Call this city, known as the ‘Religious Capital of India’, Varanasi or Kashi or Banaras by any name, we are just talking about the city of Lord Shiva. Varanasi is also often addressed by other epithets such as ‘City of Temples’, ‘City of Lord Shiva’, ‘City of Lamps’, ‘The City of Knowledge’, etc. Because this city is also a center of education and culture.
The name “Varanasi” has been in use for centuries. Varanasi is named after the two rivers ‘Varuna’ and ‘Assi’ that border the city. The old city is situated on the northern bank of the Ganges, between the two rivers.
Other names of Varanasi – Avimukta | Mahashamshana | Benaras | Kashi
Located in the fertile Ganga Valley and on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is the ultimate spiritual place in India. This pilgrimage site attracts millions of Hindu pilgrims every year who come here to perform rituals, wash away sins, and come closer to the divine by bathing in the sacred waters of Mother Ganga. Banaras is a central place for pilgrimage, death, and mourning rituals in Hinduism. The Hindu community believes that dying in Varanasi leads to moksha or freedom from the cycle of rebirth. It is the holiest city among the seven holy cities of Hinduism and Jainism.
Table of Content
- Culture and Heritage in Varanasi
- Exploring the Old City
- Places to Visit in Banaras
- Facts about Varanasi
Culture and Heritage in Varanasi
Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world, making it rich in cultural heritage. The city is home to ghats, temples, museums, and many mythological places. The ghats and Buddhist sites of Sarnath attract tourists from all over the country and abroad. Thus, this city is a very important place for all three religions, Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist.
Banaras, world-famous as the spiritual capital of India, is famous for its temples. Temples across the city attract pilgrims. Varanasi has more than 2,000 temples along the banks of the Ganges River, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the ‘Golden Temple’, which is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Exploring the Old City
In the words of Mark Twain – “Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
In Benaras, tourists can experience the vibrant culture of the city through traditional music, dance, and food. The city is also a center for handicrafts like silk weaving and saree production, so practice haggling in the chaotic market for some beautiful souvenirs. Here are some tips to visit in the old city of Benaras.
- It is very crowded, so be prepared for large crowds, especially around the ghats and temples.
- It is best to dress modestly, as this is a holy city.
- Many cows and dogs are roaming the streets, so be aware of your surroundings.
- Be sure to bargain when shopping at the bazaars.
- A good pair of walking shoes is essential, as the streets are uneven and often crowded.
- Rickshaws are the best way to visit Kashi tourist places and roam the old, narrow streets.
Places to visit in Varanasi | Kashi Places
Ganga Ghats at Benaras
- Assi Ghat – A popular ghat in the southern part of Varanasi, known for its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful sunsets. Unlike other ghats, Assi Ghat is not used for cremation rituals.
- Dashashwamedh Ghat – The main ghat in Varanasi, where you can witness the captivating evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. This ghat is believed to be where Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during a yagna (fire sacrifice).
- Manikarnika Ghat – World’s one of the oldest and holiest cremation grounds. According to folk belief and religious texts, performing the cremation here leads to salvation i.e. one gets freedom from the cycle of life and death.
Major Attractions at Varanasi
- Ganga River – The soul of Varanasi, the Ganges River is considered sacred by Hindus. Millions of pilgrims visit Banaras every year to bathe in the holy waters and perform rituals. You can take a boat ride on the Ganges to see the city’s many ghats and witness the sunrise over the river.
- Banaras Ghats – Varanasi has over 80 ghats, i.e. stairs leading down to the banks of the Ganges River. These ghats are used for bathing, performing puja (ritual prayers), and cremation ceremonies.
- Jantar Mantar – Jantar Mantar is an observatory built in Varanasi in 1737 by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the kingdom of Amber (later called Jaipur).
- Ramnagar Fort – The Ramnagar Fort is a 17th-century fort in Ramnagar, Varanasi, India. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Ganges River, directly opposite the Tulsi Ghat. Built in 1750 from Chunar sandstone by Maharaja Balwant Singh, the fort now houses the Maharaja Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum.
- Dev Deepawali at Varanasi – Falls on the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartika, fifteen days after Diwali.
- Rangwali Holi in Varanasi – This is the main Holi celebration, observed across India, where people throw colored powder and water at each other. In Banaras, it’s a sight to behold with streets and ghats filled with revelers in a joyous explosion of color.
- Masan Holi (Holi of the Cremation Grounds) – A unique tradition to Varanasi, Masan Holi is a ritualistic celebration observed a day after Rangwali Holi. Devotees of Lord Shiva gather at the Manikarnika Ghat, the main cremation ground in Varanasi, and smear ashes and vibrant colors on each other. This practice signifies letting go of negativity and embracing the transformative power of life and death.
Must visit during Banaras Trip
- Ruchika Art Gallery – The talented artist recreates the breathtaking Varanasi ghats on her canvas, while also weaving magic with antique replicas and Ganesh models.
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU) -A central university established in 1916. It is one of the largest residential universities in Asia.
- Varanasi Cricket Stadium – Its architectural design will draw inspiration from Lord Shiva.
- Banarasi Saree – The saris are among the finest saris in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk, and opulent embroidery.
- Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum – is a museum that houses a collection of Indian art and artifacts.
Temples at Kashi, Uttar Pradesh
Mark Twain on Varanasi – “There are twenty million gods in India and he worships them all. In matters of religion, all other countries are paupers, India is the only millionaire.”
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple) – One of the holiest Shiva temples in India, and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (Shrines of Lord Shiva). Due to its significance, there can be long lines to enter the temple.
- Durga Temple (Monkey Temple) – A beautiful temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. There are many monkeys here.
- Bharath Mata Mandir – A temple dedicated to Mother India.
- Sankat Mochan Mandir Varanasi
- Shri Satyanarayan Tulsi Manas Mandir
- Shree Kaal Bhairav Temple / Kal Bhairav Temple Varanasi
- Nepali Temple
- Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath – The Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath is a circular stone Buddhist shrine with bird and script carvings, dating back to 500 CE. Sarnath is one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, located about 10 kilometers from Varanasi. This is where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Here you can explore the ruins of the ancient Buddhist monasteries and stupas, including the Dhamekh Stupa, which marks the spot where Buddha delivered his first sermon.
Facts about Banaras | Kashi is a Special
- How to travel from Ayodhya to Varanasi? – The cheapest way to reach from Ayodhya to Varanasi is by train to Varanasi Junction. The distance between Varanasi and Ayodhya is about 220 KM via NH 731 and NH 330. Usually, it takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach.
- Which time is best to visit Varanasi? – The best time to visit Varanasi tourist places is between October and February when Varanasi’s temperature dips. Another time is the monsoon months which are July, August, and September. Varanasi weather rises exponentially from March to June.
- Writers from Varanasi – It is the birthplace of many famous writers. Some of them are highly famous, whose names are as follows – Munshi PremChand, Tulsidas, Kabir, Sushruta, Vagish Shastri, Bharatendu Harishchandra
- Swami Sivananda Baba – awarded Padma Shri in 2022. He is a Yoga Teacher from Varanasi, India. His age is considered as about 128 years old. – Wikipedia, Official website of Swami Sivananda Ashram
- Temperature in Varanasi – During the summer, temperatures typically range from 22 to 46 °C (72 to 115 °F).
- International Airport – Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
“Har Har Mahadev“
