15 Best Religious Sites in Uttar Pradesh: Must-Visit

In this blog post, we will discuss the best religious sites in Uttar Pradesh that are famous not only in India but also all over the world.

India is a country where most of the people are followers of religion. They believe in God. This is the reason why you can easily find thousands of religious places all over the country. There are some pilgrimage sites that don’t only attract domestic tourists but also international tourists. There are different spiritual sites in different parts of India according to local’s faith and belief.

There are a large number of religious sites in Uttar Pradesh. Even in the list of tourist attractions in Uttar Pradesh, the majority of attractions belong to religious places. In Uttar Pradesh, most of the people are devotees of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, and Lord Shiva, therefore, most of the temples in Uttar Pradesh belong to these deities. Come, let’s explore the best religious sites in Uttar Pradesh.

Before diving deeper, let’s have a quick look at the best pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh.

Best Religious Sites in Uttar Pradesh

Here are the best religious places in Uttar Pradesh.

1. Varanasi

Varanasi is a town on the Ganges in northern India that is significant in Hindu tourism, mortality, and grief. Although the term Varanasi was formally restored in 1947, the region is still usually recognised as Banaras and has also been recognised as Kashi since antiquity. Varanasi is located on the left side of the stream inside the mid-valley in the southern region of Uttar Pradesh.

It lies 692 km (430 miles) southeast of New Delhi, 320 km (200 miles) south of Lucknow, the administrative centre, and 121 km (75 miles) east of Prayagraj, one of the major Hindu pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh.

2. Mathura

Mathura is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India and the official capital of the Mathura region. It’s around 57.6 km (35.8 miles) north of Agra and 166 km (103 miles) south of Delhi, as well as 14.5 km (9.0 miles) from Vrindavan and 22 km (14 miles) near Govardhan. Mathura was formerly a major financial centre, situated at the crossroads of significant trade networks. Mathura’s population was expected to be 441,894 in the 2011 Indian Survey.

Mathura has indeed been selected as being one of the historic towns under the Ministry of India’s Historical City Rehabilitation and Enhancement Yojana initiative. It is also one of the best spiritual destinations in Uttar Pradesh.

3. Vrindavan

Vrindavan often spelt Vrindaban, is a historic town in the Uttar Pradesh part of the Indian subcontinent. It is considered one of Vaishnavism’s holiest sites. It was in the Braj Bhawan area, and that’s where Krishna lived much of his boyhood, as per Hinduism. On the Agra–Delhi Highway, the town is around 11 kilometres from Mathura, Lord Krishna’s home. In Vrindavan, there are numerous mandirs dedicated to Krishna and Radha. Vrindavan is regarded as a holy site in the Hindu Vaisnavism religion.

4. Kushinagar

Kushinagar is a township in Uttar Pradesh, India, located in the Kushinagar region. Buddhism teaches that Gautam Buddha reached Mahaparinirvana following his death at this famous Buddhist holy destination in Uttar Pradesh. It is a Buddhist spiritual centre for people from all around the world.

According to one account, Kushinagar was indeed the headquarters of the Kosala Dynasty, and it had been established by King Kush, the child of Rama, the main character of the legendary Ramayana. King Kushavati was dedicated before King Kush, as per Buddhist legend. The profusion of Kush grass in this location is thought to have inspired the name Kushwati.

5. Sarnath

Sarnath is a town in Uttar Pradesh, India, 10 kilometres north of Varanasi, near the banks of the Ganga and the Varuna streams. The Buddhist Sangha was founded at the Forest Park in Sarnath, where Gautama Buddha initially preached the Dharma or where Kondanna was key to obtaining

Shreyansanath, the 11th pictorial representation of Jainism, was born at Singhpur, a hamlet about one kilometre away from the monument. A shrine devoted to him will be a popular destination. This city, also known as Isipatana, is among the four temple complexes recommended by Buddha for his faithful disciples. That was also the location of Buddha’s enlightenment.

6. Shravasti

The Shravasti was indeed the headquarters of the Kosala dynasty in the Vedic Period, and it was here that the Buddha spent most of his time following awakening. It is located near the Rapti Riverbed in Uttar Pradesh, India, adjacent to the Nepalese frontier.

Sravasti is regarded as one of Buddhism’s holiest places. It is thought to be the location where the Buddha delivered several of his Hadiths, educated many of his renowned pupils, and conducted his “Sravasti feats”—”big miraculous” and “twin magic”—which have been depicted in Buddhist reliefs, monuments, and writings.

7. Prayagraj

Prayagraj, previously known as Allahabad, is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. It serves as the administrative centre for the Prayagraj district, which is the state’s most populated division and India’s thirteenth most populated area. The metropolis is Uttar Pradesh’s legal headquarters, with the Prayagraj High Court serving as the state’s top judicial authority.

With a capacity of 1.53 million inhabitants, Prayagraj is the 7th most populated metropolitan area in India, 13th in North India, and 36th in all of India as of 2011. It was voted the 40th quickest city on the planet in 2011. You must visit Prayaraj, one of the best religious sites in Uttar Pradesh.

