Kanpur (Picture courtesy: Instagram)
Kanpur is one of the most populous cities of Uttar Pradesh and one of the biggest industrial cities as well. However, it is close to several beautiful tourist attractions that are only a short distance away from it. The weekend is the perfect time to drive down to these places and explore them in two days. From other cities in the same state like Agra, Lucknow and Varanasi, to ones in neighboring states like Orchha, Khajuraho and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, Kanpur has several options for travelers. Even though a short distance away, these places have their own charm and will show you India’s hidden treasures. From admiring the beauty of the Taj Mahal, to discovering the hidden town of Orchha and its monuments, Kanpur is strategically located that perfectly blends the old and new. So which place will you explore this weekend? We have some interesting weekend getaways for you from Kanpur.
Lucknow
A foodie’s paradise, Lucknow has a royal charm thanks to the Nawabs of Awadh who ruled the city for the longest time. Their presence is still reminiscent in Lucknow’s cuisine and architecture. Even top chefs of the county will agree that Lucknow’s culinary skills are far superior than any other city and rightly so. If you wish to sample a sliver of Lucknow’s regal exuberance, here’s where you should head to this weekend.
Best time to go: October to March
Driving distance: 94.7 km (2 hours 14 minutes)
Where to stay: Renaissance (0522 4055555) is a five-star property in the city but if you are looking for something mid-range, stay at India Awadh Hotel (0522 2200513). Golden Tulip (0522 672 2000) is a three-star hotel while Hotel Uday Raj Palace (0522 233 9914) is best-suited for budget travelers.
Things to do: Steeped in art, culture and traditions, a visit to Lucknow will transport you to the royal era of Awadh. When here, sample the amazing food it has to offer. The kebabs are a delight here. Tundey ke Kebab near the Chowk area is the place to visit to sample different varieties like shami, galouti, kakori and more. Lucknavi chaat and kulfi are other specialities you shouldn’t miss out on. After you’ve sampled the rich flavours of Lucknow’s food, visit some prominent monuments of historical importance. Bara Imambara that was built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula has a central hall which is believed to be the world’s largest vaulted chamber. The mosque and mazes inside the Imambara are an architectural delight. For a glimpse of Awadhi architecture, visit Rumi Darwaza. The 60 ft tall structure draws inspiration from the Sublime Porte in Istanbul. For animal lover, Lucknow Zoological Garden is the place to be. From the royal Bengal tiger to Asiatic lions, giraffes and zebras, you’ll find 97 species of fauna here. The zoo also houses the State Museum which has antiques and artefacts of the region.
Tips to keep in mind: Lucknow is known as the City of Nawabs and you will find the locals here carrying forward the royal tradition with great élan. This is evident in their spoken language too. Don’t be surprised if you hear people use words like ‘tehzeeb’, ‘janab’, ‘pehele aap’.
Khajuraho
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is known for its erotic sculptures that are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even though only 10 percent of the carvings here are sexually explicit, the town is famous for it and many even refer to them as Kamasutra. However, this fact isn’t really true as Khajuraho doesn’t draw inspiration for Vatsyayana’s book. From orgies to tantric sex positions, you will find men, women and animals is different poses of erotica in Khajuraho.
Best time to go: September to March
Driving distance: 223 km (4 hours 35 minutes)
Where to stay: The Lalit Temple View (076862 72333) and Radisson Hotel (078989 18433) are five-star properties in this town. Hotel Clarks (076862 74038) and Ramada (076862 72302) are good mid-range options while hotels like Isabel Palace (098932 86538) and Hotel Zen (076862 74228) are best-suited for those travelling on a budget.
Things to do: Khajuraho has around 20 temples with erotic wall carvings. All of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are clubbed under the Khajuraho group of monuments. These Hindu and Jain temples date back to the twelfth century but only 20 out of the 85 temples survived. It was the Chandela Dynasty who constructed these temples in Khajuraho. Take a guided audio tour when here to learn more about the history and architecture of the temples. The sound and light show in the evening in the temple complex shouldn’t be missed. Once you are done taking a tour of the temples, pay a visit to the Ajaygarh Fort which is a little less than two hours away from Khajuraho. It is on a hilltop and offers stunning views of the river and Vindhya Hills. History lovers can spend several hours admiring the beauty and learning more about this fort. Panna National Park is also at a similar distance from Kajuraho. It was declared a tiger reserve in 1994 and in addition to tigers, you can also spot leopards, sambhar and slot bears among others. Don’t miss going on a safari when here.
Tips to keep in mind: Two days are enough to explore the town of Khajuraho so a weekend is the best time to take a trip here. If you aren’t travelling by car, you can rent one here for Rs 1200 to 1500 a day.
