Walking through the streets of Jaunpur, the bustle of its crowded bazaars and the splendid aura of its historical monuments will have you transported back and forth through eras. Evading the frenzied routine of urban spaces, it continues to bask in the glory of its timeless heritage. Evolving in the shadow of the epic city of Varanasi, Jaunpur brings you a fascinating blend of ancient Vedic culture and the venerable traditions of Sufism. Built on the banks of the river Gomti, it is here that the ruler Hussain Shah, or ‘Gandharva’ as he called himself, composed several melodious ragas of Hindustani classical music. Even today, the majority of the people here converse in the poetic languages of Awadhi and Urdu.
A part of the Varanasi division of Uttar Pradesh, Jaunpur is known for its rich culture and historical significance. The city was founded in the 14th century by Feroze Shah Tughlaq, who named it Jaunpur in memory of his cousin Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, fondly known as Jauna Khan. Over the years, it was conquered and ruled by many regimes including the Sharqi dynasty and the Mughals.
Proud of its phenomenal history, Jaunpur has much to entice and captivate travelers. The city is a treat for history buffs and enthusiasts of ancient architecture. From the mosques of the Sharqi dynasty to the various Mughal monuments, the city is embellished with many marvelous specimens of age-old arts. One such fascinating structure is the Turkish bath inside the Shahi Qila. Popularly known as Bhoolbhulaiya, navigating through its maze-like channels is indeed an exciting experience.
Graced by the presence of ancient religious sites, Jaunpur is an important destination for those on a spiritual trail. The Vedic and Sufi influences that enrich its culture have endowed the city with a number of sacred places of worship, including temples as well as mosques.
If you wish to experience the true Jaunpuri essence of the city, step into the local markets. Here a whole new aspect of Jaunpur unfolds as you witness the traditional arts and artifacts displayed through the small shop windows. The kota doria and sheer organdie fabrics embroidered with elegant patterns of chikankari and zardosi are a specialty of Jaunpur. You can also shop for jewelry and wares of the Bidri and Zarbuland silver, handloom woven Persian carpets, and fragrant oils known as ittar.
Finish your meals with the delectable dessert known as imarti, which is a local delicacy made from urad flour.
The best and most convenient way of traveling in Jaunpur is by a cycle-rickshaws. They can be hired directly from the streets and allow you to easily navigate the narrow streets or the traffic. Auto-rickshaws and public buses are also available for traveling to and from the major areas in Jaunpur. Taxis can be hired from the various fleet owners in the city, for a comfortable alternative.
On a daily basis there are approximately 33 flights that operate at Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport.Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.
Besides flying you can also reach Jaunpur through train.Jaunpur Jn, Jaunpur Cityare some of the most popular train stations in Jaunpur.On an average about 66 trains pass through Jaunpur on a daily basis.Varanasi to Jaunpur, Shahganj to Jaunpur, Akbarpur to Jaunpurare some of the most popular routes to Jaunpur with 89, 68, 56 trains weekly respectively.
By road Jaunpur is surrounded by Bhadohi, Varanasi, Azamgarh which are 25.6 km, 34.37 km, 38.04 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.