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{{more footnotes|date=April 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2019}}
[[File:Taj Mahal, Agra, India edit3.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Taj Mahal]] is a [[marble|white marble]] [[mausoleum]], one of the most important cultural sites of Uttar Pradesh.]]
The '''[[Culture]]''' of '''[[Uttar Pradesh]]''' is an Indian Culture which has its roots in the Hindi and Urdu literature, music, fine arts, drama and cinema. [[Lucknow]], the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has several beautiful historical monuments such as [[Bara Imambara]] and [[Chhota Imambara]]. It has also preserved the damaged complex of the Oudh-period [[British Resident]]'s quarters, which are being restored.

Uttar Pradesh attracts large number of visitors, both national and international; with more than 71 million domestic tourists (in 2003) and almost 25% of the All-India foreign tourists visiting Uttar Pradesh, it is one of the top tourist destinations in India. There are two regions in the state where a majority of the tourists go, viz. the ''Hindu pilgrimage circuit'' and the ''Agra circuit''.

''The pilgrimage circuit'' includes the holiest of the Hindu holy cities on the banks of sacred rivers [[Ganga River|Ganges]] and the [[Yamuna]]: [[Varanasi]] (also considered world's oldest city), [[Ayodhya]] (birthplace of [[Lord Rama]]), [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]] (birthplace of [[Lord Krishna]]), [[Vrindavan]] (the village where Lord Krishna spent his childhood), and Allahabad (Prayagraj) (the confluence or 'holy-sangam' of the sacred Ganges-Yamuna rivers).

The city of [[Agra]], gives access to three [[World Heritage Site]]s: [[Taj Mahal]], [[Agra Fort]] and the nearby [[Fatehpur Sikri]].<ref name=Heritage>{{cite web|title=World Heritage List|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India|access-date=03/07/1998}}</ref> Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] [[Emperor Shah Jahan]] in memory of his beloved wife, [[Mumtaz Mahal]]. It is cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". Agra Fort is about 2.5 km northwest of its much more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. Fatehpur Sikri was the world-famous 16th-century capital city near Agra, built by the Mughal emperor [[Akbar the Great]], whose [[Tomb of Akbar the Great|mausoleum]] in Agra is also worth a visit.
[[Dayal Bagh]] in Agra is a modern-day temple and popular tourist sight. Its lifelike sculptures in marble are unique in India. Agra's dubious modern attractions include Asia's largest Spa as well as Asia's second 6D theatre.

==Culture from cities==
[[Varanasi]] is widely considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world and It is famous for its [[ghats]] (bathing steps along the river), full of pilgrims year-round who come to bathe in the sacred Ganges River. [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]] is world-famous for its colourful celebrations of the [[Holi]] festival, which attracts many tourists also – thanks partly to the hype, which the Indian film industry has given to this highly entertaining socio-religious festival.

Thousands gather at Allahabad (Prayagraj) to take part in the [[Magh Mela]] festival, which is held on the banks of the Ganges. This festival is organised on a larger scale every 12th year and is called the [[Kumbha Mela]], where over 10 million Hindu pilgrims congregate – proclaimed as one of the largest gathering of human beings in the world. [[Badaun]] is a religiously important city with many historical monuments and tombs of famous people which attracts thousands of tourists annually.

The historically important towns of [[Sarnath]] and [[Kushinagar]] are located not far from Varanasi. [[Gautama Buddha]] gave his first sermon at Sarnath after his enlightenment and died at Kushinagar; both are important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. Also at Sarnath are the [[Pillars of Ashoka]] and the [[Lion Capital of Ashoka]], both important archaeological artefacts with national significance. At a distance of 80 km from Varanasi, [[Ghazipur]] is famous not only for its Ganges Ghats but also for the Tomb of British potentate [[Lord Cornwallis]], maintained by the [[Archaeologic survey of India]].

== Architecture ==
{{Main|Architecture of Uttar Pradesh}}

==Dance and Music==
[[File:Kathak 3511900193 986f6440f6 b retouched.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Kathak]] is a famous dance form, the most important cultural figure and indigenous to Uttar Pradesh.]]
The state is home to a very old tradition in dance and music. During the eras of [[Gupta Empire|Guptas]] and [[Harsha|Harsh Vardhan]], Uttar Pradesh was a major centre for musical innovation. [[Swami Haridas]] was a great saint-musician who championed [[Hindustani Classical Music]]. [[Tansen]], the great musician in Mughal Emperor [[Akbar]]'s court, was a disciple of [[Swami Haridas]].

