Varanasi

Varanasi

Varanasi is also famous as Benares, Banaras or Kashi. It is situated on the bank of Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is a major religious hub in India, it is the most holy place of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism, and it is also a holy city for Buddhists. Varanasi is famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, ivory works, and sculpture. Chinese traveller Xuanzang also called as Hiuen Tsiang, who visited the city around 635 CE. He found that the city is a Centre of religious and artistic activities.

Buddha founded Buddhism in Sarnath about 528 BCE when he gave his first sermon. In the 8th century, Adi Shankara established the worship of Shiv as an official sect of Varanasi. During the Muslim rule, the city continued as an important Centre of Hindu devotion, pilgrimage, religion and poetry. Ram Charit Manas which was an epic poem Written by Tulsidas in Varanasi. Guru Nanak stayed Varanasi for Maha Shivaratri in 1507, a trip that played a big role in the founding of Sikhism.

Varanasi has been a cultural and religious Centre of India for numerous thousand years. According to Hindu religion that getting cremated on the banks of Ganga River allows one to break the cycle of rebirth and attain salvation. Varanasi is famous worldwide for its many Ghats, where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions. These famous Ghats are Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Panchganga Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat.

History

According to Hindu mythology, there was a fight between Brahma and Shiva, one of Brahma's five heads was cut by Shiv. Shiv did not give respect Brahma's head and kept it with him at all times. During the Varanasi visit, the Brahma’s hanging head dropped from Shiva's hand and disappeared in the ground. So Varanasi is considered a very holy place.

It is said that the Pandavas are visited Varanasi to atone for their sin of Brahmanahatya that they had done during the Kurukshetra War. Varanasi is considered as one of seven holy places (Sapta Puri) which can give Moksha. Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi, Kanchi, Avanti, and Dwarka are the seven cities known as salvation that helps to break the cycle of rebirth.

Tourist Places in Varanasi

Not only Domestic tourist visit Varanasi but foreign tourist visit for Ghats and Sarnath.

Ghats

Varanasi has at least 84 Ghats, most of which are used for bathing and puja ceremony by pilgrims. While a few are used as Hindu cremation places.

Dashashwamedh Ghat

The Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main Ghat which is located on the Ganga, close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is probably the oldest Ghat of Varanasi located. It is said that Brahma made this Ghat to welcome Shiv and sacrificed ten horses during the Dasa-Ashwamedha Yajna done there. In the evening a group of priests performs Agni Pooja daily at this Ghat as a dedication to Shiva, Ganga, Surya, Agni and the whole universe. Aarti is held on every Tuesdays and on festivals.

Manikarnika Ghat

The Manikarnika Ghat is also called Mahasmasana. It is the main place for death anniversary rituals in the city. According to Hindu myth an earring of Sati (wife of shiv) fell here. In Gupta period also mention this Ghat.

Jain Ghat

It is said that the Jain Ghat or Bachraj Ghat is birthplace of Suparshvanatha (7th Tirthankara) and Parshvanatha (23rd tirthankara). This Ghat has three Jain Temples on the banks of the River and one of them is a very old temple of Tirthankara Suparswanath.

Temples

There are around 23,000 temples in Varanasi. The most popular temples are the Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Shiva, the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and the Durga Temple.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shiv temples in Varanasi on the bank of Ganga. This temple is also known as the Golden Temple was built in 1780 by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. There are the two pinnacles of the temple covered in gold that were given by Punjab ruler Ranjit Singh in 1839. Every day rituals, prayers, and Aartis are performed at the temple between 02:30 and 23:00.

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is dedicated to Hanuman which is situated by the Asi River. The present temple was made by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the founder of Banaras Hindu University.

Durga Mandir and Durga Kund

Durga Mandir and Durga Kund are dedicated to the goddess Durga in Varanasi. During Navratri a lot of Hindu devotees come to Durga Kund to worship the goddess Durga. The temple complex has a tank of water called the Durga Kund (pond or pool). Annapurna Temple is dedicated to Annapoorna devi, the goddess of food. It is situated nearby to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Parshvanath Jain temple

Parshvanath Jain temple is dedicated to Parshvanath, the 23rd Thirthankara. Parshvanath Jain temple is the temple of Jain religion. It is situated in Bhelapur about 5 kilometres from the Centre of Varanasi city. It belongs to the Digambar and is a sacred Tirth or pilgrimage Centre for Jains.

Sarnath

Sarnath is located about 10 K.M far of Varanasi. It is nearby the confluence of the Ganga and the Varun Rivers. In Sarnath Buddha first taught the Dharma. From here the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna.

Sarnath is one of the four places of pilgrimage for Buddhist. Buddha gave his first teaching after attaining enlightenment, in which he taught the four noble truths and the teachings related with it. It is believed that Buddha to have founded Buddhism here about 528 BCE when he gave his first sermon, "The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dharma", at Sarnath.

Jantar Mantar

The Jantar Mantar is situated above the Ghats along the Ganges. It is adjacent to the Manmandir and Dasaswamedh Ghats and was built in 1737.

Ramnagar Fort

The Ramnagar Fort is situated on the bank of Ganga and opposite the Tulsi Ghat.  The Ramnagar Fort was made with cream-coloured sandstone in the 18th century by Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh. The fort and its museum are the source of the history of the kings of Benares. Museum contains a rare collection of American vintage cars, bejewelled sedan chairs, an impressive weaponry hall, and a rare astrological clock. Because of scenic position, fort is commonly used as an outdoor shooting location for films and serials.

How to reach Varanasi

By Air: The nearest airport to Varanasi is Varanasi Airport which is 21.3 km far. Varanasi airport is connected to major cities in India like Delhi and Mumbai. Cabs are available to reach Varanasi.

By Train: The nearest Railway Station is Varanasi Railway Station and Kashi Railway Station. It is 4 km away from the Dasaswamedh Ghat. The Varanasi railway station is well connected by railway networks with major railway stations of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Lucknow. 

By Road: Varanasi is well connected by roads and highways with northern states of India. Ac and normal Buses and private cars to Varanasi are easily available from Delhi and other parts of North India.

Best time to Visit

Varanasi can be visited any time of the year. The best time is to visit it from November to February. These months are enjoyable.