Where is Varanasi?
The holy city of Varanasi lies on the banks of the Ganges in the sate of
Uttar Pradesh in North India. The city has its reference in the ancient
scriptures of the Upnishads and the Puranas. The history of this eternal
city dates back 3500 years.
How will you gain access?
The city of Varanasi is well-connected by air to places like Delhi,
Khajuraho, Lucknow and Mumbai. There is a fabulous rail-network connecting
the city to Ahmedabad, Cochin, Gwalior, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Tirupati
and Mumbai. National Highway no. 2 and 29 provide links with the cities of
Agra (565 km), Allahabad (128 km), Bodhgaya (240 km), Kanpur (330 km),
Khajuraho (405 km), Lucknow (286 km), Patna (246 km) and Sarnath (10 km).
What does it signify?
The city of Varanasi has profound religious significance on account of on
account of its numerous temples and a number of sacred Ghats leading down to
the holy Ganges. The city is also home to one of the most ancient
universities of the world. It is a land of uncountable saints, hermits,
scholars and spiritual mentors. Death in this city is looked upon as a
blissful event. The city is known all around for its myriad of festivals
like the Ganga Mahotsav, the Kartik Purnima, the Maha Shivratri, the
Navratri and the Ramleela. Kartik Purnima, a festival of lights, is
celebrated at the Panchganga Ghat.
What beckons devotees?
» Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most popular
temple of the city. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had donated one ton of gold that
was used to goldplate the 15.5 metre high spire of the temple. The temple
suffered severe damages during various invasions. It was rebuilt by Rani
Ahilyabai of Indore in the year 1776.
» Bharat Mata Temple
The Bharat Mata Temple is dedicated to Bharat Mata or Mother India. It was
the father of nation Mahatama Gandhi who inaugurated the temple in 1936. The
statue is built in marble and sands as a mark of respect to Mother India.
» Tulsi Manas Temple
Another popular attraction of the city is the celebrated Tulsi Manas Temple
which was erected by a philanthropist family in 1964. It is dedicated to
Lord Rama and stands at the same place where Goswami Tulsidas composed the
Hindu epic Ramacharitramanas that gives us an elaborate description of the
history and deeds of Lord Rama.
» Durga Temple
Built in Nagara style, the Durga Temple is one of the most ancient and the
most popular temples in Varanasi. It was built in the 8th century. The
temple ropes in a large number of devotees from far and wide.
» Ghats of Varanasi
The Ghats or the piers, leading down to the holy Ganges, are the major
attraction of the city. Devotees gather in large number at these Ghats to
take their ritual bath and to offer prayers in the temples standing on the
river banks. Pilgrims offer their tributes to the rising sun every morning.
What is the best time?
The city experiences a hot and humid climate with the temperature
reaching up to a maximum of 45 degrees centigrade during the summers.
Winters extend from October to February. July and August are the monsoons
months. The best time to visit is between the months of October and March.
