Not every state in India can boasts of rich culture, history and heritage. But Uttar Pradesh is certainly amongst those states which are home to innumerable historic buildings and ancient sites, owing their historical significance to their ancient settlements.
There are several places in Uttar Pradesh which are believed to be thousands of years old. Ranging from sites from the Mughal Era to the places from the period before the Christ Era, Uttar Pradesh houses numerous places which depict the real culture and history of the state.
As most of the ancient places in India are said to have been established by gods and goddesses, these places are now considered holy and to be of religious significance. So, how about visiting these oldest living places in Uttar Pradesh this season and diving deep down the layers of time to unravel mysteries from the past?
Indisputably, Varanasi is believed to be one of the oldest living places in India. As per legends, Varanasi was formed by Lord Shiva millions of years ago. Hence, it is considered as one of the most significant religious sites and pilgrimages in the world, consequently, giving it the name, the Spiritual Capital of India.
Varanasi is the last place where Hindu devotees come to get rid of their sins to attain salvation in their life. Hence, this spiritual city is also known to be the quintessential site of liberation. Located on the banks of holy river Ganga at a distance of 320 km from Lucknow, Varanasi is a must-visit place if you are looking forward to witnessing the raw culture, age-old traditions and historic sites in Uttar Pradesh.
The essence of divinity can be felt in each and every corner of Varanasi, ranging from holy ghats to divine temples. So, how about taking a holy dip in the soothing waters of Ganga and casting aside your sins?
We all have heard of Hastinapur in the epic Mahabharata which was the centre of a dispute between Pandavas and Kauravas. Today, it is located in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh and is home to several Hindu and Jain temples.
Even though there are not many places in Hastinapur to contemplate its history, it is still a must-visit place if you get fascinated by the term history and its relations. The capital of Kuru Empire, Hastinapur dates back to the era of Emperor Bharata, who is believed to be the founder of this city millions of years ago.
Today, it is one of the important religious places amongst Hindus and Jains and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. It also attracts several history lovers and historians. Wouldn't you love getting yourself at Hastinapur to delve into its history and listen to its interesting legends?
PC- Ramnath Bhat
Ayodhya needs to be explored if you are looking for the oldest-living places in Uttar Pradesh. Located on the banks of Sarayu river, it is the birthplace of Lord Rama and hence, it is revered as one of the significant pilgrimage destinations in the world.
It is visited by millions of Hindu devotees and tourists on a regular basis. Also known as Saketa, Ayodhya houses several ancient temples and religious sites, such as Kanak Bhavan Temple, Ram Paidi Ghat, Sarayu Ghat and Vijayraghav Mandir.
Even though it has been a centre of dispute since the last a few decades, it is still a major attraction in Uttar Pradesh due to its religious significance. Looking forward to spending a few moments amid serenity and divinity? Well, then you need to consider visiting Ayodhya this season.
PC- Ridxz Rajput
Unknown to many, Kannauj is also one of the oldest places in India which have been surviving since the period before the Christ Era. Even though today, it is known for its perfume industries, it is still popular amongst several tourists and Hindu devotees for its ancient temples and religious sites.
Having been mentioned in the epic Mahabharata as Kanyakubja, Kannauj has been a major political centre in ancient India. How about taking a tour of this oldest living city and learning a little bit about its history, existence and beauty?
Being the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura has to be one of the oldest places in India. Today, it is considered one of the holiest sites in India and is the part of seven most significant pilgrimage sites for Hindus in the world.
You must not miss this ancient town of Lord Krishna if you are a history lover and an ardent traveller. From temples to holy ponds, religious ghats to ancient sites, there is a lot to explore within the boundaries of Mathura. It is visited by millions of tourists and Hindu devotees every year.