Uttar Pradesh - Pilgrimages and Temples

Religious Traditions of Uttar Pradesh:

- Moksha Puri → Ayodhya - Mathura - Kashi
- Place of Kumbha Mela → Prayag (Ganga - Yamuna Sangam)
- Swayam Vyakta Kshetra → Naimisharanya
- Divya Desam → Ayodhya (Thiru Ayodhi) - Mathura (Thiruvadamathurai) - Gokul (Thiruvaipadi) - Vrindavan (Thiruvadamathurai) - Govardhan (Thiruvadamathurai)
- Jyotirlinga → Kashi (Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga)
- Shakti Peetha → Prayag (Prayaga Shakti Peetha) - Chitrakoot (Ramagiri Shakti Peetha) - Vrindavan (Vrindavana Shakti Peetha) - Kashi (Varanasi Shakti Peetha)

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1.

Rama Tradition of Uttar Pradesh:
(Valmiki Ramayana)
(Ramcharitmanas)
(Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya)
(Ramayana - Uttara Khanda)

• Ayodhya → Sri Rama incarnated in Ayodhya. Ayodhya is a Moksha Puri as well as a Divya Desam. The sacred river Ghaghara (Sarayu) flows through Ayodhya. Ayodhya is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana and Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya.
- Ayodhya is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Anga → Sri Rama visited Anga with sage Vishwamitra. Anga is located near the confluence of sacred rivers Ganga and Ghaghara (Sarayu). Anga is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana.
- Anga (Ballia) is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Shringverpur → Sri Rama visited Shringaverapura during forest exile. The sacred river Ganga flows through Shringaverapura. Shringaverapura is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana.
- Shringverpur is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Prayag → Sri Rama visited Prayaga during forest exile. Prayaga is a Place of Kumbha Mela as well as a Shakti Peetha. Prayaga is the confluence of sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and hidden Saraswati. Prayaga is mentioned in Matsya Purana, Padma Purana and Valmiki Ramayana. Prayaga Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Prayag is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Chitrakoot → Sri Rama stayed in Chitrakoota during forest exile. Chitrakoota is a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Mandakini flows through Chitrakoota. Chitrakoota is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana. Ramagiri Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Chitrakoot is spread across the Bundelkhand (UP side) and Baghelkhand (MP side) regions; in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh and Satna district of Madhya Pradesh.

• Bithoor → Devi Sita gave birth to Lava and Kusha in Valmiki Ashrama (identified with Bithoor). The sacred river Ganga flows through Bithoor. The story Devi Sita in Valmiki Ashrama is mentioned in Ramayana - Uttara Khanda.
- Bithoor is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Kanpur Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

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2.

Krishna Tradition of Uttar Pradesh:
(Srimad Bhagavatam)
(Brahma Vaivarta Purana)
(Garga Samhita)

Vraja Bhoomi:

• Mathura → Sri Krishna incarnated in Mathura. Mathura is a Moksha Puri as well as a Divya Desam. The sacred river Yamuna flows through Mathura. Mathura is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam.
- Mathura is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Gokul → Sri Krishna grew up in Gokula. Gokula is a Divya Desam. Gokula is a Divya Desam. The sacred river Yamuna flows through Gokula. Gokula is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam.
- Gokul is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Vrindavan → Sri Krishna performed the Raasa Leela in Vrindavana. Vrindavana is a Divya Desam as well as a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Yamuna flows through Vrindavana. Vrindavana is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam. Vrindavana Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Vrindavan is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Govardhan → Sri Krishna lifted the Govardhana Hill. Govardhana is a Divya Desam. Govardhana is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam.
- Govardhan is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Nandgaon → Sri Krishna stayed in Nandgaon during childhood.
- Nandgaon is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Raval → Radharani incarnated in Raval.
- Raval is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Barsana → Radharani grew up in Barsana.
- Barsana is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

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3.

