Famous Religious Sites In Uttar Pradesh, India

With several important religious sites in Uttar Pradesh, a trip to the state on a pilgrimage is a splendid experience. Prayag where The Kumbh Mela is held, is one of the most famous religious sites in Uttar Pradesh. Apart from that Ayodhya, Madhura, Varanasi and many more such religious sites in Uttar Pradesh are visited by the faithful in millions. Among the more popular religious sites in Uttar Pradesh, a few are mentioned below.

Ram Mandir, Ayodhya

A recently consecrated and inaugurated architectural wonder, The Ram Mandir is still partially incomplete. The location of the temple is believed to be the birth place of Lord Ram. The construction of the temple commenced in 2020 and is still being continued under the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Ram Lalla or infant Ram is the presiding deity of the temple. The three-storeyed temple towering at a height of 161 feet is being constructed in traditional Nagara architectural style. Each storey is meant to provide the visitors a detailed description of different phases of the life of Lord Ram. The five halls in the temple are Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthna, and Kirtan Mandaps. Bansi paharpur pink sandstone, granite stones, white makrana and coloured marbles, teakwood are a few essential elements used for the construction. Covering a land area of 2.7 acres, the temple complex is surrounded by a rectangular wall. The complex consists of four other temples at each corner of the complex besides a few others, a well named Sita Koop, a pilgrim facility centre, a water treatment plant, a power station and a lot more other facility. Ram Navami, Diwali, Tulsi Vivah, Makar Sankranti and Hanuman Jayanti are the main festivals here.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most prominent temples in Varanasi. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines. The current temple was constructed by the Maratha ruler Ahilyabai Holkar in 1780 after the original one from the 1400s was destroyed by invaders. Deemed to be one of the most celebrated Hindu temples in India, thousands of pilgrims visit the site daily. Traditional Hindu and Maratha architectural styles give the temple a unique appearance. The expert architectures reflect craftmanship of North Indian traditional artistry. Key features inside the temple complex include, Gyanvapi well, Mandap, and Garbha Griha. Adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, the inner sanctum of the temple houses the main deity, Lord Vishwanath. A well-known tradition here is to offer silk dhoti to the Lord Vishwanath. The temple complex is also famous for hosting a number of musical events and dance performances through the year.

Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex, Mathura

Mathura is famous for being the birth place of Lord Krishna. To honour the Lord, a temple complex was built at the place by Gupta Emperor Chandragupta II in 400CE. Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple or the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple has been rebuilt a few times after being destroyed during different wars. The current temple is constructed by Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1951. The temple complex consists of three different temples: Keshavdev temple, Garbh Griha shrine and Bhavan temple. There are also five other shrines inside the complex dedicated to different deities. Six-feet statues of Radha and Krishna, The Potra Kund or the water tank, Ayurveda Bhavan, an International Guest House, shops and a library are a few other noteworthy features inside the campus. Attractive paintings and bright colours on ceiling, walls, and pillars shed light on various stages of the life of Krishna and his disciples. Janmashtami, Holi, Basant Panchmi, Deepavali, Radhashtami, Gopashtami are a few of the main festivals here.

Lhaden Chenmo Tibetan Monastery, Sarnath

Renowned for being the first monastery built in India by the present Dalai Lama, The Lhaden Chenmo Tibetan Monastery was built in 1955. Inside the complex, a large, light pink stupa is built in gratitude to Indian government. The main temple is situated in the middle of the open ground within the campus. A form of Budha, Sakyamuni, in a resting posture is the main attraction besides the hundreds of miniature Budha statues. The beautiful and peaceful abode is visited by tens of thousands of visitors. Built in a traditional Tibetan architectural design, statues of two lions at the entrance welcome the visitors. Much like in other Buddhist temples, bright red, golden and yellow-coloured paintings and murals catch your eyes. The prayer wheels being another key feature of Tibetan Monasteries, the same can be found here too.

Jama Masjid, Lucknow

The Jama Masjid in Lucknow is a prominent, historical landmark. The majestic masjid was built by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah Bahadur in 1839. The beautiful structure is built with yellow sandstone, Lakhuri bricks and lime in Mughal architecture style. The mosque is enriched with attractive motifs and intricate art works. The square building, with three domes and two minarets stands on 260 pillars. Ornated domes, prayer hall, pillars and arches add charm to the already stunning stucco works. Murals and intricate designs on walls and pillars are impressive. The three lotus-shape domes and minarets are stand out attractions in the mosque. Despite the impressive outer ornamentations, the prayer hall of the mosque is plain simple. Special occasions such as Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zuha make the masjid look all the more impressive after all the decorations.

Basilica of Our Lady of Graces, Sardhana

The Basilica of Our Lady of Graces is yet another popular religious sites in Uttar Pradesh. Modelled after the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Basilica was built in eleven years by chief architect, Antonio Reghellini. It was built in the early 1800s under the then ruler Begum Samru. The marble monument is one of the largest in north India. Multi colour altar, octagon-shaped dome, 18 Doric columns that border the veranda are a few striking features of the Basilica. The tomb of Begum Samru on the side of the altar is another notable element.