Explore two best cities of Uttar Pradesh ­ Noida and Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh has many places of interest. Lucknow, Noida, Varanasi, etc. are some of them. Read on the the article to know which places you can visit in Uttar Pradesh and what would you find there to cherish. Lucknow is a nice holiday destination, for example.

Uttar Pradesh or UP is a large state of the country and it has many places of fame, known for rich culture, history, and tradition. Some of the places of the state such as Noida come under the NCR as well and offer an extent of exploration for the visitors. For example, Noida has many malls and entertainment parks which are admired by shoppers and kids. GIP Noida Water Park is one attraction that draws hundreds of people from adjacent areas for a fun time, especially on weekends. Gautam Buddha Park here is also quite popular. Iskcon temple is a religious site in this city which is seen by a large number of devotees. Okhla Bird Sanctuary which is spreadin 4 acres is a nice scenic spot for some bird-watching. There are a number of temples in Noida which are common places of attractions for visitors who offer prayers and seek blessings.

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is also a fast developing city and worth a visit. It is the second largest city after Delhi in North Central India. During 18th and 19th centuries, Lucknow was a strong administrative hub for the Nawabs and hence the place is often known as the City of Nawabs. Gomti river flows by the city. Hindu and Urdu are the main languages here. The etiquette and modest mannerisms of the people of Lucknow is much renowned. The city forms the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc along with Agra and Varanasi. The city is well connected by road, rail and air.

Lucknow has remained a cultural hub for centuries. The place is considered a major center of Muslim culture. The elegiacal form of Urdu poetry which is known as marsiya became famous around here and two Urdu poets called Mir Babar Ali Anis and Mirza Dabeer contributed heavily to it. Another thing for which Lucknow is renowned is the Nawabi cuisine. The city offers some scrumptious kebabs, breads, and biryanis. Street food, paan, kulfi, sheermal, etc. are other must try stuff for foodies. The tradition of delicious food items goes back hundreds of years.

Festival is celebrated with much fanfare in Lucknow. Holi, Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Durga Puja, etc. are the major ceremonies of the place. Every year a Lucknow Mahotsava is celebrated in which the art and culture of the city is showcased. Kathak is the main dance form around here. It is said that this classical dance form find its shape here only. Lucknow is also known for its embroidery works. The Chikankari is 400 years old and this delicate craft needs a lot of finesse in shadow work. You can buy kurta, saree, scarf, etc. made using this craft as souvenir from Lucknow. After Chandigarh, Lucknow is rated as the second happiest city of India. If you are looking for a nice city to explore around Delhi, Lucknow is your best bet. You can take a train from Ghaziabad if you are on a tour of Uttar Pradesh and have explored Noida. You can check out the Ghaziabad to Lucknow time table of trains for the schedule and other details.