Top Six Places to Visit in Kanpur
Kanpur also popularly known as Manchester of the country is one of the biggest city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganga river, it is a place of immense historical, religious & commercial importance. Now a booming industrial town and home to Asia’s biggest leather industry, it is famous for export of leather & leather products.
The history of Kanpur dates back to hundreds of years; established by King Hindu Singh of the ancient princely state of Sachendi, it was originally known as Kanhpur and at one time as Kanhiyapur also after the name of Lord Krishna.
The numerous tourist attractions & places of historical & religious importance in the city like Nanarao Fort, Bithur, Allen Forest Zoo, Moti Jheel, Massacre Ghat, etc.
draw a large number of the tourists to the this beautiful city. One can easily explore these treasures are located close to each other so sightseeing in Kanpur is not very tiring or hectic. So do plan a trip to Kanpur and get enchanted by the rich culture & heritage of the city.
Historical Places in Kanpur
Bithoor or Bithur is a small town situated at a distance of 20 kms from Kanpur on the left bank of the eternal Ganges. Famous as a Hindu pilgrimage it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama's sons Luv & Kush. Nanarao Fort is a part of the historical site of Bithoor which had been a mute witness to the childhood of Maharani Laxmi Bai.
It has also been a spectator to the heroic deeds of freedom fighters like Azimullah Khan, Nanarao Peshwa, Mainavati & Tatya Tope. A place of great historical significance as from this fort the Mutiny of 1857 was started by Nana Sahib against the British.
It was from the ramparts of this majestic Bithoor Fort that that Nana Sahib, Tatya Tope & Rani Laxmi Bai assembled their forces to attack Britishers. The fort was the center of all the activities with Nana Sahib & Tatya Tope staying at the fort; it was from here that they planned their attack on the British garrison in Kanpur.
The British retaliated by bombing Nana Sahib’s palace & the ghats of Bithoor. The fort stands today as a silent reminder of the period when hundreds of freedom fighters sacrificed their lives fighting against the British rule. So come make a date with history & get a glimpse of an era gone by.
Boodha Bargad at Nanarao Park
Boodha Bargad or the Banyan Tree at Nanarao Park is a symbol of the great sacrifices the freedom fighters made to free us from the British Raj. The British inflicted inhumane treatment on the freedom fighters & massacred hundreds of innocents during the freedom struggle.
It is believed that with 144 of freedom fighters were hanged on this tree. To pay homage & remember the martyrdom of these brave martyrs this place has been marked as a Shaheed Sthal.
Explore the Wildlife at Allen Forest Zoo
Allen Forest Zoo also known as the Kanpur Zoo was opened in 1971 and is counted as one of the best zoos in the country. A must visit place for the wildlife enthusiasts it is home to a number of wild animals and avian species.
Endowed with greenery all around & built in natural forest surroundings the Zoo was developed during the British rule by Sir Allen, a botanist. Spread across an area of nearly 77-hectare (190-acre) it is largest open green space in the city of Kanpur and Asia's biggest zoological garden. A beautiful natural lake is present in the midst of this oasis of greenery.
Rare wildlife species like White Asian Tigers, Lions, Cheetah, Leopard, Jaguar, Chimpanzees, Hyena, Black Bear, Grizzly Bear, Sloth Bear, Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Monkeys, Langoor, Deer, Antelope, Indian Gharial and Orangutans can be found in the zoo.
Besides the rare animals & bird species the zoo is also famous for its trees like Neem and Prosopis. Thus an ideal place to spend a day outdoors amongst picturesque natural surroundings with friends & family.
Special Attractions of Allen Forest Zoo
A botanical garden is present in the Allen Forest Zoo having some of the rare species of plants. A place of immense attraction is a rainwater lake where visitors can see deer & other small animals roaming about in an open savannah-like envoirment without any fear.
An Aviary housing birds like Ostrich from Africa, Emu from Australia & New Zealand, European fowl, Latin American birds and various Indian species like parrots, crane, parakeets is also a must see especially for small children & bird-watchers.
Night creatures like porcupines, toddy cat, etc. are housed in a Night house and fishes & water animals are kept in an aquarium. Life Size sculptures of pre-historic dinosaurs also adorns the Zoo and are an added attraction for the young & old alike.
