ISSN No. : 2394-0344 Remarking : Vol-2 * Issue-1*June-2015 Development and Promotion of Tourism in

Abstract Uttar Pradesh is the microcosm of , multicultural, multiracial of fabulous wealth of nature hills, valleys, rivers, forests and vast plains, viewed as the largest tourist destination in India. Uttar Pradesh boasts of 35 million domestic tourist, more than half of the foreign tourists, who visit India every year, make it a point to visit this state of and Ganga.Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonder‟s of the world in is also in Uttar Pradesh. There are different places one can visit in Uttar Pradesh. Agra & are famous for their monuments. Agra itself receives around one million foreign tourists a year coupied with around twenty million domestic tourists. Its tourism promotion budget is bigger than that of government of India and half of the states of Indian union combined. Uttar Pradesh is studded with places of tourists attractions across a wide spectrum of interest to people of diverse interests. Places of interest include , Agra, , Jhansi, Prayag, , , and Fatehpur Sikari. Please Send The seventh most populated state of the world, Uttar Pradesh is one passport acclaimed to be the oldest seat of India‟s culture and civilization. It has been regarded as the cradle of Indian civilization and culture because it is size photo in around the Ganga that the ancient cities and towns sprang up. The best our mail id Uttar Pradesh is experienced in between October to the month of March although the major city remains active with tourists through out the year. Realizing the tourism potential, the government has taken Rashami Goel several steps to help Uttar Pradesh to earn a name for itself in the tourism area. The major steps taken by the government include announcing the H.O.D, state policy of tourism, constituting Tourism Development Board and Deptt .of Geography, district level tourist offices and setting up special committees for S.D. P.G. College, adventure, art culture and eco tourism. Main focus of Uttar Pradesh Gaziabad tourism is to make it around the year destination with the master plans for the development of tourism both public and private sectors are now taking a lot of interest to make Uttar Pradesh the best tourism destination of India. It is prudent to check out the schedules for any of the many fairs and festivals listed on this site and plan your tour according to that it you want to experience the real Uttar Pradesh.

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Introduction Mathieson and Wall (1982) created a good working definition of tourism as “the temporary movement of people to destination outside their normal places of work and the residence, the activities undertaken during their stay in those destinations, and the facilities created to the cater to their needs.” Uttar Pradesh situated in the northern part of the India, Uttar Pradesh is important with its wealth of monuments and religious fervour. Geographically, Uttar Pradesh is very diverse, with Himalayan foot-hills in the extreme north, the Gangetic Plain in the centre, and the Vindya Mountain range towards the south. It is also home of India‟s most visited site. The Taj Mahal, and ‟s holiest city, Varanasi. The most populous state of Indian Union also has a rich cultural heritage, and at the heart of , Uttar Pradesh has much to offer. Places of interest include Varanasi, Agra, Mathura, Jhansi, Prayag, Sarnath, Ayodhya, Dudhwa National Park and Fatehpur Sikari viewed as the largest tourist destination in India, Uttar Pradesh boasts of 35 million domestic tourists.More than half of the foreign tourists, who visit India every year, make it a point to visit this state of Taj Mahal and Ganga.Agra itself receives around one million foreign tourists a year coupled with around twenty million domestic tourists. Its tourism promotion budget is bigger than

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ISSN No. : 2394-0344 Remarking : Vol-2 * Issue-1*June-2015 that of government of India and half of the states of In 1605, died and was succeeded by his son Indian union combined. Uttar Pradesh is studded with . The period of Jahangir saw arts and culture places of tourist attractions across a wide spectrum of reach a new high. However, politically and interest of people of diverse interests. administratively, the real power during this time rested The seventh most populated state of the with the queen Noorjehan. world, Uttar Pradesh can lay claim to be the oldest In 1627, after the death of Jahangir, his son seat of India‟s culture and civilization. It has been Shahjahan ascended the throne. The period of characterized as the cradle of Indian civilization and Shahjahan is known as the golden period of India in culture because it is around the Ganga that the art, culture, and architecture. It was during his reign ancient cities and towns sprang up. that the classical wonder Taj Mahal was built in Uttar Pradesh played the most important part memory of his wife .He also in India‟s freedom struggle and after independence it constructed the famous Red Fort in as well as remained the strongest state politically. Most of the the Jama Masjid and Moti Mahal. Prime Ministers in India represented Uttar