Varanasi, once known as Benares or Banaras and Kashi, is a historical city in northern India. The city is sacred to Hindus and also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. People often refer to Varanasi as “the city of temples”, “the holy city of India”, “the religious capital of India”, “the city of lights”, “the city of learning” and the “culture capital of India”
The scene of pilgrims doing their devotions in the River Ganges at sunrise set against the back drop of the centuries old temples is probably one of the most impressive sights in the world – definitely a must see destination on any trip to northern India.
According to legend, the city was founded by the Hindu deity, Shiva, around 5,000 years ago, thus making it one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the country. It is one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus. Many Hindu scriptures, including Rigveda, Skanda Purana, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, describe the city.
Varanasi is generally believed to be about 3,000 years old. Varanasi was a commercial and industrial center famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture. During the time of Gautama Buddha (born circa 567 BCE), Varanasi was the capital of the Kingdom of Kashi. The celebrated Chinese traveler, Xuanzang, attested that the city was a center of religious, educational, and artistic activities, and that it extended for about 5 km along the western bank of the Ganges.
The city can be scorchingly hot in the summer months, if possible time your visit to fall between October and March, and bring something warm to wear for chilly days and nights.
See
Varanasi is not a city with distinct tourist destinations as such: instead, the experience is in watching the spectacle of life and death on the river and meandering through the alleys of the old city.
- Vishwanath Temple – also known as the Golden Temple, security is tight making entrance difficult and sometimes completely off limits to foreigners. No bags, cellphones or pens are allowed. They can be deposited in the shops by the temple entrance.
- Nepali Hindu Temple – A small golden temple, built in Nepali architecture, near Lalita Ghat
- Man Mandir Observatory
- Tulsi Manas Temple
- Durga Temple
- Banaras Hindu University – a very green and peaceful campus. Few actually know that this University was built during Indian freedom struggle and is known as Oxford of the East. This is the largest residential university of Asia, having approx. 124 independent departments. You also visit Bharat Kala Bhavan, a museum of Art and Archeology inside university. There is also a Vishwanath Temple bulit by Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya.
- Ram Nagar Fort – the fort of the King of Kashi
Ghats
A ghat is a series of steps leading down to the river, used by bathers and pilgrims, and riverside Varanasi consists of a long sequence of these. It’s generally possible to walk directly between them, though near Manikarnika Ghat you’ll have to navigate your way up and around through the alleyways. The best option for viewing the ghats is to charter a boat and see them from the river.
Some of the main ghats, from north to south:
- Narad Ghat – the ghat on which bathing with spouse is not advised because the myth of contention
- Panchganga Ghat – the meeting of the five rivers
- Manikarnika Ghat – the main cremation ghat; a must-see, but remain quiet and never take photographs
- Dasaswamedh Ghat – the main ghat and site of the large evening aarti; only reachable by foot at some times of day, about a 5 minute walk south from Godaulia
- Rana Ghat
- Kedar Ghat – brightly painted in stripes and busy with bathers, very photogenic
- Harishchandra Ghat – the cremation place were Raja Harishchandra did the last rituals of his son.
- Hanuman Ghat
- Shivala Ghat
- Tulsi Ghat – site of the large water purification plant
- Assi Ghat – a popular place to stay with many hotels, restaurants and internet cafes
Do
- Boat rides are very popular, especially at sunrise and sunset. The most popular sunset ride is to start at Dasaswamedh Ghat and head up to Manikarnika Ghat to see the cremations in progress, and then return to Dasaswamedh and watch the evening aarti from the boat. Sunrise is another magical time for a ride, when the ghats are filled with Hindus bathing and starting their day – one of the most famous sights in India. You can bargain the price down to around Rs 30/person per hour (even for just 1 person in the boat).
- Get lost in the alleyways – the sounds, sight and smells are just unbelievable!
Buy
Varanasi is famous for its fine silk – it’s on offer everywhere, but shop around and bargain hard!
