Kanpur, previously known as Kanhapur, is a booming city cradled on the banks of the river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. This busy city is making a mark as a top industrial hub and a financial centre of North India. As a developing city, it is getting noticed for its colonial architecture and gardens. It is also famous for its leather and textile industry. With a sneak peek about the city, we give the ones who live there or plan to visit, a list of alluring weekend getaways from Kanpur to unwind.

Take a break from city life to explore some of the most enticing destinations that just need 2-3 days of your time. Be it a family, friends, or a couples trip; our picks are just perfect for ‘em all.

Let’s get to the quest then. 

Khajuraho

This beautiful, unique named town is also known as Kharjuravahaka, derived from Sanskrit, meaning ‘bearer of date palms’. The world-renowned group of temples built by the Chandela dynasty is nestled between small hills and rivers in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of Hindu and Jain temples. According to history, only 20-25 of the temples have survived over the years. The site is gifted with various water bodies, namely Sib Sagar, Khajur Sagar, and Khudar Nadi. This historical place makes for one of the best family weekend getaways from Kanpur.

We have handpicked a few places one must visit.

Kandariya Mahadev Temple

It is known to be one of the largest temples of the Khajuraho monuments and one of the best-preserved from the medieval period. The name Kandariya Mahadev Temple translates to ‘the Great God of the Cave’. This temple dedicated to the deity Lord Shiva was built during the rule of King Vidhyadhara. The architecture is compared to the design of a hexagon representing 3 forms of Lord Shiva.

This stunning temple is said to be built in the form of a mountain inspired by the steep Mount Meru. It resonates ancient luxury with its delicate sculptures and architecture. It is home to the glorious pure marble sculpture of Shiva Linga. This makes for one of the most historical weekend getaways from Kanpur.

Brahma temple

The temple is situated on the banks of Khajuraho Sagar Lake. The monument got its name by mistake as the people who worshipped here mistook the statue of Shiva with many faces to be Brahma. This temple is built of granite stones with a shikhara (the top of the main area where the idol of the god is placed) made of sandstone. It has a pyramid-like design. The temple is decked with minimal intricacy and more geometrical structures.

Lakshmana Temple

This Hindu temple built by Yashovarman, a king of the Chandela dynasty, is known to be one of the oldest temples among the Khajuraho monuments. It has a ‘panchayatana’ style of architecture, meaning 1 main shrine accompanied by 4 smaller shrines. The main idol sculpture of the temple is of ‘Vaikunta Vishnu’, which has 3 faces and 4 arms. The central head is of a human, while the other 2 sides have faces of Varaha (an avatar of Lord Vishnu that has a boar face with a human body) and of Narasimha (an avatar of Lord Vishnu that has a lion face with a human body). Monuments at Hampi are another place where you can get lost in the intricate architecture, magnificent temples, and delicately carved sculptures.

Chitragupta temple

This magnificent 11th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Chitragupt (God who keeps account of the actions of humans) and Lord Surya (Sun God). It holds a large sculpture of Lord Surya riding a chariot with 7 horses. The outer part of the temple is adorned with various erotic sculptures, surasunadari (a young female who signifies sensual beauty and grace). It also has a glorious 11-headed Vishnu sculpture. The large hall within the temple has a beautiful octagonal ceiling. These places are a must-visit for great weekend getaways from Kanpur with family.

A list of other temples and spots to explore near Khajurao:

• Matangeshwar Temple – A sandstone temple home to a magnificent Shiva Linga. 
• Parsvanath Temple – It is one of the largest of the Jain temples of Khajuraho. It houses beautiful Vaishnavism (followers of Vishnu) themed structures.
• Adinath Temple – A beautiful temple dedicated to Jain Tirthankara Adinath. It is beautified with various forms of sculptures of Surasundaris, Vidhyadharas (Supernatural beings in a few religions who possess magical powers), and yali (a mythical part lion, elephant, and horse beast), which is also found in many South Indian temples.
• Panna National Park – Situated in the Vindhya mountain ranges, it is one of the many tiger reserves in India.

Wasn’t that exciting enough to get on top of the list for your next weekend getaways from Kanpur? 

Distance from Kanpur: 220 kms 

Best time to visit: Early Winter to early Summer

Transport: Bus, Train, Taxi, or a personal transport

Orchha

Orchha is a quiet town speckled with historical monuments located on the banks of the river Betwa in the Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh. The name of the town means ‘hidden’. This beautiful old soul place is home to breathtaking palaces and temples. Far from the hustle-bustle, it is one of those places that takes you back in time, leaving you spellbound. It is perfect for those quick plans with your friends or family for weekend getaways from Kanpur by car.

Here’s our list of places to cover in Orchha.

The Orchha Fort

This enchanting fort houses 3 palaces that capture the beauty of time. It’s where you can begin to uncover the history of the place. 