Ayodhya
The birthplace of the festival of lights Diwali, Ayodhya has been a part of Hindu mythology as the abode of Ram. The city is considered to be one of the most sacred places in India and is thronged by devotees for this very reason. In Atharva Veda, Ayodhya was described as the city built by gods. Not just Hindus, but Islam and Jainism also prevail in the holy city of Ayodhya. Babri Mosque which was destroyed in 1992 was also in Ayodhya. Diwali is the best time to visit Ayodhya as the entire city lights up during this time.
Best time to go: October to March
Driving distance: 230 km (4 hours)
Where to stay: There aren’t too many stay options in Ayodhya and you will have to book a room in budget hotels like AP Palace (094506 58871) in Faizabad. However, there are two government guest houses near the railway station and Naya Ghat. You will also find a few hotels in Ambedkar Nagar.
Things to do: You must have read about Ayodhya in Ramayana and most sightseeing places here have a mythological significance. Ramkot is the primary attraction of Ayodhya and several pilgrims flock here every day. A temple dedicated to Ram, it sees one of the biggest celebrations of Ram Navmi, the birth of Ram in the Chaitra month. Another temple for Ram and his consort Sita is the Kanak Bhawan which is also called temple of gold. Here, the idols are adorned with crowns made of gold. The architecture of the temple is pleasing to the eye. After a visit to Ram’s temples, visit Hanuman Garhi. According to Ramayana, he is the biggest devotee of Ram and he lived in this cave to guard Ramkot. There is an idol of Anjani with Hanuman in her lap. To get a bird’s eye view of the city, head to Mani Parvat. This hill situated at a height of 65 ft is believed to be part of the hill that Hanuman carried to bring the herb Sanjeevani Booti to cure Laxman. According to mythology, mani Parvat fell on his way to get to Laxman and today it offers great views of Ayodhya.
Tips to keep in mind: There are no luxury hotels in Ayodhya yet so you will have to opt for budget rooms with basic amenities. If you are visiting during important festivals like Ram Navmi, Diwali, etc. Make sure you book your accommodation beforehand to avoid disappointment.
Allahabad
Peppered with places of historical and religious importance, Allahabad is also famed for being the hometown of India’s biggest superstar Amitabh Bachchan. Pilgrims flock here for its spiritual connect while tourists come here to admire Mughal architecture. Allahabad is an underrated tourist destination that has several things to offer. Here’s where you should visit when here.
Best time to go: October to March
Driving distance: 203 km (3 hours 36 minutes)
Where to stay: Hotel Kanha Shyam (0532 256 0123) is a contemporary hotel with modern amenities like free WiFi, swimming pool, bar, etc. Hotel Crown Palace (0532 255 7137) is a three-star property near the railway station. There are several mid-range and budget accommodations available in the city.
Things to do: Allahabad is one of the venues where the Kumbh Mela is held once in every 12 years. It becomes one of the most visited pilgrim destinations at that time. The city was earlier called Prayag and is considered holy because it is at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Triveni Sangam is where devotees take a dip to wash away their sins. If you aren’t up for a dip, watch the sunrise or sunset when here. For a glimpse of Mughal architecture in all its grandeur, visit the Allahabad Fort. It is the largest fort built by Emperor Akbar however only a section of it is open for tourists now. The famed Ashoka Pillar is also inside this fort, so is the Jodhabai Palace. Another place of interest here is the Patalpuri Temple which is an underground temple. Next to it there is Akshaya Vat which is known as the immortal banyan tree. Another tourist place with Mughal influence is the Khusro Bagh which is a walled garden built by Jahangir in the fond memory of his son. Beautiful mango and guava trees line the garden. You can also find tombs of Prince Khusro, his mother and Jahangir’s first wife in this garden. If you have some more time, visit Anand Bhavan which is now a museum housing memorabilia of the Nehru-Gandhi families. Both Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were born here.
Tips to keep in mind: Due to the reign of Akbar in Allahabad, you will find Mughal influence on the cuisine too. When here, do sample some authentic Allahabadi and Mughlai food. Head to Loknath area for some scrumptious street food. But remember, alcohol isn’t easily available and drinking in public is frowned upon.
Agra
One of the most famous monuments that India has given to the world, the majestic Taj Mahal is in Agra. The city is primarily known for this wonder of the world but has other attractions as well even though a glimpse of the Taj Mahal is the first thing tourists want to get when in Agra. Luckily, the distance between Agra and Kanpur isn’t much and you can pay a visit to this monument any weekend you like.
Best time to go: October to March
Driving distance: 281 km (4 hours 39 minutes)
Where to stay: Thanks to the Taj Mahal, there are several luxury hotels that offer a view of this monument from your room as well. Among them, the Oberoi Amarvilas (0562 2231515), Trident (0562 2235000) and the Gateway Hotel (0562 6602000) are prime properties. There are also many mid-range and budget hotels like Howard Plaza – the Fern (0562 4048600) and Hotel Clark Shiraz (0562 2226121).
