Religious places in Uttar Pradesh - Churches & Cathedrals

Uttar Pradesh, a divine and spiritual land has been place for the devotees since many centuries. A decisive destination for all pilgrims, Uttar Pradesh is home town for numerable holy places where the divinity achieves great height. These pilgrim places give the sense of purity and divine pleasure The land is based on the banks of river Ganga, on the foothills of Himalayas, Uttar Pradesh promises to bequest with memorable religious tour.

The five elements of this land have the history of great legend like Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. The Vrindavan and Mathura are blessed with the spirit of Lord Krishna whereas Ayodhya is the place which is soaked with essence of Lord Rama.

As we look into Hindu mythology, one legend amazed the entire world i.e the Kumbha Mela which hs thousands of devotees coming from all over the world. It has convergence of holy rivers of India namely Ganga, Yamuna and mythical river Saraswati. But the pilgrims of Uttar Pradesh remains incomplete without mentioning Varanasi, which is most prehistoric cities from all over the world and has the celestial legend of Lord Shiva.

The other fascinating places of Uttar Pradesh include holiness of Lord Buddha along with Sarnath, Sravasti, Kapilavastu and Kushinagar.

Along with these places, Lucknow, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and even more places has the Islamic contributions in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Other mementoes and Monuments are amongst the highly visited places. This is reason that people from the entire world prefer Uttar Pradesh as the Pilgrim destination.

Kanpur Memorial Church

Fast Facts:

• Situated: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, (India)
• Constructed in the year: 1875AD
• Built to Commensal: The British soldiers who had lost their lives in the uprising of 1857
• Designed By: Walter Granville

The Kanpur Memorial Church was constructed in the year 1875.This church was architectured by the renowned architecture Walter Granville who had also designed the East Bengal Railway. This church was built to pay homage to the British soldiers who had lost their lives in the uprising of 1857.The church is built in total Lombardic Gothic Style. The structure of this church is ethnic and well executed with dark red brick and polychrome dressings.

The interior of this exotic church is sparkled with the monumental work that also includes memorial tablets. To the east of this exotic church nestles the Memorial Garden. This garden can be accessed via two huge gateways. In this garden the ethnic gothic screen, which was designed by Henry Yule stands erect with carved artifacts. The center of this gothic screen, is filled with lovely carved figure of an angel which was carved by Baron Carlo Marcochetti includes holding palons, crossed arms and depicts symbol of peace.

The screen and statue, which is placed here, was originally stationed in the Municipal Garden staged in the middle of the city. This site is located near Bibighar well. The memorial in the fond memory of the soldiers was again resettled in the year 1948 after independence. The Military Cemetery that is situated at the end of the cantonment adds up many interesting graves of the 19th century personalities. This city has many interesting artifacts and King Edward 7 Memorial Hall and The Christ church building is worth visiting.

All Saints Church

Fast Facts:

• Situated: Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, (India)
• Closest Town: 1887
• Known for: Excellent Anglican church in the entire Asia
• Style: Gothic Style

All Saints Church is one of its kind nestled in the city of Allahabad. All saints church was by the famous architect William Emerson in the year 1870 and was consecrated in the year 1887.This church have been a replica of the finest Anglican Cathedral in the entire Asia. The church is made from white stones, which were specially ordered from Surajpur also with red stones as dressings. This church was constructed in stages. The chief builders like Messer’s Frizzoni and Company and Messer’s Martin And Company were part of this huge church.

The total amount to build this church was over 6, 00000. You should visit this church to come across the magnificent structure. The interior carving, Marble altar, mosaic work and intricate clay work is worth watching. The middle panel indicates crucification of idols of St John and Mother Mary. Also other figures of St Mark, St Mathew, two Martyrs and St Luke also exits. This church represents Gothic style of architecture thus; it is an example of the colonial architecture. This church is a must visit to admire the beauty of this ethnic colonial period architecture.

