Prayagraj lies at Sangam or the Confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers. It is believed to be the second oldest city in India and plays a central role in Hindu scriptures. The Mughal Emperor Akbar named it Illahabad, or the city of God, which the British changed to Allahabad.

 Varanasi is among the oldest living cities in the world and its antiquity finds place in ancient scriptures. Located along the Ganga it is a sacred place for all Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.

An episode of Ramayan, a page of ancient history and a cluster of tourist attractions, this town has been a major centre for pilgrims, historians, archaeologists and students alike.

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, lies in the middle of the Heritage Arc. This bustling city, famed for its Nawabi era finesse and amazing food, is a unique mix of the ancient and the modern.

Famed in Hindu mythology, Chitrakoot is celebrated in ballads and scriptures for its religious importance and close association with the epic Ramayan.

The 80ft Buddha statue is one of the many stops in the Buddhist pilgrimage and tourist routes in Bodh Gaya, Bihar (India).