Pradesh in During this later life, Shahjahan was the parliament of India. All these make the state a deposed by his son . Aurangzeb shifted his place that should not be left if anybody wants to capital to Delhi, where he kept his father Shahjahan understand India, as it is. imprisoned until his death. The regime of Aurangzeb saw innumerable revolts and riots; the whole of Uttar Pradesh has an enormous historical and the Decan became restive. However, it legacy. The renowned epics of Hinduism – the was during his reign that the Mugal Empire reached and the -were written in Uttar its peak in terms of geographic expansion. But with Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh also had the glory of being the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the home to Lord Buddha. It has now been established declined at an amazing pace. that Gautam Buddha spent most of his life in eastern Modern-day Uttar Pradesh saw the rise of Uttar Pradesh, wandering from place to place important freedom fighters on the national preaching his sermons. scenario.Lal Bahadur Shastri, , Smt The empire of Chandra Gupta Maurya Indira Gandhi, and Chaudhary Charan Singh were extended nearly over the whole of Uttar Pradesh. only a few of the important names who played a Edicts of this period have been found at & significant role in India‟s freedom movement and also Varanasi.After the fall of the Mauryas, the present rose to become the prime ministers of this great state of Uttar Pradesh was divided into four parts: nation. Surseva, North Panchal, Kosal, and Kaushambi. The western part of Uttar Pradesh saw the advent of the The climate of Uttar Pradesh is tropical Shaks in the second century BC. Not much is known monsoon in character, but variations exist because of of the history of the state during the times of Kanishka dissimilarity in altitudes. The Himalayan region is and his successors. moderately cold. The standard temperature varies in The ruled over nearly the the plains from 3-4oC in January to 43-45oC in May whole of Uttar Pradesh, and it was during this time and June. Uttar Pradesh mainly experiences three that culture and architecture reached its peak.The distinct seasons - the cold season from October to decline of the Guptas coincided with the attacks of February, summer from March to Mid June and the from Gentral Asia who succeeded establishing rainy season from March to September. The their influence right up to in . Himalayan region gets about 100-200cm of rain fall. The seventh century witnessed the taking over of The rainfall in the plains is heaviest in the east and by Harshaverdhana. In 1526, laid the decreases as one proceeds towards the north-east. foundation of the Mughal dynasty. He defeated Floods are a chronic problem of the state, causing Ibrahim Lodi in the battle of Panipat. Babar carried out damage to crops, life and property. Flood water during extensive campaign in various part of Uttar Pradesh. the rainy season becomes a major hindrance for He defeated the Rajputs near Fatehpur Sikari while tourists traveling to Uttar Pradesh. There are his son Humayun conquered Jaunpur and Ghazipur, infrequent cloud-bursts adding to the misery of the after having brought the whole of under his people. The most horrible floods were in 1971, when control. After Babur‟s death(1530), his son Humayun 51 of the 54 districts of the state were exaggerated forfeited the empire after being defeated at the hands and the area involved was nearly 52 lakh hectares. of at Kannauj.After the death of Sher The eastern districts are the most Shah Suri in 1545, Humayun once again regained his susceptible to floods, the western districts somewhat empire but died soon after. less and the central region markedly less. The eastern His son Akbar proved to be the greatest of district's proneness to floods is attributed, among mughals. His established a unified empire over nearly other things, to heavy rainfall, low and flat topography, the whole of the India. During his period, Agra high subsoil water level and the silting of beds which became the capital of India and became heartland of causes river levels to rise. The problem in the western culture and arts. Akbar laid the foundation of modern districts is mainly poor drainage caused by the Indian administration in many respects. His reign saw obstruction of roads, railways, canals, new built-up peace, tranquility, and progress. He constructed huge areas etc. There is water logging in the large areas. forts in Agra and Allahabad. He shifted his capital to a The major flood-prone rivers are the Ganga, Jamuna, city called close to Agra that for some Gomati, Ghaghra, Rapti, Sarda and . The years became the hub of administration. insufficient drainage capacity of the smaller western Sirsa, Kali and the drain is also a cause of 11