Shiva Tradition of Uttar Pradesh:
(Shiva Purana)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)
(Matsya Purana)
(Padma Purana)

• Kashi → Lord Shiva created Kashi and abides as Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga. Kashi is a Moksha Puri, Jyotirlinga as well as a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Ganga flows through Kashi. Kashi is mentioned in Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda. Varanasi Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Kashi is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Anga → Lord Shiva burnt Kama deva in Anga (Kameshwar Dham). Anga is located near the confluence of sacred rivers Ganga and Ghaghara (Sarayu). Anga is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana.
- Anga (Ballia) is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Prayag → Lord Shiva abides in Prayaga among the Trinity (Brahma - Vishnu - Maheshwar). Prayaga is a Place of Kumbha Mela as well as a Shakti Peetha. Prayaga is the confluence of sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and hidden Saraswati. Prayaga is mentioned in Matsya Purana, Padma Purana and Valmiki Ramayana. Prayaga Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Prayag is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh.

Vraja Bhoomi:

• Mathura → Lord Shiva abides in Mathura as Bhuteshwar Mahadev. Mathura is a Moksha Puri as well as a Divya Desam. The sacred river Yamuna flows through Mathura. Mathura is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam.
- Mathura is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Gokul → Lord Shiva abides in Gokula as Darshaneshwar Mahadev. Gokula is a Divya Desam. The sacred river Yamuna flows through Gokula. Gokula is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam.
- Gokul is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Vrindavan → Lord Shiva abides in Vrindavana as Gopeshwar Mahadev. Vrindavana is a Divya Desam as well as a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Yamuna flows through Vrindavana. Vrindavana is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam. Vrindavana Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Vrindavan is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

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• Vindhyachal → Lord Shiva was worshipped by Devas, Asuras and Sages in Vindhyachala (Tarakeshwar Mahadev, Rameshwar Mahadev etc.). The sacred river Ganga flows through Vindhyachala (UP side) and the sacred river Narmada flows through Vindhyachala (MP side). Vindhyachala is mentioned in Vindhyachala Mahatmya (mentioning river Ganga) and Devi Purana (mentioning river Narmada).
- Vindhyachal (Vindhyavasini) (UP) is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh.
- Salkanpur (Vindhyavasini) (MP) is located in the Vindhya - Satpura Range in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh.

• Naimisharanya → Lord Shiva abides in Naimisharanya as Bhuteshwar Mahadev and other forms. Naimisharanya is a Swayam Vyakta Kshetra. The sacred river Gomati flows through Naimisharanya. Naimisharanya is mentioned as a Devi Sthalam (Devi Lingadharini) in Devi Bhagavatam.
- Naimisharanya is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh.

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4.

Devi Tradition of Uttar Pradesh:
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
(Vindhyachala Mahatmya)
(Devi Bhagavatam)

• Prayag → Devi abides in Prayaga as Prayaga Shakti Peetha. Prayaga is a Place of Kumbha Mela as well as a Shakti Peetha. Prayaga is the confluence of sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and hidden Saraswati. Prayaga is mentioned in Matsya Purana, Padma Purana and Valmiki Ramayana. Prayaga Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Prayag is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Chitrakoot → Devi abides in Chitrakoota as Ramagiri Shakti Peetha. Chitrakoota is a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Mandakini flows through Chitrakoota. Chitrakoota is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana. Ramagiri Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Chitrakoot is spread across the Bundelkhand (UP side) and Baghelkhand (MP side) regions; in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh and Satna district of Madhya Pradesh.

• Vrindavan → Devi abides in Vrindavana as Vrindavana Shakti Peetha. Vrindavana is a Divya Desam as well as a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Yamuna flows through Vrindavana. Vrindavana is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam. Vrindavana Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Vrindavan is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Kashi → Devi abides in Kashi as Varanasi Shakti Peetha, Devi Annapoorna, Devi Durga and also as 64 Yoginis. Kashi is a Moksha Puri, Jyotirlinga as well as a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Ganga flows through Kashi. Kashi is mentioned in Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda. Varanasi Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Kashi is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Vindhyachal → Devi abides in Vindhyachala as Trikona Yantra (Vindhyavasini - Ashtabhuja - Kali Khoh). The sacred river Ganga flows through Vindhyachala (UP side) and the sacred river Narmada flows through Vindhyachala (MP side). Vindhyachala is mentioned in Vindhyachala Mahatmya (mentioning river Ganga) and Devi Purana (mentioning river Narmada).
- Vindhyachal (Vindhyavasini) (UP) is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh.
- Salkanpur (Vindhyavasini) (MP) is located in the Vindhya - Satpura Range in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh.

