How to reach
Kanpur is on the mainline broad gauge rail network between Calcutta and Delhi. Kanpur is on National Highway 2 (Delhi-Agra-Allahabad-Calcutta) and NH 25 (Lucknow-Jhansi-Shivpuri). Some important distances from Kanpur are
- Allahabad 193 kms
- Lucknow - 79 kms
- Varanasi - 329 kms
- Bhopal - 369 kms
- Khajuraho - 398 kms
- Agra - 269 kms
- Jhansi - 222 kms
- Delhi - 438 kms
- Kolkatta - 1,007 kms
- Mumbai - 1,345 kms
- Chennai - 1,998 kms
Places to see
Bithoor
27 kms away on Kannauj road is a tranquil spot suffused with historical and religious significance. The place not only offers a trip back into the annals of history, it is a beautiful spot with lakes, gardens and boating facilities. Accomodation at tourist lodges at Tatyaganj (12 kms) and Fatehpur Roshnai (24 kms).
Valmiki Ashram deriving its name from the sage Valmiki, is located at a height and is accessible by a flight of stairs, which is known as the stairway to heaven. From the location of the Ashram, one can have a panoramic view of Bithoor.
Brahmavart Ghat is considered the holiest of the ghats of Bithoor. Devotees of Lord Brahma pray at the altar of the Wooden Slippers after taking a ceremonial bath in the Ganga river. A peg sticking out of a small temple is the axis around which the universe is turning.
Patthar Ghat a ghat built of redstone and founded by Tikait Rai, a minister of Awadh State, has a temple by its side, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The shivlinga in the temple is made of Kasauti, the philosopher's stone.
Dhruva teela is the place where the child Dhruva is believed to have meditated single-mindedly as he stood on one leg. As a reward, the God granted Dhruva the divine boon to shine for all time as a star. According to Hindu mythology, Dhruv continues to shine as a star called Dhruv-tara, that is, polar star.
Kannauj
It is 80 kms away and was the capital of Harshavardana. Though not much of the glorious past remains the temple of Ajaipal still remains. The town is the centre of the Indian essence (ittar) industry. Archaeological museum of Kannauj have vast variety of clayey idols which proves that at ancient time Kannauj was famous for art and culture like Mathura, Kashi and Kaushambi. Right from Maurya age it was a fully developed locality. The clay models found here shows that it was a very progressive district of ancient time, even Historical Chinese visitor Huen Tsang praised this district during his visit to India. The Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary has bird watching can be done from month of November to March. In month of December January and February it shows its maximum potential. Because during this season one can see maximum type of Birds over here at the Bahosi lake of 3 sq.km.area
Bhitargaon
59 kms on the Ghatampur-Sarh road 14 kms from Ghatampur, Bhitargaon is noted for its ancient brick temple a unique specimen of the brick architecture of the early Gupta period. The temple's interior is plain but the exteriors are decorated with carved brickwork and numerous terracotta panels. The temple is important as it is the sole survivor record of this early phase of Indian temple architecture.
Musanagar
65 kms away this ancient site with innumerable mounds, deserves mention because of the ancient temple of Muktadevi, said to have built in Treta Yug by Raja Bali. A fair is held in the temple on Kartik Poornima . Musanagar has yielded a number of artefacts and specimens of the post Harappan, Shunga, Maurya and Kushan periods.
Ghats on the river Ganga
On the bank of holy river Ganga, following holy ghats can also be seen.
- Sarsayya Ghat
- Aanandeshwar Ghat
- Bhagwatdas Ghat
- Siddheshwar Ghat
- Bhairon Ghat
- Rani Ghat