Christ Church

Fast Facts:

• Situated: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh,(India)
• Architected by: General Hutchinson
• In the Fond Memory of: the one who died in the rebel of 1857
• Construction Improved in the year: 1904

The Christ Church is located close to the Wingfield Park Lucknow. The marvelous structure of the church was designed by General Hutchinson. In the year 1904 a large memorial was constructed in memory of the one who had fought to construct this church. There are many fascinating brasses and tablets of the memorial. Christ Church is one of the most important churches in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. There are about 2000 followers of this sacred church. A church missionary had discerned this church in the year 1831from Scotland. Earlier the holy worship used to take place in the bungalows and schools of the missionaries’. As the members of this church grew the popularity of the church started rising. As a result, the hall was not sufficient for the members and the need for constructing a new and big church emerged. The cross on the steeple was a bit twisted when an earthquake had occurred in the year 1933.

In the year 1989, the church had opened a nursery school that served students from all creeds and classes. The nursery school has been converted in to a high school now.

 Jamuna Church

Fast Facts:

• Situated at: Uttar Pradesh
• Constructed by: John Freeman
• Architecture: Colonial
• Established in: 19th Century

John Freeman is among the first American Presbyterian missionaries who visited Allahabad and built Jamuna Church in 1847. This church is the evidence of colonial architecture style ubiquitous during the first quarter of 19th century. The Jamuna church has craving of gothic style and architecture.

St Johns Church

Fast Facts:

• Situated: Meerut, Uttar Pradesh,(India)
• Established in the year: 1819AD
• Set Up: Chaplin and Henry Fisher
• Dedicated to: Bishop Wilson

St Johns Church was constructed in the year 1819 in (Meerut Cantonment).The construction of the church got over in the year 1822. St Johns Church was set up by Henry Fisher in sake of the East India Company. This church was fully casted for the people by the bishop of the city Bishop Wilson. This church is so huge that it can seat almost 10,000 people. During the uprising of 1857, this church had faced heavy fighting in between British forces and rebels. This church is one of the oldest in the entire North India.

Moti Masjid

Quick Bytes:

• Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
• Built in: Mughal Period
• Importance: Brilliant architecture

Moti Masjid was built by the famous Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan who was a great connoisseur of art and architecture. The structure of the mosque is quite appealing to one's eyes. Commonly known by the name of Pearl Mosque, the shimmering white appearance that imparts immense beauty and attraction to it are worth admiration.

Some of the architectural features of Moti Masjid resemble to that of Basils Cathedral of Moscow. There are three domes of marble that adorn its top. The symmetry and proportion of the place are worth admiration. As one looks at this brilliant masterpiece form a distance, he is sure to get mesmerized by its peerless beauty. The mosque rests in the compound encompassing Agra Fort. The velvety look imparted to the structure is an attraction to the tourists. But at present, the site is closed for the visit.

Counted among the pretest pieces of architecture that were built during this time, Moti Masjid is located on the right side of Diwan-e-Aam. Built in pure marble, the construction of the place was completed in 1654 and it took almost six years to finish it. Known for its brilliant craftsmanship, the mosque was meant for offering prayers by the devotees. Surrounded on three sides by a porch which rests on 12 pillars, the Masjid is an example of Persian style of architecture.

One can reach the pulpit after climbing four steps. This is different from other mosques where one has to reach the pulpit through three steps. The main prayer hall is flanked by two other prayer halls that were meant exclusively for women. Lattice screens adore these prayer halls. A number of Mihrabs have been carved on the western wall.

Located within the premises of Red Fort, the mosque is counted among the magnificent monuments of Uttar Pradesh.

St Joseph Roman Catholic Church

Fast Facts:

• Situated: Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, (India)
• Constructed in the year: 1860
• Devoted to: St Joseph
• Constructed By: Father Raphael of Livorno region

The St Joseph Roman Catholic Church is located in the civil lines, (Gorakhpur).This church was constructed in the year 1860 and was opened by the Bishop of the city Bishop Hartmann and this church is dedicated to the sacred St Joseph.

