Uttar Pradesh

Fairs and Festivals of Uttar Pradesh:

A long list of fairs and festivals can be found in Uttar Pradesh. Every year, over 2,230 festivals, both small and large, take place. Festivals and feasts are associated with the golden harvest—the sensual spring—reverence for mythology, faith, or in honour of great men of the past. Others are marked by solemnity, fervour, fasting, or feasting, and are celebrated with music, dance, and merriment. Listed below are some of the major ones:

• Holi: Holi is a major Indian festival, but it is especially popular in Uttar Pradesh, where it is celebrated with fervour and zeal. In the cities of Barsana and Nandgaon, the festivities of this festival will send the entire city into a frenzy. Instead of using colours, they celebrate this festival with flowers, which is a spectacular experience in and of itself. Their version of Holi, Lathmar Holi, is exclusive and worth seeing while you're in town. Thousands of devotees gather in festive finery at the Radhe Mandir, the only temple dedicated to Lord Krishna's consort Shri Radhika, singing songs in praise of Radha and Krishna and partaking in the practise of teasingly beating up men with sticks.

• Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh: In Haridwar, these fairs are held every twelve and six years. The Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh are also held in Prayag, Nasik, and Ujjain in India. To commemorate this holy occurrence, thousands of pilgrims, sages, and saints flock to these Tirathas (pilgrimages). They bathe in the holy rivers, believing the water to be Amrit (nectar). These eagerly anticipated fairs are ideal combinations of religious and social events.

• Janmashtami: In the months of August/September, on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadon, the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great devotion in north India. Mathura and Vrindavan hold special celebrations.

• Buddha Purnima: Lord Gautama Buddha is one of India's most well-known and important religious figures, as well as the founder of the Buddhism religion. The life of Lord Gautama Buddha is closely associated with many pilgrim destinations in Uttar Pradesh. The day of Lord Gautama Buddha's birth, known as Buddha Purnima, is unquestionably the most significant.

• Ganga Dussehra: The festival of Ganga Dussehra is primarily observed in this state. Every year in June, during the scorching summers, the festival approaches. The festival is highly anticipated and the people participate in the festivities with a crazy amount of enthusiasm, which is a beautiful sight to see. It is dedicated to the holy river Ganga, which serves as the people's lifeline. The festival will last for a week to 10 days.

• Taj Mahotsav: We all know that the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, speaks volumes about Uttar Pradesh's history. The state holds a special festival to allow all people to highlight their unique talents. Admire the amazing artistry of artists and artisans from all over the world while basking in the glory of the nawabi period and Mughal grandeur.

• Makar Sankranti: It is customary to fly kites in formation in the sky during Makar Sankranti days. This is in addition to other related rituals that are observed to commemorate the coming of the sun, which is particularly significant to farmers. As a result, the festival of Makar Sankranti heralds the arrival of summer or the sun, which is revered as a deity in Hinduism.

• Ayodhya Pooja: Hindus account for the bulk of the state's population, and they are devout followers of Lord Rama. Every year, the festival takes place in October or November. On this auspicious day, Lord Rama is worshipped. It is actually celebrated at the same time as the much-hyped Dussehra festival in the rest of the country.

• Diwali: Among all the other festivals, Uttar Pradesh's Diwali celebrations are entirely special. The entire state, as well as each of its towns, is bathed in lights and excitement, and crackers and sweets can be found almost everywhere. And once you've completed your religious rituals by visiting the pilgrimage centres and temples here for the Diwali Puja, check out the numerous shopping opportunities.

• Ram Navmi: On the occasion of Lord Rama's birthday, Ayodhya hosts this grand festival. In the month of April, the festival is held. At Kanak Bhawan, a large number of devotees gather to worship the Lord.

• Durgotsav: Durgotsav is celebrated in India under a number of names. Some of the common alternate names for the festival that commemorates the triumph of good over evil are Dussehra, Durga Pooja, and Navratri. The festival of Navratri is held to honour the Hindu mythology's most important goddesses: Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning and wisdom, and Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and Goddess Durga, the deity of bravery and courage.

