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The Harvest festival of Uttar Pradesh is also known as Makar Sankranti.
It happens to be one of the oldest festivals in the state that is related to crops. For those who don’t know, this festival is celebrated at the end of winter and holds great importance. By visiting Uttar Pradesh during this festival, you can experience a lot of new things peculiar to the state. From making sweets to flying kites, there are plenty of things to do during the harvest festival. If you are ready to be a part of this celebration, you should plan a trip to Uttar Pradesh next January.
Location
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The harvest festival is mainly celebrated in Prayagraj, which is a highly religious place in Uttar Pradesh. An important part of the festival is to take a dip in the river confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. It is believed that this ritual helps you to wash away your sins. To make things even more challenging, the ritual is performed at sunrise.
How To Reach Harvest Festival Of Uttar Pradesh
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There are a few easy ways to reach Prayagraj where Makar Sankranti is celebrated grandly.
By Road: One of the most convenient ways to reach the harvest festival is by road. The good thing is that you can board a UPSRTC bus from different cities like Lucknow, Delhi, Jhansi, Varanasi, Meerut, and others.
By Train: This is possibly the most affordable way to reach the harvest festival of Uttar Pradesh. Speaking of which, there are four different railway stations in Prayagraj, including Daraganj Station, Prayag Station, Prayagraj Junction, and Rambagh City Station.
By Air: If you are looking for the fastest way to reach Uttar Pradesh, you should book a flight. The nearest airport to Prayagraj is Bamrauli Airport, which is only 13 km away from the city.
Places To Reach Around Harvest Festival Of Uttar Pradesh
When visiting the harvest festival of Uttar Pradesh, you should take the opportunity to explore the popular attractions nearby.
1. Triveni Sangam
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Triveni Sangam, the meeting point of Saraswati, Ganga, and Yamuna is a significant place for Hindus. During the harvest festival, this place is flocked by thousands of devotees from different corners of the country. The main purpose of visiting Triveni Sangam is to take a dip in the holy water. An interesting thing about the confluence is that it has three different shades, very visible.
Things To Do: Take a dip in the Sangam, offer prayers
Distance From airport: 22.2 km
2. Anand Bhawan
Photo: Gurpreet Singh / Wikimedia Commons
Anand Bhawan was the residence of the Nehru family several decades ago, but now the building is turned into a museum, which is open for tourists to explore. Here you can see a large variety of articles and artefacts that belong to the independence movement era. This double-storey mansion was designed by Motilal Nehru and features beautiful architecture. By visiting this place, you can learn a lot about India’s independence.
Things To Do: Learn about India’s history, and explore the artefacts
Distance from airport: 15.7 km
3. Allahabad Museum
Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons
If you are a history buff, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the Allahabad Museum. It is located inside the Chandrashekhar Azad Park and reveals a lot about India’s history, heritage, and culture. Not only that, but the museum also has an impressive collection of artefacts. Besides that, you can check out the miniature paintings, and rock sculptures that are brought from Rajasthan. The museum has also opened a rock art gallery recently, where you can see various types of rock art.
Things To Do: See various artefacts, and explore the rock art gallery
Distance From airport: 14.1 km
4. Allahabad Fort
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Built by Akbar in 1583, Allahabad Fort features a stunning architectural style. Tourists come here to explore the fort and see the architectural design of the Mughal era. An important attraction at the fort is the Akshayavat Tree, which is several years old. According to legends, people used to commit suicide under the tree to attain salvation.
Things To Do: Explore the architecture, and take photographs
Distance From airport: 18.9 km
5. Chandrashekhar Azad Park
Photo: Rangan Datta Wiki / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Chandrashekhar Azad Park, also known as Alfred Park was constructed during the British colonial era. Despite being several decades old, the park has a unique charm about itself. It occupies an area of 133 acres, which makes it a perfect place for taking walks, relaxing, or hosting picnics. You can also roam around the park and see the statues of Victoria and George V.
Things To Do: Organise picnics, take a walk, and go for jogging
Distance From airport: 14.4 km
Where To Stay
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There are plenty of hotels and accommodations near the harvest festival of Uttar Pradesh. All you have to do is select a place to stay based on your budget and preference. If you want a luxurious experience, you should choose between Hotel Kanha Shyam and The Legend as they are the top options in the area. However, if you want a budget-friendly option, you should go to Hotel Polo Max or Hotel Milan Palace. The good thing about these hotels is that they provide a perfect blend of comfort and affordability.
Where To Eat
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Uttar Pradesh is famous among tourists for its traditional flavours and cuisines. Here you can try a wide variety of street food, vegetarian dishes, and non-vegetarian delicacies. While you are in Uttar Pradesh, you must visit shops like Netram Ajay Kumar and Hari Ram & Sons as they are famous for their crispy kachoris, spicy potato curry, and sweets.
Best Time To Visit
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The best time to visit the harvest festival of Uttar Pradesh is in January. That’s because the celebration takes place on the 14th of January every year. However, if it is a leap year, then the celebration happens on the 15th of the month. During this festival, the temperature in Uttar Pradesh remains cool and pleasant, which makes it convenient for people to explore the place.
Average Cost Of Trip
Talking about the average expenditure, it is likely to cost you around ₹ 10,000-13,000 for a four-day trip. However, the cost may vary depending on your preferences. If you want a smooth experience, it is better to plan. This way you can avoid spending more and stick to your budget.
Tips For Travellers
Some tips on your trip to Uttar Pradesh will come in handy and we have mentioned some of them here:
- Before you plan your trip, you should check the date of the festival.
- Before joining the festival, you should learn about the importance of the celebration.
- It is recommended you wear traditional or modest clothing, especially when participating in the rituals.
- You should book your accommodation in advance so that you don’t have to deal with last-minute hassles.
- You should respect the local culture and tradition of the place.
- You should hire a local guide so that they can help you navigate the festival better.
The harvest festival of Uttar Pradesh offers a great opportunity to explore the state. Not only that, but it also allows you to learn about the state’s traditions and culture. The best thing about this festival is that it showcases a different side of Uttar Pradesh. If you are ready for a unique experience, you should plan your journey with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh / Pexel / Image For Representation Only
