Nawabganj — Travel Guide
Nawabganj, historically celebrated across the Rohilkhand region of Bareilly district as the premier sugarcane agro processing and Zari embroidery hub, the home of ancient Gangshewar Nath and Shiva shrines on the Pangaili river, and the gateway to the ancient Mahabharata ruins of Ahichchhatra, the Nath temples of Bareilly, and the tiger forests of Pilibhit, situated along 4 lane National Highway 30, is an engaging destination in Uttar Pradesh.
It works as a primary cultural crossroads where Rohilla heritage blends with fertile Tarai Gangetic agriculture, where vast sugarcane fields and aromatic basmati paddy line the Deoranian river channels, and where ancient brick stupas and Shiva temples welcome pilgrims across northern India.
Located at an elevation of 179 meters in Bareilly district, it sits 25 km southwest of Pilibhit, 30 km northeast of Bareilly Airport, 32 km from Bareilly city, 45 km from Pilibhit Tiger Reserve at Chuka Beach, and 50 km from Ahichchhatra.
Morning breezes drifting over sugarcane fields and traditional roadside halwai stalls carry the appetizing aroma of authentic Bedmi Puri served with spicy hing aloo sabzi, sweet milk Khurchan, crispy Balushahi, Paneer Pasanda, slow cooked Dal Makhani, and steaming clay kulhad cups of masala chai, while temple conches sound at dawn.
Historic temple spires, busy agro processing khandsari sugar mills, lively Zari Zardozi craft workshops, and passing highway transport define the daily rhythm of this Bareilly district market town.
Nawabganj is famous for its sweet sugarcane khandsari, hand embroidered Zari textiles, close proximity to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and Bareilly Nath Nagari, and rich Rohilkhand culinary traditions.
It's a practical base if you want to explore ancient Panchala ruins at Ahichchhatra, take jungle safaris in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, visit Bareilly's seven sacred Shiva temples, and taste authentic northern UP sweets.
The surrounding Bareilly territory holds deep antiquity shaped by the Panchala Kingdom of the Mahabharata, the Gupta Empire, the Katehr Rajputs, the Rohilla Afghan Nawabs, and the historic 1857 freedom struggle. From the towering brick fortifications of Pandu Qila to the peaceful water canals of the Sharda River, you'll discover rewarding cultural landmarks across the district.
Local life centers around sugarcane farming, jaggery processing, Zari embroidery stitching, rice milling, and warm rural hospitality. You can view the sunrise over the Pangaili river at dawn, explore the ancient stupas of Ahichchhatra by midday, and watch the sunset across the sal forests of Chuka Beach by evening.
Neighboring destinations like Bareilly, Pilibhit, and Shahjahanpur offer Alakhnath Temple, Chuka Eco Beach, and Ram Prasad Bismil Memorial. Adding Nawabganj to your travel plans works well for history enthusiasts, wildlife seekers, spiritual pilgrims, and road trippers exploring western Uttar Pradesh.
You can view the glowing golden sunset reflecting off the waters of the Sharda Sagar reservoir and watch the evening oil lamps illuminate the Shiva sanctums by dusk. The journey is worth every rupee. Nawabganj provides an authentic, peaceful, and culturally deep travel experience.
Planning your trip around the pleasant winter sightseeing season from October to March, the famous tiger safari season at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, or the sacred Sawan month celebrations at Bareilly Nath temples will give you the best experience across Uttar Pradesh. Here is the seasonal breakdown:
Best Time to Visit by Season
• Winter Season (October to March): The premier travel window. Pleasant, crisp, and sunny with daytime temperatures between 11°C and 25°C, ideal for jungle safaris in Pilibhit, archaeological walks at Ahichchhatra, and temple tours.
• Monsoon Season (July to September): Moderate to heavy rains swell the rivers and turn the Rohilkhand sugarcane farms and Terai forests lush emerald green.
• Summer Season (April to June): Warm and dry with daytime temperatures reaching 42°C. Early morning temple visits and evening market strolls are recommended.
Major Annual Cultural & Spiritual Celebrations
• Maha Shivaratri & Sawan at Nath Nagari Temples: Celebrated with all night holy water abhishekams and massive Kanwariya pilgrim processions across Bareilly.
