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Varanasi Travel Guide
Discover the spiritual capital of India: A Varanasi Travel Guide
Varanasi is a city located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world, and it is known for its spiritual significance. Varanasi is a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims, who come to the city to bathe in the holy River Ganges and to visit the many temples and shrines.
Getting Around: To get to Varanasi, you can fly into the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, which is located about 20 kilometers from the city center. From the airport, you can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to your destination. Alternatively, you can take a train to Varanasi, with several trains departing from major cities such as Delhi and Kolkata.
Places to visit: When visiting Varanasi, be prepared to immerse yourself in the city's rich culture and history. The best way to experience the city is to take a boat ride along the Ganges, where you can see the many ghats (steps leading down to the river) and the cremation rituals that take place along the riverbank. Be sure to visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most sacred temples in Hinduism, as well as the Sarnath Museum, which showcases artifacts from the Buddhist era.
Stay options: In terms of accommodations, there are many options to choose from in Varanasi. From budget hotels to luxury resorts, you can find a place to stay that suits your budget and preferences. For a truly unique experience, consider staying in a traditional Indian haveli (mansion), where you can enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals.
Food & cuisine: When it comes to dining in Varanasi, there are many delicious options to choose from. The city is known for its street food, and you can find vendors selling everything from chaat (savory snacks) to lassi (yogurt-based drinks). Be sure to try some of the local specialties, such as kachori (deep-fried dough filled with spices) and jalebi (sweet syrup-coated fried dough).
Overall, Varanasi is a fascinating destination that offers a glimpse into the spiritual heart of India. Whether you are interested in learning about Hinduism and Buddhism or simply exploring the city's rich culture, Varanasi is a must-visit destination.
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MAKE AN ENQUIRYBest Places To Visit In Varanasi
From historical cities to natural wonders, come see the best of Varanasi.
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples, It was constructed in the year 1780 by the Maratha monarch, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of the Indore.
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Dashashwamedh Ghat is situated on the banks of river Ganga in Varanasi, near Kashi Vishwanath temple, Here is one of the famous 88 Ghats of Varanasi. This Ghat is famous for Ganga Aarti,This Ghat was built by Bajirao Peshwa in 1740 AD.
Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat (Cremation Grounds ), is situated on the banks of holy river Ganges in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, This ghat is one of the sacred 88 Ghats of Varanasi, Hindu mythology is associated with it According to one Lord Brahma built it to welcome Lord Shiva.
Sankat Mochan Temple
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple Dedicated to the Hindu deity Hanuman, located in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, the temple was founded by the famous Hindu preacher and poet saint Shri Goswami Tulsidas in the early 16th century.
Ramnagar Fort
Ramnagar Fort Located on the eastern bank of the holy Ganges in Varanasi, Ramnagar Fort is a sandstone-fortified structure built by Raja Balwant Singh (Kashi Naresh), in the 18th century, where the present king, Anant Narayan Singh now resides in the fort.
The Bharat Mata Mandir
The Bharat Mata Mandir (literally, Mother India Temple) located in Varanasi's Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith campus, was built by the university's founder and freedom fighter Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta, Construction of Bharat Mata Mandir began in 1918 and completed in 1924. The temple was officially inaugurated in 1936 by Mahatma Gandhi.
New Vishwanath Temple, BHU
The Naya Vishwanath Temple is a Hindu temple located on the campus of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the popular temples in Banaras and one of the biggest tourist attractions in the holy city of Varanasi. The new Vishwanath temple has a similar structure to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Made of marble, this temple has been designed by the founder of BHU, Mr. Madan Mohan Malviya. With a height of 253 feet, the temple has the tallest minaret in the world. In fact, it is a temple complex consisting of 7 temples. The Shiva temple is located on the ground floor, while the Durga temple and Lakshmi Narayan temple are located on the first floor. The walls of the temple are adorned with magnificent sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses. Other temples within the temple complex are Nataraja, Mata Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Panchmukhi Mahadev, Lord Hanuman, Saraswati and Nandi. The temple is open to all people irrespective of religion, caste and creed.
Assi Ghat
Assi Ghat is one of the famous Ghats on the banks of river Ganges in Varanasi. Situated at the confluence of the Ganges and Assi rivers, it is the southernmost Ghat of Kashi and one of the important places of Varanasi. The Ghat is famous for a large Shiva Lingam under a Peepal tree. The place boasts of another ancient temple which has a Shiva Lingam, which is known as Asisangameshwara Lingam. It was also the place where famous saint poet Tulsi Das completed the famous literary work Ramcharitmanas. There are many references to the Assi Ghat in early Hindu literature, including the Agni Purana, Matsya Purana, Padma Purana, Kurma Purana and Kashi Khanda. According to mythology, after killing the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, Goddess Durga threw her sword into the river Assi. Assi Ghat is called Assi Saimbeda Tirtha in Kashi Khand and is one of the five special ghats visited by pilgrims during Panchtirth Yatra.
Ganga Aarti
Ganga Aarti is a splendid evening ritual in Varanasi. Aarti, or worship of the river Ganges, takes place every day in the evening. The ceremony is performed by a group of priests at the ghats. Between the blowing of conch shells, the ringing of several bells, the roaring of brass cymbals and chanting of mantras, priests worship the Ganga, the lifeline of Varanasi, with brass lamps on several levels. The priests performing the aarti are all dressed in the same clothes – a kurta and a dhoti. The preparations for the aarti include gathering of five tall pakhts, idol of Goddess Ganga, flowers and incense sticks. The aarti rituals are performed by scholars from the Vedas and Upanishads and are led by the chief priest of the Gangotri Seva Samiti. The aarti lasts for about 45 minutes.
Durga Temple
Durga Temple or Durgakund Temple is a major Hindu temple located near the Tulsi Manas Temple in Varanasi. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Banaras. Devoted to Goddess Durga, the Durga temple was built by the Bengali Queen in the 18th century. According to legend, the idol in the temple is not made by humans, but it is visible on its own. It is believed that Goddess Durga has protected Varanasi for many centuries from the south. The temple is known with the name of the monkey temple as tourists can see the number of monkeys in the area around the temple. The temple was built in the Nagra style of architecture. The temple is painted in red with ocher to match the colors of the central icon of Durga, the goddess of power and power.
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