• Raksha Bandhan: Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival observed in India on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana. Since it ties the most beautiful relationship in an inseparable bond of love and trust, this delicate thread of Rakhi is considered stronger than iron chains. The Rakhi festival also has a social significance because it emphasises the importance of all living in peaceful coexistence with one another.

• Lucknow Mahotsav: This is a festival and gathering of an assortment of stores, outlets, and food stalls from all over the city under one roof, and is likely one of the state's largest fairs. The festival, which lasts about a week, is revered and eagerly anticipated by the residents of the area. This fair normally takes place in winters.

• Eid-ul Fitr: The 'festival of fasting,' also known as Eid ul Fitr, is the most widely observed of all Muslim holidays. The festival is important not only because of its religious significance, but also because of its timing. It is observed on the first day of the Shawwal month of the Hijri year, following the long fasting month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar) (Islamic calendar). According to tradition, the Qur'an was unveiled.

• Lucknow Literary Festival: The Lucknow Literary Festival is held every year by the Lucknow Society. The festival evokes the city's artistic spirit and calls upon the city's literati to come together and celebrate the literary spirit. Scholars, musicians, and critics from all over the country descend on the city to attend this gathering.

• Guru Nanak Jayanti: Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru and founder of the Sikh faith, was born on the Hindu calendar's full moon day in the month of Kartik. As a consequence, his birthday is known as Guru Nanak Jayanti. Sikhs go to Gurdwaras, which have special programmes and sing kirtans (religious songs). To add to the celebrations, houses and Gurdwaras are decorated and lit up.

• Ramadan: Ramadan is the ninth month according to the Islamic calendar. This festival takes place in May or June, according to the traditional calendar. Special prayers are held at the mosque during the festival. Fasting is practised from sunrise to sunset. If you're in Lucknow at the moment, go to Bara Imambara for prayers. You should also try Nihari, a dish that people eat to break their fast.

• Christmas: Christmas is a worldwide cultural and economic phenomenon as well as a holy religious holiday. Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the foundation of their faith, on Christmas Day. Exchanging presents, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends, and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus.

Must Visiting Places in Uttar Pradesh:

Uttar Pradesh is India's most popular tourist destination, with 35 million domestic visitors. Its tourism promotion budget is larger than the combined budgets of the Indian government and half of the Indian states. Uttar Pradesh is brimming with tourist attractions that cater to a wide range of interests.