Things to do: Once you reach Agra, head first to Mehtab Bagh which is close to the Taj Mahal and is one of the last Mughal gardens to be built. It is on the opposite side of the Yamuna in the flood plains and is square in shape. The garden is to the north of Taj Mahal and you can view the monument from here. Next, head to the Taj Mahal and admire it in all its grandeur up-close. Watch the sunset and the beauty of the monument multiply. Apart from the Wonder of the World, other monuments you can visit are Tomb of Akbar and Itimad-ud-Daulah. Did you know Akbar himself had commenced the construction of his tomb? It is in red sandstone and has stood the test of time and looks magnificent even today. The other tomb is made of white marble and is even called the draft of Taj Mahal. Agra Fort is another prominent monument that shouldn’t be missed. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the seat of the Mughal Empire for a long time. The Diwan-e-Aam and Diwam-e-Khas, the Delhi gate and the Musamman Burj are its must-see features.
Tips to keep in mind: When in Agra, relish some authentic Mughali cuisine. The Binge of Spice restaurant is one of the places you can go to for a bite. If you want to shop for handicrafts, head to Sadar Bazar.
Gwalior
If you are intrigued by history, culture, architecture and music, Gwalior is one place that you absolutely must visit. Called the tourist capital of Madhya Pradesh, it is also a city of forts and the Gwalior Fort is a testament of architectural brilliance. Today, it is also houses the Schindia School, a premium boarding school in the country. Gwalior is also a musical city and is one of the oldest gharanas of Hindustani classical music. Not just this, the music maestro Tansen’s tomb is also in Gwalior. Sarod Ghar, the first museum for musical instruments is also in this city.
Best time to go: October to March
Driving distance: 266 km (4 hours 46 minutes)
Where to stay: Usha Kiran Palace (0751 2444000) is a luxury property that was once a guesthouse for the Prince of Wales. Gwalior Residency (0751 2340670) is offers decent rooms and amenities and is a mid-range hotel while Hotel Surabhi (0751 2443265) is best-suited for budget travelers.
Things to do: Gwalior has many monuments that will interest any history lover. The magnificent fort is one of the prime attractions. It is atop a hill and offers breathtaking views of the valley below. The jewels in the fort’s architecture add a dash of color to the structure when sunlight falls on them. Gwalior was ruled by the Scindias and the Maharaja of Gwalior built Jai Vilas Mahal, a palace for himself and his family. His descendants still reside here. Out of the 400 rooms in this palace, 40 have been converted into the Scindia Museum. One of the main attractions in the palace is the Durbar Hall which has two Belgian chandeliers that are believed to be biggest in the world. Next, head to the Saas Bahu Temple which is famous due to its quirky name. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu as King Mahipala’s wife and daughter-in-law used to worship these two gods. To truly soak in the art and culture of Gwalior and MP, visit the Kala Vithika Museum. It houses ancient paintings, portraits and instruments that depict the history and culture of the state.
Tips to keep in mind: If you visit Tansen’s tomb, don’t forget to chew the leaves of the tamarind tree here. It is believed that it can enrich one’s voice and make it more melodious. Do try snacks like kachori, samosa and sweets like malpua in Gwalior.
Mathura
The birthplace of one of the most popular gods, Krishna, Mathura is a holy city that attracts lakhs of devotees every year. During festivals like Janmashtami and Holi, the fervour and spirit of the people here can send you in a trance. Krishna is highly worshipped in this city of Uttar Pradesh however Jainism and Buddhism is also practised. Mathura’s tourist attractions are mainly places associated with Krishna and you will leave with a lesson in Indian mythology after visiting Mathura.
Best time to go: October to March
Driving distance: 334 km (5 hours 13 minutes)
Where to stay: Hotel Gowardhan Palace (099171 12000) is near the railway station and offers decent, clean rooms with basic amenities. Brijwasi Lands Inn (088998 81881) and the Radha Ashok (098370 42944) are other options you can consider that will not burn a hole in your pocket.
Things to do: Mathura is synonymous with Krishna and there are several places that give us a tour of his glorious life. The first one that should be on your list is the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple. It is known as the birthplace of the god. There is a prison cell inside the temple called the Garbha Griha and according to historians, this is the precise place where Krishna was born. The temple is popular for its Janmashtami celebrations when lakhs of devotees pay their visits. Another place of importance is the Vishram Ghat. The story behind this place is that Krishna rested here after he killed his evil uncle Kansa. It is on the banks of the Yamuna River and pilgrims take a dip in its waters to cleanse themselves. There are 25 ghats in Mathura but Vishram Ghat is the main one as it is central to all the other ones. Don’t miss the evening aarti here. For a dose for Mughal architecture, visit Rangbhoomi which also happens to be the place where Krishna killed Kansa. These two things make it a popular tourist attraction. Another beautiful temple is the Dwarkadheesh that has two entrances called the Moksha Dwar and Swarga Dwar. The best time to visit this temple is during Holi or Janmashtami when the celebrations set the spirits high of the devotees.
