Varanasi also known as Benaras, Kashi and Banaras is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, situated in the banks of the Holy River Ganga. A popular Hindu Pilgrimage destination, Varanasi is also often called as the Holy Capital of India. Varanasi is the city where life meets death and according to Hindu mythology, a person who takes his last breath in this city is sure to get liberated from the cycle of birth and death, in short attain Moksha. Varanasi houses a number of temples dedicated to the different Hindu deities and is visited not only by Indian pilgrims but also by foreign tourists to get a glimpse of this beautiful temple town. In addition, the city also houses one of the premium educational institutions of India, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), which makes the city even more popular. There are a number of places to visit in and around the city. Some of these travel places for tourists & India Travellers include
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the 12 jyotirlingas of India, Kashi Vishwanath is the most revered place for Hindu pilgrims. The temple is situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganges and the chief deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. The premises of the temple comprise a chain of smaller place of worship, located in a small lane called the Vishwanatha Galli, near the river. The temple houses a Shiv linga , which is 60 cm tall and 90 cm in circumference is placed on a silver altar. There are small temples for Dhandapani, Virupaksh Gauri, Vishnu, Kaalbhairav, Vinayaka, Sanishwara, Virupaksha and Avimukteshwara within the premises. There is a small well in the temple called the Jnana Vapi (the wisdom well) , which is believed that the Jytorlinga was hidden in the well to protect it at the time of invasion.
Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat, popularly as Mahasmasana, is one of two Ghats in Varanasi, which is a cremation ground for the Hindus. Manikarnika Ghat is the famous among the two and its existence dates back to several hundreds of years. According to Hindu mythology, this ghat has a relation to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and is believed that the burning of dead bodies in this cremation ground releases the dead from the cycle of birth and death and attains slavation. The Ghat houses a Shiva Durga temple, which was built in 1850 by Maharaja of Awadh. There is as well a sacred pond, which is known as Cakra-Pushkarini Kund and is believed that this pond was dug by Lord Vishnu and its existence is before the derivation of holy Ganges.
Dashaswamedh Ghat
Dashaswamedh Ghat is one of the most celebrated religious place for the Hindus. This Ghat is considered as the main Ghat among the many, which is visited by a swarm of pilgrims from all over the nation. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma performed his victorious Dasa_Ashwamedha (ten-horses) sacrifice in this place and as per mythology, the same ten horse sacrifice was carried out by Bhara Shiva Naga rulers in the second century. The Ghat was later mended by Bajirao Pesava I in 1740 AD and then by the Queen of Indore, the princess Ahilyabai Holkar in 1774. This place attracts huge inflow of tourist everyday and is one of the most popular ghats, which offers a ideal platform for the devotees to perform holy rituals.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Founded in the year 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Banaras Hindu University (BHU), is one of the premium educational institutions of India. A Central university, located in the holy city of Varanasi is also the largest residential university in Asia, which boasts of more than 12,000 students living within the campus. Spread over 1350 acre of land, the University was built on land donated by ruler of Kashi. There are 140 different departments and over 55 hostels for boys and girls. Several of its colleges, including engineering (IT-BHU), science, linguistics, journalism and mass communication, law and medicine (IMS-BHU), Faculty of Management Studies, are ranked amongst the best in India.
Kedareshvara Temple
Kadareshwar temple is also one of the prominent Hindu pilgrimages of the city, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple houses a Shiv Linga made of stone, which is believed to have appeared suddenly. According to mythology, a devotee of Lord Shiva desired to visit the famous Kedareshwar temple, situated in the Himalayas and with utmost devotion, he prayed to the God to give him a chance to visit. Impressed by his devotion, Lord Shiva showed his image to the devotee and the Shiv Linga appeared in the plate of lentils and rice. This place is a popular attraction of Varanasi and is a must-visit place in the city.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the 12 jyotirlingas of India, Kashi Vishwanath is the most revered place for Hindu pilgrims. The temple is situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganges and the chief deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. The premises of the temple comprise a chain of smaller place of worship, located in a small lane called the Vishwanatha Galli, near the river. The temple houses a Shiv linga , which is 60 cm tall and 90 cm in circumference is placed on a silver altar. There are small temples for Dhandapani, Virupaksh Gauri, Vishnu, Kaalbhairav, Vinayaka, Sanishwara, Virupaksha and Avimukteshwara within the premises. There is a small well in the temple called the Jnana Vapi (the wisdom well) , which is believed that the Jytorlinga was hidden in the well to protect it at the time of invasion.
Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat, popularly as Mahasmasana, is one of two Ghats in Varanasi, which is a cremation ground for the Hindus. Manikarnika Ghat is the famous among the two and its existence dates back to several hundreds of years. According to Hindu mythology, this ghat has a relation to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and is believed that the burning of dead bodies in this cremation ground releases the dead from the cycle of birth and death and attains slavation. The Ghat houses a Shiva Durga temple, which was built in 1850 by Maharaja of Awadh. There is as well a sacred pond, which is known as Cakra-Pushkarini Kund and is believed that this pond was dug by Lord Vishnu and its existence is before the derivation of holy Ganges.
Dashaswamedh Ghat
Dashaswamedh Ghat is one of the most celebrated religious place for the Hindus. This Ghat is considered as the main Ghat among the many, which is visited by a swarm of pilgrims from all over the nation. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma performed his victorious Dasa_Ashwamedha (ten-horses) sacrifice in this place and as per mythology, the same ten horse sacrifice was carried out by Bhara Shiva Naga rulers in the second century. The Ghat was later mended by Bajirao Pesava I in 1740 AD and then by the Queen of Indore, the princess Ahilyabai Holkar in 1774. This place attracts huge inflow of tourist everyday and is one of the most popular ghats, which offers a ideal platform for the devotees to perform holy rituals.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Founded in the year 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Banaras Hindu University (BHU), is one of the premium educational institutions of India. A Central university, located in the holy city of Varanasi is also the largest residential university in Asia, which boasts of more than 12,000 students living within the campus. Spread over 1350 acre of land, the University was built on land donated by ruler of Kashi. There are 140 different departments and over 55 hostels for boys and girls. Several of its colleges, including engineering (IT-BHU), science, linguistics, journalism and mass communication, law and medicine (IMS-BHU), Faculty of Management Studies, are ranked amongst the best in India.
Kedareshvara Temple
Kadareshwar temple is also one of the prominent Hindu pilgrimages of the city, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple houses a Shiv Linga made of stone, which is believed to have appeared suddenly. According to mythology, a devotee of Lord Shiva desired to visit the famous Kedareshwar temple, situated in the Himalayas and with utmost devotion, he prayed to the God to give him a chance to visit. Impressed by his devotion, Lord Shiva showed his image to the devotee and the Shiv Linga appeared in the plate of lentils and rice. This place is a popular attraction of Varanasi and is a must-visit place in the city.