Varanasi

Varanasi- A city that may seem strange to many Westerners, Varanasi is of great religious importance. The holy city sits on the banks of the divine Ganges and is believed by Hindus to be a sacred place of pilgrimage. The city is known for the religious practices that take place on the ghats alongside the river – pilgrims wash themselves in the waters of the Ganges and the bodies of Hindus are cremated.

Places To Visit:

1) Kashi Vishwanath Temple- Kashi Vishwanath Temple is regarded as one of the most popular Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in the heart of Varanasi, the temple is a core of faith for millions of Hindus.

2) Dashashwamedh Ghat- it is believed that this is the place where Lord Brahma performed the Dasa Ashwamedha sacrifice. This ghat is a religious spot for Hindus and many rituals happen here.

3) Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple-is located around the River Assi and was built in the 20th century by the freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. This temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and Hanuman.

4) Assi Ghat- is famous for the large Shive Lingam which is situated under the peepal tree. It has immeasurable religious importance and has also been mentioned in previous legends.

5) New Vishwanath Temple- This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva along with multiple shrines of other Gods and Goddesses.

6) Tulsi Manatha Temple- was constructed in1964, it is dedicated to Lord Rama and was named after the famous saint poet Tulsi Das. It was built in the Shikhara style of architecture and features many inscriptions from the Ram Charit Mantras on the walls of the Temple.

7) Durga Temple- is located near the Ganga ghat on the bank of the River Ganga. Durga Temple was built in the 18th century. It houses an imposing idol of Goddess Durga and is one of the main temples in Varanasi.

8) Tibetan Temple- is a shrine with stunning Tibetan Architecture, this temple is said to be where Lord Buddah taught his disciples the four truths of life

9) Manikarnika Ghat- is considered a gateway to the next life and is a highly sacred riverfront in India. Many people believe that sending the last few days of your life and perform the cremation there ensures painless passing and also a way to gain freedom from the cycle of Samsara.

10) Nepali Temple –is one of the oldest temples in the city, it is a 19th century shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was established by the King of Nepal and is a spitting image of Pashupatinath Temple located in Kathmandu.

11) Kedar Ghat- is one of the oldest Ghats in Varanasi people bathe in this ghat to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. It is often visited for peace and a spiritual vibe.

City Distance and Travel Time Table