- Mehrotra Silk Factory, (near Brahma Ghat, follow the multiple yellow signs) has set, reasonable prices and a good selection. A little out of the way, but worth the trip.
- Wow India, Assi Ghat (the big corner shop, follow the tourists). A large collection of handicrafts from all over the country, a good place to pick up your gifts and souvenirs. Music, silks, ayurvedic cosmetics, herbal teas, incense and plenty more. Prices are moderate and fixed
Get around
Many of the sights are in the tiny narrow winding alleys of the waterfront. Rickshaws are only useful for longer trips across town or to the train stations. A cycle-rickshaw from the Junction train station to Dasaswamedh Ghat (or Godaulia if the road is closed) should cost Rs 20. From Godaulia to Assi Ghat is Rs 10. Taxis exist but traffic makes them impractical. There is a pre-paid auto-rickshaw stand at the Varanasi Junction (Cantt) train station.
By foot is the only way to see the waterfront and the ghats but be ready to be hot, sweaty, and lost – locals are usually happy to point you in the right direction. The names of ghats and signs pointing to restaurants and hotels are often painted on the walls in Roman letters.
Extraordinarily and vividly explained!
kuldip chhabra
Sydney (Australia)
Varanasi — Ganga, the very thought and visual about these are considered to be sacred. Today is wonderful day . I am happy with mother Ganges. Thank you.
i was thrilled to see the pictursque sites but feel very uncomfortable when saw the dirty living condotions and ill conserned persons of thid beautiful city of the world.
best wishes
its really amazing.
its very beautiful
Thanks for the write up and visuals. Good coverage.
Anuradha Nippani
good pic…
a beautiful place .every one visit it
Lovely. Would love visit the great city soon
oh…. this is the very peacefull and city of heaven…… i like it…..
Great Here where the real not India,but Bharat exists…Har Har Gange…..Har Har Mahadev…..
Thanks…
PHOTOS ARE REALLY NICE, AMAZING, THANKS FOR PUT THIS RELIGIOUS PLACE PIC HERE, SO PEOPLE CAN SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTENT OF RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF INDIA. ITS IPM TO KNOW FOR NEW GENERATION.
THANKS
varanasi is next to heaven
Very good job . We got sufficient details from these encient city/pilgrim centre. Thanks a lot —- Ashokan Kollam
Liked the photo’s Explanation & other details.
Dhanyavadhagallu
varansi is a beautiful place.
i like the city most .it is really beutiful and feel as a fresh fragrance
Varanasi…is real Stairway to heaven………………..
sairam
varanasi or benaras as is known is a place worth seeing in a life time. It is has its own value and merits and a must see.
bala
Excellent and wonderful information!
it is nice but it is our as well as govt. duty to keep it neet & clean . its is one of oldest holy place in india but we should make it holy by cleaniness. at least we should think once again is it same holy place as it was in acient time . soooo it is humble request to govt ( who never listen ) plz make it holy place as it was before.
Beautiful coverage of this holiest of holy places of Hiduism;you could include some photos of the Benares Hindu university Campus
I have many connections with Varanasi.
Three of our children are from IIT – BHU.
I spent many weeks with the Pilgrim groups there.
Most Imp: We, Rastogis, Rohatgis, Rustagis etc claim descent from Rohitash [Rohitash – Rohatgi], the Son of famous Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra of Suryavansha, the Family Group of Shri Ram. Harishchandra Ghat On the ganga gives a Geographical authenticity to this so – called myhological fact. may be someone would take up an assignment to go into the historical verification.
Great Here where the real not India,but Bharat exists…Har Har Ganga
Hi,
Those who have not visited , can have picture for the holy place.
It is worth to visit before you have old age to avoid hardship and one can have good pooja as per Indian tredition
It is very informative .
Nice look of varanasi great place to workship it is place where lord shiv is lliving.