[[Kathak]], a classical dance form, involving gracefully coordinated movements of feet along with entire body, grew and flourished in Uttar Pradesh. [[Wajid Ali Shah]], the last [[Nawab of Awadh]], was a great patron and a passionate champion of Kathak. Today, the state is home to two prominent schools of this dance form, namely, Lucknow [[Gharana]] and Banaras [[Gharana]].

Well-known music personalities such as [[Naushad Ali]], [[Talat Mehmood]], [[Begum Akhtar]] hihi , [[Anup Jalota]], [[Shubha Mudgal]], [[Bismillah Khan]], [[Ravi Shankar]], [[Kishan Maharaj]], [[Vikash Maharaj]], [[Hari Prasad Chaurasia]], [[Gopal Shankar Misra]], [[Siddheshwari Devi]], [[Girija Devi]] and Sir [[Cliff Richard]] were originally from Uttar Pradesh.

The region's folk heritage includes songs called [[rasiya]] (known and especially popular in [[Braj]]), which celebrate the divine love of [[Radha]] and [[Krishna]]. These songs are accompanied by large [[drum]]s known as [[bumb (drum)|bumb]] and are performed at many festivals. Other folk dances or folk theater forms include [[Raslila]], [[Swang (dance drama)|Swang]], [[Ramlila]] (a dramatic enactment of the entire [[Ramayana]]), [[Nautanki]], [[Naqal]] (mimicry) and [[Qawwali]].

The [[Bhatkhande Music Institute]] is situated in Lucknow.

== Languages ==
{{Main|Languages of Uttar Pradesh}}
The common state-language of Uttar Pradesh is standard Hindi. While standard Hindi ([[Khari boli]]) is the official language, several important regional Hindi 'dialects' are spoken in the state and among these are: [[Awadhi]], [[Bhojpuri]], [[Braj]], [[Kannauji]], [[Kaurvi]], [[Gurjari]], [[Bagheli]] and [[Bundeli]], besides several local dialects that do not have a formal name. Urdu is prominent in Uttar Pradesh as Lucknow was once the centre of Indo-Persianate culture in north India. The language of Lucknow ("Lakhnavi Urdu") is a form of high literary Urdu.

Dr. Parichay Das is path-breaker poet, essayist, creative critic and singer-actor in Bhojpuri-Hindi-Maithili. He was born in Mau nath Bhanjan district 's Rampur Devlaas village. He was Secretary, Hindi Academy, Delhi and Secretary, Maithili-Bhojpuri Academy, Delhi Govt. He has written and edited more than 30 books.

==Tourism==
Uttar Pradesh attracts large number of visitors, both national and international; with more than 71 million domestic tourists (in 2003) and almost 25% of the All-India foreign tourists visiting Uttar Pradesh, it is one of the top tourist destinations in India.<ref name="ibef.org">[http://www.ibef.org/download/Uttar%20Pradesh_25April_08.pdf Uttar Pradesh], October 2007</ref> There are two regions in the state where a majority of the tourists go, viz. the ''Agra circuit'' and the ''Hindu pilgrimage circuit''.

The city of [[Agra]], gives access to three [[World Heritage Site]]s: [[Taj Mahal]], [[Agra Fort]] and the nearby [[Fatehpur Sikri]].<ref name="Heritage"/> Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] [[Emperor Shah Jahan]] in memory of his beloved wife, [[Mumtaz Mahal]]. It is cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". Agra Fort is about 2.5 km northwest of its much more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. Fatehpur Sikri was the world-famous 16th-century capital city near Agra, built by the Mughal emperor [[Akbar the Great]], whose [[Tomb of Akbar the Great|mausoleum]] in Agra is also worth a visit.
[[Dayal Bagh]] in Agra is a modern-day temple and popular tourist sight. Its lifelike sculptures in marble are unique in India. Agra's dubious modern attractions include Asia's largest Spa as well as Asia's second 6D theatre.

