7 Best Places You Must Visit In Kanpur, India

1. Take a dip in the holy Ganga River

The River Ganga or ‘Ganges’ is the longest river in India, a holy river to Hindus, and is also a lifeline to many living along its banks. It has the distinction of being the 5th most polluted river in the world, however, that is not a deterrent to the million of pilgrims who come here for a holy dip in the River Ganga, believing that it will rid them of all their sins and give them salvation.

Hindu devotees have a bath in the Ganga River to pay homage to the ancestors and gods by taking water in their palms, lifting it up and making it fall back again into the river. Devotees also offer flowers, rose petals and also float ‘diyas’ or small clay vessels filled with oil and lit up with wicks (diyas). They also carry small amounts of the water from the river with them to use in their prayers and rituals.

Ganga River

Website: Ganga River

2. Visit the Shri Radhakrishna Temple

The Shri Radhakrishna Temple also known as the J.K. Temple is a Hindu temple located in the heart of Kanpur, and is a complete architectural delight as it incorporates old and modern architecture. It has 5 shrines which are dedicated to the Hindu gods and goddesses Radha-Krishna, Ardhanarishwar, Hanuman, Laxminarayan and Narmadeshwar. It has been built with very high roofs for good ventilation. The temple timings are 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and evening darshan are 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Shri Radhakrishna Temple

Website: Shri Radhakrishna Temple

3. The historical Nana Rao Fort

The Nana Rao Fort was built in memory of the great ruler Peshwa Nana Rao in Bithoor near Kanpur. He led the first freedom fight against the British in 1857. There is a well in this fort which is called a memorial well, where 200 British soldiers had attacked the fort and killed and dumped dead bodies of the Indian men and women who had participated in the rebellion against them.

The fort has carvings of the great freedom fighters like Peshwa Nana Rao, Tatya Tope, Rani Lakshmi Bai and Azimullah Khan in it and many tourists come here to visit this historical site. In 1968 it was declared a heritage and archaeological site.

Nana Rao Fort

Address: Bithoor

Website: Nana Rao Fort

4. Jain Glass Temple

The Jain Glass Temple in Kanpur was built for the devotees and followers of Jainism. It was dedicated to the Jain Lord Mahavira and the remaining 23 Jain Tirthankaras. It was built in the traditional style of temple archaeology and is famous for its exquisite and intricate enamel and glass work. The temple is built entirely of glass, in the walls, the doors, floors and pillars, the panels and its ceilings are all embellished in beautiful ornate mirror work. The temple has well preserved stained glass murals and wall paintings which demonstrate the teachings of the Jain religion.

The Jain Glass Temple has marble floors and its interiors consist of ornamental arches. It has statues of Jain Lord Mahavira and its 23 Jain Tirthankaras which are placed over a high pedestal and are covered by an intricate canopy.

5. Visit the world famous Allen Forest Zoo

The Allen forest zoo in Kanpur, also known as the Kanpur Zoo, is a natural forest zoo in India and was the imagination of Sir Allen, who was a Botanist and also an associate of the then British Indian Civil Services. The zoo has a lot of greenery, a lake, ancient trees; in fact it has the largest amount of land in the whole of Asia.

If you visit this zoo you will get a chance to see a number of animals, birds and reptiles. There are tigers, the white Asiatic Tiger, Asian lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, grizzly bears, monkeys, langurs, baboons, musk deers, antelopes, and birds like emus, ostriches, parrots, parakeet, and cranes. The zoo is hugely popular with locals who come here with their kids to have a picnic. Many foreign tourists also come here to see the sheer variety of animals and birds at this zoo.

Allen Forest Zoo

Website: Allen Forest Zoo

6. Worship at the Kanpur Memorial Church

The Kanpur Memorial Church is located at the heart of Kanpur cantonment area in Kanpur. It is also called All Souls’ Cathedral. It was built in 1875, in memory of the British soldiers who lost their lives during the ‘Siege of Cawnpore’ in 1857. The structure was designed by famous architect, Walter Granville, who also created the then East Bengal Railway.

The church was built in the Lombardic Gothic style of architecture as can be seen in the structures and paintings. The structure has a magnificent view with the use of red colored bricks with multi colored hues in them. The presence of poly-chromatic dressings in the church have given it a touch of grandeur. The church interiors contain memorial tables, epitaphs and the monuments have given it a very sober ambience.

Kanpur Memorial Church

Website: Kanpur Memorial Church

7. ISKCON temple

The Sri Sri Radha Madhav Mandir or the worldwide International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) movement or ISKCON Temple is located in Bithoor in Kanpur. It is a renowned Vaishnav temple dedicated to the Hindu Lord Krishna and his Radharani who is worshipped in the form of Radha Madhav ji.

The ISKCON Kanpur is a non-profit, social welfare, spiritual organization. The temple comprises of the main temple hall, the Brahmachari ashram and a devotee kitchen, a guesthouse and also an office complex, a restaurant for devotees, resident housing complex and a Goshala. These facilities are ensured for the comfort of the thousands of devotees who come here.

ISKCON Temple

Website: ISKCON Temple

Kanpur a melting pot of ancient and modern!

On coming to Kanpur, you will surely realize that this city has a great historical importance in India and that it is also transitioning into a modern society with all modern comforts and facilities. You will be mesmerized by the city’s legacies which can give you many memorable experiences for a lifetime.