Top Tourist Attractions in Varanasi
Varanasi
About Varanasi
Varanasi is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India, that dates back to the 11th century B.C. The city, known as India’s spiritual capital, attracts Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River and perform burial rites. Some 2,000 temples dot the city’s meandering lanes, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” devoted to the Hindu god Shiva.
Best Places to Visit in Varanasi
- SARNATH
Sarnath is a town in Uttar Pradesh, India, 10 kilometres north of Varanasi, near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers. The Buddhist Sangha was founded in Sarnath’s deer park, where Gautama Buddha first preached the Dhamma and where Kondanna attained enlightenment.
2. Ganga Ghat
Varanasi’s ghats are riverfront steps that lead to the Ganges’ banks. There are 88 ghats in the city. The majority of the ghats are bathing and puja ritual ghats, with two ghats dedicated only to cremation. When Varanasi became part of the Maratha Empire in 1700 AD, most of the city’s ghats were restored. Marathas, Shindes (Scindias), Holkars, Bhonsles, and Peshwes are the patrons of today’s ghats (Peshwas). Many ghats have legends or mythologies attached to them, and many ghats are privately held. A famous visitor attraction is a morning boat trip on the Ganges through the ghats.
Temples in Varanasi
3. Shri KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE
It is devoted to Lord Shiva, the city’s patron deity, and is also known as the Golden Temple. Varanasi is said to be the location where the first jyotirlinga, a fiery pillar of light that displayed shiva’s superiority over other gods, pierced the Earth’s crust and flared towards the heavens. More than the Gaths or perhaps the Ganga, Varanasi’s spiritual emphasis is the Shivalinga housed in the temple.
The Kashi Vishvanath Temple is a well-known Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India is the location. The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shivatemples, and is located on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. The major deity is known as Vishvanatha or Vishveshvara, which means Universe Ruler. Because Varanasi is also known as Kashi, the shrine is also known as Kashi Vishvanath Temple.
4. MAA ANNAPURNA TEMPLE
A beautiful temple dedicated to Devi Annapurna, the “Goddess of Fooding,” is located near the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
5. SANKATHA TEMPLE
A significant temple dedicated to Devi Sankatha, the “Goddess of Remedy,” is located near the Sindhia Ghat. There is a colossal lion statue on the site. This temple is also surrounded by nine temples dedicated to nine different planets.
6. KALBHAIRAV TEMPLE
It is Varanasi’s ancient temple, VishesharGanj, located near the Head Post Office. No one can stay in Kashi without the permission of God KalBhairav, who is known as the “Kotwal of Varanasi.”
7. MRITUNJAY MAHADEV TEMPLE
This Lord Shiva temple is located on the Daranagar-Kalbhairav temple route. Just outside this temple is a religiously significant Well, whose water is supposed to be a blend of various underground streams and beneficial for curing a variety of ailments.
8. NEW VISHWANATH TEMPLE
A modern place of worship designed by Pandit Malviya and built by the Birlas, located on the campus of Banaras Hindu University. Everyone is welcome, regardless of caste or creed.
9. TULSI MANAS TEMPLE
This modern temple dedicated to Lord Rama was built by a Varanasi family. It is here where Tulisdas, a great mediaeval seer, resided and composed the epic “Shri Ramcharitmanas,” which tells the life of Lord Rama, the Ramayana’s hero. On the walls are inscriptions from Tulidas’ epic. It is only a short distance from the Durga Temple.
10. SANKATMOCHAN TEMPLE
This well-known temple of Lord Hanuman is located by the Assi river stream, on the way from Durga Temple to Banaras Hindu Temple. Lord Hanuman is also known as “Sankatmochan,” the god who guards against harm. Goswami Tulsidas established this temple. This temple is also known as “Monkey” temple, as lot of monkeys are there inside the premises.
11. DURGA TEMPLE
It was created in the 18th century and is known as the “Monkey Temple.” Despite the fact that it is one of the most well-known temples. The temple has beautiful stonework, and it is a good example of NAGRA Shilp. DURGA, the Goddess of Strength and Power, is thought to rule the entire planet. Durgakund, a pond close to the temple, is named after the Hindu god Durga.
12. BHARAT MATA TEMPLE
Mahatma Gandhi dedicated this temple in 1936, and it features a flawless relief map of India made out of marble.
Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta (Barat Ratana ) and shri Durga Prasad Khatri, prominent numismatists and antiquarians, donated the temple.
Best Time to Visit Varanasi
The winter months are ideal for visiting Varanasi (November to February). Although it can get quite cold in the winter, this is the best time to explore the holy city without getting tired. The average low temperature is approximately 5°C.
How to Reach Varanasi
Varanasi is easily accessible from anywhere in India. The city is well connected by road, train, and air, providing convenient and comfortable travel to and from other Indian cities.
Government of India -Tourist Office
15-B The Mall Road
Cantonment Varanasi
Ph: 0542-2501784
TOURIST OFFICE Regional Tourist Office
Tourist Bunglow , Parade Kothi
Opposite Railway Station
Phone : (542) 2208413, 2206638
Flights
Several airlines fly at LBS airport in Babatpur, which is 22 kilometres from Varanasi and 30 kilometres from Sarnath. From Babatpur Airport in Varanasi, both domestic and international flights are available. Domestic flights from Varanasi to Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho, Calcutta, Mumbai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Gaya, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmadabad, Hyderabad, Bhuvaneshwar, Guwahati, and other cities are available. International flights are accessible to Colombo, Bangkok, Kathmandu, and Sharjah.
Terminal Manager Babatpur Airport : 0542-2623060
Airport Director : 0542-2622155
Varanasi is an important and major rail junction. The city is served by trains from all metros and major cities across the country. New Delhi, mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Gwalior, Meerut, Indore, Guwahati, Allahbad, Lucknow, Dehradun… the city has direct rail connections. Varanasi Cantt Railway Station Enquiry number 135.
Some important trains from Varanasi station are Kashi Vishwanath Express (Varanasi-Delhi), Mahamana Express(Varanasi- New Delhi), Shiv Ganga Express(Varanasi- New Delhi), Shramjivi Express (Patna- Varanasi-Delhi), Farakka Express (MaldaTown-Varanasi-Bhiwani), Mahanagri Express (Varanasi-Mumbai), Pawan Express (Varanasi-Mumbai), Sabermati Express (Varanasi-Ahamedabad), Ganga-Kaveri Express (Varanasi-Chennai), Purva Express (Howrah- Varanasi-Delhi), Himgiri Express (Jammu-Varanasi-Howrah), Siyaldah Express (Varanasi-Jammu Tawi), Marudhar Express (Varanasi / Agra /Jaipur). From Pandit Deen Dayal Uadhyaya Junction (16 Km. from Varanasi) Trains are – Rajdhani Express (Howrah – DDU Jn- Delhi), Toofan Express (Howrah- DDU Jn- Delhi), North East Super Fast Express (Delhi –DDU Jn-Guwahati), Magadh Express (Delhi- DDU Jn – Patna). Varanasi, on (National Highway) NH2 from Calcutta to Delhi, NH7 to Kanya Kumari and NH29 to GoraKhpur is connected literally to the rest of the country by good motorable, all – weather roads. Some important road distances are: Agra 565 km., Prayagraj 128 km., Bhopal 791 km., Bodhgaya 240 km., Kanpur 330 km., Khajuraho 405 km., Lucknow 286 km., Patna 246 km., Sarnath 10 km., Lumbini (Nepal) 386 km., Kushi Nagar 250 km. (via Gorkhpur), UPSRTC Bus Stand, Sher Shah Suri Marg, Golgadda Bus Stand.
Local Transportation:
Taxis:
Private cabs can be arranged through travel agencies, hotels, and online businesses, among other places. In addition, e-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, and three-wheelers are frequently accessible. However, one-way traffic is maintained on some routes, particularly in the ancient Varanasi neighbourhoods with temples and markets. Autorikshaws and large vehicles are not authorised on such routes. Tourists should be advised that while hiring private vehicles, cars/taxis/four wheelers are normally charged for 4,8,12 hours or for the entire day, with a kilometre restriction within the city; for 8 hours, the pricing varies between Rs. 1400-2200 for four seated cars. The LBS airport in Babatpur offers prepaid taxi service.
The rate of reserved autorikshaw and rikshaw ranges from Rs.10 /= to Rs. 15/= per Km depending on routes. The tourist are advised to fix-up the fair before travelling.