Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

Around Lucknow

 

Deva Sharif:

42 Km / 1 hour from Lucknow is Deva Sharif located in the district of Barabanki. It is the mazaar of Haji Waris Ali Shah (a sufi saint) in whose memory an annual fair is organised on the lines of Pushkar (Rajasthan) between the festival of Dusherra and Deepawali (October/November). A trip from Lucknow to Dewa takes just an hour. Check out our special tour of the shrine, Thursday Sufi Sojourn.

Stay: Not recommended. Same day return trip

Transport: By Car (Road)


Naimisharanya:

The Gods came down here to request for arms to fight the devils, such goes a Hindu mythological story. This place is a spiritual and intellectual centre. It is said that any Hindu pilgrimage is incomplete without a visit to Naimisharanya. It is 100 km / 2 hours from Lucknow and a very convenient day trip is possible.

Stay: Not recommended. Same day return trip

Transport: By Car (Road) 


Shravasti:

330km from Lucknow it is one of the most famous Buddhist sites. It is termed to be an ancient capital of Koshal kingdom. It is here that you find the ‘Stupas’ known as ‘Kachhi Kuti’ and ‘Pakki Kuti’. The monastery where Lord Buddha lived for several years is here. This is also the birthplace of Sambhavanatha the third Tirthankar of Jains. A trip to Sravasti will take 4 hours from Lucknow.

Stay: Can stay or choose a same day return trip. Same day return trip

Transport: By Car (Road)


Nawabganj Birds’ Sanctuary:

Far from the hustle and bustle of the city life of Lucknow, 45km on the Lucknow-Kanpur national highway 1 hour drive from Lucknow is located Nawabganj Birds’ Sanctuary. It is a host to more than 1000 species of migratory birds in the winter months (November to January). 

Stay: No need, but Rahi Motel (UP-Tourism) offers rooms, Bar and a Restaurant. We recommend same day return trip from Lucknow.

Transport: By Car (Road) 

The park is situated at a distance of 300 km from Lucknow on the Indo-Nepal border in the district of Lakhimpur Kheri. This untouched forest area offers an abundance of fauna and flora for visitors interested in the wild side of India. Animals found here are Tigers, Panthers, Sambar Deer, Reptiles and over 400 species of birds. The park is among those of project tiger and is open from October to May (Please confirm the dates before planning a visit). The drive to the park from Lucknow takes about 5 hours.

Stay: A niche boutique lodge by the name of Jagir Lodge has some great packages to offer, which includes all meals (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) and jungle safaris. Forest Department has basic accommodation on pre-booking and canteen is located within the compound. This has to be booked well in advance from Lucknow office of the Forest Department – no random accommodation can be arranged within the park. 

Transport: By Car (Road)

Kanpur (100 km / 2 hours from Lucknow) was established as a trade center on the banks of the river Ganges by the early British settlers. Even today it is purely a commercial and industrial city. Kanpur is said to have been the center of the most tragic events of the Mutiny of 1857. Today the All Souls Garrison Church that stands on the site that was the Wheeler’s entrenchment bears testimony to some of the most horrific events of that time. Sati Chaura Ghat is also called the Massacre Ghats (river bank) is situated on the banks of the Ganges. Check out our special interest Kanpur Mutiny Tour

Bithoor or Bithur is situated on the banks of the Ganges 25km upstream from Kanpur and about 125 km from Lucknow. According to Hindu mythology, Bithur was known as Brahmateerth and Rishi Valmiki is supposed to have composed the Ramayana here. Life on earth is said to have begun from here by Lord Brahma. This is also the site where the Sepoys followed by the British crossed over the Ganges on their way to Lucknow in 1857. Places of interest here are the Brahmavarta Ghat, the temples of Luv-Kush, Dhruv Tila and the Valmiki Ashram.

A drive down to Kanpur and Bithur (Combined) would take about 3 hours.

Stay: Not recommended. Same day return trip

Transport: By Car (Road)

Faizabad, the former capital of Avadh during the rule of the Nawabs is famous for its monuments. The most attractive are the Gulab Bari, Bahu begum Maqbara and the famous Guptar Ghat.

7 km from Faizabad is Ayodhya, the birth place of the Hindu God Rama. Of late it has appeared in the media as a controversial site for the building of the Ram Temple at the Ram Janam Bhoomi (birthplace of Lord Rama). It came into the limelight in 1992 when the Babri Masjid, built by Babar, was demolished by a sentimentally aroused hindu mob. The Babri masjid is believed to have been built after the demolition of a temple that existed on the site. Ayodhya is now famous for its temples, ghats and some Buddhist and Jain shrines. 50km ahead is Chapiya famous among Gujaratis for Swami Narayan Temple. Lord Swami Narayan was born in Chappiya – this is the famous sage and the Akshardham temples in Gujrat and Delhi are dedicated to him.

A 163 km drive through the country side would take you to Ayodhya via Faizabad and one way travel time would be 2 hours. You can very conveniently take a same day return trip and check out our Ayodhya Excursion.

Stay: Not recommended. Same day return trip

Transport: By Car (Road)



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