• Urs e-Ala Hazrat, Bareilly: Annual international Sufi congregation drawing millions of devotees with Qawwali recitals and communal langars.
• Janmashtami & Diwali Mahotsav: Celebrated with illuminated homes, traditional sweet distributions, and colorful temple tableau pageants.
• Chuka Eco Fest (Pilibhit): Celebrated with eco tourism awareness programs, boating, and guided birdwatching walks.
What Nawabganj is Famous For
• Sugarcane & Zari Hub: Quality jaggery production and hand embroidered Zardozi textiles.
• Regional Heritage: Proximity to Ahichchhatra Mahabharata capital and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.
• Rohilkhand Flavors: Bedmi Puri with Hing Aloo, Khurchan sweet, and Mutton Seekh Kebab.
Reaching Nawabganj in Uttar Pradesh is simple because 4 lane National Highway 30 (Delhi Bareilly-Nawabganj Lucknow Highway), nearby Bareilly Junction and Pilibhit Railway Stations on Northern/North Eastern Railway, and Bareilly Airport provide reliable multi modal transit connectivity. Here is your complete transit guide:
By Air
• Bareilly Airport (BEK): Located 30 km southwest of Nawabganj (approx 40 minutes drive via 4 lane NH 30 with direct flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru operated by IndiGo and Alliance Air).
• Pantnagar Airport (PGH): Located 85 km north via NH 109.
• Airport Transfers: Pre paid cabs, rental taxis from Bareilly Airport, and UPSRTC express buses operate regular direct highway transfers.
By Train
• Bareilly Railway Junction (Station Code: BE): Located 35 km southwest of Nawabganj on Northern Railway's Delhi Lucknow mainline with extensive superfast express halts.
• Pilibhit Railway Junction (Station Code: PBE): Located 25 km northeast on the North Eastern Railway line.
• Bijauria Railway Station (Station Code: BJV): Located 8 km north with passenger train halts.
• Connecting Express Trains: Lucknow Mail, Shramjeevi Express, Kashi Vishwanath Express, and Vande Bharat Express connect Bareilly directly across India.
By Road
• National Highway 30 (Delhi Bareilly-Nawabganj Lucknow Highway): High speed 4 lane national highway passing directly through Nawabganj town.
• State Highway 33: Connecting smoothly with Pilibhit, Sitarganj, and Khatima.
• Bus Services: Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) operates frequent direct Janrath AC and Ordinary buses between Delhi (Anand Vihar ISBT), Lucknow, Bareilly, Pilibhit, and Nawabganj every 10 minutes.
Local Commuting
• Auto Rickshaws & E Rickshaws: Readily available at Nawabganj Bus Stand, NH 30 Flyover Chowk, and Main Market for quick local commuting.
• Rental Private Cabs: Hiring a private taxi is the most convenient way to explore the regional circuit covering Ahichchhatra ruins, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Chuka Beach, and Bareilly Nath temples in a single day.
Exploring local artisan markets and tasting authentic Rohilkhand, Bareilly, and Awadhi culinary specialties is an enjoyable part of visiting Uttar Pradesh. Here are the top items to buy and try:
What to Buy (Zari Embroidery, Jaggery & Sweets)
• Handcrafted Zari Zardozi Embroidery: Intricate gold and silver metallic thread embroidery on silk dupattas, velvet sherwanis, and wedding sarees.
• Pure Sugarcane Khandsari Jaggery (Gur): Chemical free golden jaggery blocks and spiced gur made from farm fresh sugarcane juice.
• Traditional Bareilly Cane & Bamboo Furniture: Lightweight, durable woven cane chairs, tables, and decorative mudhas.
• Famous Bareilly Surma (Kohl): Herbal Ayurvedic eye soothing kohl formulated by generational Unani practitioners.
• Pure Farm Fresh Mustard Oil & Basmati Rice: Cold pressed mustard cooking oil and aromatic Terai basmati grains.
Famous Local Food Specialties
• Authentic Bedmi Puri with Hing Aloo Sabzi: Crispy deep fried lentil stuffed whole wheat puris served with spicy asafoetida tempered potato curry and green chili pickle.
• Spiced Paneer Pasanda & Dal Makhani: Rich cottage cheese envelopes stuffed with nuts and simmered in velvety tomato gravy, paired with slow cooked black lentils.
