Varanasi

Varanasi is named after the two rivers Varuna and Asi, the two tributeries of river Ganga amidst which it lies. This cultural and religious centre of north India is also called Kashi. This city is a great centre of learning and houses the renowned Banaras Hindu University. There is a lot to see in this pilgrimage city. Numerous ghats, where pilgrims can be seen bathing, performing pujas etc are worth a visit. The Manikarnika ghat is believed to be the most auspicious. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Bharat Mata Temple, the Tulsi Manas Temple are the prime attractions of this ancient city and must be visited. Varanasi is also famous for its fabrics and especially the Banarasi Silk sarees. Chunar, Sarnath, Jaunpur, Vindhyachal and Kaushambi are in close proximity to Varanasi and must not be missed.

Getting There

By Air : Bapatpur airport is located 22km away from Varanasi.

By Road :Varanasi has an excellent network of roads to all the major cities of Uttar Pradesh.

By Rail : There are two railway stations in Varanasi, namely the Kashi Junction and the Varanasi Junction. One can also board trains from Mughalsarai, 10km from Varanasi.

Related Accommodations

There is a range of luxury and budget hotels to choose from. These hotels provide all the modern amenities and are cheap and convenient for both business and leisure travellers.

Did You Know?

• Varanasi is one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world.
• It is called by various names such as - Benares, Banaras and Kashi.
• Varanasi is also famous as " the City of Temples and Learning'.
• The major language used in the city is Kashika Bhojpuri.
• Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath, in the neighbourhood of Varanasi.

Attractions

Banaras Hindu University

This residential university was founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1917 and is the largest and oldest university in India. It is a centre for education in Indian art, music, culture, philosophy, Sanskrit, medical, engineering and many other recognised streams. Inside the university one can also see the Bharat Kala Bhavan having marvelous collection of old pictures of Varanasi and miniature paintings and sculptures of 1st to 15th century.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Popularly known as the Golden temple, it was rebuilt by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. It is one of the jhyotirlings and is dedicated to the Lord Shiva.

Ram Nagar Fort

This fort lies on the banks of river Ganga and is 14km away from Varanasi. Inside the fort visitors can see a musuem displaying collection such as vintage cars, palanquins, antique clocks, ivory work, armoury including swords, old guns and other things of royal era.

Sarnath

110kms away from Varanasi lies Sarnath, a place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after he attained enlightenment. Sarnath is famous for its monasteries and stupas and one can see here large numbers of Buddhist statues mainly of Buddha and Bodhisatva. The Dharmarajika stupa, built by Buddhist Emperor Ashoka can be seen here from which the four lions forms the national emblem of India.

Location

Poulary known as Banaras, this holy city lies on the banks of river Ganga in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Widely known for the Banaras Hindu University, the city is crowned with the title of 'the City of Spiritual Light'.