This Church was constructed by Father Raphael of Livorno. This church is the fifth oldest in the city of Uttar Pradesh. The other old church is in Allahabad that was built in the year 1845, another at Varanasi that was built in the year 1851, the other one is at Chunar built in the year 1848. The St Joseph Roman Catholic Church was built because of the pressure from the catholic soldiers troops that had stationed here during the era of 1850’s.

Sardhana

Fast Facts:

• Situated: Nineteen km from the state of Meerut
• Constructed By: Begum Samru
• Architected By: Anthony Reghelini
• Total Cost: 4 lakhs

The roofs of this church is unending as in are placed in different levels. The primary altar of the church is beautifully carved and was specially brought in from the state of Jaipur. It also has designs of flowers and carved with precious stones. The steps of the altar and the floors of the sanctuary are of black and white color. This church was dedicated to Mother Mary.

There are 2 long wings, the left wing depicts popular monument above the grave of Begum. The church is of 18fts and it also places 11 life size statues and 3 panels. As you see on the right hand side Begum is placed on the top and below her stands four statues of Innayat Ullah, Diwan Rae Singh, Julius Caesar and David Dyce Samru. These figures represent wisdom, fearlessness and fulfillment that existed during the reign of the Begum. The fame and beauty of the shrine was added up as soon as the holy image of Lady of Graces was nestled in the year 1957. The church was further abided as soon as it was given the dignity as that of the Minor Basilica in the year 1961 by the Pope JohnXX111.

Holy Trinity Church

Fast Facts:

• Situated: Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh (India)
• Constructed In: 1839 AD
• Architected By: Major Smith
• Significance: it is one of the first church of Allahabad

Tourism of the grand city (Allahabad) has grown from time to time with great hub of tourist from all the parts of the world. This city is a pilgrimage center of Uttar Pradesh and several places to visit in Allahabad. It is one of the main city of Uttar Pradesh. Allahabad nestles around a charming and beautiful river of Ganga, Saraswati and Yamuna. It is one of the most beautiful traveler’s destinations of India. This city is called as Prayag. One of the most sacred spot in this city is the Triveni Sangam; This Sangam is between the three rivers: Ganga and Saraswati. This center is also known as the Tirth Raj (the king of all pilgrimage center.

Holy Trinity Church is one of the most popular and the first church of this city. This church was built in the year 1839 under the rule of Lieutenant Sharp and architect Major Smith. It’s a piece of fine art and exotic stone carving. This piece of art is a replica of St Martin in Field Church that is placed in London. Holy Trinity Church holds back beautiful tablets especially ordered from Gwalior campaign of 1857 and 1843 mutiny. This church was inaugurated by the then Bishop of Kolkata on 19th February in the year 1841 and was named after The Holy Trinity Church.

Jawab Masjid

Quick Bytes:

• Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
• Built in: Mughal Era
• Importance: Adds to the symmetry of Taj Mahal

Built in red sandstone, Jawab Masjid is a strikingly beautiful piece of architecture of the medieval period that was built inside the premises of the famous Taj Mahal. Facing the eastern direction, the mosque was built solely for imparting symmetry to another mosque present on the left of Taj Mahal. As the direction faced by the structure is east, prayers cannot be offered here.

Jawab in Hindi means answer and this mosque was built as a jawab to the mosque already existing. The building imparts aesthetic beauty to the entire complex. In fact these two mosques are the identical copy of each other with the exception that Jawab Masjid does not have a Mihrab. A second difference between these similar buildings lies in the fact that the floors of Jawab are decorated with geometrical designs. The basic design of the mosque is built in typical Mughal style which consists of a huge hall and three domes at the top of the structure.

Construction of Jawab Masjid was completed in the year 1643 AD. This outlying building is a must visit site for the visitors that come to see the beautiful Taj Mahal.

Accommodation:

A number of budget hotels are available in Agra that ensure comfortable stay of the tourists. One can also book lodges that are available easily.