Being the oldest city of the world and an important Hindu pilgrimage center, Varanasi attracts a large number of people from all over the world. For centuries, Varanasi is famous for spiritualism, mysticism, Indian philosophy and Hinduism. All these are reflected in numerous sects, temples, Ashrams and Ghats. Varanasi is associated not only with Hinduism but also with Buddhism and Jainism. Besides numerous temples, Varanasi also boasts of Buddhist Stupas and Jain temples. Varanasi is also a mirror of the age-old Indian civilization. The archaeological museum at Sarnath houses numerous remains of the past, including the National emblem of India, the Ashoka pillar.
Since Varanasi is mainly associated with Hinduism, temples form the main attraction. The Ganga Ghats (river fronts) are the main center of religious activities and rituals and also form one of the main attractions of Varanasi. The Alamgir Mosque, blend of the Hindu and Mughal styles of the architecture, is another important attraction of Varanasi. Some of the most important temples of Varanasi are Durga temple, Vishwanath temple, Sankat Mochan temple, Tulsi Manas temple and the Bharat Mata temple. The Bharat Mata Temple houses a huge relief map of the whole of Indian subcontinent and Tibetan plateau. Other attractions of Varanasi are the Benaras Hindu University (BHU), the Archaeological Museum, Sarnath, Bharat Kala Bhavan and the Buddhist Stupas and temples at Sarnath.
Varanasi became an independent Kingdom of Kashi in the eighteenth century, and under subsequent British rule, it remained a commercial and religious centre. Varanasi suffered during the raids into India by Muhammad of Ghori, as described by Kamil-ut-Tawarikh of Ibn Asir: “The slaughter of Hindus (at Varanasi) was immense; none were spared except women and children, (who were taken into slavery) and the carnage of men went on until the earth was weary.” In 1910, the British made Varanasi a new Indian state, with Ramanagar as its headquarters but with no jurisdiction over the city of Varanasi itself. Kashi Naresh still resides in the fort of Ramanagar. The Ramnagar Fort of the Kashi Naresh is situated to the east of Varanasi, across the Ganges. The Ramnagar Fort was built by Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh with creamy chunar sandstone in the eighteenth century. It is a typically Mughal style of architecture with carved balconies, open courtyards, and picturesque pavilions.The other fort of the Kashi Naresh is the Chet Singh Palace,near Shivala Ghat, Varanasi built by Maharaja Chet Singh.
Ramnagar Fort and its museum are the repository of the history of the kings of Benares and since the 18th century has been the home of Kashi Naresh.[6] Even today the Kashi Naresh is deeply revered by the people of Benares.He is the religious head and some religious people of Benares consider him the incarnation of Lord Shiva.He is also the chief cultural patron and an essential part of all religious celebrations.
Climate of Varanasi
Situated in Uttar Pradesh, in northern part of India, Varanasi is located on the banks of the holy river, Ganges. During summers, weather can be as hot as 45° C and humid too as Varanasi lies at the Tropic of cancer. Torrential rains and high humidity accompanies the monsoons that usually come in late June or early July for about two months. Delicious and juicy mangoes offer little relief from the sweating weather. On the other hand, winters are pleasant and temperature dips down to about 7°C. In Varanasi, the climatic conditions are most favorable for the tourists between October to April. For those who are ready to face a sun and don't mind the odor of sweat, Varanasi is a place to visit all the year round.
Varanasi City
Almost 3000 years old, Varanasi (also popularly known as Benaras or Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage centre for Hindus, who believe that those who are fortunate to die here attain salvation instantly. Much renowned as a seat of learning for ages, people who wish to learn Hindi or Sanskrit or even Hindu philosophy in its purest form throng to Varanasi in search of the most knowledgeable teacher. Besides the galaxy of thousands of schools and colleges, there are numerous Brahmins who take it upon themselves to keep up the traditions and serve as the spiritual teacher for the people and Banaras Hindu University has carved out a name for itself, when it comes to most productive institution, which has the distinction of producing students who tuned out to be the best in their respective field ever since it was formed. However, its knowledge and enlightenment doesn't stop to mere books and religion. Arts and crafts including production of silks and brocades done in gold and silver threads and music and dance can never be said to have lacked behind.
Location:
In southeastern Uttar Pradesh, India.
Significance:
One of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus.
Climate:
Hot summers with temperature as high as 45oC mark the extreme tropical climate of the city. Torrential rains and highly humid monsoons and pleasant winters with temperatures around 20oC during daytime completes the picture. There can be misty mornings during winters.
Shopping Attractions
The city of enlightenment, Varanasi is also known for fine handicrafts. Silk weaving is however the best beloved trade of the city and 'Banarasi Sarees' are famous not only in India but all over the world for their rich brocades and exquisite work. It also forms an integral part of any Indian girl's bridal trousseau. The other crafts prevalent here are brassware, glass bangles, copperware, ivory work, wood and clay toys and traditional gold jewellery other than the hand-knotted carpets known as Bhadohi and musical instruments. However, don't miss out to taste the 'Banarasi paan' (betel leaf) and sweet and sour taste of 'Langda Aam', a variety of mangoes.
