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Varanasi City Guide |
Varanasi Introduction |
| The city of Varanasi in India is also known as Benares (or Banaras) and to
the devout as Kashi - the 'city of light' where Shiva once lived. Built on
the bank of the Ganges river, Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the
world and one of the most sacred places in India for Hindus. It is
believed that dying here allows release from the circle of rebirths and
eternal peace for the soul |
| Facts and Figures |
| Area |
83.05 sq km |
| Altitude |
80.71 m |
| Temperature |
... |
| Language |
Hindi & English |
| STD Code |
0542 |
| Rainfall |
... |
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Varanasi History |
| The city dates back to 8th and 7th Century B.C. The Archaeological evidence
for this is from the excavations at Rajghat(near Varanasi). Varanasi has
been even before the advance of Aryans along the river Ganga. The city
remainded the Capital of Kingdom of Kashi till the end of twelth century. It
has been rightly said that almost everything connected with Hindu Culture
and Learning spread out of this city, all around the world. Here goes the
legend: Seven Hindu Saints, wandered in vain in search of salvation. They
prayed to Lord Vishnu, who created a mysterious sound, mixed with dazzling
light- that glittered over a zone of peace on this earth. This zone was none
other than Kashi, now called as Banaras, Varanasi. Even before Rome and
Greece had become known Varanasi had already risen to greatness |
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Tourist Attraction In
Varanasi :- |
Bharat Mata Temple
This temple is dedicated to Mother India which is just one
kilometer from the Varanasi station. The temple is built in the
Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth which was built by Babu Shiv Prasad
Gupt. This temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 so that
the citizens could respect Mother India in statue form. The statute
is built in marble. The statue is a replica of undivided India in
three dimension which has the mountains, plains and oceans in right
proportion.
Banaras Hindu University
One of the oldest educational
centres in India, the Banaras Hindu University was built in 1917.
The university was founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya as a centre
for the study of Indian art, culture, music and Sanskrit. The
university campus is spread over five square kilometres and houses
the Bharat Kala Bhavan. The Bhavan has a fine collection of
miniature paintings, sculptures from first to fifteenth centuries,
old photographs of Varanasi and brocade textiles.
The Ghat
Quite an amazing experience as you either walk along or brave
the waters. This is the real Varanasi, with its godmen in saffron,
the echoes of the shlokas, bathing pilgrims with prayers on their
chilled and stuttering lips, the shoreline with flames lapping up
towards the sky where the dead are sent to heaven - a thousand
sights and smells assault and overwhelm you. The more famous of the
Ghats are the Dasashwamedha, Manikarnika, Assi, Panch Ganga and
Harishchandra Ghats.
 Durga
Temple
It was built in the 18th century by a Bengali maharani and is
stained red with ochre. The Durga Temple is commonly known as the
Monkey Temple due to the many frisky monkeys that have made in their
home. Non-Hindus can enter the courtyard but not the inner sanctum
Tulsi Manas Temple
Tulsi Manas Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. The temple is
built in the place where Goswami Tulsidas composed the epic 'Ramacharitramanas'
which provides us with detailed description of the history and deeds
of Lord Rama. The Temple was constructed by a philanthropist family
in 1964.
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How to
Reach Varanasi |
Air: The airport is situated 22 km from the city.
Varanasi is connected with regular flights from Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho,
Kathmandu and Kolkata.
Rail: Varanasi is connected to all major cities and towns in
India such as Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Patna Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai.
Railway Station is located in the heart of the city.
Road: Varanasi is very well connected by a network of roads and road
transport to all major towns of Uttar Pradesh and surrounding areas.
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Best Season to Visit
Varanasi |
| The best season to visit Varanasi is undoubtedly September end - November. |
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Varanasi Cuisines |
| Varanasi, for example is famous for its 'pearl'-pilaf and kakori kebabas,
which are a feat to make. Kulchas, flat, sour-dough breads eaten with nahari(
a slow simmered shank stew), or roghni roti, rich, whole-wheat breads eaten
with spicily fried liver; Korma, meat cooked with browned onions, cardamom,
ginger and garlic. Other interesting and of course delicious delicacies
include, thandai, yellow with saffron, it consists of icy cold milk blended
with pistachios, cardamom, black pepper and sugar- pure ambrosia! The real
taste of Uttar Pradesh is really the multitude of dishes that one finds in
roadside shops, especially in old cities of Benaras and Lucknow, where hands
are experienced in the art of churning out yummy dishes and where you will
be readily excused for licking your fingers! |
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