North
India Travel Guide
Varanasi Tourism
Varanasi is one of the
ancient seats of learning in India and situated between Delhi and Kolkata at a
bend in the sacred Ganges River. Home to some of the most ancient and revered
monasteries in the world, Varanasi is the place where scholars still come to learn
the ancient knowledge of the Vedas and debate on nature of God. For over 2,000
years it has been the religious capital of India, more revered and sacred than
all the other places of pilgrimage put together. Hindus believe that to die in
Varanasi is to be forgiven every sin, receive instant enlightenment and immediately
be admitted to heaven, no matter who or what you are. As a result the elderly
flock here to end their days, and cremation is big business on the ghats beside
the Ganges.
Varanasi was the focal point of the 15th century revivalist
Hindu Bhakti (devotional) movement under saints like Ramananda and Kabir. Kabir,
the son of a Muslim weaver, was venerated both by Muslims and Hindus. There is
a story about the tussle between the two communities on his last rites. According
to popular legend, his body turned into a heap of flowers, and was divided into
two for burial by the Muslims and cremation by the Hindus. The poet-saint Tulsidas
also lived here, and translated the epic Ramayana from Sanskrit to Hindi.
Ghats
of Varanasi The Asi GhatThe Asi River meets the Ganga
at Asi Ghat. There is a lingam under a peepul tree and a marble temple to Asisangameshwara
(lord of the confluence of Asi). An ancient tank dedicated to sun worship, the
Lolarka Kund (pool) lies 15 metres below the ground and is approached by a steep
flight of steps.
The Kedar GhatThe Kedar ghat has links with
the Kedarnath shrine located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas. The Dhobi
ghat is a washerman’s area, while the Chausathi (64) ghat has a shrine dedicated
to Chausath Yoginis, the multiple manifestations of the female force Durga.
The Man Mandir GhatThe Man Mandir ghat, built in 1600 by Maharaja Man
Singh of Amer has a very interesting observatory. Built in 1710 by the king of
Jaipur, it is similar to the ones in Jaipur and Delhi. There are numerous instruments
used for astronomical calculations. The observatory is open to visitors from 09:30
am to 05:30 pm.
The Dashashwamedha GhatThe Dashashwamedha ghatis
the busiest bathing ghat in Varanasi. The ancient king Divodasa was said to have
performed the Dashashwamedha Yagya (Ten horse sacrifice) here. This pleased Brahma,
the Creator, so much that he established the Brahmeshwara lingam. Boats can be
hired at this ghat for a tour of the riverfront. It is also the most popular site
for Hindus to perform ancestor worship rituals, and the entire ghat is lined with
umbrella covered stalls where Brahmin priests perform pujas.
The Mir
GhatThe Mir Ghat has a shrine to Vishalakshi (the wide-eyed goddess).
It is one of the 52 pithas (pilgrimages) where the body parts of Shakti landed
after a distraught Shiva performed his dance of destruction or tandava.
The Lalita GhatThe Lalita Ghat is well known for its Nepali style temple
with an idol of Pashupateshwara. This ghat also has a temple dedicated to the
Ganga.The Manikarnika Ghat is perhaps the most well known cremation ground in
the country. Since Shiva, the lord of Destruction, is said to have resided in
Varanasi, the entire holy area is considered Mahashmashana (the great cremation
ground).
ClimateSummers are hot
and humid in Varanasi. Day temperatures can rise up to 45° C. Winter is comfortable
with average temperatures of around 25° C, though the nights tend to be much
cooler at around 7°C. The monsoons arrive at Varanasi in the months of June
/ July and it rains through till end September & early October.
How
to Reach By Air
Varanasi is connected by air with major cities
like Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho, Calcutta, Mumbai, Lucknow and Bhubaneshwar. The Babatpur
airport at a distance of 22 kms from the city is linked by a shuttle bus service
that takes passengers upto the Cantonment. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi
to take you into the city.
By Train
The main railway station is the
junction station near the cantonment area. It is about 3 kms from the old city
centre and can be accessed on autorickshaws and cycle rickshaws. The other major
rail station is at Mughalsarai, 16 kms from Varanasi. Some of the major trains
connecting to Calcutta, Guwahati and other places stop at Mughal Sarai. It is
easy to find transportation from here to reach Varanasi. There are buses and taxis
that ply to Varanasi.
By Road
Most buses terminate a short distance
from the junction station, and some at the cantonment bus station. Buses connect
to Gorakhpur, Gaya, Allahabad, Lucknow, Delhi, Khajuraho and places in Nepal.
