Honeymoon in Uttar Pradesh India

Uttar Pradesh is a land of cultural and geographical diversity, blessed by a innumerable tranquil expanses of meadows, perennial rivers, dense forests, fertile soil, plays a very important role in the politics, education, culture, industry, agriculture and Tourism of India. A place of gods and goddesses, a land which has a glorious history. It is the land of Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Mahavir, Ashoka, Harsha, Akbar and Mahatma Gandhi. It is a land dotted with countless shrines and pilgrimage which hold a special significance in the lives of the Indian people.

Guarded by the majestic Himalayas in the north, garlanded by Ganga and Yamuna. Surrounded by states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal and Haryana. It has a strategic importance for Indian Defense as it touches Tibet and Nepal on the Northern Border of the country.

Situated in the northern part of India, it has the distinction of being the most populous state of India. in terms of area, it is the fourth largest, among all the states. The wealth of its monuments, mystical call of its mountains and lakes, and the religious fervour that it evokes, have rendered Uttar Pradesh, one of the most fascinating states of the Indian Union. Whether one is on a spiritual quest, or in search of adventure, or just on a curiosity trip, Uttar Pradesh has something to offer to everyone.

It is divisible into three distinct regions geographically; the Himalayan region on the north, the vast Gangetic plain at the centre, and the Vindhya Range and plateau on the south. Uttar Pradesh is watered by the mighty rivers of northern India - Ganga, Yamuna, Ramganga, Gomati and Ghaghara. Almost all the important towns and trading centres of the state, are clustered around these rivers. The confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, the two most sacred rivers of India, at Allahabad, has been a vital pilgrimage site through the centuries.

Uttar Pradesh offers an endless array of attractions, to the tourist by way of monuments, health resorts, mountain peaks, a wealth of ancient temples and viharas, rich flora and fauna, fascinating rivers and captivating valleys. Agra, Ayodhya, Sarnath, Varanasi, Lucknow, Mathura and Prayag combine religious and architectural marvels; Nainital, Mussorie, Ranikhet and Almora are hill resorts of rare charm; Corbett and Dudhwa National Parks head a long list of wildlife reserves and sanctuaries; Yamnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund and the Pindari Glacier, enfolded wthin the Himalayan ranges, offer a combination of adventure, pilgrim centres and natural beauty.

HISTORY
Over 2000 years ago the area that became Uttar Pradesh was part of Ashoka's great Buddhist empire. Muslim raids from the north-west began in the 11th century, and by the 16th century the region was part of the famed Mughal empire whose capital was for some time at Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. Following the decline of the Mughal empire, the nawabs of Avadh rose to prominence in the central part of the region and were responsible for turning Lucknow into a flourishing center for the arts. When the British East India Company deposed the last nawab, the Uprising of 1857 began at Meerut, and its most tragic events took place in Lucknow and Kanpur. Agra was later merged with Avadh and the state became known as United Provinence. It was renamed Uttar Pradesh (Northern State) after Independence, and is often known simply as U.P.

CULTURE
Blessed with a variety of geographical land and many cultural diversities, Uttar Pradesh, has been the area of activity of historical heroes like Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Mahavira, Ashoka, Harsha, Akbar and Mahatma Gandhi. Dotted with various holy shrines, pilgrim centres, historical monuments and full of joyous festivals, its contributions to India in politics, culture, and society are outstanding.

The findings of the archaeological excavations in Banda, Mirzapur and Meerut, and the chalk drawings by primitive men extensively found in the Vindhyan ranges of Mirzapur districts, link Uttar Pradesh to the early Stone Age and Harappan era making it one of the ancient cradles of Indian culture.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

Jhansi Festival - March
This week-long annual event is a display of the arts, crafts and culture of the splendid city Jhansi. The cultural programmes include folk songs, dances and mushairas.

Lucknow Festival - November
This festival celebrates Lucknow's living culture. Capital alight during this ten day long event. Colorful processions, traditional dramas Kathak dances in the style of the famous Lucknow gharana, sarangi and sitar recitals along with ghazals, qawalis and thumri create a festive atmosphere. Exciting events like ekka races, kite flying, cock fighting and other traditional village games recreate an atmosphere of Avadh's nawabi days.

Jhoola Fair
The fortnight long Jhoola fair of Mathura and Vrindavan and Ayodhya, when dolls are placed in the gold or silver jhoolas or cradles is worth witnessing.

Magh Mela
This Mela is celebrated every winter in January. People come and settle there for a month to have a dip in the holy Sangam every morning.

Bateshwar Cattle Fair
A famous cattle fair is held at Bateshwar in Agra district.

Holi During
spring, the festival of colours is celebrated all over India. Holi is a time to make merry. People smear each other with coloured powdered. Singing and dancing add to the gaiety of the occasion. The holi celebrations in Mathura - the land of Sri Krishna are spectacular. The Rang Gulal Festival is celebrated for a week with exuberant processions, songs and music. Especially famous is the 'Lathmar Holi' of Barsana and Nandgaon.

