Varanasi - A tour of Shiva's gleaming city

 

 About Varanasi

Varanasi, Banaras or Kashi is the most ancient city of India with thousands of temples that's why it is also called as city of thousands temples. It is situated at an elevation of 80.71 metres on the banks of river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi is the divine of the seven scared cities in Hinduism. It is the belief of people that if one dies in Kashi one gets moksha. According to Hindu mythology, the Varanasi city was founded by lord Shiva and it is believed that the Kashi is on the trident of lord Shiva not on ground. The ancient saint Tulsidas wrote his epic poem 'Ram Charita Manas' on Rama's life in Varanasi. The famous writers like Kabir and Ravidas were so resided in city. Varanasi is rich in culture and heritage, with the city's meandering streets are some 2,000 temples adding Kashi Vishwanath Temple ,the golden temple dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. Being a famous culture and religious centre , the city draws a large attention of foreign visitors every year. 

How to reach

Varanasi is well linked to other major cities of the country via regular flights. The major airport of Varanasi is Lal Bahadur Shastri airport. You can also choose the regular train from other major cities of the country linked to Varanasi junction or Varanasi cant. railway station which serves the largest railhead in the city. Varanasi city has also wide network of road that connects it to major cities of Uttar Pradesh via national Highway 2,7, 29 and 56. You can take bus or hire a private taxi , can or drive down to Varanasi. 

Best season to visit 

I would say the best time to visit the city is from October to March. If the heat don't bother you much and you want to witness the spiritual activities and celebrations then you can also add the month of April and May, because they are the colourful months of Varanasi. Winter is also good time to visit ( November to January) this is the time when you can easily explore the city without getting much tired. The temperature is around 5°c . 

Where to stay 

You can book hotels near by the ghats of Varanasi so that it become easy for you to get around the city. But in my view hostels are also good option to stay as it is less expensive and provide you the good facility like free wifi , air conditioned and free breakfast. We stayed at hostel Wander Station which is located near Dashwamedh ghat. Many hotels are available with good accomodation facilities. So, you can choose according to your preferences. 

What to eat, where to eat 

 

I would suggest you to experience the street food like dahi bhalle, golgappe, kachori jalebi, tamatar chaat. I must say you will really enjoy these scrumptious street food. You can also try dosa at the dosa cafe. When I went to Varanasi I visited Thet Banarasi Bati Chokha restaurant near Assi Ghat and it was a good experience as the restaurant serves the traditional awesome food culture. You must try Bati-chokha and kheer there. It will also give you the beautiful view of river Ganga and Assi Ghat. If you love local cuisine of Varanasi like chaat then you must try the place Deena Chaat Bhandaar and Bhaukaal chaat. 

How to get around 

You can get around by walking or by taking auto-rickshaw, e-rickshaw or cycle rickshaw. You can choose auto rickshaw because rickshaw drivers are locals and they know about the city well and they help you to wander most of the places. 

Places to visit 

Temples 

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple : It is one of the most popular temple of  Lord Shiva and the 9th richest temple in India. More than the ghats and even the river Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in temple is the main devotional focus of Varanasi. But you can't click pictures because phone and cameras are not allowed here. 
• Devi Annapurna Temple : near Kashi Vishwanath temple the temple of Devi Annapurna located who called as the "Goddess of fooding". After visiting Kashi Vishwanath temple you can easily go there because it is too close to this temple.
• Kaal Bhairav Temple : the oldest temple in Varanasi has great historical and cultural importance. Specially among the local people. It is the believed that the Kaal Bhairav is a form of Shiva who wears garlands of skulls and even death is afraid of Kaal Bhairav. Kaal means both 'death' and 'fate' and it also means the one whom even death fears. Here, also the cameras and phone not allowed. 
• Sankat Mochan Mandir : the temple is of Lord Hanuman. It is the most prominent temple and situated on the bank of Assi river. People place sindoor on the lord and offer special sweet 'besan ke ladoo' as prasad. Phone and cameras are prohibited in this temple. 
• Tulsi Manas Mandir : it is one of the most famous temple in Varanasi. It has great cultural importance since the Hindu epic Ram Chatira Manas was written by saint and poet Goswami Tulsidas. It is located in Sankat Mochan road. 
• Durga Kund : Also known as Durga Mandir is one of the most famous temple. The temple is dedicated to goddess Durga. There is kund next to the temple which was connected to river Ganga earlier. It is believed that the appearing idol of Maa Durga was not made by person but appeared on its own in the temple. 