''The pilgrimage circuit'' includes the holiest of the Hindu holy cities on the banks of sacred rivers [[Ganges River|Ganges]] and the [[Yamuna]]: [[Varanasi]] (also considered world's oldest city), [[Ayodhya]] (birthplace of [[Lord Rama]]), [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]] (birthplace of [[Lord Krishna]]), [[Vrindavan]] (the village where Lord Krishna spent his childhood), and Allahabad (Prayagraj) (the confluence or 'holy-Sangam' of the sacred Ganges-Yamuna rivers).

[[Varanasi]] is widely considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world. It is famous for its [[ghats]] (bathing steps along the river), full of pilgrims year-round who come to bathe in the sacred Ganges River.

{{wide image|Varanasi panorama.jpg|900px|A view of the Ghat of Varanasi from the [[River Ganges]]}}

[[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]] is world-famous for its colourful celebrations of the [[Holi]] festival, which attracts many tourists also – thanks partly to the hype, which the Indian film industry has given to this highly entertaining socio-religious festival.{{citation needed|date=December 2010}}

Thousands gather at Allahabad (Prayagraj) to take part in the [[Magh Mela]] festival, which is held on the banks of the Ganges. This festival is organised on a larger scale every 12th year and is called the [[Kumbha Mela]], where over 10 million Hindu pilgrims congregate – proclaimed as one of the largest gathering of human beings in the world.

[[Budaun]] is also a city which attracts thousands of tourists annually. Its religious city with many historical monuments and tombs of many famous people.

The historically important towns of [[Sarnath]] and [[Kushinagar]] are located not far from Varanasi. [[Gautama Buddha]] gave his first sermon at Sarnath after his enlightenment and died at Kushinagar; both are important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. Also at Sarnath are the [[Pillars of Ashoka]] and the [[Lion Capital of Ashoka]], both important archaeological artefacts with national significance. At a distance of 80 km from Varanasi, [[Ghazipur]] is famous not only for its Ganges Ghats but also for the Tomb of British potentate [[Lord Cornwallis]], maintained by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]].

[[Lucknow]], the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has several beautiful historical monuments such as [[Bara Imambara]] and [[Chhota Imambara]]. It has also preserved the damaged complex of the Oudh-period [[British Resident]]'s quarters, which are being restored.
Bareilly is also an important city of Uttar Pradesh which is also popular as "Nath Nagari","The Jhumka City" and "Bamboo City". There are 5 Nath temples in Bareilly, one at each corner and one in the middle of the city. It is a mediator city between Lucknow and NCR Delhi with not much rush and peaceful atmosphere.

==Protected areas==
Some of the main natural protected areas in Uttar Pradesh are:-

* [[Dudhwa National Park]] is one of the best tiger reserves in the country.
* [[Pilibhit Tiger Reserve]] – home to the Tiger Reserve.situated in district Pilibhit.
* [[Sandi Bird Sanctuary]] – houses about 20,000 migratory birds annually.
* [[Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary]] – the most concentrated sanctuary in India with a large population of tigers as well as [[leopards]] – situated in [[Bahraich]] and bordering [[Nepal]] is also worth a visit.

Some areas require a [[Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958 (India)|special permit]] for non-Indians to visit.

{{wide image|Panoramic vie of Fahpur Sikri Palace.jpg|800px|Panoramic view of a part of the
[[Fatehpur Sikri]] Palace}}

==Dress==
The people of Uttar Pradesh wear a variety of native- and Western-style dress. Traditional styles of dress include colourful draped garments – such as [[sari]] for women and [[dhoti]] or [[lungi]] for men – and tailored clothes such as [[salwar kameez]] for women and [[kurta]]-[[pajamas|pyjama]] for men. Men also often sport a head-gear like [[topi]] or [[pagri]]. [[Sherwani]] is a more formal male dress and is frequently worn along with [[chooridar]] on festive occasions. European-style trousers and shirts are also common among men. Young adults are most commonly found in jeans and t-shirts.

