit and fulfilment in destinations like experience.
and Ardh Kumbh 2019 – the mega- Varanasi, Mathura, Vrindavan, Besides, there are several
event scheduled in Prayag. Vindhyachal, Chitrakoot, Ayodhaya, traditional festivals and fairs such as
In addition, there are distinct Naimisharanya, Sarnath, Shravasti Bateshwar Cattle Fair, Dewa Mela,
geographical circuits such as the and Kushinagar. Barsana Holi, Allahabad Dussehra,
Heritage Arc, Braj Circuit, Vindhya Uttar Pradesh is also home to Ganga Aarti at Varanasi, Ramayan
Circuit, Awadh Circuit, Freedom several heritage sites including Mela in Ayodhya etc that attract
Struggle Circuit, Craft, cuisine and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. thousands of visitors from corners
Culture trail and the Water Sports The Archaeological Survey of India of India and also abroad.
Circuit. (ASI) has undertaken extensive Uttar Pradesh is renowned
The state is also famous among
visitors of all ages for its various
colourful and exciting festivals that
represent the strong and diverse
culture of Uttar Pradesh. Most of
these festivals are renowned all
over the world for the exciting
opportunity these provide to the
travel enthusiast, music lover,
photography enthusiast and the
culture lover. These festivals are
Barsana Holi near Mathura, Dev
Deepawali in Varanasi, Lucknow
Mahotsav, Gorakhpur Mahotsav, Courtesy: UP Tourism
Bundela Mahotsav, Buddha
Mahotsav, Ayurveda Mahotsav,
Ganga Fair, Deva Mela, Karthik
Purnima and Ramayana Mela. restoration projects at sites like for its regional crafts of many
These festivals are marked by Kushinagar, Kapilvastu, Sarnath, districts. These include metal craft
performance by local and invited Sravasti, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, of Moradabad, carpets of Bhadohi,
artistes, dazzling display of crafts Barsana, Gokul, Nandgaon, stone, inlay and Zardoji of Agra, silk
and local produce, exciting cuisine, Vrindavan, Goverdhan, Ayodhya, of Varanasi, Gorakhpur’s terracota,
Kashi, Naimisharanya, Chitrakoot, pottery from Nijamabad and and
Spiritual Fountainhead Vindyachal, Devipatan and Lucknow’s chikan embroidery.
The foremost appeal of Uttar Tulsipur. These sites are emerging The state’s rich handicraft and
Pradesh is in being the spiritual as tourist attractions with great handloom legacy is for all to see
heartland of India. It is the land of potential. in villages and craft centres across
the epics. The two most revered and the state.
significant epics, namely the Ram Cultural Heartland
Charit Manas and the Mahabharat The state has been known Other attractions
are believed to have been created in throughout the world for its myriad It is not that tourists throng
this part of ancient India. Gautam festivals, fairs and cultural events. to only the more renowned
Buddha spent a large part of his life The Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayag destinations. Over the years,
here, got enlightenment, preached (Allahabad) is the world’s largest several lesser-known but quaint and
and after traversing the world, human congregation and is being beautiful places with historical and
attained nirvana in this land. held every 12 years for centuries other significance have emerged as
Over centuries, sages and saint- without interruption. It is described favourites for a quick getaway. These
poets created some of the most by visitors and participants as the include Bithoor, Naimisharanya,
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