• Naimisharanya → Devi abides in Naimisharanya as Lingadharini. Naimisharanya is a Swayam Vyakta Kshetra. The sacred river Gomati flows through Naimisharanya. Naimisharanya is mentioned as a Devi Sthalam (Devi Lingadharini) in Devi Bhagavatam.
- Naimisharanya is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Saharanpur → Devi abides in Saharanpur as Devi Shakambhari.
- Saharanpur is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

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5.

Vishnu Tradition of Uttar Pradesh:
(Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya)
(Matsya Purana)
(Padma Purana)

• Naimisharanya → Lord Vishnu abides in Naimisharanya as Chakra Narayana of Chakra Teertha. Naimisharanya is a Swayam Vyakta Kshetra. The sacred river Gomati flows through Naimisharanya. Naimisharanya is mentioned as a Devi Sthalam (Devi Lingadharini) in Devi Bhagavatam.
- Naimisharanya is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Ayodhya → Lord Vishnu abides in Ayodhya as Sapta Hari (Vishnuhari and others). Ayodhya is a Moksha Puri as well as a Divya Desam. The sacred river Ghaghara (Sarayu) flows through Ayodhya. Ayodhya is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana and Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya.
- Ayodhya is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Prayag → Lord Vishnu abides in Prayaga as Dwadasha Madhavas (Beni Madhava and others). Prayaga is a Place of Kumbha Mela as well as a Shakti Peetha. Prayaga is the confluence of sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and hidden Saraswati. Prayaga is mentioned in Matsya Purana, Padma Purana and Valmiki Ramayana. Prayaga Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Prayag is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Kashi → Lord Vishnu abides in Kashi as Bindu Madhava. Kashi is a Moksha Puri, Jyotirlinga as well as a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Ganga flows through Kashi. Kashi is mentioned in Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda. Varanasi Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Kashi is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Shukratal → Sage Shuka narrated the Srimad Bhagavatam to king Parikshit (in the place identified with Shukratal). The sacred river Ganga flows through Shukratal.
- Shukratal is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

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6.

Hanuman Tradition of Uttar Pradesh:
(Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya)

• Ayodhya → Bhakta Hanuman abides in Ayodhya in Hanuman Garhi. Ayodhya is a Moksha Puri as well as a Divya Desam. The sacred river Ghaghara (Sarayu) flows through Ayodhya. Ayodhya is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana and Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya.
- Ayodhya is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Prayag → Bhakta Hanuman abides in Prayaga as Lete Hanumanji. Prayaga is a Place of Kumbha Mela as well as a Shakti Peetha. Prayaga is the confluence of sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and hidden Saraswati. Prayaga is mentioned in Matsya Purana, Padma Purana and Valmiki Ramayana. Prayaga Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Prayag is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Chitrakoot → Bhakta Hanuman abides in Chitrakoota in Hanuman Dhara. Chitrakoota is a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Mandakini flows through Chitrakoota. Chitrakoota is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana. Ramagiri Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Chitrakoot is spread across the Bundelkhand (UP side) and Baghelkhand (MP side) regions; in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh and Satna district of Madhya Pradesh.

• Kashi → Bhakta Hanuman abides in Kashi as Sankat Mochan Hanuman. Kashi is a Moksha Puri, Jyotirlinga as well as a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Ganga flows through Kashi. Kashi is mentioned in Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda. Varanasi Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Kashi is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

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7.

Ganesha Tradition of Uttar Pradesh:
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)

• Kashi → Sri Ganesha abides in Kashi as 56 Vinayakas (Dhundiraj Vinayaka and others). Kashi is a Moksha Puri, Jyotirlinga as well as a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Ganga flows through Kashi. Kashi is mentioned in Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda. Varanasi Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Kashi is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

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8.

