Varanasi Ghats India

State: Uttar Pradesh
Location: Eastern Uttar Pradesh, located on the banks of Ganges river.
Area: 1, 550 Sq km
Language: Hindi, Sanskrit, English, Kashika Bhojpuri(local language)

Introduction:
Varanasi, one of oldest living city of world, is famous as the cultural and religious capital of India. It is also regarded as the melting pot of Indian civilization. From ages, Varanasi is considered as important centre of spiritualism, mysticism, Indian Philosophy and Hinduism.

Every year millions of ardent Hindu devotees flocks in Varanasi to pay homage to various God and Goddess. They also offer prayers and performs some rituals in memory of their ancestors. Even Varanasi attracts mostly the old aged people. They wish to take their last breathe in Varanasi as it is known as 'Gateway to Salvation.' Varanasi is the sole city in the entire world where death is celebrated and dead bodies are worshiped.

Beside Hinduism, Varanasi is also related to Buddhism and Jainism. Apart from numerous Hindu temples, ashrams, ghats and sects, Varanasi is also dotted with some Buddhist stupas and Jain temples.

Places To Visit:
Varanasi has abundance of significant tourist places. Varanasi is city well known for its sacred shrines and ghats. It has more than two thousands temples ranging from huge monuments to way side shrines. Some of the important tourist spots of Varanasi are

Temples of Varanasi:
Varanasi is a city of temples. It has more than two thousands temples ranging from huge monuments to way side shrines. Some of the important temples of Varanasi are

Kashi Vishwanath Temple: It is the most prominent temple of Lord Shiva in entire country. The present day monument of this temple was built by Queen Ahilaybai Holkar of Indore. This holy shrine is positioned in a narrow lane of Dasashwamedh ghat.

Durga Temple: It is a 18th century temple built on a high place within a quadrangular court. Twelve carved pillars support the central spirer of the temple. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, this temple is flanked by a music gallery and a stepped tank. It also houses a huge temple which is hang in the porch. It was denoted to the temple by William James Grant, the Collector of Benaras in 1808.

Sankat Mochan Temple: As the name suggest, Sankat Mochan temple is dedicated to Hanuman, the monkey god. It was constructed by renowned poet Tulsi Das. Every year an annual musical festival is organize in the spacious and shady area of this temple.

Beside these temples, Varanasi is also dotted with some more temples such as Tulsi Manas Temple, Bharat Mata Mandir, Nepali Temple, Kal Bhairav Temple etc.

Ghats Of Varanasi:
Varanasi is also known as city of ghats. Varanasi ghats are termed as shores of spiritualism. They stretches to 3km along the west banks of holy river Ganges. It is widely believed that a bathe in the sacred river may bring salvation leaving you free from all sins.

Dashwamedh Ghat: It is the oldest and busiest ghat of Varanasi. It is always thronged with pilgrims, salvation seekers and tourists. According to legend, Lord Brahma has performed Dasaswamedh yagna which means sacrifice of ten horses. Bathing here is believed to give the same merit as a received by sacrificing ten horses.

Manikarna Ghat: It is an ancient ghat which is said to be existing from the times of Ramayana. This ghat is famous as a cremation ground. It is said that fire on this ghat has not stopped for last thousand of years. According to Hindu mythology, King Harishchandra worked here as a pyreman.

Apart from them there are some more ghats namely Harishchandra ghat, Panch-Ganga ghat, Assi ghat etc.

Nearby Excursion Places:
Not only Varanasi but its nearby places are also worth watching. Varanasi is surrounded by numerous historical and religious places of tourist value. Some of the famous excursion places to Varanasi are

Sarnath: Lies at a distance of 10km from Varanasi, Sarnath is related to Buddhism. Lord Budha has delivered his first sermon from after getting enlightenment. This is one of the highly revered places of Buddhist as this is the venue where the wheel of dharma was set in motion. It also has large number of monuments that are dated back to the Ashokan period to the 12 century.

Chunar: Popular for its fort, Chunar is located at a distance of 40 km (24.85 miles) from Varanasi. This fort is perched atop the Kaimur hills that provides a panoramic view of mighty Ganges river. Renowned Hindi classical novelist Devinandan Khatri, has used this place in his well known novel 'Chandrakanta'.

Vindhyachal: Vindhyachal is a holy place and known as the earthly abode of Goddess Durga. Situated 90 km from Varanasi, this place is one of the several Shaktipeeths in India.

Kushinagar: Kushinagar is also pious place of Buddhism. It is the place where Lord Budha has breathed his last.

If you are a wild life enthusiasts than don't miss out to visit Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary and ChandraPrabha Wildlife Sanctuary, which are rich in diverse flora and fauna.

Activities To Do :
Worship at the temples: The most prominent activity in which every tourist indulge in Varanasi is worshiping at various temples.

Bathe at the ghats: While your trip to Varanasi, don't forget to take bathe at the holy ghats of Varanasi, which are believed to be the place to attain salvation.

Boat cruise: Don't miss to enjoy a boat cruise on the mighty Ganges. The boat ride starts from Dasashwamedh ghat and ends at Manikarnika Ghat around 3 am in the morning. You will be mesmerised to see the golden red color of sun melts into the river when the sun rises from the east direction.

Best Time To Visit:
Most ideal time to visit Varanasi is October to April as during this time period the temperature remains quiet warm dropping to around 7 degree c.

How To Reach:
By Road: Varanasi is well joined with all the major towns of Uttar Pradesh and nearby places by network of smooth roadways. Regularly both state run and private buses ply from Varanasi to these places.

By Rail: Varanasi is well connected three of the nation's metropolitan cities namely by Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai by Indian Railways. Varanasi has two railway station such as Kashi junction and Varanasi Cantonment or Junction. Rajdhani Express from Delhi or from Kolkata passes from Varanasi too.

By Air: Varanasi is well connected to all the major Indian cities by air. Daily domestic flights operates to and from Varanasi to various Indian cities. In fact, there are some flights that operates in Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route, which would help you to explore these historical cities of India.