ISSN No. : 2394-0344 Remarking : Vol-2 * Issue-1*June-2015 floods. But all this climatic condition does not come in in Ayodhya at the place called , way of which is booming with the site of the demolished Babri Mosque. Ayodhya is every passing year. also the birth place of five Tirthankars, including the The best climate of Uttar Pradesh is first Tirthankar of , Shri Rishabh Dev. He is experienced in between Octobers to the month of known as the father of Jain religion. The city is also March, although the major city remains active with important in the history and heritage of in tourists through out the year. It is prudent to check out India, with several Buddhist temples, monuments and the schedules for any of the many fairs and festivals centrers of learning having been established here listed on this site and plan your tour according to that during the age of the Mauryan Empire and the Gupta if you want to experience the real Uttar Pradesh. Dynasty. Ayodhya reached its glorious peak as known to history during the reign of the Guptas over India. Agra Bhagwan , founder of the A vast number of tourist visit the Taj Mahal in Swaminarayan Sect of Hinduism lived here during his Agra. Agra is a home to three World Heritage Sites in childhood years. It was from Ayodhya tht Bhagwan Taj Mahal, and Fatehpur Sikri. Agra is also Swaminarayan started his seven year journey across home to many other beautiful Mughal buildings like India as Neelkanth. Akbar‟s Tomb and Dayal Bagh etc. Dayal Bagh is a Tulsidas is said to have begun the writing of temple built in modern times that many visit. It is still his famous Ramayana poen Shri Ramacharitamanas under construction, and would take an estimated one in Ayodhya in 1574 CE. Several Tamil Alwar mention century for completion. The life-like carving in marble the city of Ayodhya. Ayodhya is also said to be the is not seen any where else in India. The 17th Century birthplace of Bhahubali, Brahmi, Sundari, King Taj Mahal in Agra is the most popular monument in Dasaratha, Acharya Padaliptasurisvarji, King Harish- India, attracting over 50 Lac visitors in a year. chandra, Shri , Achalbhrata, and the ninth Fatehpur Sikri of Mahavir Swami. In 1568, Akbar was secure and powerful but The Atharva Veda called Ayodhya “a city he had no son and heir. His search for blessing for the built by gods and being as prosperios as paradise birth of a successor brought him to the Sufi mystic itself” Shaikh Salim Chisti, who lived in Sikri village. The Braj saint prophesied the birth of three sons and soon after The land where Lord was born and was born Prince Salim, later to become Emperor spent his youth, has today little towns and hamlets Jahangir. In gratitude for the blessing Akbar decided that are still alive with the Krishna- legend and still to create imperial residences in Sikri, which would redolent with the music of his flute. Mathura, a quiet function as a joint capital with Agra. He named his town on the River was transformed into a new city Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is built in red place of faith after Lord Krishna was born here. sandstone, and is a beautiful blend of Hindu and , a village - once noted for its fragrant Islamic architectural elements IN 8.0 Sq. Km. groves, is where he spent an eventful youth. There Kumbha Mela are numerous other little spots in the area that still Every year thousands gather at Allahabad to reverberate with the enchantment of Lord Krishna. take part in the festival on the banks of the , Mathura the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is the Magh Mela. The same festival is organized in a located at a distances of 145 km south- east of Delhi larger scale every 12th year and attracts millions of and 58 km north-west of Agra. Covering an area of people and is called the Kumbha Mela. Kumbh Mels about 3,800 sq. km. (especially the Maha ) is the most sacred Varanasi of all the piligrimages. Thousands of holy men and Varanasi‟s associations with extend to women (monks, saints and ) attend, and the the beginning of time: legends relate how, after his auspiciosness of the festival is in part attributable to marriage to Parvati, Shiva left his Himalyan abode this. The sadhus are seen clad in saffron sheets with and came to reside in Kashi with all the gods in plenty of ashes and powder dabbed on their skin per attendance. the requirements of ancient traditions. Some called Varanasi's prominence in Hindu mythology is nanga sanyasis or „Dhigambers‟ may often be seen virtually unrivalled. For the devout Hindu the city has without any clothes even in severe winter, generally always had a special place, besides being a considered to live an extreme lifestyle. This tends to pilgrimage centre, it is considered especially attract a lot of western attention as it is seemingly in auspicious to die here, ensuring an instant route to contrast to a genrally conservative social modesty heaven.The revered and ancient city Varanasi is the practiced in the country. religious centre of the world of . Kashi The city of Banaras is situated on the west Kashi is widely considered to be the second bank of the holiest of all Indian rivers, the Ganga or oldest city in the world after . It is famous Ganges. The relationship between the sacred river for its (steps along the river) which are and the city is the essence of Varanasi IN 73.89Sq. populated year round with people who want to take a Mtr. dip in the holy Ganges River. Kashi Vishwanath The Banaras region was administered by Temple in Varanasi is home to the Vishwanath Hindu rulers for several hundred years until the 17th Jyotirling temple, which is perhaps the most scared of century, when it fell into the hands of the Mughals. As Hindu Temples. was the practice many buildings of the previous rulers Ayodhya and the religious structures of the Hindu and Hindus believe the birthplace of Rama to be 12