Surya Tradition of Uttar Pradesh:
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)

• Ayodhya → Surya deva cured king Ghosha (of Solar race) of his disease in Ayodhya. The place is known as Surya Kund or Ghosharka Kund. Ayodhya is a Moksha Puri as well as a Divya Desam. The sacred river Ghaghara (Sarayu) flows through Ayodhya. Ayodhya is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana and Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya.
- Ayodhya is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Kashi → Surya deva abides in Kashi as 12 Adityas (Lolarka and others). Kashi is a Moksha Puri, Jyotirlinga as well as a Shakti Peetha. The sacred river Ganga flows through Kashi. Kashi is mentioned in Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda. Varanasi Shakti Peetha is mentioned in Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- Kashi is located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

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9.

Sages and Uttar Pradesh:
(Valmiki Ramayana)
(Srimad Bhagavatam)
(Shiva Purana)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)
(Mahabharata)

• Vasishtha (Ayodhya) → Sage Vasishtha was the kulaguru of the Ikshvaku dynasty whose capital was Ayodhya.

• Bharadwaja (Prayag) → Sage Bharadwaja had his hermitage in Prayaga where Sri Rama visited during his forest exile.

• Valmiki (Chitrakoot) → Sage Valmiki had his hermitage in Chitrakoota where Sri Rama visited during his forest exile.

• Atri (Chitrakoot) → Sage Atri had his hermitage in Chitrakoota where Sri Rama visited during his forest exile.

• Garga (Vraja Bhoomi) → Sage Garga was the kulaguru of the Yadavas who resided in Vraja.

• Agastya (Kashi) → Sage Agastya had his hermitage in Kashi before moving to the South.

• Jaigishavya (Kashi) → Sage Jaigishavya got the darshan of Lord Shiva in Kashi for his austerity of devotion.

• Agnibindu (Kashi) → Sage Agnibindu got the darshan of Lord Vishnu in Kashi for his penance.

• Shukracharya (Kashi) → Sage Shukracharya performed penance in Kashi and got the Mritasanjeevani Vidya from Lord Shiva.

• Shaunaka (Naimisharanya) → Sage Shaunaka was the kulapati of the sages during the great Yagna at Naimisharanya.

• Soota (Naimisharanya) → Sage Soota gave Puranic discourses to sages at Naimisharanya.

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10.

Saints and Uttar Pradesh:

• Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?) (Kashi) → Sri Adi Shankaracharya got the darshan of Lord Shiva in Kashi in the form of a chandala with four dogs coming to test him.

• Nimbarkacharya (? - 1162 CE) (Vraja Bhoomi) → Sri Nimbarkacharya lived in Vraja and preached devotion of Sri Krishna (Dvaitaadvaita-vada).

• Ramananda (14th – 15th Century CE) (Kashi) → Sri Ramananda was born in Prayagraj but lived in Varanasi for most of his life. Many Ramanandi Maths exist in Varanasi.

• Kabirdas (15th - 16th Century CE) (Kashi) → Sri Kabirdas was born in Varanasi. The Lahartara Pond of Varanasi is said to be the place where a muslim weaver found him.

• Surdas (1478 - 1573 CE) (Vraja Bhoomi) → Sri Surdas lived in Vraja and composed devotional songs in praise of Sri Krishna (Sur Sagar).

• Vallabhacharya (1479 - 1531 CE) (Vraja Bhoomi) → Sri Vallabhacharya lived in Vraja for sometime and preached devotion of Sri Krishna (Pushtimarga).

• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 - 1534 CE) (Vraja Bhoomi) → Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Vraja during his pilgrimage and spread devotion of Sri Krishna through his Sankirtans (Gaudiya Vaishnavism).

• Sanatana Goswami (1488–1558 CE) (Vraja Bhoomi) → Sri Sanatana Goswami came to Vraja, being instructed by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to discover the sites associated with Sri Krishna.

• Rupa Goswami (1489–1564 CE) (Vraja Bhoomi) → Sri Rupa Goswami came to Vraja, being instructed by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to discover the sites associated with Sri Krishna.

• Meerabai (1497 - 1557 CE) (Vraja Bhoomi) → Sri Meerabai visited Vraja and worshipped Sri Krishna (Meera Bhajans).

• Swami Haridas (16th Century) (Vraja Bhoomi) → Swami Haridas lived in Nidhivan in Vraja and practised devotion of Sri Krishna.
• Tulsidas (1532 - 1623 CE) (Chitrakoot) (Ayodhya) (Kashi) → Sri Tulsidas was born in Chitrakoota and composed parts of Ramcharitmanas in Ayodhya and Kashi.

• Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE) (Kashi) → Sri Trailanga Swami lived in Kashi for many years and performed many miraculous deeds.

• Baba Lokenath (1730 - 1890 CE) (Kashi) → Baba Lokenath lived in Kashi for sometime as a disciple of Sri Trailanga Swami.

• Ramakrishna Paramahamsha (1836 - 1886 CE) (Kashi) → Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsha visited Kashi during his pilgrimage, had vision of Lord Shiva, and also met Sri Trailanga Swami.

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11.

Sacred Geography of Uttar Pradesh:

Mountains:
☗ Chitrakoot Mountain → Chitrakoot (Kamadgiri)
☗ Govardhan Hill → Govardhan
☗ Vindhya Mountains → Vindhyachal (Vindhya extensions)

Rivers:
▬ Ganga flows → Prayagraj (Aarti at Ram Ghat) - Vindhyachal (Aarti at Pakka Ghat) - Kashi (Aarti at Assi Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat)
▬ Yamuna flows → Mathura (Aarti at Vishram Ghat) - Gokul (Aarti at Gau Ghat, Gokul) (Aarti at Brahmanda Ghat, Mahavan) - Vrindavan (Aarti at Keshi Ghat) - Raval - Prayagraj (Aarti at Balua Ghat)
▬ Ghaghara (Sarayu) flows → Ayodhya (Aarti at Saryu Ghat)
▬ Mandakini flows → Chitrakoot (Aarti at Ram Ghat)
▬ Varana flows → Kashi (Varanasi)
▬ Asi flows → Kashi (Varanasi)

◉ Ganga - Yamuna - Saraswati Sangam → Prayag

Forests:
☸ Chitrakoota Forest → Chitrakoot
☸ Naimisharanya Forest → Naimisharanya

Trees:
☘ Akshay Vat → Prayag

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12. Other Information of Uttar Pradesh:

- Languages: Hindi, Awadhi, Braja Bhasa, Bhojpuri
- State Tree: Ashoka (Saraca asoca)
- State Flower: Palasha (Butea monosperma)
- State Fruit: Aamra (Mango) (Mangifera indica)
- State Animal: Barasingha (Swamp Deer) (Rucervus duvaucelii)
- State Bird: Sarus Crane (Grus antigone)

1. Pilgrimages and Temples of Sri Rama: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Ayodhya (Moksha Puri) (Divya Desam) - Ram Janambhoomi - Sri Rama incarnated

-- Anga - Kameshwar Dham - Sri Rama visited with sage Vishwamitra

-- Shringaverapura - Ram Sayan Ashrama - Sri Rama visited during forest exile and met Guha

-- Prayaga (Place of Kumbha Mela) (Shakti Peetha) - Bharadwaja Ashrama - Sri Rama visited during forest exile and met sage Bharadwaja

-- Chitrakoota (Shakti Peetha) - Ram Ghat, Kamadgiri - Sri Rama stayed during forest exile

-- Bithoor - Valmiki Ashrama - Devi Sita stayed in Valmiki Ashrama and gave birth to Lava and Kusha


2. Pilgrimages and Temples of Lord Vishnu: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Ayodhya (Moksha Puri) (Divya Desam) - Sapta Hari - (1) Vishnuhari (2) Chandrahari (3) Dharmahari (4) Chakrahari (5) Guptahari (6) Bilvahari (7) Punyahari

-- Kashi (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha) - Bindu Madhava - A famous temple

-- Prayaga (Place of Kumbha Mela) (Shakti Peetha) - Beni Madhava - A famous temple

-- Naimisharanya (Swayam Vyakta Kshetra) (Divya Desam) - Chakranarayana - Chakra Teertha


3. Pilgrimages and Temples of Sri Krishna: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Mathura (Moksha Puri) (Divya Desam) - Krishna Janambhoomi - Vraja Bhoomi; Sri Krishna incarnated

-- Gokula (Divya Desam) - Nand Yashoda Bhavan - Vraja Bhoomi; Sri Krishna grew up

-- Vrindavana (Divya Desam) (Shakti Peetha) - Nidhiban, Seva Kunj - Vraja Bhoomi; Sri Krishna performed Rasa Leela