Janmashtami
The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fervour all over the country. In Mathura and Vrindavan - where Lord Krishna spent his childhood and youth, the Janmashtami celebrations are quite elaborate. The Krishna Leela stories of his eventful youth are enacted. In Maharashtra, earthen pots of curd and butter are hung up over the streets. Young men enacting an episode from Krishna's childhood form human pyramids by climbing on each other's shoulders and try to break these up.

Kumbh Mela
The biggest congregation, perhaps of the entire world, Kumbh Mela is held at Allahabad every twelfth year. Ardh Kumbha Mela is also held at these places every sixth years.

FOLK ARTS

Braj Raslila
Raslila is a theatrical form prevailing in Agra Region that is known as Braj area. This art form is associated with the life of Lord Krishna who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to the Bhagwat Purana, Shri Krishna along with the gopis had danced the Ras on the banks of the Yamuna at Vrindavan. In the midst of the dance he disappeared agonising the Gopis who enacted his lilas, which in course of time came to be known as the Raslilas.

This colourful and glossy art form emphasises on music and dancing. The story generally deals with the relationship of Lord Krishna with his consort Radha and his charming childhood pranks. The Centre of this art form is Mathura.

Ramlila
Ramlila is performed during Dussehra that commemorates the victory of goodness represented by Rama over Ravan representing forces of evil. With the passage of time local variations of Ramlila have sprung up in different parts of the State with changes in dialogue and music. This art form is performed almost in all villages during the Dussehra festival.

Ramlila is a traditional art form that deals with the life of Lord Rama who is another incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ramlila, basically an enactment of a myth, is presented as a cycle-play with the story varying from 7 to 31 days. The Ramlila performance evokes a festive atmosphere and enables observance of religious rites. It is also rich in performance crafts such as costume jewellery, masks, headgear, make-up and decoration.

Charkula
Charkula is a traditional folk dance of Braj, where a female dancer balances a column of lighted deepikas over her head while dancing. The charkula, a tapered wooden column with four to five circular tiers has earthen lamps on each level. The number of lamps may range from 51 to 108 at times. The dancer, balancing the charkula on her head, moves with swift and graceful movements to the tune of Rasiya songs. The dance is performed on the Dooj of Holi.

Rasiya
This is the rich tradition of folksongs that is found in the Braj area. Rasiya songs describe the love of the divine couple Radha and Shri Krishna. It is an inseparable part of the Holi celebrations and all other festive occasions at Braj. The Rasiya is sung to the rhythm of huge drums, locally known as bumb.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Chikankari Embroidery Works
Chikankari is the delicate and traditional embroidery practiced in Lucknow and it?s environs. Chikan is a unique craft involving delicate and artistic hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabric like muslin, silk, chiffon, organza, doriya and organdi. There are 36 types of stitches used in chikan work. Chikan's light and gossamer like quality makes it very suitable for the hot climate. The light chikan saris and chikan kurtas are perfect summer wear.

The finely embroidered muslin came to be closely identified with the Nawabi culture and became an intrinsic part of it. The Chikankari tradition gradually spread among the common people. The source of most design motifs in Chikankari is Mughal. Though it originated as a court craft, today it is a practiced tradition and an important commercial activity.

Zardoji Embroidery Works
Agra's Zardoji is very unique art of embroidery in three dimensions. The artist first makes free hand sketches of these subjects. Then he embroiders in cotton threads over and over till he gets the required thickness and movements. Finally the artist takes fibre from silk threads, twists then together in the shades required for and embroiders with them the particular piece. In the process he creates original unparallel work of art.

Zari Works
The zari thread known as 'kalabuttum', consists of finely drawn gold, silver or base metal threads wound round as silk thread. The deep red, golden zari saris are popular with almost all Indian brides. Kimkhabs, one of the best-known Varanasi brocades, have more zari work visible than silk. The design motifs of these brocades are intricate floral and foliage patterns. The brocades are woven in workshops known as 'karkhanas'. The weavers are mainly Muslim and are known as 'karigars' that means 'artist'.

Banaras is world famous for hand-made textiles. The ancient traditions of weaving is well preserved in Banaras. The main products are Zari and brocades.

Metal Ware
Uttar Pradesh is the largest Brass and Copper producing state in India. In domestic-ware each of the 'lotas' (small water-pots) is known by the name of its origin, like Etawah, Banaras, Sitapur, etc. The ritual articles are largely in copper. Moradabad in U P is famous for art metalwork and known for it's coloured enamelling and intricate engravings. The art was handed down from the Mughal Era. They still continue to dominate the Indian market for engraved as well as utilitarian brass. Plates, cups, bowls, boxes and coffee pots are engraved with a range of floral and geometric patterns and these compositions are often inlaid with brightly coloured Lac or vegetable resin. The decorations may include scenes reminiscent of the style of Mughal painted miniatures, but also portray incidents from the Hindu Scriptures.

Pottery
Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, has villages where clay figures of animals are done and is is famous for its ornately decorated terracotta horse. The potter creates the basic form by throwing separate pieces on the wheel and then joining them.