ISSN No. : 2394-0344 Remarking : Vol-2 * Issue-1*June-2015 Buddhists were demolished during the wars of the pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Dew. Mary Crain conquest. describes how hordes of urbanites, media men, and Silk weaving in Banaras is a cottage industry yuppies crowd out local residents. But circumstances and in many areas of the city, especially the Muslim differ. Annabel Black shows that despite severe quarters, one can see looms at work all day. Entire crowding, the inhabitants of Mellieha do not clash with families are involved, Children often pick up the art the tourists over seaside space. In part this is from the elders at an early age. There are shops in because locals use space differently. Where visitors Banaras, and throughout India, that sell these fine silk choose the limited, excessively crowded sandy fabrics. beaches, Maltese prefer the (cleaner) rocky areas Dudhwa along the coast; moreover many use their boats to Situated on the Indo-Nepal border in District travel to remote swimming areas. Summer crowding Lakhimpur-Kheri of Uttar Pradesh, the Dudhwa Tiger has become part of local culture and the Maltese Reserve with an area of 614 sq. Km is one of the enjoy the lively seaside cafés, pizzerias and discos finest, of the few remaining examples of the established for tourists. exceedingly diverse and productive tarai eco-systems. Problems of Tourism The northern edge of the reserve lies along the Indo- In Uttar Pradesh, despite immense tourism Nepal border and the southern boundary is marked by potentials financial crunch, workers shortage. In the river Suheli. It is home to a large number of rare tourism industry, insufficient accommodation, unclean and endangered species which includes Tiger, rooms & food problems, transport facilities which are Leopard, Swamp deer, Hispid hare, Florican, not well connected by proper roads & railways etc. etc. hampering the development of tourism industry. The grasslands of the reserve are the habitat of the Excessive bureaucracy also delays tourists are often largest kind of Indian deer-the Swamp deer or the exploited economically and criminal elements in UP Barasingha, so called because of their magnificent made visits to UP unsafe for women (Tourism antlers (bara-twelve; singha-antler). Decline in their problems are more common in the rural interior of the habitats led to a drastic decline in numbers and a state. UP state is rich is natural beauty). The tourist small area named Sonaripur Sanctuary was set aside attractions in UP are also being damaged by pollution. in 1958 for the conservation of this rare species of Oil refinery smoke is damaging the beauty of Taj deer. Later, it was upgraded to cover an area of 212 Mahal & the Himalaya are being fattered by pollution. sq. km and was renamed the Dudhwa Sanctuary. In The government is often unable to secure its 1977, the area was further extended to include over adversely effects. 614 sq. km and was declared a National Park. Eleven Promotional Strategies years later, in 1988, when Dudhwa became a part of The Tourism Development Policy has been Project Tiger, the area of the Kishanpur Sanctuary framed in Uttar Pradesh under which Tourist circuits was added to create the . are being developed in the following manner:- The Reserve has a range of fascinating Buddhist Circuit, Circuit, Braj wildlife. Included the are sloth bear, ratel, civet, jackal, (Agra-Mathura) Circuit, Awadh Circuit, Vidhya Circuit, the lesser cats like the leopard cat, fishing cat and Water Cruise Circuit, Jain Shrines Circuit, Sikh Panth jungle cats; varieties of deer - the beautiful spotted Circuit Eco-Tourism Circuit Efforts have been made to deer or chital, hog deer and barking deer. arrange high standard accommodation in hotels Characteristics of Tourism through the private sector, and for this a rational tax There are other regular features of tourism structure is in place.The Department is trying to with which host communities must deal. Among these provide accommodation at affordable rates to pilgrims the crowding of thoroughfares, public transport, at the religious places. To encourage investments, shops, and recreational facilities feature prominently. tourism has been declared an industry. Due to the Furthermore, along the Mediterranean, mass tourist efforts of the Ministry of Tourism the Finance Ministry demand and overcharging during the tourist season has announced a 5 year Tax Holiday under Section drive up the prices of fresh vegetables, fruit, and fish. 80ID to hotels of 2, 3 & 4 Star categories and The region's scarce fresh-water resources also come convention centers which will be coming up between under pressure. Many local inhabitants are annoyed 01.04.2007 to 31.03.2010 in and of by this. On the other hand, others accept UP. inconveniences and overcrowding philosophically as The population comprises of an Indo- part of the cost of the new economy. Some even Dravidian ethnic group; only a small population,in the welcome crowds. Puijk, for example, observes that Himalayan region, displays Asiatic