Varanasi, the moment you step in here, automatically you’d be filled with a stint of spirituality. The holy city is as old and in fact is referred to as being older than history, a part of many mythological manuscripts; this city is considered the land of gods.
Varanasi has interesting stories about itself to fascinate you and keep you wanting to know more about the city. Considered the most divine of all pilgrimages, going by the ‘Vamana Purana’, rivers Varuna and Assi initiated from the body of the primordial Person at the start of time. The area of land sandwiched by the two water bodies thus later came to be known as, Varanassi, a mix of the names of the rivers.
How to reach– the city is well connected to all parts of the nation via rail, plane and road. The local transportation facility is also satisfactory; you’d easily get a taxi, auto, rickshaw or bus to travel within the city.
Accommodation– Being a popular tourist destination that it is, there are hotels and guest houses available for all ranges of economic background. It will still be suggested that you book your accommodation in advance, that way it will be easier and more feasible to get the right hotel bookings done.
People often come here looking for internal peace and purity and satisfaction of their soul, not surprisingly most of the visitors claim to achieve their motive. This city has a magical effect on you as if every nook and corner is a part of the big temple, just to sit along the bank of river Ganga and see the sun setting sets your soul at peace, listening to the morning and evening aarti, to the hundreds of ringing bells, the smell of incense sticks, everything contributes in setting your soul free and brings the body and soul some calm and peace.
Places to visit– you should totally visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, devoted to lord shiva, the shivlinga installed in this temple is supposedly the first jyotirlinga and is the most sought after. When here, you can check out one of India’s most sought after universities, the Banaras Hindu University– amazing campus, academic record and name. Near BHU is the Bharat Kala Bhawan, an art museum and absolute delight to the art lovers, with old paintings and sculptures, there are a lot of interesting things to see and study. Go to the River fronts at dawn, the view with the sun setting in the backdrop in spectacular. You could go to Dashashwamedha ghat and rent a boat to explore the other ghats. The other temples that can be visited are- The New Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple and Bharat Mata Temple.
10kms away from Varanasi, Sarnath is popular Buddhist pilgrimage place. The ashoka pillar is in fromt of a stupa where it is said, Ashoka rested and meditated. The Ramnagar Fort used to be the residential palace the former Maharaja of Varanasi, situated at the bank of river Ganges at Ramnagar, the palace has a museum which has palanquins, costumes, swords, sabres, et cetera from the glorious days at display. Every year there is a grand celebration of the Dusshera festival, it is one event to look forward to. Alamgir mosque shows the true spirit of unity in diversity and how we in India believe in living in harmony with the people of other religions. Also known as ‘Beni Mahadev Ka Darera’ the entire lower portion of the mosque is a Hindu temple. Those in admiration of science and technology would like to visit Jantar Mantar.
The best time to visit Varanasi would be between October to March, the weather is breezy and pleasant during that time.
Go to Varanasi and feel at peace from within.