1. Taj Mahal- One of the seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal is undoubtedly an unmissable place in Uttar Pradesh. Taj Mahal is one of the most magnificent monuments in the world, built entirely of white marble in the 17th century. Every year more than the entire population of Agra passes through the magnificent gates in order to see this magnificent monument! The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that means "Crown of Palaces" in Persian.
2. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve- The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur-Kheri district is one of the best examples of the Terai ecosystems extreme diversity and productivity. The reserve occupies 614 square kilometres. It is home to many rare and endangered species, including tigers, leopards, swamp deer, hispid hares, Bengal floricans, and others.
3. Triveni Sangam- Triveni Sangam, or the confluence of three rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati - is the most popular feature of Allahabad, now officially known as Prayagraj. Allahabad, which was built on the site of the ancient town of Prayag, has hosted the Maha Kumbh Mela, the largest Hindu gathering on the banks of the Sangam, since time immemorial.
4. Fatehpur Sikri- Attehpur Sikri, a predominantly red sandstone city 40 kilometres from Agra, was established by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 1571 century. It is basically a fortified city founded by the king, and it served as his Empire's capital for fifteen years. Jodha Bai's Palace, Jama Mosque, Buland Darwaza, and Tomb of Salim Chisti are among the several UNESCO world heritage sites.
5. Varanasi- Varanasi, also known as Kashi (City of Life) and Benaras, is India's spiritual capital and the world's oldest living city. It is one of the seven holy cities in Hinduism. Varanasi is surrounded by temples on almost every corner, but the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most visited and oldest of them all. Benaras is regarded as Lord Shiva's city for a reason, and for good reason.
6. Bara Imambara- It is also known as Asafi Imambara, after the name of the Nawab of Lucknow who had it built. It is a significant place of worship for Muslims who visit every year to commemorate the religious festival of Muharram. Bara Imambara is a marvel of engineering and a fine example of Mughal architecture. It is said to be the world's largest structure that is not supported by beams. The Imambara is best known for its impressive labyrinth, known locally as Bhul Bhulaiya, which is situated on the monument's upper level. According to legend, there are 1024 ways to enter the maze but only two ways to exit.
7. Tomb of Itimad-ud-daulah- The tomb of Itimad-ud-daulah, also known as the "Baby Taj Mahal," is a Mughal mausoleum that is often mistaken for the Taj Mahal. This is the first tomb in India to be constructed entirely of marble. Nur Jahan, Jahangir's wife, commissioned the tomb for her father, Mir Gheyas Beg (later known as Itimad-ud-daulah), a minister in Shah Jahan's court.
8. Agra Fort- The Mughal architectural tradition is reflected in Agra Fort, which is a veritable treasure trove. The numerous structures inside this sprawling fort complex reflect the Mughal period's characteristic assimilation of various cultures. For example, Akbar's Jahangiri Palace is a good blend of Islamic (Persian) and various local Hindu styles. Other structures are either eclectic or traditional.
9. Prayagraj- The city, also known by its old name of Allahabad, is a major educational centre and a major pilgrimage destination, particularly for the world-famous Kumbh Mela. It is located 135 kilometres west of Varanasi in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, at the confluence of the Ganga (also known as the Ganges), the Yamuna, and the ancient Saraswati Rivers, known as the Sangam. The Allahabad Fort is another historically significant monument that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Anand Bhavan, All Saints Cathedral, Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, and Allahabad Museum are all famous places to visit in Prayagraj.
10. Ayodhya- The city of Ayodhya is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site in India. It is one of India's seven holiest cities. Lord Ram is the Hindu pantheon's most powerful deity, and Ayodhya is where he was born. Pilgrims come from all over the world to visit this small, peaceful place. During festivals and significant religious functions in Ayodhya, Hindu pilgrims suggest taking a holy dip in the sacred Saryu River.
11. Lucknow- The capital and the largest city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow is situated on the banks of river Gomti. From modern museums to a slice of rich colonial history, Lucknow has a multitude of choices to explore, including Rumi Darwaza, the Mughal Gateway, Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara, British Residency, Baradari, Dilkusha Gardens, modern shopping malls, Ambedkar Park and the Gomti Riverfront Park, and the uber popular Hazratganj market.
12. Kushinagar- Kushinagar is an international tourist destination, particularly among Buddhists, since it is thought to be the location where Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. It is thought that Lord Buddha died in Kushinagar, after which Emperor Ashoka constructed a stupa to commemorate the location of his enlightenment. The reclining nirvana statue of Buddha, which portrays the "dying Buddha" reclining on his right side, is housed in the stupa. Other notable sites include Nirvana Chaitya, Rambhar Stupa, and Matha Kuar Shrine, as well as a few small temples.
13. Hastinapur- Hastinapur is an ancient town that was the setting for the epic Mahabharata's glorious stories. Hastinapur, located on the banks of the Ganga near Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, is the birthplace of three Jain Tirthankaras and a popular pilgrimage destination for Jains.
14. Vrindavan- Vrindavan, one of the oldest cities on the Yamuna's banks, is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations for Krishna devotees. Lord Krishna is said to have spent his childhood in Vrindavan. Hundreds of Lord Krishna and Radha temples are spread around Vrindavan, the most famous of which are Banke Bihari temple and the world-famous ISKCON temple.