| Varanasi for a long time has been the cultural capital | | | | temple is Bharat Mata Mandir. This temple does not |
| of the India. Since the old days it has proudly carried | | | | have any idols of god other than the large map of |
| the legacy of Indian tradition and culture on its shoulder. | | | | India. This temple was inaugurated by Mahatma |
| Spiritualism, Philosophy and Hinduism have been | | | | Gandhi. |
| associated with this city for centuries. Varanasi, which | | | | Ghats : Holy Ganga passes through the heart of this |
| is very often referred as the city of light, is the eternal | | | | majestic city. Most of the riverbank are covered with |
| pilgrimage destination of Hindus. They visit this city to | | | | huge pavilions of concrete steps running right to the |
| gain salvation in life. There are many temples, ashrams | | | | water body of holy Ganga. These are popularly |
| and ghats in this holy city. Buddhism and Jainism have | | | | known as Ghats and are major source of the tourist |
| also found an important place in the history of | | | | attractions. There are more than 100 Ghats in |
| Varanasi. Various Buddhist stupas and Jain temples | | | | Varanasi and each day people take holy bath in these |
| stand along with Hindu temples. | | | | Ghats. Dasaswamedh, Man Mandir, Asi, Lalita and |
| Varanasi is situated on the bank of river Ganga. The | | | | Manikarnika are the most popular among Ghats of |
| mythological legacy and aura around this city is quite | | | | Varanasi. Of them Dasaswamedh Ghat is the most |
| awe-inspiring. The presence of holy river Ganga add | | | | popular one. This Ghat has still maintained its eternal |
| to the mysticism of this truly amazing city. Hindus | | | | beauty and aura. |
| consider river Ganga as sacred and believe that all the | | | | Asi is the southern most ghat and is located near the |
| mortal sins get washed away after a dip in the holy | | | | meeting point of rivers Ganga and Asi. Pilgrims take |
| water. Varanasi is popular for its enigmatic ghats. | | | | bath here specially before worshiping at the lingam. |
| There are more than hundred ghats in the Varanasi | | | | Manikarnika Ghat is the oldest and holiest of all ghats |
| and most of them are as old as city itself. These | | | | of Varanasi. It is a great sight to watch devotees |
| ghats are flooded with devotees through out the year, | | | | taking bath early morning in these ghats. One can also |
| who take a dip in water to cleanse themselves from | | | | try out boat ride from one ghat to other. |
| all their past sins. The majestic temples and many | | | | Sarnath: Located 10 km from Varanasi this sleepy |
| other holy sites of this city draw large number of | | | | town is a very important destination for Buddhists. It is |
| tourists every year. Varanasi is considered to be one | | | | believed that lord Buddha came here after attaining |
| of the oldest human inhabited cities of the world. | | | | enlightenment at Bodhgaya and delivered his first |
| Tourist Attractions of Varanasi | | | | sermon. King Ashoka who became the follower of |
| Temples: Being the most sacred destination of Hindus, | | | | Buddhism after battle of Kalinga, erected Buddhist |
| Varanasi is home to many mesmerizing temples. | | | | stupas in Sarnath and many more monuments were |
| People often term this city as museum of temples or | | | | installed in the later year. Some famous stupas are |
| city of temples. It is estimated that there are more than | | | | Chaukhandi and Dhamek. Sarnath museum is also an |
| 2000 temples in Varanasi. Each year thousands of | | | | important travel attraction of this town. This museum |
| people from all over the world visit these temples. | | | | houses large number of the images and relics of lord |
| Majority of temples are situated along the Ghats of | | | | Buddha. It also houses national emblem of India that is |
| river Ganga adding to the charm of this holy river. | | | | Lion capital of Ashokan pillar. |
| Some of the popular temples are Kashi Vishwanath, | | | | Apart from this, there are many other activities visitors |
| Durga temple, Sankat Mochan, Tulsi Manas, Bharat | | | | can try out while being in Varanasi. The bazaars of this |
| Mata and Nepali temple. | | | | city are famous for the colourful items. Varanasi saree |
| Among them the holiest temple is Vishwanath Temple, | | | | is a popular brand and is in demand all over the world. |
| dedicated to lord Shiva. This majestic temple is located | | | | Benaras Hindu University is one of the most |
| in the middle of old Varanasi near Dashashwamedh | | | | distinguished study centre of the country and is |
| ghat. Inside the temple there are holy Jyotirlingas or | | | | frequented by number of tourists. For years it has |
| shrines of lord Shiva, Vishwanatha. It is one of the | | | | welcomed scholars, philosophers and poets from all |
| most significant temples of Hindus. Sankat Mochan | | | | over the world. Another place you can visit is Alamgir |
| Mandir is the most popular temple of Lord Hanuman. | | | | mosque. It is a beautiful confluence of Hindu and |
| Specially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, this temple is | | | | Mughal style of architectures. |
| filled with large number of devotees. Most unusual | | | | |