Vah ! banaras to banaras hai, guru jo ras banars me hai vo aisa hai ki jitna dekho……jitna jaano……fir bhi hamesha aisa lagega ki -arey banaras aisa bhi hai humko pata hi nahi.
Ye mai kitaabi baat nahi kah raha..49 baras ka ho gaya..13 saal ki umar me pahali baar gaon se aaya yha, tabse aana jaana laga raha aur ab to bas hi gaya par aaj bhi kah nahi sakta ki mai banaras ko jaan gaya hu.
Bas bhaiya banaras ka anand to gunge ke gud ki tarah hai……………isko samajhne ke liye to poora jivan bhi kam hai………aapka prayas achchha hai…….
Jiyaa Raaja Kaashi…….
HAR…HAR…MAHADEV.
ho god its so much beautiful…….
Great pictures
Woderful captures of moments and events. Great compilations
Excellent and beautifull
VARANASI IS A HOLIEST PLACE IN THE EARTH, I WAS VISIT VARANASI SINCE LAST TWO YEARS, AND THESE TWO YEARS MY THOUGHTS (AFTER VISIT THE VARANASI) IS TOTALLY CHANGED.
definately varanasi is one of the best place in india
Thanks for the write up and visuals. Good coverage.
Like this mail is very useful to everyone who doesn’t visit these places. Thank you for sending like this messages.
very beatifull and well explained
nice photos, just reminded me of the diversity of indian culture and the ancient hindu tradition, which is so strongly built on foundation of love and BHAICHARA.. also felt pity on the poor condition of Ghats these days.
Marvel !!!!!! See the smell of real heritage of India can even be felt through photos…I love banaras….what a preety place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thank you for these photos.
PICTURES ARE FABULOUS AS WELL THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARANASI. THANKS FOR SHARING..
Beautiful, thanks .
good pics thank you for posting
I spent 33 years of my life at Varanasi. These beautiful pictures of Varanasi rekindled my fond memories of Kashi. Life in Varanasi is unchanging and eternal. Irrespective of what happens outside, Varanasi continues with its life. Thank you very much.
Very very good collection of history & photographs.
its really a very beautiful place everyone wants to come for ultimate salvation
VARANASI ” A GEATWAY TO HEAVEN “
It’s a very good place……Gives so much satisfaction when you visit this place
what a nice Featured pics
Wow!
Beautiful Ganges! Especially the pic of a woman releasing lamps has magical quality to it!
Thanks a lot for virtual trip!
Best Regards,
Umesh
Beautiful and lovely place, I like very much. Love to all viewers with my kind regards. Sikander
Quite as refreshing and invigourating as a morning ablution in the holy ganges.
It is very beautiful place, the photos are showing the beauty and humanity together in hindus mind. Thanks for whowing the beauty.
hi send me pic
Sairam to you. Excellent Pics of Kashi/Varanashi. Very useful to know about them. Hats off.
Thanks for taking me around Varanasi without leaving my chair.
vanaras is the land of hindu
thnx priya
Dear Photographer,
Really Good Graph Keep it up.
SS
Very good job ,Nice picture
thanks for more information
Very informative & enchanting !
Thanks
I visited varanasi just a few days back.Really if one goes to varanasi he feels close to heaven.The place is quite magnificent and indeed a great place for Hindus.In short it is the Gate Way to Heaven.If anyone goes to varanasi then take a stay at Godowlia area as this place is the centre and almost all the places specially the Vishwanath temple can be best moved from here.