8. Ayodhya

The archaeological site of Ayodhya, originally referred to as Saketa, is the home of Ram as well as the location of the legendary Ramayan. The historical Kosala Dynasty had Ayodhya as its capital. It is 93 metres above sea level on average. Ayodhya is considered one of the 7 highly significant Hindu pilgrimages since it is believed to be the home of Ram.

The religious luminaries, Siddhartha Gautama and Bodhisattvas, frequented and resided in the city, according to early Buddhist and Jain scriptural writings. Numerous accounts from the Gupta empire forward refer to Ayodhya and Saketa as being the same city.

9. Hastinapur

Hastinapur is a metropolitan area in Uttar Pradesh, India, located in the Meerut division. Hastinapura is referenced in early Jain literature as well as Hindu texts, including the Mahabharata and Puranas, as the headquarters of the Kuru Dynasty. On the north bank of the River Ganga, Hastinapur is situated.

Hastinapur is depicted in the Mahabharata as the headquarters of the Kuru Dynasty of the Kauravas. The kingdom of Hastinapur was the setting for several occurrences in the Mahabharata. The Mahabharata claims that the Hundred Kaurava siblings were conceived at this place by Empress Gandhari, Emperor Dhritarashtra’s spouse. Two locations in Hastinapur on the Embodies Ganga mention Mahabharata characters.

10. Patthar Ghat

Kanpur’s Patthar Ghat is a swimming holy place in Kanpur’s Bithoor neighbourhood, located 24 kilometres from Kanpur District. It is among the most well-known Ghats of Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, making it one of the best sites to explore nearby Kanpur.

Tikait Rai, a former cabinet minister of the kingdom of Awadh, created Patthar Ghat on Castle Road. The ghat was totally cut out of red sandstone. It is thought that bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganga at Patthar Ghat helps cleanse one of their personal sins. Like some other ghats in the area, Patthar Ghat is commonly visited by residents and travellers alike.

11. Brahmavart Ghat

Among the most spiritually revered and prominent locations in Hindu culture may be found in Kanpur’s Bithoor area. The Brahmavart Ashram is a sacred site in Kanpur that must be visited. It is supposed to be the location where Lord Brahma dwelt and began creating humans with mud and all the goodness in the universe. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma. As a result, it is a holy and religiously significant location.

Brahma Ji constructed a Shiv Linga nearby, which is today known as that of the Brahmeshwar Mahadeva. The ghat’s stairs also have a horseshoe nail inserted in them. This nail is thought to have belonged to Brahma’s steed during their journey.

12. Siddhi Dham

Siddhi Dham, one of India’s most magnificent ashrams, was created by Shri Sudhanshuji Maharaj, an Indian spiritual speaker. The monastery is operated by the Vishwa Jagriti Foundation and features a large complex with an imitation Kailash peak and a Krishna shrine.

Lord Vishnu, Krishna, God Hanuman, Devi Gauri, and Devu Radha are among the Hindu gods whose statues are housed in the ashram’s big backyard. The idols range in height from 8 to 20 feet. A magnificent fountain stands in front of a cave, and entering the cellar is a whole other experience.

13. Kusum Sarovar

Kusum Sarovar is a 450-foot-long, 60-foot-deep tank with a set of steps on three sides. Radhika and the Gopikas are said to have visited the Sarovar to pick flowers and see Lord Krishna. Kadamba trees may be located all over the country, and it is stated that the Kadamba tree was Lord Krishna’s favourite.

This location was renowned as Sumanah Sarovar during the period of Lord Chaitanya. According to the Chaitanya Charitamrita, Saint Chaitanya is said to have bathed here. The Sarovar is known for its beautiful monuments built in honour of Raja Suraj Mal by Jawahar Singh, the monarch of Bharatpur during the mid-eighteenth century.

14. Barsana

Barsana is bordered on all sides by rocks, and it was once known as Brahmsarin. Krishna, legend has it, requested that Brahman take the form of a hill. The four hills are thought to depict Brahma’s four heads. This name is formed by the words Brahma and Sarin (head). There are temples dedicated to Lord Radha and Krishna on each of the 4 hills.

The Radharani Temple, also known as the Ladli Ji Temple, is the most well-known of them. Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo of Orchha constructed it in 1675. The modern stone temple next to it was built later. The area also has a tank called Prem Sarovar, which is said to be where Krishna and Radha initially met.

15. Belon

Belon Temple is an important Hindu place of pilgrimage and an ancient Hindu temple. The Sarva Mangala Goddess, the queen of all well-being, is honoured at this temple. A trip to the mandir is said to provide contentment in all areas of life. Pilgrims travel from all around Uttar Pradesh to see the divine feminine and offer their prayers.

Holi is traditionally played with Tesu Phool. During the period of October to March, this shrine is regularly packed with visitors. Millions of people go to the temple during Navratris and Ram Navami festivals. You must visit Belon, one of the best pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh.

FAQs – Best Spiritual Destinations in Uttar Pradesh

Conclusion – Best Religious Sites in Uttar Pradesh

As you have read the article, you must have come to know about the best religious places in Uttar Pradesh. Right? You should definitely visit these holy places in Uttar Pradesh if you want to overcome negativity, heal your mental peace, and experience a positive vibe.

I’m going to wrap up this article, if you found it informative and helpful, make sure to share it with your friends, relatives, and family members.