One can enjoy a joy-ride on the tram which runs through the length & breadth of the zoo. Thus the Kanpur Zoo is a unique place to learn about the rich flora & fauna and create awareness about the environmental issues.
Spend the Day Relaxing at the Beautiful Moti Jheel Park
The beautiful city of Kanpur has some of the most attractive tourist spots that are worth a a visit; Moti Jheel Park, Kanpur is one such place which hold the pride of being one of the most visited tourist places in the city. The name is derived from Moti which means pearl and jheel meaning lake, thus the name pearl lake or Moti Jheel.
Located in the Benajhabar area of Kanpur Moti Jheel is a lake & a drinking water reservoir with beautiful gardens and an ever lively children's park. Developed during the British Rule it was originally a water treatment plant of Kanpur Waterworks and was called Sceptic Tank.
Later it was aesthetically developed into a beautiful tourist spot with landscaped gardens & greenery spread all around.
A popular recreational place in the bustling industrial city of Kanpur it is like a breath of fresh air for the residents of the city who come to spend their leisure time here.
Address: Next to Lala Lajpat Rai HospitalTake a tour to Bhitargaon Temple
Bhitargaon temple is a treasured ancient temple shrine built in the Gupta period during the 6th Century. The temple has a height of 15.41 meters and is built with large bricks & terracota. A living example of the finest architect & intricate carvings the temple is simply praiseworthy.
The whole temple was built using brick work, with moulded pillars, plasters, friezes & reliefs. The east facing temple is constructed on a square base and comprises of steps, ardha-mandapa, antarala or passage and garbha-griha (sanctum).
What sets the temple apart is the presence of decorative terracotta panels on the walls and over the vimana. The terracotta medium adds a whole new dimension to architecture of the Gupta Period.
Sanctum represents the sahape of a tri-ratha with beautiful figurines of birds, animals & beasts adorning the walls of the temple. Images of Lord Ganesha, Mahisasaurmardini & river goddess along with mythological stories related to Gods & Goddesses are beautifully depicted in the temple.
Plan Your trip to Satti Chaura Ghat
Massacre Ghat also known as the Satti Chaura Ghat is located on the southern Bank of River Ganges in the beautiful city of Kanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh in North India. A traditional part of the Hindu religion Ghats has always held a place of importance.
The Ghat finds an important palce in history due to the Indian Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. On the ill-fated day of June 27, 1857, Kanpur witnessed one of the bloodiest stories of Indian Independence struggle. Nearly 300 British men, women & children were killed at the Satti Chaura Ghat, which was then later renamed as Massacre Ghat by the East India Company to mark the event.
Though a massacre for the British it was a War of Independence for the Indians and is known to be one of the earliest events of the long freedom struggle which was to follow. Sati Chaura Ghat has also been an important maritime boarding point for the river route from Kanpur to Allahabad since the pre-colonial period.
A serene Hindu temple built in 1966 stands at the Ghats where a number of devotees come to pay homage. A sand pit / dangal is also present at the Ghat where local wrestlers come to play kushti. During the months of July & August an annual wrestling competition is held at the Satti Chaura Ghat where players from all across the country participate with great enthusiasm.
The Kanpur Memorial Church
Another important attraction of Kanpur is the Kanpur Memorial Church which was built in 1875 in memory of the British people who lost their lives in the war of 1857. Aesthetically designed by Walter Granville an architect in the East Bengal Railway Division, the entire church is built in Lombardic gothic style. The building is build of bright red brick having polychrome dressings.
The interiors of the church are home to Historic Monuments including several memorial tablets related to the mutiny. To the east side of the church is a Memorial Garden which can be approached through two separate gateways. A beautifully carved gothic screen which was designed by Henry Yule stands here.
A carved statue of an angle by Baron Carlo Marochetti, with crossed arms and holding palons - a symbol of peace holds the pride of place in the center of the church. Earlier the statue & the screen were located in the centre of the city at the Municipal Gardens but after independence in 1948 they were shifted here. The Kanpur Memorial Church with its unique stained glass and beautifully designed architecture makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.