The present district of Gorakhpur, 265 km east of capital Lucknow, on National Highway -28 lies between latitude 26° 46´ N and longitude 83° 22´ E, covers the geographical area of 3483.8 Sq. km. It is bounded by districts Mahrajganj in the north, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh and Mau in the south, Kushinagar and Deoria in the east and Sant Kabirnagar in the west.

Places of Interest in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur has been the land of ancient glory and medieval mysticism. It is endowed with magnificent monuments / temples of attraction.

Gorakhnath Temple

Gorakhnath temple is 4 km from Gorakhpur Railway Station on Nepal Road dedicated to great yogi Gorakhnath. It is one of the most prominent and magnificent temples of this area. A month-long 'Makar Sankranti Mela' is held every year commencing on 14th of january. Several Lakhsof pilgrims and tourists visit the temple especially during the Mela.

Vishnu Temple

The famous temple associated with a large statue of Lord Vishnu, made of Kasauti (Black) stone, belongs to the Pal dynasty of 12th Century A.D. Ram lila is organised here on the Dusshera festival. The procession is so grand that it fetches the tourist to visit in the season.

Geeta Vatika

Geeta Vatika is situated on Pipraich road, 3 km. from Railway station., is probably the only place where non-stop 24 hours prayers are offered for goddess 'Radha' the divine love of Lord Krishna. Grand temple of lord Radha - Krishna is the centre of attraction.

Arogya Mandir

Established by Late Bitthal Das Modi in 1940, it is being visited for Naturopathy. The patients are given natural treatment. Beautiful building and its green lustre premises are also worth seeing.

Imambara

Built by Hajrat saint Roshan Ali Shah in 1717 AD. It is famous for gold and silver Tajia. A Dhuni (smoke fire) is maintained continuously after sufi saint death.

Ramgarh Taal

Ramgarh Tal is a huge and natural lake spread in 1700 acres. Its beauty is attributed with Tara Mandal at its southern bank. Other attractions of this place are Water Sports Complex, Buddha Museum, Planetarium, Tourist Bunglow, Champa Vihar Park and Circuit House.

Gita Press

Gita Press is 4 km from Railway Station on Reti Chowk. All 18 parts of "Shree Mahabhagwat Gita" is written on marble walls. Other wall hangings and paintings reveal the events of life of Lord Rama & Krishna. All sorts of Hindu religious books and handloom textiles are sold here on subsidised rates.

Places of Interest around Gorakhpur

In eastern U.P., Gorakhpur is the place of cultural importance as the 'Cradle of Buddhism'.

Kushinagar

51 km east of Gorakhpur on National Highway no.28, Kushinagar is an international tourist place closely associated with legend Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism. It is one of the four sacred places of Lord Buddha. Buddha delivered his last sermon, attained Mahaparinirvana (salvation) in 483 BC and was cremated at Rambhar Stupa. The reclining nirvana statue of Lord Buddha inside the temple is 6.10 mt. long and is made of monolith red-sand stone of the 5th century A.D. It represents the 'Dieing-Buddha' reclining on his right side with his face towards the west. Being the death place of Lord Buddha, it is holy place for pilgrimage. Indo-Japanese Temple, Burmeses Temple, chinese Temple, Thai Temple, Korean, SriLankan, Tibettan temples, 15 Acres Meditation Park, Museum are the other attractions at Kushinagar.

Lumbini

Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha, situated across the border in Nepal, 124 km north west of Gorakhpur. Here stands the Ashoka Pillar which bears the inscriptions 'The shakyamuni born here ' in Prakrit language, commemorating the emperor's visit to this place in the 20th year his coronation.Temple of Lord Buddha's mother, Mahamaya, is of importance. New monastries of different countries are coming up.

Kapilavastu

97 km north of Gorakhpur, on the state highway-1A, Kapilvastu is now being developed as an International Buddhist Pilgrimage Centre. Here, Lord Buddha spent 29 years of his early life. There is big stupa, from where the relics of Buddha were discovered during excavations. Ruins of monastries & palaces can be seen at Ganvaria. Also, there are some other historical religious places of worship, the shivling, Narahi, Kubernath and Palta Devi are temples of attraction. Narahi temple is dedicated to Surya, the Sun god and built on the pattern of Konark Style. Chauri Chaura (Shaheed Smarak) 25 km from Gorakhpur, it is the place of historical importance. Here was the famous chauri-chaura incidence of the 4th Feb.1922 took place. Shaheed Smarak, Park and Museaum are of great attractions.

Maghar

Situated on National Highway -28, it is 27 km west of Gorakhpur in District Sant Kabir Nagar. It is the death place of great saint and social reformer of the medieval ages, sant Kabir Dass. The 'Mazaar' and 'Samadhi Sthal' of Kabir Das stand side by side as a living symbol of communal harmony. On Makar Sankranti, a five-days festival of communal harmony is held here every year.

Pawa nagar

It is a 'Nirvana' place of Lord Mahavir, 24th tirthankar, 72 km. away, east of Gorakhpur on the National Highway -28 . Followers of Jain sect organise a festival here on the next day of Deepawali every year, when lord Mahavir hasd attained salvation.

Tarkulha Devi

Tarkulha Devi, the local deity is closely associated with the great freedom fighter Bandhu Singh. A one-month long mela is held every year on the occasion of 'Chaitra Ram Navami'.