Ghats 

Assi Ghat 

Assi Ghat is one of the most famous ghat in the city of ghats Varanasi. Which is located in the banks of river Ganga. More than thousands of pilgrims visit here every year to bath in the holy water at the ghats before paying homage to Lord Shiva. There is an aarti ceremony held in morning gives you a spiritual feeling and happiness and the sunset and sunrise view are so so beautiful as it seems that someone making a painting on the sky. Also, don't forget to taste kulhad chai here. 

Dasashwamedh Ghat 

It is also one of the most famous ghats of Varanasi with bathing pilgrims, flower seller and priest performing the Ganga Aarti gives you blessed feeling to witness all these things. The sunrise and sunset gives you a Mesmerizing view. You must take a boat tour along the river. 

Manikarnika Ghat

Manikarnika Ghat where death is celebrated. This ghat is also known as gateway of heaven by many worshippers. Repetent mantras are sung every hour of the day and night as the cremation and burning of dead bodies is done here for salvation and eternal peace. 

Ramnagar Fort

It is located near Ganga river opposite Tulsi Ghat. It is very beautiful site with eleborate architecture, different design of royal coins, utensils , armours are displayed in the museum inside. The involute design on buildings are worth to appreciate the art by gone era. 

University Tour 

Experience the visit of Birla Mandir (new Kashi Vishwanath temple) inside the university campus. It was earlier known as Uttar Kashi University or Hindu University. The university was made by pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. It is a campus with well maintained buildings and big trees. You must try cold coffee and samosa here. 

Shopping 

You can visit Godowlia road near Dashwamedh Ghat and has lots of stalls to look through. Also check out Bansphatak flower market. The silk saree in Varanasi is world famous and have thread of gold and takes 6 months to weave. You must buy sari from weavers village and prepare to negotiate. 

Places nearby Varanasi 

Sarnath temple 

Sarnath temple where the lord Buddha preached his first sermon. It is one of the best Buddhist temple in Sarnath. The temple premises are very neat and clean. It is good place to visit for the Ashoka chakra and interest Buddhist Monuments like Sarnath museum, Jain temple, Buddhist excavations, Buddha park all these are within walking distance at Sarnath. The whole place can be covered in a day. 

Things you must explore

Ganga Aarti 

Do must experience morning aarti at Assi Ghat and evening aarti at Dashwamedh Ghat. The evening aarti held after the sunset. Pandits in saffron colour robes gracefully wave incense and candlelit brass lamps while chanting aarti. After that the devotees send many flickering diyas floating into the river, gleaming the night sky. And the morning aarti at Assi Ghat before sunrise sunrise. There's no better place than this to start your day. 

Boat Ride 

Through boat ride you can cover almost all the ghats of Varanasi and can take a look at the oldest cities in the world with a comfortable distance. The boat man describe you the story of every ghats which can be a unforgettable experience for you. 

Dip in Holy River 

Pilgrims take holy bath at the ghat in the morning to offer Surya Namaskar to the lord Sun. Take a dip in Holy River you will surely enjoy. 

Banarasi Paan 

Try Banarasi Paan at Assi Ghat. It is of betel leaf with filling of cloves, tobacco, dried coconut and areca nut. There are varieties of paan available at the ghats and it's worth tasting. 

Malaiyo and Lassi 

This dessert have great taste with saffron milk flavoured foam and vendors offer this in a kulhad. You should also try Lassi with toppings of dry fruits and malai. 

Some don'ts

• Don't trust monkeys as they can snatch your purse, mobile or anything from your hand. 
• You can't expect to click pictures at temples. So, you have to visit without any phone and cameras inside the temple. 
• There are various bulls and cow you can see in the street or road of Varanasi. So, better don't mess with them.
• Don't disrespect the Holy River because the river has sentimental value for the locals. 

Is Varanasi worth visit 

Yes, Varanasi absolutely worth visiting. If you visit this place you can witness the rich history and culture of the place. Once you visit there you can't easily forget about Varanasi and you will like to come here again and again to experience the ghats, temples, street food, Ganga Aarti and beautiful sunset and sunrise.