• Flaky Sweet Balushahi & Milk Khurchan: Glazed ghee fried pastries soaked in sugar syrup, paired with caramelized layered milk scrapings.
• Bareilly Seekh Kebab & Mughlai Paratha: Minced spiced meat roasted over open charcoal embers, served with flaky griddled flatbreads and mint chutney.
• Steaming Clay Kulhad Masala Chai: Strong, boiling black tea brewed with fresh milk, crushed ginger root, and green cardamom.
Must-Visit Places in Nawabganj
Nawabganj and the surrounding Bareilly Pilibhit heritage corridor offer Mahabharata era fortress ruins, tiger reserve forests, sacred Shiva temples, and artisan bazaars. Here are the top attractions to visit during your stay.
1. Ancient Ahichchhatra Archaeological Fortress & Stupas (50 km)
The historic capital of Northern Panchala kingdom ruled by King Drupada, featuring colossal brick temple pyramids and excavated Buddhist stupas.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 50 km southwest near Aonla.
2. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve & Chuka Beach Eco Resort (45 km)
World famous Terai Arc wildlife sanctuary featuring dense sal forests, Sharda Sagar reservoir beaches, Royal Bengal tigers, and migratory waterbirds.
Timings: Morning and evening safari windows
Fee: Safari permit and vehicle entry charges
Route: Located 45 km northeast via Pilibhit.
3. Bareilly Nath Nagari Ancient Shiva Temples (32 km)
The sacred ring of seven ancient Shiva shrines including Alakhnath, Trivati Nath, and Dhopeshwar Nath that gave Bareilly the holy title of Nath Nagari.
Timings: 5:30 AM to 1:00 PM & 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 32 km southwest in Bareilly city.
4. Sri Gangshewar Nath Ancient Shiva Temple (Nawabganj)
Historic local Shiva shrine on the banks of the Pangaili river holding sacred Sawan Kanwar water offerings and Shivaratri fairs.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located in central Nawabganj.
5. Bareilly Jhumka Tiraha & Landmark Square (30 km)
Iconic brass Jhumka monument celebrating Bareilly's musical and cultural legacy, situated on the Delhi Lucknow highway intersection.
Timings: Open all day
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 30 km southwest on NH 30.
6. Dargah e-Ala Hazrat, Bareilly (32 km)
Renowned Islamic spiritual center and shrine of 19th century scholar Imam Ahmed Raza Khan, attracting pilgrims from around the world.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 32 km southwest in Bareilly.
7. Gauri Shankar Ancient Temple, Pilibhit (25 km)
Revered 250 year-old Shiva and Parvati shrine located on the confluence of the Devha and Khakra rivers.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located 25 km northeast in Pilibhit.
8. Pangaili & Deoranian River Valley Trails
Scenic countryside riverbanks lined with freshwater vegetation, mango orchards, and rural farming hamlets.
Timings: Daylight hours
Fee: Free access
Route: Located along rural river channels.
9. Nawabganj Sugarcane Khandsari & Jaggery Mandis
An active agricultural marketplace trading pure organic jaggery (Gur), khandsari sugar, and farm grains.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located along Mandi Road.
10. Nawabganj Handcrafted Zari Embroidery Workshops
Artisan cottage units where master craftsmen hand embroider silk dupattas, lehengas, and bridal poshak with gold thread.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located in Artisan Quarter.
11. Bareilly Zari Zardozi & Bamboo Furniture Bazaars
Colorful shopping streets where visitors can purchase world famous Bareilly Zari apparel, cane furniture, and Surma.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located along Kutubkhana Market.
12. Traditional Rohilkhand Sweet & Khurchan Shops
A delightful food market where travelers can enjoy authentic milk Khurchan, hot Balushahi, Peda, and Rabri Jalebi.
Timings: 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM daily
Fee: Free access
Route: Located near Main Chowk.
Nawabganj Photo Gallery & Attractions
Explore high-resolution photographs of iconic temples, historical monuments, and scenic landmarks in Nawabganj.
Plan Your Nawabganj Trip Now
Get the best verified hotel deals and customized tour packages. Book directly on EarthTrip and save up to 45%!
