We all know that India is a country shrouded in antiquity, mythology & legends, known for its wonderful ancient monuments & heritage archeological sites that take you back in time! But are you ready to explore what’s been described as THE OLDEST LIVING CITY on Earth? One that according to mythological legends, was created by none other than Lord Shiva himself with its mention in Puranic literature dating back at least three millennia!?! Truly reflecting the ‘soul’ of this incredible country, Varanasi is a city as old as Babylon still bustling with life and activity without any interruption in between! Described by Mark Twain, as a city “Older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together” it is said to be the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus, as they believe that a person who dies here would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. According to Hindu mythology, this city is mentioned in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayan, for being the abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, with Varanasi also referred to as ‘the cosmic center of the universe’. Legends say that it was from here that the first Siva Jyotirlinga, the fiery pillar of light, came through the earth and flared into the sky! This is why Varanasi is also referred to as the name Kashi (City of Light). Mainly associated with Hinduism, while temples here are the main attractions with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple being the most important temple here, other important temples are the Vishwanath temple, the Sankat Mochan temple, the Durga temple, the Kal Bhairav temple and the Mritunjaya temple. One cannot ignore the numerous stupas, Buddhist monuments and edifices here or the great mosque of Varanasi, Gyanvyapi Masjid, (having minarets towering 71 m above the Ganges), that is an integral part of the city’s skyline. The Kashi Vishwanath is of major significance for Hindus, as it is believed that a simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha, which is enshrined in the temple, is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and Bhakti (devotion). Apart from its temples, other major attractions include the Ganga Ghats (river fronts), the main center of religious activities / rituals. Home to five important ghats, the Assi, Dasawamedha, Barnasangam, Panchganga, and Manikarnika, each ghat is unique with a history and following of its own. It’s said the best time to visit these Ghats is at the break of dawn, when pilgrims and devotees perform the Surya Pranam here. Often described as “the city of learning”, a must visit here is the The Banaras Hindu University or BHU one of the greatest centers of learning in India, that has produced many a great freedom fighter and nation builder. The Jantar Mantarm an observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur is another must visit for its several masonry instruments which record the motion, speed and properties of stars and planets. No trip is complete without a trip to the Ramnagar fort, an architectural wonder of the ancient times and the ancestral home of the Maharaja of Banaras. Of great interest here is the hall of public audience (Durbar Hall), and the royal museum for its collections of palanquins, elephant saddles, furniture, costumes, weapons etc! Also try the St. Mary’s Church, Bharat Kala Museum, Ram Nagar Durg, and Nandeshwar Kothi. For a bit of adventure one can try the Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary and Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary for its rich flora and fauna, scenic picnic spots, and dazzling waterfalls like Rajdari and Devdari that attract a large number of tourists. Another must do here is indulge is some of the mouth watering ‘chats’ and sweets; do try the ‘paapri-chaat’, the sour and sweet ‘Langda aam’, and the ‘Benarasi paan’. A fascinating city, even shopping here is an unique experience, with must pickups including the exquisite silk saris this place has to offer! Known for their intricate floral patterns and elaborate zari (golden thread) works, these world-famous gold and silver brocades are known to be a hot favorite amongst shoppers . Other items that are famous here are jewellery boxes, stone carved items of the place, utility items and objets d’art. Here one can look out for the usual assortment of specialty crafts from other parts of the state, like Zardozi fromAgra, embroidered fabric from Lucknow, leather works of Kanpur which are also popular items for shopping in Varanasi. Chowk, Dashswamedh Gali, Vishwanath Gali, Thatheri Bazar, Gyan Vapi, Lahurabir, Godoulia and Golghar are some of the favorite shopping areas that must be visited here. Looking forward to visiting this magnificent city? Being an important destination in Uttar Pradesh, one can find an airport here with many public and private airlines operating regular flight services to Varanasi from important cities of India. It is also well connected to different parts of the country by road, and houses two Railways stations namely: Varanasi Junction and Varanasi City. Referred to as “the city of temples”, “the religious capital of India”, or “the holy city of India”, Varanasi or Benaras as it is sometimes known, is a city known to house over 2000 temples where a dip in the Ganges, would cleanse the sins of pilgrims / devotees. No amount of words can describe the place, as put by Shri Ramakrishna “One may as well try to draw a map of the universe as attempt to describe Varanasi in words”.
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