Varanasi
Population
: 1,200,000
Main Languages
: Hindi, English.
Telephone area code
: 0562
Varanasi, situated on the banks of Holy
Ganges is
also known as the “eternal city”,
is one of the most important pilgrimage
sites in India. It has been a center
of learning and civilisation of over
2000 years. It was at Sarnath (10 kms),
where Lord Buddha first preached his
message of enlightenment, 25 centuries
ago.
It
is also known as Kashi and Benares and
the present name is a restoration of
an ancient name meaning the city between
two rivers – the Varana and Asi. It
is a center of learning, especially
for Sanskrit scholars.
The
old city of Varanasi is situated along
the west bank of Ganges and extends
back from the riverbank ghats in a winder
collection of narrow alleys which are
two narrow for anything but walking.
Places of Interest
Ghats
The
long string of bathing ghats are the
principal attraction in Varanasi. Ghats
are the steps which lead down to the
river and the best time to visit the
ghats is at dawn, when pilgrims take
their morning dip.
There
are over 100 ghats in all. The best
way to see the activities on the ghats
is to take a boat ride along the ghats.
One can see the women bathing discreetly
in their saris, the young men going
through yoga exercises, the priests
offering blessings.Look for the burning
ghats where bodies are cremated. Manikarnika
and Harishchandra are the main burning
ghats. The lingams mark each ghat, for
Varanasi is the city of Lord Shiva.
The
Asi Ghat is one of the five special
ghats which pilgrims are supposed to
bath from in order and on the same day.
The order is Asi, Dasaswamedh, Barnasangam,
Panchganga and finally Marikarnika.
The Tulsidas Ghat has fallen down and
the Bachraj Ghat is Jain and there are
three riverbank Jain temples. Like many
ghats which are owned by the Maharajas
or other princely rulers, the Shivata
Ghat is owned by the Maharaja of Varanasi.
The Dandi Ghat is the Ghat of ascetics
known as Dandi Panths.
The
Harishchandra
or Samshan ghat is the secondary
burning ghat. Mansarovar
Ghat, built by Man Singh of Amber.
Someshwar
or Lord of the moon ghat is said to
heal diseases. Munshi
ghat is very picturesque and the
Ahalya
Bai’s Ghatnames after the Maratha
woman ruler.
The
most important ghat is the Dasaswamedh
Ghat. The name indicates that Brahma
sacrificed (medh), 10 (das) horses (aswa)
here. The other ghats include the Man
Mandir Ghat, built in 1600, the
Mir
Ghat , the Jaisain
Ghat
where cremations take place and
it adjoins the most sacred of the ghats
i.e Manikarnika
Ghat, the Dattatreya
ghat which bears the footprints
of the Brahmin saint of that name in
a small temple nearby, Scindia
ghat, Ram Ghat, Panchganga ghat, Trilochan
Ghat & finally Raj
ghat.
Golden
Temple
Built in 1776 by Ahalya Bai
of Indore the temple is dedicated of
Lord Shiva, the Lord of the Universe.
The gold plating on the towers was provided
by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore.
The first temple contructed in 1600
structure was destroyed by Aurangzeb
and had built a mosque over it. Non
Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
Great
Mosque of Aurangzeb
The mosque has minarets towering
71m above the Ganges and was constructed
using columns from the Bineswar temple
razed by Aurangzeb.
Durga
Temple
Commonly
known as Monkey temple due to many monkeys
that have made it their home. It was
built in 18th century by
Bengali Maharani and is stained red
with ochre. Durga is a form of Siva’s
wife Parvati and at festivals there
are often sacrifices of goats. Non Hindus
not allowed inside the temple.
Benares
Hindu University
It
was constructed at the beginning of
the century and covers an area of 5
sq. km. The university was founded by
Pandit Malaviya as a center of education
in Indian art, culture and music and
for the study of Sanskrit. The Bharat
Kala Bhawan at the university has a
fine collection of miniature paintings
from the 1st to the 15th
centuries.
Bharat
Mata Temple
Dedicated
to “Mother India” this temple is a marble
relief map of India. The temple was
opened by Mahatma Gandhi and is open
to Non Hindus.
HOW
TO REACH
By
Air
Daily
flights from Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho,
Patna & Calcutta.
By
Train
Trains
from Delhi, Agra, Calcutta.
|
|
|
|
| |
| Suggested
Itineraries |
North
India & Nepal
(11
nights/ 12 days)
Delhi/Jaipur/Agra/Jhansi/Orchha/Khajuraho/
Varanasi/ Kathmandu/Delhi
Spiritual
Reach
(17 nights/ 18 days)
Delhi/Agra/Khajuraho/Varanasi/Bhubhaneshwar/
Puri/Calcutta/Bagdogra/Darjeeling/Gangtok/
Bagdogra/Delhi |
|
