Around Lucknow
(Same day return trips)
Kanpur & Bithur....
(from Lucknow 2 hrs to Kanpur & further 45 min to Bithur)
Kanpur and Bithur have an important role to play in the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Though a guided tour is a must to understand this part of history as there are no concrete evidences that can tell anything about this here. In Kanpur visit, Wheeler’s entrenchment, All Souls Church, Sati Chaura Ghat and the Bibi Ghar, time permitting also visit the old British cemetery. Another 25km from Kanpur is Bithur. Bithur was a stronghold of Nana Sahib in 1857, that was later captured and destroyed by the British forces. It otherwise is a religious town. It is believed that Sita, wife of Lord Rama gave birth to their sons Luv and Kush here. The main ghat of Bithur is dedicated to Lord Brahma, as a matter of fact there are very few places that are dedicated to Brahma and Bithur being one of those.
Centers of Sufism....
(45 min to Deva & Kakori, 1.5 hrs to Khairabad & 3 hrs to Kichaucha)
Classical Sufi scholars have defined Sufism as “a science through which one can know how to travel into the presence of the Divine, purify one’s inner self from filth, and beautify it with a variety of praiseworthy traits”. While Islam believes that they are on the pathway to God and will become close to God in paradise after death, Sufis believe that it is possible to draw closer to God and to fully embrace the Divine in this life. We can take you to some Sufi centers such as Deva, Kichaucha, Kakori or Khairabad.
Naimisharanya....
Naimisharanya or Naimish is an ancient place of pilgrimage and learning. In the Puranas, it is mentioned as one of the principal places of pilgrimage along with Prayag, Pushkar, Kedar, Setubandh and Gokaran. It is believed to have been the meditation centre of about 88 thousand saints. The Mahabharata was composed by Maharishi Vedvyas in Naimisharanya. Maharishi Dadhichi after having bathed in the waters of Kund had sacrificed the mortal remains of his body and presented the bones to Indra so that he could create a Vajra powerful enough to kill Vritrasur. It is believed that the tour to Hindu pilgrimages is incomplete without a visit to Naimisharanya.
Ayodhya (Faizabad)....
(from Lucknow 2 hrs)
Two hours away from Lucknow is Ayodhya, the birth place of the God Rama. Visit Ram Janam Bhoomi, Hanuman Gardi, Kanak Bhawan, Nageshwar Nath Temple. Enjoy a Hindu lunch in a temple with a Mahant (Priest). Rudrabhikshek at Nageshwar Nath Temple is also a great idea. Check out Tornos Mokshdayani Tour & Walk that is recommended by Lonely Planet. Evening Aarti and a boat ride on the river Saryu is surely not to be missed out here. In the Nawabi era of Awadh (Oudh) within Ayodhya, Faizabad was established as its first capital till 1775. The important Nawabi era monuments here include Gulab Bari, Bahu Begum Ka Maqbara and the famous Guptar Ghat on the banks of river Saryu, where Lord Rama is believed to have taken a Jal Samadhi (denounced the world by entering into the river).
Chappiya....
(from Ayodhya 1 hr)
Just 40 km another one hour ahead of Ayodhya in the district of Gonda is Chappiya, very important religious town for the followers of Sawami Narayan, very popular among Gujratis. Lord Swami Narayan was born here and spent his childhood days here.