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Varanasi
BriefThe cultural and religious capital of India, Varanasi is situated on the banks of the holiest of all Indian rivers, the Ganga. It is one of the most ancient city of world and probably the oldest living city in India. Varanasi is also called Kashi, or the city of spiritual light. Hence for the devout Hindu, this besides being a pilgrimage centre, is considered especially auspicious to die here, ensuring an instant route to heaven. 25 centuries ago, Lord Buddha, preached his message of enlightenment, for the first time, in Sarnath near Varanasi. Thus from time immemorial, it has been the center of religion, art and culture, which continues till this day. Varanasi with its ghats dotted with temples, the maze of alleys along the ghats, silk weaving, other crafts, and much more, are sure to attract the visitor again and again.
History
Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, even older than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together. Mythology associates Varanasi with Lord Shiva since the beginning of time. Legends relate how, after his marriage to Parvati, Shiva left his Himalayan abode and came to reside in Kashi with all the gods in attendance. From time immemorial Varanasi has been the center of education, religion, art and culture. A place of learning for many years, the Banaras Hindu University carries on this tradition. The Banaras region was a great Hindu center, administered by Hindu rulers but was looted a number of times by Muslim invaders from the 11th century until the 17th century, when it fell into the hands of the Mughals. As was the practice many buildings of the previous rulers and the religious structures of the Hindu and Buddhists were demolished during the wars of the conquest, which climaxed with the Mughal emperor, Aurangazebs conversion of the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple into a mosque. Of recent times, the well - known novelist Prem Chand and the literary figure Bharatendu Harishchand, have played their parts in the literary development. Tulsi Das, the famous poet who wrote the Hindi version of the Ramayana, known as the Ram Charit Manas, also lived in this city for many years.
Culture
The life and activities in Varanasi, revolves around the holy river Ganga, which is believed to have flown from heaven, to wash away the worldly sins of the human race. In Pali language, Varanasi was called Banarasi, hence it is also known as Banaras. Varanasi is also called Kashi or the City of Spiritual Light. Varanasi has been the religious capital of Hinduism, and the centre of education, religion, art and culture, since time immemorial. Written records of the Skanda Purana and the Mahabharata mention its existence, as long as 3,000 years ago, making it, one of the most ancient cities of the world and probably the oldest living city in India. As a place of devotion and worship, Varanasi attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.
Climate & Geogaphical Location
Varanasi has an extreme type of climate. Naturally the summers are very hot and the winters are quite chilly. Located besides the Ganges, Varanasi can be a difficult place to visit during the summers. This place can be a really bad, during the rainy season and is advisable not to visit Varanasi during monsoons. Lying at an altitude of 80.71 mtrs. above sea level, Varanasi covers an area of around 73.89 sq. km with a population of approx. 14 lakh people.
How to Reach
Varanasi is well connected and easily accessible from all parts of the country by road, rail and air, offering convenient and comfortable travelling options to and from other cities of India. Babatpur airport is 22 km from Varanasi and 30 km from Sarnath.
Tourist Places
Durga Temple
The Durga Temple is an important temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. This temple, is commonly known, as the Monkey Temple, due to the large number of monkeys, who have made, the temple their home. It was constructed in the 18th century, by a bengali Maharaja, in the Nagara style of architecture, and has five shikharas (spires), which start from the bottom, and converge on the top. Non-Hindus, can enter the courtyard, but not the inner sanctum.
Benares Hindu University
Founded by the great nationalist Pandit Malaviya in 1917, as a centre for Indian art, music, culture and philosophy, and for the study of Sanskrit, it is probably the largest residential university in Asia, covering and area of approximately 2,000 acres. The former Maharaja of Varanasi, a scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy gifted it. Being a center of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture and music, it attracts students both from India and abroad. The five sq km campus houses the Bharat Kala Bhavan, which has a fine collection of miniature paintings, sculptures from the 1st to 15th centuries and old photographs of Varanasi.
Nepali Temple
This temple situated on Lalita Ghat, was constructed by the late king of Nepal. Made of wood brought from Nepal, the wall has exquisite carvings and is also known as a mini Khajuraho.
