Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow was associated with the princely court of Oudh and then with the British, both traditions lingering on in the city whose finest monument is the Bara Imambara. Further east, Varanasi is the oldest city in India. An important centre of Hindu pilgrimage, it is believed that those who die in Varanasi will be released from the cycle of rebirth. Pious Hindus still come to Varanasi to spend their last days, living in spartan communes run by a multitude of religious trusts. The focus of interest to a visitor is the sacred River Ganga. At the series of steps leading down to it, people come to wash away their sins by bathing in the river, the dead are cremated and holy men meditate. In the narrow bylanes of the city are crowded bazaars selling brassware and silk brocades. 

Agra
Agra, the city of the inimitable Taj Mahal is now an educational and business centre-known for its craftsmen & handicrafts. Marble and softstone inlay work, carpet and leather goods are some important traditional crafts of the city
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Agra, and the nearby city of Fatehpur Sikri, are conveniently close to Delhi to warrant an all day excursion by coach or taxi although there are several hotels of every standard of comfort. Besides the Taj Mahal are Agra Fort, Sikandra, Ram Bagh and Itmad-ud-Daulah. 35 km away are the imperial ruins of the Mughal city, Fatehpur Sikri. Agra and Fatehpur Sikri are not merely rich legacies of Mughal history - they are the finest examples of architecture which combined Hindu and Muslim elements. 
Climate (deg C): Summer- Max.45, Min.21.9; Winter- Max.31.7, Min.4.2. Rainfall : 66 cms (June to September). Best Season : October to March. STD Code : 0562.

Infrastructure
Air : Indian Airlines connect Agra with Delhi, Khajuraho and Varanasi.
Fare: Calcutta-Delhi-Agra Rs.5085 (US$ 186). 
Rail: Agra is connected by rail with major cities, like Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Jaipur, Madras, Secunderabad and Trivandrum.
Fare (approx): Calcutta-Agra Rs.1950 (AC-I), Rs.1150 (AC-2A), Rs.975 (I), Rs.290 (Sleeper). 
Road: Agra is connected by good motorable roads to Delhi- 204 km, Jaipur-237 km, Khajuraho- 395 kms, Mathura- 54 kms, Gwalior- 110 kms, Lucknow- 257 kms, Bharatpur 54 kms etc. 
Local Transport: City bus services, tempo/scooter/cycle rickshaws and tongas. Regular bus services from Mathura, Delhi, Khajuraho, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Gwalior, Haridwar, Lucknow, Brindavan etc. 

Tours

Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Daily Rs.75/head UPSTDC, Taj Khema, Eastern Fatehpur Sikri. 1015-1830 hrs. Gate, Taj Mahal, Tel.65383
Starting Point : Agra Cant. Rly. Station.

From New Delhi to Agra Daily Rs.450 (adult) I.T.D.C., L-Block
Covering Taj Mahal and 0700 to Cannaught Circus,New Delhi
Fatehpur Sikri & back. 2130 hrs. Rs.375 (child) Tel: 3320331, 3322386.
From New Delhi to Agra Daily Rs.250 (adult) D.T.D.C. 
Covering Taj Mahal, 0700 to N-36, Bombay Life Building 
Agra fort, Shikandra 2200 hrs. Rs.200 (child) Cannaught Place, New Delhi
Mathura and back. Tel: 3314229, 3313637.

Places to see
(Distances from Govt. of India Tourist Office)
Taj Mahal (3 kms), Agra Fort (3 kms), Dayal Bagh (8 kms), Chini-Ka-Roza (9 kms), Itmad-Ud-Daula Tomb (6 kms), Radhaswami Samadhi (8 kms), Mariyam's Tomb (13 km), Sikandra (10 kms), Jama Masjid, Motilal Nehru Park, Shah Jahan Gardens & Rosary, Ram Bagh (10 kms).

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary 54 kms, Fatehpur Shikri 37 kms, Kaitham Lake 23 kms, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Mathura 54 kms, Van Vihar Widlife Sanctuary 60 kms. 

Information Centres
1) Govt. of India Tourist Office, 191 The Mall, Agra 282 001, Tel: 72377,67959.
2) U.P. Tourist Office, 64 Taj Road, Agra- 282 001.

Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, one of the biggest states in India and is situated on the banks of the river Gomati, tributary of the Ganga. It is famous for its Gardens, Parks and unique archaeological monuments. The people of Lucknow are known for exquisite charm, courtesy and flair of the Urdu language.
Altitude : 123 metres (403 ft. above sea level) Climate (deg C) : Summer- Max 36.6, Min 25; Winter- Max 21.1, Min 11.1. Rainfall : 44 cms (June-Sept). Best Season : October to March.

Infrastructure
Air : Lucknow is connected to Calcutta, Patna, Delhi, Bombay by Indian Airlines. Vayudoot services also connects Lucknow with Delhi.
Fare: Calcutta-Lucknow (Mon,Wed,Fri) Rs.2658 (Y). 
Rail: Lucknow, on the Northern and North-Eastern Railway, is directly connected with Calcutta and all other main places in India.
Fare (approx): Calcutta-Lucknow Rs.1050 (AC-2A), Rs.850 (I), Rs.350 (II). 
Road: Lucknow is connected by road with Agra (314 kms), Allahabad (225 kms), Calcutta (985 kms), Corbett National Park (280 kms), Delhi (514 kms), Kanpur (79 kms), Varanasi (314 kms) etc. 
Local Transport: Taxis, buses, cycle, rickshaws, tempo service available.
 
Places to see
Lucknow City Sightseeing, 0900-1700 (daily ex. Monday), Rs.100. Boarding at: Gomti Hotel, 6 Sapru Marg, Tel: 234708, 240624.Operator/Reservation: U.P.State Tourism Development Corporation

Residency, Bada Imam Bara, Rumi Darwaza, Hussainabad, Clock Tower, Shah Nazar Zoo, State Museum, Macchi Bhawan, Khurshid Mahal, Botanical Gardens, Picture Gallery.

Chinhat Lake (13 kms), Kukrail Picnic Spot (15 kms), Nawab Ganj Bird Sanctuary (40 kms), Nimsar (102 kms), Dudwa National Park (60 kms), Golaknath Temple (171 kms).

Ayodhya
Ayodhya, a religious place, is directly connected by regular bus services with Lucknow (141 kms).

Places to see
Hanumangarh, Janmasthan, Kanak Bhawan, Jain Temple, Treta-ke-Thakur, Mani-Parvat Nageshwar Nath Temple, Amawan Temple, Tulshi Chaura, Tulshi Smarak, Brahma Kund etc.
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Informations
Tourist Office, Gomti Hotel, 6 Sapru Marg, Lucknow 226 001. Tel: 240624, 234708. U.P. Tourism, 3 Naval Kishore Road, Lucknow. Ph.0522-228349, 225165. Fax:0522-221776.