About Varanasi (Varanasi City Information)

In Pali language Varanasi was called Banarasi hence it got the name 'Banaras'. Varanasi is also called 'Kashi' or the city of spiritual light. Kashi is the place where Shiva and Parvati stood when the "time started ticking". It is said since city of Varanasi is situated between to rivers Varuna and Asi, it gets its name of 'Varanasi'.

Varanasi city, situated on the west bank of the holiest of all Indian rivers, the Ganga or Ganges, is considered to be one of the oldest living cities in the world. The Ganga is believed to have flown from heaven to wash away the worldly sins of the human race. The life and activities in the city revolves around the holy river.

Life on the banks of the Ganga begins before dawn when thousands of pilgrims - men, women and children - come down to the river to wait for the rising sun when immersion in the sacred river will cleanse them of their sufferings and wash their sins away.

For the devout Hindu the city has always had a special place, besides being a pilgrimage centre,it is considered especially auspicious to die here, ensuring an instant route to heaven.

The Banaras region was administered by Hindu rulers for several hundred years until the 17th century, when it fell into the hands of the Mughals. As was the practice many buildings of the previous rulers and the religious structures of the Hindu and Buddhists were demolished during the wars of the conquest.

The inflow of pilgrims developed Banaras as a trade centre . Besides traders, craftsmen also settled in Banaras. Today the city is renowned for its silk weavers, who prepare the finest types of woven silk fabrics. Silk weaving in Banaras is a cottage industry and in many areas of the city, especially the Muslim quarters, one can see looms at work all day.

Varanasi city with its ghats dotted with temples, the maze of alleys along the ghats, silk weaving, other crafts, and much more are sure to attract the visitor again and again.

Best Season
Varanasi has a extreme type of climate. Located besides the Ganges ,Varanasi can be difficult place to visit during the summers. This place can be a really bad during the rainy seasons and is advisable not to visit Varanasi during monsoons. Therefore the best season to visit Varanasi is between September to March.

Places to see

Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Also known as the Golden Temple, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. This is the holiest spot in the city. More than the Ghats and even the Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in the temple remains the devotional focus of Varanasi.

Varanasi is said to be the point at which the first jyotirlinga, the fiery pillar of light by which Shiva manifested his supremacy over other gods, broke through the earth’s crust and flared towards the heavens.

The original temple was destroyed by aurangzeb who built a mosque in its place, but the traces of the old temple can be seen behind the mosque. The present temple was built by Maharani Ahilya Bai of Indore in the year 1776 and the gold plating on the towers of the temple was provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Indore.To the side of the temple is Gyan-Kupor ('The well of Knowledge'). It is believed that the Shiva Lingam removed from the original temple was hidden in this well to protect it from Aurangazeb and it still lies there. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple.

River Fronts
The most fascinating aspect of Varanasi is the life on the river ghats at dawn. In this ancient city of pilgrimage, the bathing ghats are main attraction. As the first rays of the sun set the gently flowing Ganga afire, people flock here in large numbers every day to take bath and worship in the temples built beside the river bank. Centuries old tradition to offer puja to the rising Sun is still maintained.

Bharat Mata Temple
A unique temple dedicated to Mother India. It houses a relief map of India carved out of marble. This temple was opened by Mahatma Gandhi.

Durga Temple
The Durga Temple is an important temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. This temple is commonly known as the Monkey Temple due to the large number of monkeys who have made this temple their home. It was constructed in the 18th century by a bengali Maharaja ,in the Nagara style of architecture and has five shikharas (spires), which start from the bottom and converge on the top. Durga is the 'terrible' from of Siva's consort Parvati, so at festivals there are often sacrifices of goats.

Non-Hindus can enter the courtyard but not the inner sanctum.

Tulsi Manas Temple
A little away from durga Temple is the modern marble sikhara-style Tulsi Manas Temple which was built in 1964 and is devoted to Lord Rama. An exquisite structure of white marble, it has the verses and scenes of Ram Charit Manas engraved on its walls. Its author, poet Tulsi Das, lived here while writing Ram Charit Manas(The hindi version of Ramayana). You can watch figures performing scenes from Hindu mythology on the 2nd floor for a small charge. The temple is open from 5.30 am to noon and 3.30 to 9 pm.

New Vishwanath Temple
This temple is situated in the premises of the university and has 'Geeta' engraved in its marble walls. It's about a 30 minute walk from the gates of the university to the New Vishwanath Temple This temple was planned by Pandit Malaviya and built by the wealthy Birla family of industrialists. Pandit Malaviya wished to see Hinduism revived without its caste distinctions and prejudices - accordingly, unlike many temples in Varanasi, this temple is open to all, irrespective of caste or religion. The interior has a Siva lingam and verses from Hindu scriptures inscribed on the walls.

The temple is supposed to be a replica of the earlier Vishwanath Temple destroyed by Aurangazeb. It's open between 4 am and noon, and 1 and 9 pm.

Banaras Hindu University
It was founded by the great nationalist Pandit Malaviya in 1917 as a centre for education in Indian art, music, culture and philosophy, and for the study of Sanskrit. This university is probably the largest residential university in Asia covering an area of approximately 2,000 acres, gifted by the former Maharaja of Varanasi who was a scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy. Being a centre of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture and music, it attracts students both from India and abroad.

Bharat Kala Bhavan
The five sq km campus houses the Bharat Kala Bhavan which has a fine collection miniature paintings, sculptures from the 1st to 15th centuries and old photographs of Varanasi. It's open from 11 am to 4.30 pm (7.30 am to 12.30 pm in May and June) but is closed on Sunday.

Ram Nagar Fort & Museum
This 17th century fort which is 16 km from railway station and situated across the Ganges, is the palace of the former Maharaja of Benares. Of special interest here are the Durbar Hall (public audience room) and museum which houses an antique collection of palanquins, elephant saddles, arms, costumes, etc. The festival of Dussehra celebrated here is an interesting spectacle.The fort is open from 9 am to noon and 2 to 5 pm.

Kaal Bhairav
This Bhairav Nath temple situated in Visheswarganj is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are nine other Bhairav temples in the city.

Jateshwar Mahadev
This temple in Karnaghata, houses a black stone statue of Shiva and has tantric overtones. Locals believe that a devotee must offer his prayers here, before going to Vishwanath temple.

Maha Mritunjaya Temple
This temple in Dara Nagar,is devoted to the God of Death.
Devotees are not allowed to touch the Shivalinga here.
A fair is held here in June-July.

Chhinmastica Temple
This temple which is 16 km from the railway station city is believed to be a tantric centre and houses a headless statue of the deity Jagadamba.

Nepali temple
This temple situated on Lalita Ghat, was constructed by the late king of Nepal.It is made of wood brought from Nepal, the walls have exquisite carvings. It is also known as a 'mini Khajuraho'.