Uttar Pradesh, the land that once cradled Indian civilization has scores of tourist attractions that need to be unravelled. Uttar Pradesh Tourism is open to collaborating with the travel trade to explore the lesser-known wonders of the state.
The land where a fusion of faiths like Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism flourished and is home to India’s top spiritual tourist destinations is none other than Uttar Pradesh. The state has lots to offer and much remains unexplored in the sphere of heritage tourism. Uttar Pradesh Tourism is going the extra mile to attract pilgrims for Maha Kumbh to be held in Prayagraj sometime in 2025.
Ravi Ranjan, Managing Director, of Uttar Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation informed, “The last Maha Kumbh was held in Prayagraj in 2019 that had received 25 crore tourists footfall. We are eyeing to have around 40 crore pilgrims at Maha Kumbh next year. There will be Shahi Snaan with bathing dates. The spiritual triangle of Ayodhya-Prayagraj -Varanasi draws millions of devotees. Nearly 6.30 crore tourists visited the Shri Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi in the current year. The pilgrim destination of Ayodhya has welcomed around 5 crore annual visitors. The state has around 7.56 per cent foreign tourist arrivals.”
Uttar Pradesh has 12 Mega Tourist Circuits including Jain Circuit, Craft Circuit, Shakti Peeth, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Braj Circuit, Bundelkhand Circuit, Awadh Circuit, Aadhyatmik Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Wildlife and eco-tourism Circuit. Ravi Ranjan said, “We are trying to create more infrastructural amenities to offer better travel experiences. The glorious heritage circuit of Bundelkhand needs to be explored. Bundelkhand forts are living testimony to the heroes of the land. The archaeological wonders of Kaushambi and the wooden toys of Chitrakoot deserve mention. Our eco-tourism circuit is quite well-developed. We are open to collaboration to explore the Bundelkhand circuit in the state. Our Jain circuit is not much in focus. We have a rich network of agro-rural tourism that has been identified to be developed into rural tourism destinations. We have a network of homestay options. There exists a plethora of room for collaboration with the travel fraternity to boost destinations like the historical landmark of Talbehat Fort at Lalitpur, Mastani Mahal at Mahoba, Mata Tila Dam at Lalitpur, the ruins of Chambal, Jal Mahal at Barsana in Mathura and Tehrauli fort in Jhansi.”
The state is a repository of art, craft and cuisine. It serves as an ideal destination for film shootings. Ravi Ranjan added, “Our Buddhist circuit comprises Sarnath, Sankisa, Kapilvastu, Sravasti, Kaushambi and Kushinagar. There are lesser-known destinations that have immense significance including Mahoba’s Sun temple and the cluster of 41 Jain temples at Devgarh’s Mahavir Swami Wildlife Sanctuary. The state has 18 airports and Jevar, the biggest airport in Asia will soon become operational.”
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