One of the oldest cities in India, Varanasi is a prime sacred center in the country for the followers of many religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Kashi and Banaras are other names by which the dazzling city of Varanasi is known. It is believed that the city was created by Lord Shiva himself and so the people living here are reckoned to be the greatest admirers of him.
Varanasi is one of those places that find mentions in the Hindu epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The culture, traditions, and beliefs of Varanasi are also closely related with the River Ganges which flows through the city. For years, the sacred city has been one of the popular places in India to achieve salvation through various spiritual practices.
Varanasi is a perfect blend of history, spirituality, culture and traditions and has therefore become one of the destinations in India that you must visit in your lifetime. The festivities of Diwali and Chhat Puja in Varanasi take place in such a fascinating manner that you definitely do not want to miss.
The city remains packed with people, locals as well as tourists, throughout the year and is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in India. The city has many Ghats or river banks with steps leading to the water, which hold religious values, and hence are always dotted with devotees. At the Ghats you can see people offering homage to their forefathers, devotees taking a holy dip in the river and kids diving around in the water.
The Temples of Varanasi
The holy city of Varanasi is famed for its Hindu temples, being a popular pilgrimage site. With an abundance of it, you can find temples on almost every street.
The most famous among them is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas among the country and is dedicated to the Hindu God, Shiva who is worshiped in the form of Vishwanath, the ruler of the universe. The temple is even mentioned in the Vedas and Puranas.
The is Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is another popular temple at Varanasi but this one is dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman, a disciple of Lord Rama. Sankat Mochan translates to reliever of troubles. The temple was founded by Tulsidas, a Hindu poet and philosopher most commonly known for his Ramcharitmanas, and is located on the banks of the river Assi.
The Tulsi Manas Temple in the city is dedicated to Lord Rama and built in honor of the Hindu poet and philosopher, Tulsidas. The temple is a marble structure with verses of Tulsidas Ramcharitmanas written on its walls. The stories from the epic are also depicted throughout the temple through an ensemble of pictures, paintings and sculptures.
Dedicated to the Goddess Durga is the Durga Temple at Varanasi. The exquisite architecture of the temples exterior is made of multiple layers of sikhara whereas the red color of the structure is to match the Goddess idol inside the temple. The idol, according to the locals, existed by itself and the temple was later made around it.
Varanasi and its Gangetic Ghats
The Ghats or the stepped banks of the river at Varanasi are equally important to the city as its temples. The ghats along the holy river of Ganges are a site for various Hindu rites and rituals, each with its own significance.
One of the things that you must experience at the ghats is the Ganga Aarti that takes place every evening and is truly a captivating sight. The Ganga Aarti takes place at the Dashashwamedh Ghat near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The worship of the Ganges river with chants, prayers and the beautiful multi-tiered lamps create a wonderfully spiritual atmosphere that will be hard to forget.
Another ghat where you can witness the ganga aarti is at the Assi Ghat. Here, the worship of the River Ganges happens early in the morning and is called the Subah-e-Banaras. Apart from the aarti, visitors get to witness vedic chants, morning performances of classical music, and yoga. Since the aarti at the Assi Ghat takes place early in the morning, there are fewer crowds as compared to the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat but it is equally mesmerizing and the perfect way to start the day.
The Manikarnika Ghat at Varanasi is another ghat that holds significance in the life of devotees of Hinduism. The ghat is a cremation ground and is a prominent one among all the ghats of the city. It is believed that the bodies that are cremated here attain salvation as Lord Shiva himself guides their souls to the other side and leads them to salvation by speaking the Taraka Mantra to them. Visiting Manikarnika ghat is sure to evoke some emotions and remind you of the vanity of this journey called life.
Historic Sites of Varanasi
As established, Varanasi is a major site for Shiva devotees and people in search of salvation. Besides the temples, the city also has numerous historic sites and museums that display the rich culture and heritage of Varanasi and India.
A site with equal importance in history and religion lays Sarnath. It is a revered site for the followers of Buddhism due to it being the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The Deer Park at Sarnath where the sermon was held is a popular tourist spot today. Along with being a pilgrimage site, Sarnath is also known for its historic importance due to the presence of The Ashoka Pillar and the Dhamek Stupa which were built centuries ago.
Sarnath is also significant for followers of Jainism too for its Digambar Jain Temple also called the Shreyansnath Jain Temple, built in honor of the 11th Jain Tirthankara Shreyansnath. Tirthankara in Jainism are spiritual leaders who have attained complete enlightenment through a life of asceticism and are highly revered among the devotees.
Located within the campus of the Banaras Hindu University is the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum and houses various archaeological artifacts. It also houses a collection of beautiful miniature paintings of the Mughal era. The museum also show India’s fine arts through its display of decorative art, sculptures, and textiles.