Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is also referred to as the “Heartland of India”, is comprised of rich cultural heritage. Be it nature or history the land offers a feast to the minds that love to explore. It is home to so many monuments and is gifted by the scenic beauty of nature. The emergence of the two most holy rivers the Ganga and the Yamuna add to the greatness of this place. Apart from religious places, you can embark on a magical journey by visiting some of the best hill stations in and near UP. The places are filled with wellness retreats and culinary surprises.

The hill stations located far away from the crowd inspire wanderlust in travelers. Chittrkoot, Kamadgiri and Lakshman Pahari hill stations located in UP will give you a combined experience of devotion and relaxation. The mythological beliefs specify the spots where Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshman dwelled for years. These divine places should be visited at least once in a lifetime to understand our rich heritage and culture. The dense forest, greenery, and hills are blessed with heavenly radiance and will please you with its cultural heritage and alluring beauty. Your trip will be missing out on something if you did not explore these delicacies. Batti choke, Bedhai, Pedha, Tehri, Began ki longe, Bhindi ka Salan are few most loved dishes of UP.

Kamadgiri Hill Station

Located around 130 km from Allahabad is a popular holy place of Chitrakoot Dham.

It is considered to be the heart of Chitrakoot. Lord Kamtanath is the principal deity of Chitrakoot. This place is believed to fulfill the desires of devotees. The forested hill is surrounded by multiple Hindu temples on all sides. The pilgrims perform Parikrama of 5 km around the hill where several temples are located. The famous temple Bharat Milaap where Bharat met Lord Ram is also located here. It's a belief among devotees that all the holy places lie along this religious route. It exudes a spiritual aura. Several devotees visit here during Chaitra month, Ram Navmi, and Deepawali. A Grand fair in the month of Amavasya is a major attraction for both tourists and locals. The amazing landscape of this place is characterized by dense forest and vegetation that provide an excellent path for trekking. Apart from its religious importance, it is famous for its ambiance and serenity. Visitors and spend their day in complete peace and meditation. A dense forest will help you discover new species of birds. It’s a nice place for photography as well. Visiting here early morning and watching the sunrise is bliss.

Best Time to Visit

• November to February

Major Attractions 

• Ganesh Bagh, Bharat Koop, Ram Darshan, Sati Anusuya Ashram, Gupt Godavari, Hanuman Dhara, Janki Kund, Bharat Milap Temple, Sphatik Shila.

How to reach?

It is located close to cities like Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Varanasi. It does not have its airport but is connected to the rest of India by road and air.

• By Train - Chitrakoot Dham Karwi is the nearest railway station in Chitrakoot located at a distance of almost 22 km.
• By Air - Bamrauli Airport in the city of Prayagraj is at a distance of 108 km. A private vehicle or taxi will take you to the destination in about 2 hrs and 40 minutes.
• By Road - A distance of cities close to Chitrakoot – Prayagraj (115 km), Varanasi (246 km), Ayodhya (270 km ), Vindhyachal (171 km).

Lakshman Pahari Hill Station

It is a beautiful mountain located at Parikrama Path of Kamadgiri Mountain. It is considered as a holy ground due to its ancient history related to Lord Rama and Lakshman. It is believed that Lakshman rested here. The place lies in the circumambulation path of Kamadgiri Mountain. A picturesque view is offered by this small hillock. You can either climb 156 steps here or use a ropeway to reach the destination. A hillock is a peaceful place that offers a panoramic view of Chitrakoot town.

Best Time to Visit  

• September to October

Major Attractions 

Chitrakoot waterfalls, Marpha, Ramghat, Janki Kund, Sphatik Shila, Hanuman Dhara.

How to Reach?

• By Train – Chitrakoot Dham Karvis is the nearest railway station here.
• By Air – Nearest airport is located at a distance of 175 km in the city of Khajuraho.
• By Road – Distance from Chitrakoot to Lakshman hill is 869 km. It takes 17 hours to reach there from Chitrakoot. 

Chitrakoot

It’s a very popular tourist spot spread over in UP, MP, and Chhattisgarh. The nearest hill station, 231km from Lukhnow is a wonderful place to plan a small holiday. It is also known as “The hill of many wonders”. A perfect blend of religious, historical, cultural, and archaeological importance can be seen here. The significance of this place is mentioned in Ramayana. Lord Rama, Goddess Sita spent their exile here. It is considered to be the most significant centers of Hindu faith and culture. The mesmerizing view of the Vindhya Mountains rejuvenates the visitors. Tourists enjoy sightseeing around the town and stumble around holy spots. Numerous places of great religious importance are located here like, Bharat Milap Temple, Janki Kund, Hanuman Dhara. There are many live fairs organized at different festivals. Chitrakoot is also a good place to shop for souvenirs and handicraft items.

Best Time to Visit

• July to March. The ideal season is monsoon when the weather is pleasant.

Major Attractions 

• Kalinjar Fort, Bharat Kup, Kamadgiri, Gupt Godavari, Raamghat, Hanuman Dhara, Sati Anusuya temple, Sphatik Shila

How to Reach?

It is located at the border of UP and MP in the north Vindhyan range. 

• By Train – The nearest railway station is in Karwi. It is there in the town itself.
• By Air – No direct flight is there to Chitrakoot. You can take a flight from Allahbad or Khajuraho and from there, taxis are easily available. Other flights are from Varanasi Airport (270 km) and Jabalpur Airport (300 km).
• By Road – Bus services regularly ply to and fro from Chitrakoot through well-connected highways. Several state government and private buses are available to Chitrakoot from Allahbad, Panna, Banda, Satna, etc.

Taa-Daa! Time to Explore

If you are done with exploring Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the rest of the hill stations in India; you must plan a holiday to explore Uttar Pradesh as well. You won’t be disappointed with the choices that you have made.

Do visit the places and let us know how you felt in the comment box.