Top 10 Things To Do In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

1. Take a tour of Aligarh Fort

With its construction dating back to the 16th century, the magnificent Aligarh Fort boasts a mix of Indo-French architectural styles, accentuated by an exquisite Islamic design. Although most of the forts’ carvings and finer details are lost in ruins now, its grand arched entrance, towering minarets, imposing bastions, and sprawling terraces provide a glimpse into the grandeur it once had. Today, the fort is a popular sightseeing spot and its gardens, overseen by AMU’s Department of Botany, are a visual delight.

Aligarh Fort

Address: Qila, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Free

2. Pay your respects at Khereshwar Temple

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva, Khereshwar Temple is among the most prominent holy sites in the region. With its richly engraved ceilings, ornate with a metallic finish, and several brass idols of Hindu deities, the temple is as much of interest to history enthusiasts as to devotees. Khereshwar Temple is about 5 km (3 mi) away from the city centre, but can be easily accessed by public transport.

Khereshwar Temple

Address: Nagla Masani Khair Road, Keval Vihar, Bannadevi, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001

Opening hours: 5am - 11:45pm (daily)

Price: Free

3. Browse through the collection at Sir Syed House

Housed in Sir Syed Academy within AMU’s campus, Sir Syed House is a memorial for Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, who established the university in 1875, known as the Madarsatul Uloom at the time. During his lifetime, Sir Syed donned many hats – social reformer, philosopher, journalist, and educator predominantly – which the museum at Sir Syed House does a great job highlighting. Along with his personal belongings, the three galleries house an excellent collection of Sir Syed’s many contributions.

Sir Syed House

Address: Founder House, AMU Campus, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001

Website: Sir Syed House

4. Admire Jama Masjid's architecture

Also located within AMU’s campus is Jama Masjid, touted to be Asia’s highest dome. The mosque’s dome and minarets are richly inlaid with gold, making it unique and magnificent sight. Several thousands of tourists and locals head there to admire not just the goldwork, but a kaleidoscopic interplay of colours from its stained-glass windows during the day and exquisite calligraphy on the walls. Jama Masjid flaunts an entirely Islamic style of architecture, topped with three giant domes and flanked by towering minarets, making it very similar to the Jama Masjid in New Delhi. Head there, not only if you’re a devotee, but also if you’re an architecture enthusiast.

Jama Masjid

Address: Jama Masjid Rd, Upper Fort, Upperkot, City, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

5. Check out Maulana Azad Library's vast collection

Maulana Azad Library can very well be called AMU’s backbone, supporting all the research and educational rights that the university is associated with. The library boasts a collection of more than 15 lakh books, including manuscripts, journals, rare books (in Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Arabic, and Persian languages), and even artefacts (photographs and paintings)! While there are 110 department-specific libraries on-campus, Maulana Azad Library is the central, main library. However, do note that while visitors are allowed to browse through Maulana Azad Library’s vast collection, only university students are granted membership to borrow books.

Maulana Azad Library

Address: AMU Campus, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001

Website: Maulana Azad Library

6. Soak in AMU Botanical Garden's beauty

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

An undertaking of AMU’s Botany department, AMU Botanical Garden is an excellent spot to spend time if you’re a nature lover or a photographer. The place is rife with myriad species of flora as well as fauna (small animals and birds) that you can admire. What’s even better? It is located inside the Aligarh Fort, so you can easily double up both trips on the same day. You can lie back and enjoy a peaceful time here for hours and won’t regret it, so don’t miss it.

AMU Botanical Garden

Address: Qila, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 3pm - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 8pm

Price: Free entry

7. Spend a day of learning at Teerthdham Mangalayatan

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

A sprawling temple-cum-research complex, Teerthdham Mangalayatan is a Jain pilgrimage site, dedicated to Bhagwan Adinath, who’s the main deity. The complex houses five temples, with the one built for Bhagwan Adinath’s worship being the largest and most glorious, sitting atop a man-made Kailash Parvat (hill). This and the other four temples in the complex – Bhagwan Adinath Mandir, Bhagwan Mahavir Mandir, Bhagwan Bahubali Mandir, Sri Bhagwan Adinath Swami Manstambh, and Jinvani Mandir – are not just a devotee’s paradise, but an excellent learning centre of the Jain religion. Do head here for a day filled with devotion as well as learning!

Teerthdham Mangalayatan

Address: Aligarh-Agra Marg, Near Hanuman Chowki, Post- Sasni, Hathras, Uttar Pradesh 204216

Website: Teerthdham Mangalayatan

8. Engulf yourself in greenery at Naqvi Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Among the best places to enjoy outdoors, Naqvi Park is an abyss of abundant natural beauty, pleasing landscaping, and lots of cacophonies. The park is also known as Rajkeey Udhhan Jawahar Park and is not only a play park but also houses a nursery, from where you can purchase plants. If not at the nursery, spend your time casually strolling along the park’s well-paved walkways and admire the greenery and birds around. Naqvi Park is most crowded during early mornings and evenings (post-sunset), so time your visit if you want to avoid crowds.

Naqvi Park

Address: Civil Lines, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001

Opening hours: 5:15am - 10am, 2pm - 6:15pm (daily)

Price: 1 USD

9. Catch a movie at DD Cinemas

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

How about taking some time off from the sightseeing and catching a movie while on a holiday in Aligarh? DD Cinemas (Vadra Cinema) is among the town’s best movie theatres, equipped with comfortable seating and a snack bar, so you enjoy your movie-watching experience to the fullest. The movie hall runs all latest movie releases, for which you can buy tickets on-site or even via several online mediums. Just check-in and book your seats!

DD Cinemas

Address: Uday Singh Jain Rd, Katra, Barahdwari, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001

Website: DD Cinemas

10. Head to Landmark Shopping Mall for an outing

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Craving some retail or food therapy? Head to Landmark Shopping Mall. This is easily Aligarh’s most popular commercial haunt, attracting city locals to its many retail outlets and restaurants – Blackberry’s, Gianni’s ice cream parlour, and Moti Mahal are only to name a few. Come rain or hail, nothing should dampen your spirit for some extravagant spending at Landmark Shopping Mall!

Landmark Shopping Mall

Address: Marris Rd, Centre Point, Gulzar Nagar, Hem Chand Compound, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001

Website: Landmark Shopping Mall

Well connected Aligarh

Fortunately, Aligarh enjoys great connectivity to all major cities in India via train, bus, and roadways – so you can travel in whichever mode suits you best. Even locally, the town is well connected by public transport, with cycle rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and taxis strewn all around. So, don’t wait any longer and dive into your exploration right away.