Varanasi Travel Guide

Varanasi   (also known as Banaras) is situated on the west bank of the Ganga at a point where it sweeps in a great bend north before resuming its southeast course to the sea.

It is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus  who believe  that to die in the city is to attain  instant  salvation. Situated on the banks of the Ganga, Varanasi is the tract of holy land lying between the rivers Varuna and Assi, which flow into the Ganga. It derives its name from these two streams. Varanasi is also known as Kashi the city of light since one of the twelve ‘Jyotirlinga’ is installed here. It is believed to be the greatest ‘Tirth’ or crossing place between the earth and heaven. For a Hindu to visit Varanasi and bathe in he water of the Gangas is said to be cleansed of the sins of the thousands of past rebirths. The Combination of Kashi the holy city, Ganga the celestial river and Shiva the supreme god makes Varanasi an immortal destination.

Varanasi has been a great cultural centre especially in the fields of music learning and the craft of silk weaving. Some of the most renowned exponents of music have drawn their inspiration from Varanasi. Banaras brocades are treasured textiles and considered as collector’s items.
N.B. There are frequent power cuts, so always carry a torch in the evening.

Places of attraction

Front ( Ghats ): Varanasi’s principal attraction is the long string of ghats that line the western bank of the Ganges. The 4 kms. sweep of Ghats is best viewed  at dawn when thousands of devotees perform  their rituals  every day. The hundred and more ghats on the river are the main attraction for visitors to Varanasi. The Dasaswamedh  Ghat is popularly  the most convenient  starting  point, named as the ‘Place of ten Horse Sacrifices’ performed  here by Brahma, God of Creation. Bathing here is regarded as being almost as meritorious as making the sacrifice.

The Kashi Vishvanath Temple : Also known as the Golden Temple is the most sacred temple in Varanasi and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Shivlinga in this temple has remained the devotional focus of Varanasi. Ahalya Bai Holkar of Indore built the current temple in 1777. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the temple but can view it from the upper floor of a silk shop across the street.

Annapurna Temple : Near the Vishvanath Temple stands this important temple which has an idol of Goddess Annapurna. Peshwa Baji Rao I the Maratha chieftain built it in 1725. Annakoot festival is held here after Deepavali.

Gyanvapi Mosque: Built by Aurangzeb, near Vishvanath Temple. With 71 mts high minarets shows evidence of the original Hindu Temple in the foundations the columns and at the rear.

Tulsi Manas Temple : The modern temple is situated at the place where Tulsidas the great medieval saint wrote the epic-The Ramacharitmanas and is dedicated to Lord Rama.  The walls here engraved with verses and scenes from the epic composed in a Hindi dialect instead of the conventional Sanskrit and are open to all.  It is the modern marble Sikhara-style temple built in 1964.

Bharat Kala Bhavan ( Banaras Hindu University ): Varanasi has long been a centre of learning and that tradition is continued today at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), one of the prestigious educational centres of India built in 1917. One of the oldest education centres in India Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya the great nationalist founded it for the study of Indian art , culture, music and Sanskrit.

Durga Tempe: The Durga Temple is commonly known as the Monkey Temple due to the many frisky monkeys that have made it their home. Located about 2 kms. south of the old city this small temple was built in the 18th century by a Bengali maharani  and is stained red with ochre. Durga is the ‘terrible’ form of Shiva’s consort Parvati so at festival there are often sacrifices of goats.

Ramnagar fort and Museum: Ramnagar is the home of the Maharaja of Banaras who is revered as the representative of Lord Shiva in the city. The massive 17th century fort here  houses a museum displaying the royal collection which includes vintage cars royal palakies  an armoury  of sword and old guns ivory work and antique  clocks . Ramanagar  is also famous for its unique Ramleela.

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