7 Places To Visit In Kanpur

Formerly named as’ Kanhpur’, this urban and densely-populated city is situated in Uttar Pradesh. It is also one of the biggest industrial and commercial towns in the country. This metropolitan city has many historical landmarks, religious shrines, entertainment hubs, and theme parks which makes it one of the most-preferred tourist destinations in India and abroad. What’s more, Kanpur is famous for its high quality leather goods, such as jackets, handbags, shoes, and belts. In fact, you can purchase these items at very cheap rate and without worrying about their authenticity.

Here’s our comprehensive list of 7 visit-worthy tourist places in Kanpur you shouldn’t forget to visit:

1. Jain Glass Temple

It is one of the famous Jain temples in India. Situated in Maheshwari Mohal, this religious shrine lies close to the well-known Kamala Tower. The whole structure is beautifully-adorned with glass murals and glossy mirror-work. Its interiors boast of lovely ornamental arches and high-grade marble floors. Also, its walls are decorated with several gorgeous and colorful wall paintings and stained-glass drawings to add to its overall visual appeal. It houses the idols of the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira, and his 23 ‘Tirthankaras’. This place of worship is dedicated to Jain philosophy, scriptures, and teachings.

2. Shri Radhakrishna Temple or JK Mandir

Set up by the prestigious J.K. trust, the temple-complex houses 5 shrines dedicated to 5 different Hindu deities. The main shrine is dedicated to Shri Radhakrishna. The remaining shrines are dedicated to Lord Laxminarayan, Lord Ardhanarishwar, Lord Hanuman, and Lord Narmadeshwar. It is a one-of-its-kind temple built using, both, ancient and new styles of Hindu architecture. The entire structure is made of white marble with ornate carvings. We suggest you to visit this temple especially during the Hindu festivals to truly experience its religious significance!

3. Kanpur Memorial Church

Walter Granville erected this Christian shrine in memory of the soldiers of British Army who died in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. This beautiful commemorative building is also called as All Souls Cathedral. Made of red bricks and decorated with stained glass work and polychrome dressings, this monument is an excellent example of the Lombardi Gothic style of architecture. Inside the cathedral, you’ll find memorial tablets and cenotaphs dedicated to the war martyrs. Similarly, there is a well-maintained memorial garden outside this church honoring the deceased soldiers.

4. Kanpur Gardens

The entire city is dotted with many large and small parks and gardens. Most of them are clean, well-maintained, and full of shrubs and crotons. Interestingly, a few of these lush-green gardens were built in pre-Independence period. Some of the most popular parks of Kanpur are Nana Rao Park, Mahatma Gandhi Park, Japani Garden, and Phool Bagh. Both local residents and sightseers, alike, frequently throng these places. If you’re looking for a place to escape the hustle-bustle of city life and enjoy the blissful beauty of Mother Nature, then do visit any or all of these places!

5. Allen Forest Zoo

Also called as Kanpur Zoo, this 190-acre sprawling zoological garden is located nearly 2 km away from the city centre. A British civil servant and botanist, Sir Allen established this expansive zoo within a naturally situated forest. In fact, there is a natural lake and countless ancient trees on its premises. It is home to numerous wildlife species, such as, Asiatic Lion, white tiger, sloth bear, cheetah, leopard, musk deer, baboon, langur, rhinoceros, and Indian gharial. You will also find African mammals such as orangutans and chimpanzees, here. Other major attractions include the Botanical garden, aquarium, aviary, and night house.

Many life-like tall statues of pre-historic dinosaurs are built on its ground to increase the charm of this enchanting place. Luckily, visitors can explore the zoo in their own vehicles, on foot, or by riding in the zoo’s battery-operated cab. However, no pets are allowed to enter this place.

6. Boodha Bargad

This ancient and dead Banyan tree, actually, has a historical significance. It stands erect on the grounds of the famous Nana Rao Park. According to Indian History, the British Army hanged 144 Indian revolutionaries at this place, after crushing the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Nonetheless, this tree serves as a memorial to honor the death of these Indian freedom fighters.

7. Jajmau Mound

According to Indian History, one of the oldest Indian civilizations flourished here, around 1300-1200 BC. The kingdom of the Pauranic king Yayati is believed to thrive years thousands of years ago. It is also believed that this place was known as ‘Siddhapuri’ at that time. Many archaeologists, historians, and tourists, visit this overhanging mound, situated near the River Ganga, throughout the year.

There are numerous lesser-known local attractions you might find visit-worthy. We recommend you to also checkout these places- Siddhartha Ghat, Makdum Shah ka Macqbara, and Jinnati Masjid. The Muslim ruler, Firoz shah Tughlaq constructed the tomb of the great Sufi saint Makdum Shah in the year 1358.

You can also travel to the holy township of ‘Bithoor’ which lies on the outskirts of the main city. This sacred pilgrimage site draws a large number of Hindu devotees and tourists, all year round.