Uttar Pradesh, or U.P as it is called, is Delhi's immediate neighbour to the East. Its population of 138 million is more than twice that of the U.K and as much as three times that of South Korea. Needless to say India's most densely populated region. And is usually the traveler's first target, as it is home to the renowned Taj Mahal. Crested by the Himalayas in the North where the holy Ganga (river Gnages) has its source, the rest of the State cradles the vast flatness of the Gangetic plains. Literally the backbone of Hinduism, the Ganga's path from source to finish is dotted with pilgrim trails. U.P holds four of the seven sacred Hindu cities. Haridwar, where people come to immerse the ashes of the dad and to visit the 'pandas' or priestly keepers of family lineage; Ayodhya and Mathura, birth place of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna; and Varanasi (Benaras), ancient city of Sanskrit learning and home of Lord Shiva since the dawn of time. U.P also attracts Buddhist pilgrims since the Buddha preached his first sermon at Sarnath, and breathed his last at Kushinagar.
