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Varanasi tourism is a spiritual Capital Of India, This is one of the oldest cities. The city has witnessed the twists and turns of the world. Surpassed all the dreadful tides, Varanasi is one such city that is surviving since long. A place that induces fusion of both life and death, Tourist places in Varanasi embraces everyone. Thriving on the banks of river Ganga, Varanasi ghats is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India. Myriads of tourist flock near the Varanasi Ghats to experience purification and salvation. Throughout the day you can see people jabbering at the Varanasi Ghats. However, at the time of Maha Aarti, this place becomes one of the most crowded tourist places in Varanasi. The place voices tranquility. There are so many places to visit in Varanasi, A pool of architectural sites and marvelous heritage reforms, the city, and most important Varanasi temple is a must visit.
History
Almost midway in its long journey from the slopes of the mighty Himalayas to the inflamed shore of Bay of Bengal, the muddy waters of the Ganges flow by a city that is five centuries older than Christ. The city finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. It was already an old city when Rome was founded, and was a flourishing center of trade when Buddha came to Sarnath, some 10 km away, to preach his first sermon in 500 BC. It is a city of temples and for more than 2,500 years, it has attracted pilgrims from near and far. According to Hindu belief, Benaras or Varanasi as it is known, is the cosmic center of the Universe. The renowned American novelist Mark Twain once wrote, "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together."
Down the ages, Varanasi has stood as a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Swathed in an aura of history, religion, and tradition, Varanasi preserved the rituals and traditions of Hindu philosophy. From a time stretching beyond human memory, pilgrims from distant lands have come to Varanasi in search of divine blessings.
Best time to visit Varanasi
The winter season is the best time to visit Varanasi. From November to March, Varanasi experiences pleasant and soothing weather which makes the sightseeing and outdoor activities comfortable. The temperature remains low and the region enjoys the soothing breeze throughout the day. In the summer and monsoon seasons, Varanasi experiences hot and humid weather, which makes sightseeing difficult. Ganga Mahotsav, Deepavali, Maha Shivaratri, and Chhath Pooja are the popular festivals of Varanasi that are celebrated every year in the winter season, which attracts a large number of tourists. This festival is the perfect way to witness the rich cultural heritage of Banaras.
Major Tourist Attractions of Varanasi
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The golden domes and spire of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple beckon the devout from far and near. One of the 12 jyotirlingas in India, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Golden Temple, is the most famous Hindu shrine in Varanasi and one of the most revered in India. It is said to have been visited by the likes of Adi Shankaracharya, Tulsidas, Guru Nanak and Swami Vivekananda. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple was destroyed several times and was rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar in 1780 with Maharaja Ranjit Singh donating one tonne of gold for the plating of the domes and spire. Shivaratri is celebrated here in a grand way. The temple is located in a lane called Vishwanath Galli and consists of a series of small shrines. The main linga is 60 cm by 90 cm and placed on a silver altar. There’s also a small well, Gynan vapi, in the temple complex. Five aratis are performed here each day. The temple is close to Dashashwamedh and Manikarnika Ghats.
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Varanasi’s main ghat, it attracts the most pilgrims and tourists. According to legend, it was here that Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during the ashwamedha yagna. The evening arati at Dashahwamedh Ghat is a spectacle of sound and light with a group of priests performing the Agni pooja. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is close by.
Manikarnika Ghat
One of the oldest ghats in Varanasi, it is the main cremation ghat in the city. Devout Hindus consider being cremated here the path to liberation. Cremations here continue throughout the day and year. The pyres are supplied with logs of wood which are piled high all around the ghat. Doms, the people in charge of the cremation, can be seen attending to the pyres. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is close by.
Ramnagar Fort
Overlooking the Ganga, at Tulsi Ghat, the Ramnagar Fort is where the titular maharaja of Varanasi continues to reside. It dates back to 1750 and is built of chunar sandstone. The fort displays many features of the Mughal style of architecture with several pavilions, courtyards and carved balconies. Within the fort is a museum called Saraswati Bhavan which is housed in the durbar hall. Its collection consists of various artefacts which belonged to the maharajas including antique cars, sedan chairs, palanquins, elephant saddles, silk costumes and swords. Also on display are an astronomical clock and a handwritten manuscript by Tulsidas. During Dusshera, the fort becomes the venue for various celebrations.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Situated on the banks of the Assi river, the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple was built by the university’s founder, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. It is unique because in this temple Hanuman faces Lord Rama. The temple is believed to have been established by Tulsidas on the spot where he had a vision of Hanuman. It organizes a dance and music festival, the “Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh” every April.
Jantar Mantar
Located close to Dasashwamedh Ghat, the Jantar Mantar is among the five observatories built by Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1600. Its unique feature is an equatorial sundial and the fact that its measurements can be monitored and recorded by one person. Its measurements still compare favourably with modern instruments.
Durga Temple
Painted red, the Durga Temple is a model of the Nagara style of architecture. It is believed that the idol of the Goddess Durga here was not made but manifested itself. A rectangular tank called the Durga Kund is also located here. The temple is close to the Tulsimanas Temple.
Tulsimanas Temple
This temple commemorates the spot where Tulsidas wrote his epic Ramcharitmanas. Built by a family from Varanasi, its walls are inscribed with verses from the epic.
Bharat Mata Temple
The only temple in India dedicated to Bharat Mata, it’s unique because of the fact that it does not contain any idol. Its main shrine contains a relief map of undivided India depicting the landscape of the country. The temple is situated within the Kashi Vidyapeeth campus and was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936.
New Vishwanath Temple
Also known as Birla Mandir, the New Vishwanath Temple was inspired by the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It was designed by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and is located within the Benares Hindu University campus. The temple is part of a complex with eight other temples in the vicinity.
Kedareshwar Temple
Built in the south Indian style, the Kedareshwar Temple is dedicated to Kartikeya. Located on Kedar Ghat, devotees consider it auspicious to bathe in the Ganga and offer pooja here on Mondays.
Uttar Pradesh Tourism is the microcosm of India, multicultural, multiracial, conglomeration of fabulous wealth of nature-hills, valleys, rivers, forests, and vast plains. Viewed as the largest tourist destination in India, Uttar Pradesh boasts of 35 million domestic tourists. Its tourism promotion budget is bigger than that of government of India and half of the states of the Indian union combined. Uttar Pradesh is studded with places of tourist attractions across a wide spectrum of interest to people of diverse interests. The seventh most populated state of the world, Uttar Pradesh can lay claim to be the oldest seat of India's culture and civilization. It has been characterized as the cradle of Indian civilization and culture because it is around the Ganga that the ancient cities and towns sprang up.
