Area : 73.89 Sq.kms.
Altitude : 1322248
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 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 his 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
RaoI 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.
Duraga 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 ofter 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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