Uttar Pradesh - The cradle of Hinduism and the cultural heartland of Indian Islam, literally means Northern Province and is often reffered to as the Cow belt or Hindi belt. It is the most dominant state in Indian politics as well the most populous one. Geographically, it is the fourth largest state of the country, nestles within its folds a variety of terrain and culture. Great empires have fluorished here and then grown to engulf the whole country. Saints and sages sanctified its soil with hard penance. Great battles were fought on its soil, as can be gathered from its chequered history. Its line-up of the monuments today stands mute testimony to the splendour of a bygone era and the visionary far-sightedness of the many monarchs who once ruled different parts of this state.
The Ganges river, the backbone of Uttar Pradesh, regarded by Hindus as the physical and spiritual life source of the country, reaches its most significant point at Varanasi - the holiest pilgrimage centre in India.Just outside Varanasi is Sarnath, where Buddha first preached his message of the middle way. A double entity symbolized by the presence in the state of such contrasting sites as the Taj Mahal and the Mughal forts at Delhi and Agra and the bathing ghats at Varanasi and Allahabad, which attract millions of pilgrims.
The state comprises predominantly of the Gangetic Plains, almost featureless and flat, stiflingly hot, dry and dusty in summer. In the plains, a land transformed by great irrigation schemes surrounds the historic cities of Lucknow and Mathura area. The high peaks of Garheal and Kumaon Himalaya have been providing ground for some of the world's greatest mountaineers. The 'holy abodes' of the gods attract yatra pilgrims to mountian shrines. The region contains such treasures as the Valley of flowers and offers some of the country's greatest trekking and whitewater rafting.The people of Uttar Pradesh are poorly educated farmers along with Aryan features.
Also read:
Facts & Figures Of Uttar Pradesh
