Varanasi

Geography

The holy city of Varanasi , known as the city of temples and learning , is a place of great historical and cultural importance. This religious capital of India is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges and is presided over by Lord Shiva. It is the heart of India and an epitome of the synthesis of cultures, religions and races. The river-front of the city is decorated by hundreds of well built ghats which is a unique feature. The holy Buddhist place, Sarnath is in its precincts.

History

Varanasi finds its mention in the great Indian epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. The city is more than six centuries older than the period of Christ. It was already an important center of trade when the city of Rome was born or when Buddha gave his first sermon in around 500 BC. Mark Twain, the famous novelist said, "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend." This city of temples has attracted pilgrims allover the world for more than 2,500 years. Benarasi mithais (sweets) and the famous Benarasi paan (betel leaf) are the two specialties of the city.
None other the sacred River Ganges waters the city. Two more Rivers, Varuna and Ashi also touches the city on the either side of the city, which later mingles with Ganges . It is said that the city takes its name from the two rivers. During the Mughal rule, Varanasi was also known as Muhammadabad. The city was called as Benaras during the British rule.According to Hindu belief, Benaras or Varanasi is the cosmic center of the Universe. This ancient city has preserved the basic philosophy of Hinduism. People from all over the world come here in search of peace; divine blessings and attaining salvation by bathing in the ghats of the city. You can visit this holy city through the Tour Packages for Varanasi.

Varanasi Attraction

The Ghats Of Varanasi : In this ancient city of pilgrimage, the bathing ghats are main attraction. People flock here in large numbers every day to take bath and worship in the temples built beside the river bank. Centuries old tradition to offer puja to the rising Sun is still maintained.

St. Mary's Church : Situated in the cantonment area of Benaras ( Varanasi ) the St. Mary's Church has a low tower, spire and projecting poitico. Instead of windows tile, church has louvred doors to the sides and hooded ventilation slots beneath the cornice.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple : This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is popularly known as the golden Temple due the Gold plating done on its 15.5 meter high spire. One tonne of gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been used in the gold plating of the spire. The temple was destroyed in the various invasions and was rebuilt in 1776 by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore .


Bharat Mata Temple : This temple is dedicated to Mother India. Just one kilometer from the Varanasi station. The temple is built in the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth which was built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt. This temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 so that the citizens could respect Mother India in statue form. The statute is built in marble. The statue is a replica of undivided India in three dimension which has the mountains, plains and oceans in right proportion.

Vishwanath Temple : Also known as the Golden Temple , it is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Varanasi is said to be the point at which the first jyotirlinga, the fiery pillar of light by which Shiva manifested his supremacy over other gods, broke through the earth's crust and flared towards the heavens. .

Varanasi Climate

Varanasi have an extreme kind of climate. Located on the banks of Ganga , Varanasi is quiet humid and is a difficult place to visit in summers. Summers in Varanasi are hot and at times the temperature shoots up to 46 degrees. The best season to visit Varanasi is from September to March.

How To Reach Varanasi

Flight : - The nearest airport is at Babatpur Airport which is 22 kms. from Sarnath..

Train : Varanasi is the major rail head and the city is linked by trains with all metros and major cities across the country .

Road : Varanasi is connected with Calcutta (677 Kms.), Delhi (765 Kms.), Madras (1901 Kms.), Bangalore (1763 Kms.) and to the rest of the country by good motorable, all-weather roads.