-- Govardhana (Divya Desam) - Mukharvind - Vraja Bhoomi; Sri Krishna lifted the Govardhana Hill

-- Nandgaon - Nand Bhavan - Vraja Bhoomi; Sri Krishna stayed during childhood

-- Raval - Radharani Temple - Vraja Bhoomi; Devi Radha incarnated [1]

-- Barsana - Radharani Temple - Vraja Bhoomi; Devi Radha incarnated [2]


4. Pilgrimages and Temples of Lord Shiva: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Kashi (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha) - Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga - Lord Shiva created Kashi and abided as a Jyotirlinga

-- Anga - Kameshwar Dham - Lord Shiva burnt Kama deva

-- Ayodhya (Moksha Puri) (Divya Desam) - Nageshwarnath - A famous temple

-- Mathura (Moksha Puri) (Divya Desam) - Bhuteshwar Mahadev - A famous temple

-- Vindhyachala - Rameshwar - A famous temple

-- Naimisharanya (Swayam Vyakta Kshetra) (Divya Desam) - Bhuteshwarnath - A famous temple

-- Kalinjar - Neelkanth Mahadev - A famous temple


5. Pilgrimages and Temples of Devi: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Vindhyachala - Devi Vindhyavasini - Devi abides as in Trikona (Vindhyavasini, Kali Khoh and Ashtabhuja)

-- Prayaga (Place of Kumbha Mela) (Shakti Peetha) - Devi Alopi - The Anguli Vrinda (Group of Fingers) of Devi had fallen

-- Prayaga (Place of Kumbha Mela) (Shakti Peetha) - Devi Lalita - The Anguli Vrinda (Group of Fingers) of Devi had fallen

-- Kashi (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha) - Devi Vishalakshi - The Kundala (Ear-Ring) of Devi had fallen

-- Kashi (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha) - Devi Annapoorna - Goddess of Food

-- Kashi (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha) - Devi Durga - A famous temple

-- Chitrakoota (Shakti Peetha) - Kamadgiri - The Stana (Breast) of Devi had fallen

-- Vrindavana (Divya Desam) (Shakti Peetha) - Devi Uma - The Keshajaala (the tresses of Hair) of Devi had fallen

-- Saharanpur - Devi Shakambhari - Goddess of Fruits and Vegetables

-- Naimisharanya (Swayam Vyakta Kshetra) (Divya Desam) - Devi Lalita - A famous temple

-- Tulsipur - Devi Patan - A famous temple of Devi Pateshwari


6. Pilgrimages and Temples of Lord Brahma: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Kashi (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha) - Dashashwamedh Ghat - Lord Brahma performed 10 Ashwamedha yagnas in Kashi. (Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 52)


7. Pilgrimages and Temples of Sri Ganesha: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Kashi (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha) - Dhundiraj Vinayaka - A famous temple


8. Pilgrimages and Temples of Surya deva: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Ayodhya (Moksha Puri) (Divya Desam) - Surya Kund - Ghosharka Kunda; Surya deva cured king Ghosha of his disease and endowed him with splendour


9. Pilgrimages and Temples of Bhakta Hanuman: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Ayodhya (Moksha Puri) (Divya Desam) - Hanuman Garhi - A famous temple

-- Chitrakoota (Shakti Peetha) - Hanuman Dhara - A famous temple

-- Prayaga (Place of Kumbha Mela) (Shakti Peetha) - Lete Hanumanji - A famous temple

-- Kashi (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha) - Sankat Mochan Hanuman - A famous temple


10. Pilgrimages and Temples of Sages: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Naimisharanya (Swayam Vyakta Kshetra) (Divya Desam) - Soot Gaddi, Vyas Gaddi, Shaunak Gaddi - Sri Soota narrated the Itihasas and Puranas to sages

-- Shukrataal - Akshay Vat - Sage Shuka narrated the Srimad Bhagavatam to king Parikshit


11. Pilgrimages and Temples of Rivers: (Uttar Pradesh)

-- Prayaga (Place of Kumbha Mela) (Shakti Peetha) - Ganga - Yamuna - Saraswati Sangam - Place of Kumbha Mela