Tips to keep in mind: If you are visiting Mathura during festivals, make sure you book room in advance. Also, people tend to be in high spirits during festive time so be cautious and safe.
Orchha
Madhya Pradesh has many tourist destinations but one that is pretty underrated and hidden is Orchha. Its name itself means a hidden place and true to its name, Orchha does not feature on MP’s tourist map. However, with its majestic monuments and old world charm, Orchha should definitely be on your wish list especially a weekend trip to explore the hidden beauty of this town.
Best time to go: October to March
Driving distance: 234 km (3 hours 44 minutes)
Where to stay: The Sheesh Mahal (076802 52624) is a heritage hotel that was once a palace. Betwa Resort (076802 52618) is another beautiful property here. Amar Mahal (076802 52102) overlooks the Betwa River and is designed like an Indian palace. The Orchha Resort (076802 52222) is another hotel which is close to the sightseeing places.
Things to do: Orchha was established in 1501 but even today you will be amazed at the grandeur of this place. The monuments look just as majestic as they were back in time and even the pace of the city seems to be from a different era. Orchha Fort Complex is the biggest tourist attraction here and consists several other attractions as well. An architectural marvel, you can roam around and admire the centuries old regal structures. It is divided into three parts. The Raj Mahal was built in the seventeenth century by Madhukar Shah and it has bold mural revolving around religious themes. If you tip a guide well, he may even open the chambers of the palace for you. Next move to Jahangir Mahal which is another jewel in the Mughal architecture. Its large halls could accommodate thousands of people and even elephants during war time. Today, it is a hidden gem of the city. Rai Parveen Mahal, dedicated to the musician-poetess is also a place of interest. Orchha is also home to many temples like the Raja Ram Mandir, Chaturbhuj temple and Laxminarayan temple. From wall paintings to centuries old idols, these temples are a must-visit for their architectural beauty.
Tips to keep in mind: Orchha also has 14 cenotaphs and a garden called Phool Bagh that will remind you about the various rulers that served this hidden treasure of a city. If you aren’t taking your own vehicle, you can take a rickshaw from Jhansi to reach Orchha.
Varanasi
One of the holiest cities in India and the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi sees lakhs of visitors both Indian and foreigners visit it. While some seek spiritual enlightenment, others come here to wash away their sins or others to perform the last rites of their loved ones. The city is on the banks of the most important river Ganges and has more than 80 ghats on its banks. These ghats, temples, ashrams and the vibe of Varanasi draw tourists to it from near and far. Luckily for people of Kanpur, the holy city is only a few hours away.
Best time to go: October to March
Driving distance: 331 km (5 hours 5 minutes)
Where to stay: Varanasi has a range of accommodation options. You can stay in ashrams and experience the basic lifestyle followed here. There are lodges, guest houses as well as hotels that offer views of the Ganga and the ghats. if you are looking for upscale properties, your options include the Nadesar Palace (0542 666 0002) which is a palatial hotel dating back to 1835. Radisson Hotel (0542 250 1515) is a contemporary hotel which is 5 km away from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Hotel Varuna (078000 40271) offers clean rooms at a decent price and Amayaa (0542 250 3391) is close to the railway station.
Things to do: Varanasi is primarily known for its ghats and temples. The most famous one is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple which is one of the 12 jyotirlingas and is considered one of the most sacred pilgrimages. Dedicated to Shiva, pilgrims flock here every day to pay their respects and seek his blessings. The evening aarti in this temple is a sight to behold. If you are wondering which ghat you should visit when in Varanasi, go to Assi Ghat and Tulsi Ghat. If you are intrigued by the Hindu cremation process, visit the Manikarnika Ghat. Taking a dip early in the morning in the Ganga is a ritual that people of Varanasi follow. You too can try it. It is believed that it washes away one’s sins. The evening should be spent at the Dashashwamedha Ghat where the Ganga aarti takes place. If you are religious, you can also visit the Durga Temple in Varanasi. The eastern bank of Ganga has the Ramnagar Fort that was constructed in 1750. You will find Hindu and Islamic influences in its architecture.
Tips to keep in mind: Apart the religious places, Varanasi is also famous for its food. Chaats, Banarasi paan and bhang lassi are a few staples of this holy city. If you are up for an exciting experience, do try these in one of the streets. You can cover these places on foot as well however cabs are also available.