A city located in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India, Jaunpur is well known for its glorious past. This city was established in 14th century. It holds its own important historical, social and political status. The glory of the city on the Adi Gomti river and its peaceful shores was a major pious ground for meditation and contemplation of sages. It was a centre of Sufism in past and Urdu language flourished here. It was famously known as Siraj-e-Hind owing to its unique blend of art, culture, language and history. Even today, we can hear the Deva Vanee echoing in the temples along the banks of Gomti in Jaunpur city.
Various archaeological sites present today stand witness to its glorious past. The city offers a range of tourist attractions each of which is different from the other. Major attractions of the city are listed:
- Sheetla Mata Chaukiya Dham
The temple of Maa Sheetla Chaukiya Devi is quite old. Devotees from all over India come here to worship Sheetla Devi. It is a temple of great faith. On Mondays and Fridays, worshipers come here in quite large numbers. Huge crowds gather here during the Navratri.
A very interesting fact about this dham is that you can cook and prepare the prasad which is mostly Suji Halwa and atta poori. It is a must visit place in Jaunpur.
2. Shahi Bridge
It is a very old bridge built over Gomti river in Mughal Era 1567 AD by Munim Khan, Governor of the state. It is also known as Mughal Bridge. It is one of the most significant, noteworthy and picturesque Mughal structures in the city. There are 10 arch shaped openings and several small and colourful pavilions.There is nothing like watching the majestic sun rise in the morning and set in the evening from the Shahi bridge. The ambience is just perfect for a lazy stroll in the evening.
3. Jaunpur Fort
A historical place built by Firozshah Tughlaq , it has immense aesthetic importance. It contains a mosque just opposite to the entrance gate and also contains a Turqi Hamam locally known as Bhul Bhulaiya. The view of city from the edges of the walls of the fort is just terrific. This is a favourite spot for a picnic for kids as there is a lush green garden in the fort. A certain peace and calm is ambient in the air. Its a perfect place to spend and enjoy a sunny day with family.
4. Atala Masjid
Atala Masjid is one of the chief tourist attractions in the city here. The mosque bears the evidences of the times in which it was built and is a useful specimen of mosques, not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in India. It was built by Sultan Ibrahim.A very interesting feature of this mosque is that in-spite of being a mosque it shows a lot of influences of Hindu Architecture.The central portico of Atala Masjid has a stately arch. Inside, there is a massive hall, which is the main prayer room. The three domes of the Masjid differ in size. Atala Masjid is open for its devotees from 7.30 in the morning till 8.00 at night. Besides, special prayers are held every Friday.
5. Lal Darwaza Masjid
Due to an influx of a large number of visitors, Lal Darwaza Masjid has become one of the prime tourist attractions in the city. It was built around 1450 A.D. It got its name from the fact that the gateway at the entrance of the mosque was painted red in color from the very beginning and still remains so. The elevation as well as the talisman on the ornamental arches of Lal Darwaza Masjid still mesmerizes the innumerable tourists who come from all over the world to visit the holy shrine. The special prayers that are held on Friday of every week are known to provide ultimate peace of mind.
6. Yamdagini Ashram
It is a religious centre. Every year thousands of tourists and pilgrims come from each and every corner of the world and from all over India to visit this holy and religious place. This Ashram is the mecca for people who have a religious bent of mind and are in search for spirituality and peace of mind. The architecture of the ashram is brilliant. This picturesque ashram is closely associated with the life of the great and well known sage, Parashuram.
7. Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is the storehouse of numerous archaeological evidences that enthrall the tourists who come from various parts of the world to see it. Among the various exhibits in the Museum, the ones that need a special mention are the sculptures of ancient times and the stone carvings show us finesse of the artists of those time. We can also find ancient coins ranging from stone to gold showing us the evolution and history of coins. Apart from these there are several other very interesting and fascinating artifacts The Museum does not charge any entry fee from its visitors. It is a destination that you cannot afford to overlook.
