Apart from its scenic natural beauty, Gorakhpur is a city known for the wealth of art and artists. It is laced by beautiful mountains and hills towards the border of Nepal. Writers and poets like Premchand, Kabir, Mohd. Umar Khan Umar belonged to this place. Gorakhpur also played a significant role during the Indian Independence Movement. It was also home to faiths like Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Gorakhpur is a blend of breath taking natural beauty and a great treasure house of arts and culture.
Gorakhpur got its name from the renowned saint, Gorakshanath, the chief disciple of the yogi Matsyendranath. Together, Matsyendranath and Gorakshanath founded the Nath Sampradaya line of saints. Gorakhpur is the birth place of the Nath sect. Gorakhnath Temple is said to stand on the spot where Gorakshanath practised Hatha Yoga to develop self-control, and discipline the mind.
The Vedic literature mentions that the earliest monarch ruling this region was Iksvaku, the founder of the solar dynasty. The solar dynasty produced a number of kings- Lord Rama of the Ramayana is most well-known. The entire region was an important centre of Aryan culture and civilization, a part of the famous kingdom of Koshala, one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas (states) in 6th century BC India.
Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism, renounced his princely clothing at the confluence of the rivers Rapti and Rohini, near Gorakhpur, before setting out on his quest of truth in 600 BC.
The best time to visit Gorakhpur is between November and February. The weather is cool and pleasant most of the year.
The Indian Rupee (INR) is the acceptable form of currency here. There are a few places around town that exchange travellers cheques and foreign currency. Hotel Bobina is one of them.
A tourist visa applicable for the entire country (India) is sufficient.
By Road: The National Highway Number 29 passes through Gorakhpur. It is very easily accessible by road. A lot of buses operate from Lucknow, Faizabad, Kushinagar, Varanasi and Sunauli to Gorakhpur.
By Rail: Gorakhpur Railway Station connects to the major towns and cities in India. Getting a direct train is also recommended. However, the trains are frequently late.
By Air: The domestic airport at Lucknow is 265 kms away.
International Flight:
There are no direct connecting international flights to Gorakhpur. The nearest international airport is in Lucknow [265 kms]
Gorakhnath Temple: The temple is built in the honor of the medieval saint, Gorakshanath, a famous yogi who traveled widely across India and authored a number of texts that form part of the canon of the Nath faith.
The Gita Press: It is one of the world's largest publishers of Hindu religious texts. It is located in Gorakhpur city of India's Uttar Pradesh state. It was founded in 1923 and since then it has been credited for publishing more than 370 million copies of various Hindu religious texts at subsidized prices.
Buddhist Museum: near the lake on the outskirts is another tourist attraction.
Where To Eat:
There are a lot of eateries and joints in and around the town of Gorakhpur where one can enjoy the local cuisine. A special characteristic of this place is the warmth with which the localities and natives serve the food.
Where To Stay:
Gorakhpur is a very famous place in the Buddhist circuit and all through the year it receives a number of travelers, pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. There are many boarding and lodging options, good hotels and comfortable guest houses where one can stay.
Gorakhpur is well known for its handicrafts and handloom industry. It i famous for its handwoven fabric made on a Hathkargha, a hand-operated loom. Since it is a major commercial center, one can find a wide range of special looms, and designs, handicrafts, and artifacts to choose from.
Gorakhpur is an ancient delight. It blends mysticism with grandeur and that is what attracts people from all over the world. The scenic beauty is breath taking and so is the colorful culture.