Glazed pottery with white background and blue and green patterns is developed in Khurja, Chunar and Rampur in Uttar Pradesh. UP produces some of the finest Chunar black clay pottery. This is inlaid with silver paint in intricate designs. The art that is perfected in Nizamabad, has high gloss and lustre derived from a powder called kabiz made from the mud of rice fields. Khurja is also well known for its cheap and tough tableware.

Carpets and Floor Coverings
Carpet weaving is one of the crafts in Uttar Pradesh. UP produces about 90 % of the country's carpets in and around Mirzapur, Bhadohi and Khamaria. These carpets are popular export items today. Agra in Uttar Pradesh is one of the old carpet centres of the Mughal days. It produces both the traditional as well as the new designs. In Shahjahapur, both cotton and woollen carpets are made. The designs are of the Old Persian style.

Jewellery
Lucknow is well known for its jewellery and enamelling work. Exquisite silverware's with patterns of hunting scenes, snakes and roses are very popular. The Bidri and Zarbuland silver works of Lucknow find expression on excellent pieces of huqqa farshi, jewel boxes, trays, bowls, cufflinks, cigarette holders, etc.

Renowned ivory and bone carvings with motifs of flowers, leaves, creepers, trees, birds and animals are widely produced in Lucknow. The master craftsmen create intricate items like knives, lampshades, shirt pins and small toys.

Perfume
'Attars' or perfumes are also produced in Lucknow from the 19th century. The Lucknow perfumers experimented and succeeded in making attar with delicate and lasting fragrances those are made from various aromatic herbs, spices, sandal oil, musk, essence of flowers, and leaves. The famous Lucknow fragrances are khus, keora, chameli, zafran and agar.

MUSIC

Madhya Desh was the land of the great sages and hermits and the singing of ancient hymns and mantras laid the basic tradition of music, which has blossomed into a musical tradition. The ages of Guptas and Harsh Vardhan were the peaks of music in Uttar Pradesh in the past.

The medieval age saw the emergence of two distinct strands of music. One was the court music that found patronage in the Courts like Agra, Fatehpur-Sikri, Lucknow, Jaunpur, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Banda and Datiya. The second was the religious tradition emerging from the Bhakti Cult rooted and flowered in centres like Mathura, Vrindavan and Ayodhya. Rulers and musicians from Uttar Pradesh contributed to the prosperity of Hindustani music.

WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

- Chandra Prabha Sanctuary
- Dudhwa National Park
- Hastinapur Sanctuary
- Kaimoor Sanctuary
- Katrniaghat Sanctuary
- Kishanpur Sanctuary
- Mahavir Swami Sanctuary
- National Chambal Sanctuary
- Nawab Ganj Bird Sanctuary
- Ranipur Sanctuary

MUSEUMS IN UTTAR PRADESH

Bharat Kala Bhavan - Varansi
Bharat Kala Bhavan lies within the sprawling grounds of Banaras Hindu University. Its outstanding collection of sculpture, painting and textiles began with the private collection of the enlightened Rai Krishnadasa. The sculpture collection includes terracotta and clay objects. Ancient terracotta varing from ritual icons to toys to utilitarian objects date to the Indus Valley Civilisation, Mauryan, Sunga and Gupta periods. Among the stone sculptures are red sandstone reliefs from the 2nd century B.C, Buddhist stupa at Bharhut and rare image and statues from well known schools like Gandhara, which saw the synthesis of Greek and Indian styles and Mathura, a powerful art centre during the Kushana period. The large and impressive collection of textiles contain precious example of Banaras silk and brocades, embroidered shawls from Kashmir and the rare Chamba rumals, once used to wrap ceremonial gifts and offering were richly embroidered pieces with designs and stories from the life of Krishna.

State Museum - Lucknow
A multipurpose museum with sculptures, bronzes, paintings, natural history and anthropological specimens, coins, textiles and decorative arts. Rare stone sculptures include the earliest image of Balarama and a panchmukhi shivalinga (both 2nd century B.C), and a statue of Saraswati, again reputed to be the earliest depiction (2nd century A.D).

Archaeological Museum - Sarnath
Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon more than 2500 years ago, has a site museum whose prize exhibit is the enormous lion capitals(2.31m). Now the emblem of Independence India, the capital once surmounted an Ashokan pillar erected to mark the spotwhere the Budhha preached There are many other Buddha and budhisattava figures on view. Among these the most outstanding Gupta periods with hand rised on Abhaya or protection.

Government Museum - Mathura
The rich treasure of antiquarian values unearthed by Cunnigham, Growse, Fuhrer and others formed the nucleus of this museum. The museum was founded by the collector, F.S. Growse in 1874. The collections were shifted to the present building in 1930. Regional in character its scope was limited primarily to the archeological finds from the Mathura region. The vast collection includes stone sculptures, bas reliefs, architectural fragments, inscriptions of various faiths and creeds, coins, terracotta, inscribed bricks, pottery pieces, clay seals, bronze objects and paintings. The museum has the richest and by far the most important collection of the Mathura School of Sculptures of 3rd century B.C - 12th century A.D.