• Jehangir Mahal – It was built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo during the 17th century to mark the visit of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir. The overall architecture is beautified with the delicate chhatris.
• Raj Mahal – The most grandiose of them all is the Raj Mahal, built by Madhukar Shah in the 17th century. The outer part may carry a simplistic touch with delicate chhatris, while the interiors are marvellous with grand murals in bold hues. 
• Rai Praveen Mahal – Dedicated to the poetess-musician Rai Praveen, this stunning palace is situated between gardens. 

These places are intriguing enough to make you plan one of the most historical weekend getaways from Kanpur. Experience the majestic aura of some of the other greatest forts of India.

Ram Raja temple

At the heart of the city is this wondrous palace-turned temple devoted to Lord Ram. This is the only place where the god is also worshipped as King Ram. The other significant temples which are a must-see here are Chaturbhuj Temple and Laxminarayan temple.

Cenotaphs (Chhatris) 

There are a total of 14 chhatris, and each one is a memorial to a ruler of Orchha.

One can enjoy the thrill of rafting in the Betwa river or visit the Orchha Bird Sanctuary.

Distance from Kanpur: 232 kms 

Best time to visit: Early Winter to early Summer

Transport: Bus, Train, Taxi, or a personal transport

Gwalior

Gwalior is an ancient city drenched in history. It is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh and is known as its tourist capital. This place takes you to those filmy moments where one just walks into the past. The then rulers, Rajputs, and Marathas have imprinted their grandeur in the form of palaces, forts, and temples. Most of the palaces are now partially accessible to the public in the form of museums, and some have been taken over as government offices. The rest of it is residence to the descendants of the royal family.

Here’s what one shouldn’t miss in the historical spot.

The Gwalior Fort

This majestic fort, situated on a hill, in all its glory, has been a part of history for years, ruled by many kings. It is known to be home to various inscriptions and carvings, and one of the most prominent of it all is the inscription of the number zero, which is around 1500 years old. It’s the second place to record this spectacle. Enthralling enough to plan a trip? We think so! Make Gwalior your next weekend getaways from Kanpur.

Man Mandir Palace

An enthralling location that has a blend of medieval and Hindu architecture. It resonates timeless beauty and holds great historical value. King Man Singh Tomar built it in the 15th century. It was also captured and used as a prison during the Mughal era.

Ghaus Tomb

A medieval Mughal architectural piece that has extravagant delicate stone lattice carvings. It also houses the samadhi of Tansen, a student of Ghous Mohammed and the treasured musician of Emperor Akbar’s court.

A few other places to add to your list are:

Saas Bahu Mandir, Sun temple, Gwalior Zoo, Sarod Ghar and samadhi of Rani Laxmi Bai. You can also enjoy a stride at the Italian garden enclave connected to the Moti Mahal.

Distance from Kanpur: 265 kms 

Best time to visit: Early Winter to early Summer

Transport: Bus, Train, Taxi, or a personal transport

Dudhwa National Park

Amidst the marshy grasslands of the Terai belt in Uttar Pradesh lies Dudhwa National Park, which is home to abundant fauna and a few endangered species. Tigers, leopards, and various deers, namely swamp deer, spotted deer, barking deer, and hog deer, are found in the forest. It is also home to civets and jackals. Hispid Hare, which was recently rediscovered, was thought to be extinct.

Dudhwa is a bird watcher’s paradise with over 350 species, including woodpeckers, storks, bulbuls, kingfishers, etc. The place also houses Banke Tal lake, a key place to spot birds. White-rumped vulture, one of the endangered species, is found in this place. Visit the UP eco-tourism website to know the timings and booking details. Maybe make one of the next weekend getaways from Kanpur a wild ride by visiting this national park.

Distance from Kanpur: 295 kms 

Best time to visit: Winter to Summer

Transport: Taxi or a personal transport

Agra

Agra, home to one of the wonders of the world, is cradled on the banks of the river Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. The capital of the Mughal Empire houses beautiful monuments that attract tourists from across the world. It is one of those places where you can plan weekend getaways from Kanpur for couples.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a monument of beauty that captures love in all its essence. It is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. The marvel is an abode where timeless love stories have been made. The name translates to ‘Crown of the palace’, and was built in the memory of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s most beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This enchanting white marbled wonder is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Indo-Islamic-Persian architecture is breathtaking. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains.

Agra Fort 

Agra fort’s history has been lost with time, but it came to be established during the rule of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. It is located on the banks of the river Yamuna. This architectural marvel is made out of red stone and was called ‘Lal Quila. The place holds great significance for the number of rulers and royal families it has housed through the centuries. It has 4 gates, amongst which 2 are prominently known, the Delhi Gate and the Lahore Gate. These are considered a masterpiece of the ancient era.

Distance from Kanpur: 275 kms 

Best time to visit: Early Winter to early Summer

Transport: Bus, Train, Taxi, or a personal transport

These 5 splendid weekend getaways from Kanpur are sure to get you excited about planning a vacation soon. 

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