DIS IS CALLED REAL INDIA………………
VARANASI IS THE BASTION OF HINDUISM..THE PICTURE COLLECTION SHOWN OVER HERE GOOD BUT IT SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE SOME PICTURES OF KASHI SRI SRI VISHWANATH TEMPLE, MAA ANNAPURNA TEMPLE AND OTHER FAMOUS TEMPLES,AND ALSO SOME SNAPSHOTS OF THE POPULAR VISHWANATH GALI..
auspeciousoment
auspecious moment
this is real true “agar dharti per kahi swarg he to yaha he” thanx for a god he live to me hear……
realy its a amazing information about SHIV Nagari KASHI.
this is a very grate place i like it
It’s a very good place……Gives so much satisfaction when you visit this place
its really a very beautiful place everyone wants to come for ultimate salvation
Excellent presentation. The pictorial presentation makes takes one through the bylanes and various ghats of this famous and religious place . It really touches ones soul. Since i was in Varanasi some 20 yrs ago , this experirnce has just rekindled my memory. Tks for the job well done.
Varanasi is really one of the most sacred and beutiful place in the world.
I have been in Varanasi for 6 months and felt like I m in heaven.
This is really a great picturization depicting a true picture of Varanasi but I feel Varanasi is even better than this.
holy darshan was good
IT is a good guide for those who have not visited varanasi.Good narration with beautifll photos.
MIND BLOWING INDIA
excellent, one should see varanasi in life
It’s good to visite BANARAS at least one in lifetime,
The site has reminded me when I was there almost 10 year back.
PAN is also good from there.
I will visite again soon
Thanks
Its a pleasure to witness cultural heritage sites sitting in the house. thanks.
t.g.singh
This is a Great Great Religious City and with Scholars of the higest repute. wonderful presentation and hats off to the photographers
very good
It is very beautiful place, the photos are showing the beauty and humanity together in hindus mind. Thanks for
hi it’s really wonderfull
Very beautiful, I have been to India in 2005 but not to Varanasi…seems I’ll have to visit India again.
My grandfather was from India.
The BEST pictures.Wonderful!
I must admit….. after going through this site anyone would want to come to Varanasi for sure :)… Well done mate…. Keep up the good work………. Awsome Pictures….
its very very intresting
wounderfull picture
Hi,
Fantastic!
Hope to see more & more of such places in our India with such good photos and explanations.
Request to continue such items .
With best regards,
K.R.Nair
Excellent travelogue with graphic details of the places, routes, costs of transport, details of what to do and when…. well, you have given a thorough picture. You have kindled in me the urge to visit Varanasi at the earliest. Thanks and keep up your yeoman service.
It is very very beautiful and very intresting mother ganga.
wish to travel soon
relay good picture
very beautiful and sound
Good points I appriciate your post. I especially like the look of this site great job!
Good points I appriciate your post. I really like the look of your website good job!
mai to banaras ka rahne wala hu mera gov babtpur hai jo yaha se 9 klm hai nehiya etna acha shahar hai ki pucho mat jo bhi visit nahi kiya plz ja ke ek bar dekho . mere nasib me hogaki nahi ye to malum nahi kyoki mai to mumbai me rahne laga plz visit becoz have nice city
once again i tell u plz visit city bcoz banaras to banaras hai is also called ”Kashi Nagri” yaha ki pkode our jalebi mashhur hai
i m also live in varansi(mughalsarai)dis is a vry nice city for all of visitor so pls visit once in varansi…khaike paan banars wala…pls yaha ka paan jarur khana…..thanx for visit
i m going to vanarash on dt. 14th jan’2011 . this city is very nice his look out is very nice.but one things is very bad because our ganga reiver is very dirty,ganga water is not hear only town drain water is hear
IN UTTAR PRADESH THE “TAJ” A VERY BEAUTIFUL PLACE.IT IS SINGAL WONDER IN ALL WORLD…………………….
hi
i am pinku singh mai vanarash 018\11 ko gumane gya tha its buitiful
State also known for ghad of music and taste-ful dishes.Banarsi paan,lassi,kachodi of kachodi gali,varios chat’s flavour at Dina chat bandar,Sweets for Ram bhandar & many more………….
very well maintained.will personally visit the place one day. jai ho.
the great holi city,