==Art and craft==
[[File:PIETRA DURA - Agra - India.png|thumb|210px|A marble table top in ''[[Pietra Dura]]'', [[Agra]]]]
Uttar Pradesh is famous for its rich heritage of art and craft. Most famous centres are the following:

* [[Agra]] since the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] era has been home to numerous Mughal crafts, including the ''[[Pietra Dura]]'', still practised today.
* [[Aligarh]] is famous for its Lock around the world; Aligarh boasts for its [[Zardozi|Zari work]], (a type of fabric decoration), 'Jhumka' – an intricate ear-rings or ear-pendants, [[Manja (kite)|Manja]] and Surma ([[Kohl (cosmetics)]]), despite all these craftwork, painter S. A. Jafar represent Aligarh in the field of fine arts across India and abroad.
* [[Firozabad]], the city of bangles, is also a hub for crafting many glass accessories. The glass artefacts produced in its factories are of high value and are exported all over the country and around the world.
* [[Kannauj]] is well known for oriental perfumes, scents and rose water and also for traditional tobacco products.
* [[Khurja]] is famous for its [[Khurja pottery|ceramics pottery]]; in fact, the entire state is famous for its pottery not only in India but also around the world.
* [[Lucknow]], the capital, boasts of its cloth work and embroidery ([[chikan (embroidery)|chikan]]) work on silk and cotton garments.
* Allahabad (Prayagraj) is known for its National Institute of Art & Craft College.
* [[Bhadohi]] is known for its carpets, a craft which dates back to the 16th century, during the reign of [[Mughal Emperor]], [[Akbar]]<ref name="te">{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main41.asp?filename=Ne310109worn_down.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925063702/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main41.asp?filename=Ne310109worn_down.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-09-25|title=Famous for its handmade carpet industry|date=Vol 6, Issue 4, Dated 31 Jan 2009|publisher=[[Tehelka]] Magazine}}</ref> and is believed to have established when centuries ago, some [[Iran]]ian master weavers stopped at Madhosingh village, near [[Khamaria]], in Bhadohi while travelling in India, and subsequently set up looms here. Bhadohi carpets received the [[Geographical Indication]] (GI) tag in 2010,<ref name="to">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-09/varanasi/28226568_1_bhadohi-mirzapur-bhadohi-carpet-carpet-manufacturers-association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105034702/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-09/varanasi/28226568_1_bhadohi-mirzapur-bhadohi-carpet-carpet-manufacturers-association|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2012|title=Famed Bhadohi carpet gets GI tag|date=9 Sep 2010|first1=Binay|work=[[The Times of India]]|last1=Singh}}</ref> and also known as dollar-city; beside this, it is one of the highest revenue-generating districts of UP.
* [[Moradabad]] is well known for its metal-ware, especially brass artefacts.
* [[Pilibhit]] is known for its wooden footwear (locally called [[Paduka]] or [[Khadaon]]) and also for flutes made of wooden pipes. Flutes are exported to Europe, America and other countries.
* [[Saharanpur]] is known all over India and abroad for its wood-carving items produced there.
* [[Varanasi]] Mubarakpur, [[Azamgarh]] is famous for its [[Banarasi]] [[sari]]s and silk. A ''Banarasi sari'' is an essential part of any marriage in the state.
* [[Gorakhpur]] is famous for its beautiful [[terracotta]] statues and handcraft cloths.
* [[Nizamabad, Uttar Pradesh|Nizamabad]] is famous for black pottery.

==Festivals==
Religious practices are as much an integral part of everyday life, and a very public affair, as they are in the rest of India. Therefore, not surprisingly, many festivals are religious in origin, although several of them are celebrated irrespective of caste and creed.

Among the most important [[Hindu festivals]] are [[Diwali]], [[Holi]] and [[Vijayadashami|Dussehra]], which are also observed with equal fervour by [[Jainism|Jains]]. Ten days of [[Ramlila]] takes place during the period of [[navratri]] and on the 10th day, epithet of [[Raavan]] is burnt with great fervour. [[Durga puja]] is also observed in many parts of the state during navratri. [[eid e milad un nabi]], [[Eid ul-Fitr|Eid]], [[Eid ul-Adha|Bakreed]] and Birthdate of [[Ali ibn Abi Talib|Ali ibn Abitalib]] are recognised official Muslim religious festivals. [[Moharram]], though the [[day of Ashura]] is official holiday but [[Shiites]] consider it as a day of mourning and not a festival as some people believe. [[Mahavir Jayanti]] is celebrated by Jains, [[Vesak|Buddha Jayanti]] by Buddhists, [[Guru Nanak Jayanti]] by Sikhs and Christmas by the Christians.<ref name="Indobase">{{cite web|url=http://festivals.indobase.com/index.html|title=18 Popular India Festivals|access-date=23 December 2007}}</ref> Other festivals include [[Ram navami]], [[Chhath]] puja, [[Krishna]]-[[Janmashtami]], [[Mahashivratri]], etc.