Ram Nagar Fort & Museum
This 17th century fort, lies 16 km, from the railway station, and across the Ganges, is also the palace of the former maharaja of Benares. Of special interest here are the Durbar Hall (public audience room) and museum which houses an antique collection of palanquins, elephant saddles, arms, costumes, etc. The festival of Dussehra celebrated here, is an interesting spectacle.
Sarnath
Sarnath, at a distance of 10 kms from Varanasi, is one of the major Buddhist centres. It was a renowned centre of religion and learning from the 6th century B.C. to 12th century A.D. It was here, that Buddha first gave his preachings, after attaining enlightenment, the Buddhist religion was born. Recent Excavations, have brought out the remnants of numerous temples and stupas. There were monasteries in the area around. The antiques so far discovered, are housed in a museum. Sarnath is also known as a Deer Park.
Chunar
Chunar, which is 40 kms away from Varanasi, has an immense fort, overlooking the Ganga. The Chunar fort, was constantly seized. Captured by Humayan in 1537, it was taken over by Sher Shah and later by Akbar in 1575. Till the Britishers came in 1764, this fort was under the Nawabs of Avadh. It is protected by massive ramparts, that looks down the flowing river, and often when the river leaves the shore, the citadel overlooks a beautiful beach. From the ramparts the Ganges look very beautiful. The main attraction inside the fort is the Sonwa Mandap, the Sun Dial and the Huge Well. The area is rich in sand stone and for centuries Chunar sand stone has been used. Even the highly polished Ashok pillar, was built from the sand stone from Chunar. History says that Vikramaditya occupied this place way back in 56 BC.
Others
BHARAT MATA TEMPLE - A unique temple dedicated to Mother India. It houses a relief map of India, carved out of marble, instead of the customary gods and goddesses. Mahatma Gandhi, opened this unique temple, which was gifted, by the nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and Shri Durga Prasad.
CHANDRA PRABHA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - 70 kms from Varanasi is the forest of Chandraprabha. A beautiful secluded picnic spot, the forests nestles within it, the Rajdari and Devdari waterfalls.
JATESHWAR MAHADEV - This temple in Karnaghata houses a black stone statue of Shiva and has tantric overtones. Locals believe that a devotee must offer his prayers here, before going to Vishwanath temple.
JAUNPUR - Located 65 kms from Varanasi, it was founded by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1360, to become the capital of the independent Muslim Shariqi kingdom. The modest but well-maintained Jaunpur Fort, overlooks the Gomti river.
KAAL BHAIRAV - This Bhairav Nath temple situated in Visheswarganj, is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are nine other Bhairav temples in the city.
KAIMOOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - 130 kms. from Varanasi, and spread over an area of 500 sq. km, the sanctuary has a variety of wildlife. The Mukha waterfall is a major tourist attraction.
KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE - It is also known as the Golden Temple, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. This is the holiest spot in the city.
KAUSHAMBI - 185 kms from Varanasi, it finds mention even in the Mahabharata. It is said that the Pandav brothers lived here. Buddha visited this place many times, and gaves sermons after his enlightenment.
MAHA MRITUNJAYA TEMPLE - This temple in Dara Nagar is devoted to the God of Death. Devotees are not allowed to touch the Shivalinga here. A fair is held here in June-July.
NEW VISHWANATH TEMPLE - This temple, is situated in the premises of the Banaras Hindu University and has Geeta engraved on its marble walls. This temple is supposed to be a replica of the original Vishwanath Temple, destroyed by Aurangazeb.
RIVER FRONTS - The most fascinating aspect of Varanasi is the life on the river ghats at dawn. In this ancient city of pilgrimage, the bathing ghats, are the main attraction. As the first rays of the sun set the gently flowing Ganga afire, people flock here, in large numbers.
TULSI MANAS TEMPLE - In the modern marble sikhara-style, Tulsi Manas Temple was built in 1964 by a philanthropist family of Varanasi and is devoted to Lord Rama. An exquisite structure of white marble, it has the verses and scenes of Ram Charit Manas engraved on its walls.
VINDHYACHAL - This is the place, where the Goddess of power is said to be residing, and people worship her viz-Goddess Durga. These are known as Shaktipeeths and Vindyachal is one of such peeths or abode of Shakti. The place is 90 kms from Varanasi.
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