Ghats of Varanasi
The Ghats of Varanasi are the best place to see the charming spell of the old-world traditions and the cultural identity of the city. Stuck in a time warp, every morning, these Ghats come alive with the first rays of the sun as the sacred waters of River Ganges assumes different shades of gold and yellow and thousands of devotees take the ceremonial dip in it and offer prayers while standing waist-deep in the river waters. There are 84 bathing ghats in the city.
Durga Temple
This temple is one of the busiest in the city and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Located in the southern part of the city, it has a large rectangular tank by the name of Durga Kund, on which the image of the Goddess is seated. Its mention can be found in the Puranas as the abode of Durga Devi, where she has lived for centuries as the guardian of the city of Varanasi from the South in the form of one of the warrior goddesses (Chandikas) who were responsible for protection of the good and sacred town and destruction of the evil.
Bharat MataTemple
Dedicated to 'Mother India', is unique in its concept as it is based on much more contemporary ideology than the customary gods and goddesses. The nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and Sri Durga Prasad Khatri conceptualized and materialized the temple. They were leading numismatists and antiquarians of the time and the temple is known for housing one of the perfect relief maps of India made in marble with accurate scaling done dexterously in both vertical and horizontal scales. Mahatma Gandhi himself inaugurated it.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as Golden Temple, enshrines the famous 'Jyotirlinga' symbolizing Lord Shiva known as 'Vishweshwara' or 'Vishwanatha'. It is said that one finds benediction and spiritual peace merely by the 'darshan' (catching a glimpse) of the deity and gets freedom from the lures of the physical and materialistic world. It is believed that the wisdom and peace one gains by visiting all the other eleven 'jyotirlingas' barely equals the divine experience one has by visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple alone. Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore built the Temple in its present shape in 1780.
Tulsi Manas Temple
Situated close to the Durga temple, is the Tulsi Manas temple. It is built in a modern style, with 'Shikhara' typical to north Indian architecture. Marble has been used in its construction. Built in 1964, the interiors of the temple has been dedicated to the famous epic of the great saint Tulsi Das, called 'Ram Charit Manas', which can be said to be the Hindi version of Valmiki's 'Ramayana'. It is believed that Tulsi Das lived in the medieval times, wrote the book here and left his mortal body in 1623. Beautiful landscape and moving statues that depict and act out scenes from the 'Ram Charit Manas' are housed on the second floor and are a special attraction here.
New Vishwanath Temple
The original Vishwanath temple was destroyed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb who used its columns to build the Gaynvapi Mosque, adjacent to it. One can still see the temple's typical artistic and intricately ornate minarets that were 71 metre high along the western wall of the mosque. However, the new temple was built in the campus of much-famous Benaras Hindu University as a replica to the original temple. Birla family, the famous industrialists, has undertaken the care and maintenance of the new Vishwanath temple and thus, it is also known as the Birla Temple.
Annapurna Temple
The present-day temple complex is situated near Vishvanath temple on the opposite side of the lane. In the temple's court, there is a small sanctum with a large pillared porch housing an image of Goddess Annapoorna, which had been established and consecrated in January 1977 by the famous Shankaracharya of Shringeri. The name 'Annapoorna' means one who provides us with plentiful of food. The Goddess is believed to be the mother of all the three worlds, heaven, earth and hell and it is said that her devotees never suffer from starvation and want of food.
Manmandir
Situated on what was once known as Somesvara ghat of Varanasi, is the exquisite palace of Raja Savai Man Singh of Amber, built in 1585. The beautifully carved windows are worthy of note as is the Hindu Observatory built on its top floor by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II, which was known as 'Manmandir', which was one of the five that he built in his lifetime under the direction of his astrologer-minister, Jagannatha.
Bharat Kala Bhawan
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, as a centre for the study of Indian art, culture, music and Sanskrit, founded Banaras Hindu University, one of the oldest educational centres in India. Bharat Kala Bhawan finds a place in its campus as a museum exhibiting the finest collection of Mughal miniature paintings and brocade textiles along with sculptures, contemporary art forms and bronze statues from 1st to 15th centuries.
Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University played an important role in the independence movement and has developed since then into the greatest center of learning in India. It boasts of not only great freedom fighters but also the makers of modern India including scholars, artists, scientists and technologists who have earned remarkable repute in their respective fields. Sprawling across 1300 acres, it has well maintained roads and extensive greenery in its campus. It has a temple, an airstrip, Bharat Kala Museum and also has a 927-bed hospital, large playgrounds, a massive auditorium, a flying club and many auxiliary services and units.