== Tourism Place ==
* [[Prem Mandir, Vrindavan]], [[Uttar Pradesh]].
* [[ISKCON]] Temple, [[Vrindavan]] also known as [[Krishna Balaram Mandir]] is one of the major ISKCON temples in the world. It is located in the holy city of Vrindavan.
<gallery widths="160px" heights="120px">
Image:Kumbh Mela2001.JPG|[[Kumbh Mela]], at [[Allahabad]] is the largest gathering anywhere in the world.
Image:MadanMohanmandir.jpg|Madan Mohan temple in [[Vrindavan]].
Image:JKTemple.JPG|[[JK Temple]] (RadhaKrishna Temple), [[Kanpur]]
Image:Sarnath1.jpg|The [[Dhamekh Stupa]] is located in [[Sarnath]] where [[Gautama Buddha]] first taught the [[Dharma]]
Image:Kushinara1.jpg|[[Kushinagar]] is a town where [[Gautama Buddha]] died
Image:Sravasti-gandhakuti.jpg| Gandhakuti (Buddha's hut) in [[Jetavana]], [[Shravasti]].
Image:Ancient Buddhist monasteries near Dhamekh Stupa Monument Site, Sarnath.jpg|Ancient Buddhist monasteries near [[Dhamekh Stupa]], [[Sarnath]].
Image:mahaparinirvana.jpg|The ancient excavated Buddha inside the Parinirvana Temple, [[Kushinagar]].
Image:Taj Mahal in March 2004.jpg|[[Taj Mahal]], [[Agra]]
Image:AgraFort.jpg|[[Amar Singh Gate]] at [[Agra Fort]]
Image:TombSalimChisti.jpg|The Tomb of [[Salim Chisti]]
Image:Itmad.jpg|[[Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb]] at [[Agra]]
Image:The Panch Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri.jpg|The five-storey [[Panch Mahal Fatehpur Sikri|Panch Mahal]] at [[Fatehpur Sikri]]
Image:Jaunpur Atala Masjid.jpg|The historical [[Atala Masjid]] built by 'Sultan Ibrahim', Sultan of [[Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh|Jaunpur]].
Image:Fatehpur Sikri near Agra 2016-03 img09.jpg|[[Buland Darwaza]] (Great Gate), [[Fatehpur Sikri]]
Image:Roomi Darwaza 03.JPG|[[Roomi Darwaza]], [[Lucknow]]
Image:View of Bahu Begum's Maqbara.JPG|Tomb [[Bahu Begum ka Maqbara|Queen Bride]] in [[Faizabad]].
Image:GulabBari.jpg|Mausoleum of [[Nawab]] [[Shuja-ud-Daula]] in [[Faizabad]] [[Gulabbadi]].
Image:LDAkbarTombCenter.jpg|[[Tomb of Akbar the Great]], [[Agra]]
Image:Adnanwiki.badaimambada1.JPG|Gateway to [[Bara Imambara]], [[Lucknow]]
Image:Chhotaimambara.adnan.JPG|The [[Chhota Imambara]], [[Lucknow]]
Image:Bhool Bhulaiya Front View.jpg| The Bhool Bhulaiyya Front View, [[Lucknow]]
Image:Maqbara with palm trees.JPG|[[Bahu Begum ka Maqbara]], [[Faizabad]].
Image:Ziarat Shareef.jpg |[[Kakrala]] is town where Sufi Shah Sharafat Miyan was born.
Image:Aligarh fort, Aligarh.jpg|[[Moat]] at the Aligarh Fort, [[Aligarh]].
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Uttar Pradesh}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Culture Of Uttar Pradesh}}
[[Category:Culture of Uttar Pradesh| ]]

Culture of Uttar Pradesh - Revision history

Addie15A4298: update

>Arjayay: Rm PoV +