8. Khalis Makhlis Masjid
The Khalis Mukhlis Masjid was built by Sultan Ibrahim in 1470 A.D. The sultan named the Masjid after his chief administrators, Malik Khalis and Malik Mukhlis.It has a number of features, which are similar to that of the Atala Masjid. However, the Masjid of Khalis Mukhlis is smaller in terms of dimensions and form. This is clearly evident from the pylon and both internal as well as the external decorations of the mosque.
Although, small in stature, the Khalis Mukhlis Masjid, still fascinates the numerous tourists who come from all over the world in order to pay a visit the holy shrine. The special prayers that are held on Friday of every week are known to provide ultimate peace of mind and hence are a popular attraction for the visitors.
9. Jami Masjid
The Jami Masjid, also known as the ‘Jama Masjid, or ‘Bari Masjid’ was built in the year 1470, under the last ruler of the Sharqi Dynasty, named Hussain Shah.According to the historians and other experts, the Jami Masjid bears a great deal of resemblance with those mosques that were built during the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq of the Tughlaq Dynasty of Delhi Sultanate.The feature which can be exclusively traced in Jami Masjid is a massive rectangular hall meant for prayers. Another attribute of Jama Masjid that any of the other Holy Places in will find hard to match, are the gorgeous decorations that are visible on the walls on the interior and the exterior portions of the mosque. Special prayers are held on Friday of every week.
10. Trilochan Mahadev Mandir
Situated about 40 kilometers away from the city of Jaunpur, the Temple of Trilochan Mahadev has been an ancient place of worship for Hindus. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and devotees from far away places come to worship Lord Shiva here. It is a temple of great faith for Hindus.
11. Botany Museum
On visiting the Botany Museum you will be refreshed, children in particular. This museum is governed by T.D. College, which is a renowned institution imparting higher education in Uttar Pradesh. Museum was established in the year 1956 for the purpose of providing additional insight into the study of Botanical Sciences to the students of the College. With the passage years, the Botany Museum began to gain recognition and reputation among tourists. The exhibits, various plants and fossils of plants that have some unique characteristics. All these items have been well preserved and stylishly displayed, hence arousing interest in the visitors to know about them. Special Guides are present in the premises of the Botany Museum who deliver essential know-how to the visitors. Thus a visit to the Botany Museum would certainly be a one to remember.
12. Zoological Museum
The Zoological Museum was established by the T.D. College. The sole objective behind the formation of Zoological Museum was to impart knowledge on zoological sciences to the students of the college as well as to the tourists. All the specimens of animals are well preserved and displayed meticulously along with labeled information alongside the exhibits. It does not charge any entry fee from visitors. Yes, the Zoological Museum is a place that must be visited.
13 Jaunpur Dehaat
Visit to Jaunpur is incomplete without visiting one of the villages in the city. The vast green fields of paddy in winters and mango laden trees in summer will simply blow the mind away. In the evening when the sun sets, smoke emanates from the mud houses which is an indication of the simple and delicious food that is about to be cooked by the women. One must visit the villages to see how people live their lives with simplicity but contentment without the stress and pretensions of the city life.
Bollywood movie Nadiya Ke Par starring Sachin and Sadhna Singh released in 1982 was shot entirely in Jaunpur and captures the beauty and essence of the villages of the city.
Apart from the above mentioned attractions there are several other eye catching tourist spots also. These places include, Sadar Imambara, Tomb of Nawab Ghazi Khan, Cemetry of seven kings of Sharqi dynasty, Kadam Rasool, Temple of Mihar Devi, Walls of old Kankar fort of Jauichandra, Panje Shareef, Rauza of Shah Firoz, Saikh Burhana Mosque, Jhanjhari Masjid.
The simplicity of the people of Jaunpur and their hospitality is sure to win your hearts. Added to it the sweetness of the local language and peace and lack of pretense in the locals tourists would want to come back again.
Jaunpur famous for its Jasmine Oil, tobacco leaves, radish and Imarti is worth a visit with family and friends to make memories of lifetime.