origins. Hindus the inhabitants of Henningsvær, which is crowded constitute more than 80 percent of population, with fishermen in winter, enjoyed the summer tourists. Muslims more than 15 percent, and other religious Locals said the many holidaying visitors livened up communities-including , Christians, Jains, and the community during the quiet season. This gave Buddhist-together constitute less than 1 percent. their community an ambience that they very much The handicrafts of Uttar Pradesh have appreciated, even though they sometimes were earned a reputation for themselves over the centuries. frustrated by the numbers of tourists and the The traditional handicarafts are of a vast variety such inconvenience they caused. as textiles, metal ware, woodwork, ceramics, Obviously scale is an important factor. tonework, dolls, leather products, ivory articles, Discomfort caused by crowding is usually more keenly papier-mache, articles made of horns, bone, cane and felt where the tourist mass is disproportionate to the bamboo, perfume, and musical instrument. These local population. This occurs during the Andalusian cottage crafts are spread all over the state but the 13

ISSN No. : 2394-0344 Remarking : Vol-2 * Issue-1*June-2015 more important centers are located at Varanasi, Some are organized at serval places simultaneously Azamgarh, Maunath Bhanjan, Ghazipur, , while others have only local importance. Festivals and Muradabad, and Agra. feasts are linked with the golden harvest-the Carpets from Bhadohi and Mirzapur are sensuous spring, the reverence for mythology, religion prized worldwide. Silks and brocades of Varanasi or in honor of the past great men.These are zestfully ornamental brassware from Muradabad, chickan ( a celebrated with song, dance, and merriment; others type of embroidery) work from , ebony work with solemnity, fervor, fast, or feast. These fairs and from Nagina,glassware from Firozabad, and carved festivals help the people keep the culture vibrant and woodwork from also are important. promote artistic activities. The traditional pottery centers are located at One important festival of Uttar Pradesh is Khurja, Chunar, Lucknow, Rampur, Bulandshahr, Navratri-a nin-day festival dedicated to the Primordial Aligarh, and Azamgarh. Khurja‟s dishes, pitchers, and Energy, known as Durga, the consort ofShiva, which flower bowls in blazed ceramic in blue, green, brown begins on the first day of the bright half of the month and organge colors are the most attractive. of Ashvina. Diwali is another prominent festival Muradabad produces exquisite brass utility articles. devoted to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. Besides, minakari on silver and gold and diamond – The largest festival-fair held in India, drawing cut silver ornaments have made Varanasi and millions of people, is the Kumbha Mela. It is held Lucknow world famous. every 12 years at Prayag in Allahabad. In between, The state is known for pioneering the the Ardh Kumbha Mela is held every six years at development of musical instruments, which find Allahabad. mention in ancient Sanskrit literature. Music is also is another gay and colorful occasion that known to have fourished in the Gupta Period (c.320- marks the onset of the gathering of theharvest. The 540), and much of the musical tradition in Uttar most interesting celebrations are held at Barsana, Pradesh was developed during the period. The when the women of the village go out to Nandgaon, musicians Tansen and Baiju Bawra, two of the the home of Lord Krishna, and challenge the men to Navaratnas (Nine Jewels) of the court of the Mughal throw color on them. This festival is also known as emperor Akbar, are still immortal for their contribution Lathmar Holi. in the field of music. Uttar Pradesh offers an endless array of The sitar (a stringed instrument of the lute attractions to the visitors by way of monuments, family) and the table (consisting of two small drums), mountain peaks, a wealth of ancient temples and the two most popular instruments of Indian music, viharas, rich flora and fauna, fascinating rivers and were developed in the region during this period.The captivating valleys. Agra, Ayodhya, Sarnath, style of classical dance, which originated in Varanasi, Lucknow, Mathura and Prayag combine Uttar Pradesh in the 18th century as a devotional religious and architectural marvels. dance in the temples of Vrindavan and Mathura, is the References most popular form of classical dance in northern India. 1. http://www.surfindia.com/travel/uttarpradesh/ There are also local songs and dances of the 2. http://www.tourismagra.org/ countryside, and the most popular of the folksongs 3. http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/dudhwa are seasonal. /intro.htm The songs and dances of the countryside are 4. http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/varanasi/ significant features of local culture. They include the intro.htm kajari of Mirzapur and Varanasi; the Alha Udal, a folk 5. http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/brajbh epic; and various village dances. oomi.htm Uttar Pradesh has a long list of fairs and festivals. More than 2,230 festivals are held annually.

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