Introduction to city Varanasi
- In Uttar Pradesh
The city of Varanasi is situated
along the west bank of the Ganges
in the north Indian state of Uttar
Pradesh. Called Benaras by the
British, Varanasi is an important
pilgrimage centre for the Hindus.
The city finds mention in the
great epics of Mahabharata and
Ramayana. It was a flourishing
trade center when Buddha came
to Sarnath, about 10 kilometres
away, to preach his first sermon
in 500 BC. The renowned American
novelist Mark Twain once wrote,
”Benaras is older than history,
older than tradition, older even
than legend and looks twice as
old as all of them put together.”
Right from the ancient times,
Varanasi has stood as a symbol
of Hindu renaissance and preserved
the rituals and traditions of
Hindu philosophy. Down the ages,
pilgrims from distant lands have
come to Varanasi in search of
divine blessings.
Summers can be quite harsh in
Varanasi with the temperatures
going up to 45°C. The monsoon
season, which starts by late June
or early July, brings in the torrential
rains and high humidity. Winters
are quite pleasant with temperatures
remaining at around 20°C in the
day. However, the early part of
the day can remain enveloped in
the fog.
SightSeeing : Places to visit in
destination - Varanasi
Temples form the major source
of attraction in this ancient
city. The banks of the Ganges,
considered to be a sacred river
by the Hindus, are the centre
of much of the religious activity
that occurs in the city. The ghats
built along the banks of the river
for such religious activity also
form a major source of attraction
here. Some of the other interesting
places to visit around the city
are Alamgir Mosque, Durga Temple,
Vishwanat Temple, Bharat Mata
temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Banaras
Hindu University and the Archaeological
Museum.
Excursions : Places nearby city -
Varanasi
Excursions around Varanasi get
you further acquainted with the
mystic religion of Hinduism besides
presenting an insight into the
Buddhism. A visit to Sarnath,
Bodhgaya and Kushinagar puts
you on the trail of Buddha from
the period of his attaining enlightenment
to his passing away. Allahabad
and Ramnagar Fort are the
other places around Varanasi that
are worth a visit.
Varanasi City Travel Guide |
Sight Seeing of Varanasi |
Excursion in Varanasi
Varanasi Travel Tours |
Varanasi Hotels |
Picture Gallery of Varanasi
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