|
Varanasi, one of the
oldest living cities of the world, is situated on the north
bank of Ganga and is located midway between Delhi and
Calcutta. it is known as the religious and cultural capital of
India. Its known history dates back to about 3500 hundred
years, during which it has continuously been populated.
However, Hindus believe that the city is eternal. Varanasi has
also been known as Kashi and Benares, but its present name is
restoration of an ancient name meaning the city between two
rivers - the Varuna and Asi. For the pious Hindu the city has
always had a special place.
Varanasi is one of the largest cities in the state of Uttar
Pradesh. Products of the city include shawls, saris,
gold-embroidered cloth, hand-hammered brassware, and heavy
gold and silver jewellery. Varanasi is especially known for
its fine silk fabrics. It is also home to the Diesel
Locomotive Works of Indian Railways, one of the largest
locomotive manufacturing plants in the World.
The Ganges or the Ganga River is one of the greatest
attractions of Varanasi. Devout Hindus make pilgrimages from
all parts of India to bathe in the Ganges, whose water they
believe to be sacred. Along the river, stairways have been
set-up, known as ghats, from which people can bathe before
saying their daily prayers. Every year, over a million
pilgrims visit the city. Varanasi is also known for its large
temples and its monasteries and palaces.
The city is also a seat of learning. It has several
universities and colleges teaching varied subjects from
engineering and medicine to dance and music. Banaras Hindu
University, a university of world repute, is situated here.
Sarnath, the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon
after attaining enlightenment, is just a few kilometers away.
The Stupa, a Buddhist Monument, erected by King Ashok in the
third century BC is still a major attraction for Buddhist
Pilgrims from all over the world.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The numerous ghats along the bank of the Ganges present a
varied scene from dawn to dusk. A ghat is a series of
well-paved steps that lead to the water. A ghat in Varanasi
usually has small temples built into its side, while the
larger structures, housing the powerful gods and goddesses
from the Hindu pantheon, form a formidable backdrop to the
serene beauty of the meandering river. These ghats numbering
more than a hundred, with their entourage of temples, form the
axis on which the city developed. For centuries, the Hindus
considered it very auspicious to bathe at the ghats of
Varanasi. Everyday at dawn thousands of pilgrims can be seen
offering salutations to the Sun God in waist-deep water,
secure in their conviction that the muddy waters of the Ganges
will wash away all the accumulated sins of their life. The oil
lamps (diyas) and flowers set afloat on the river at dusk make
a fascinating sight.
There are five important ghats in Varanasi where the pilgrims
flock to take a bath-the Assi, Dasawamedha, Barnasangam,
Panchganga, and Manikarnika. Each ghat has its own history and
its own following. Many of the ghats were built and owned by
the royal families of India; the Maharaja of Benaras built the
Kali (or Sivala) Ghat, Maharaja Man Singh built the Mansarovar
Ghat, while Ahilyabai Ghat is named after that legendary Queen
Ahilyabai of Indore.
The best time to visit the ghats is at the break of dawn, when
pilgrims perform the Surya Pranam immersed waist deep in the
waters of the holy Ganges.
The best way to catch the essence of Varanasi is to travel
down the Ganges by boat at six o'clock in the morning. Boats
can be hired by the hour from the main steps of the
Dasawamedha Ghat. The steady creek of ancient oars, the slap
of wet garments, incessant chatter of the bathers amid a
tinkling of scattered temple bells, watching Varanasi from the
environs of a gently swaying boat is truly an experience worth
treasuring.
Although Varanasi is famous as a Hindu pilgrimage center, one
cannot ignore its distinct Muslim heritage. The powerful
Sultans of Delhi and later the emperors of the Mughal dynasty
were instrumental in constructing several mosques, and this
predominantly Hindu city gradually attained a degree of
cosmopolitanism. Aurangzeb, the last of the mighty Mughals,
hastened this process of evolution and the mosques that he
built still stand today. The great mosque of Varanasi,
Gyanvyapi Masjid, has minarets towering 71 m above the Ganges
and is an integral part of the city's skyline.
There is also the Golden Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The
temple today sits across the road from its original site. The
present temple was built in 1776 by Rani Ahilyabai, while
three and a quarter ton of gold plating on the towers were
provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore. Next to the
temple is the Well of Knowledge, where, as legend goes, the
original Shiva lingam lies hidden.
There is another temple in this holy city-a temple dedicated
not to the gods, but to Mother India. The Bharat Mata temple,
as it is known, does not have idols or images of gods and
goddesses: what it has is a marble relief map of Independent
India. The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, inaugurated
the temple.
Benaras Hindu University is the largest residential university
in Asia, a center of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture, and music.
This university covers an area of 2000 acres, and was gifted
by the king of Varanasi, a scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu
philosopher himself. The university is around 10 km from the
railway station.
Of the numerous temples that dot this ancient city, the
important ones are the Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir,
Vinayaka Temple, Annapurna Temple, Kal Bhairav, Jateshwar
Mahadeo, and Maha Mritunjaya Temple.
PLACES AROUND VARANASI
A tourist to Varanasi must make it a point to visit the
Ramnagar Fort and Sarnath, both situated on the outskirts of
this city. The former, situated on the opposite bank of the
Ganges, is the residential palace of the former Maharaja of
Varanasi. The hall of public audience (Durbar Hall) and the
royal museum housing collections of palanquins, elephant
saddles, arms, furniture, costumes, etc., are of great
interest. At the other end of the city is Sarnath. Here in the
fabled deer park, where the Buddha preached his sermon
enshrining the principles of his teaching into laws. There is
a stupa and a large complex of ruined monasteries. Nearby also
stands the Ashoka Pillar commemorating the Mauryan emperor's
visit to the place more than 2,000 years back. The
archeological museum located nearby holds a rich collection of
items belonging to the Kushan and Gupta periods as well as
from the Ashokan era.
One may also undertake quite a few enjoyable excursions from
Varanasi. The fort of Chunar, about 37 km away, is famous for
its close association with the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri.
Kusumi Forest (8 km) and the Rajdari and Deodari Falls in the
Chandraprabha forest (70 km) are beautiful picnic spots.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
The festive magic never ends in Varanasi. If Poornima
cleanses, Maha Shivratri blesses. If Holika-Dahan is a
celebration, Dhrupad Mela is a revelation…. One does not
require making his itinerary according to the dates and months
of the festivals. One can come and enjoy the festive season
anytime of the year here.
Benarasi mithais (sweets) and the famous Benarasi paan (betel
leaf) are two specialties that can be found in this magical
city. Both are very dear to the people-traditional and crucial
to the social system-far beyond the simple act of cooking,
preparing, and eating.
Milk-based sweets are flavored with cardamon, saffron, essence
of rose extract, a garnish of nuts, and a fine layer of edible
silver foil. Layers of fresh cream lovingly embrace dry fruits
that are hidden in the interiors of malai paan. Thickened milk
is left out in the dew overnight and then flavored with
saffron. This mix is then beaten to a stiff froth-it would put
any soufflé to shame. Nimmish is undisputedly a delicacy only
for the well to do and that too only in winter. The Benarasi
paan is a very heavily flavored betel leaf smeared with
catechu (a tannin rich powder called katha), lime paste (chuna),
and wrapped around shredded betel nut (supari) and often
cardamom pod, aniseed and tobacco. Secured by a clove pierced
through the folds of the betel leaf, sweetening agents,
peppermint, menthol, and local aphrodisiacs are also added to
this elaborate package. Given the acclaimed digestive
qualities of all ingredients, it is a perfect way to round off
a good and wholesome Indian meal (though most people have a
paan safely tucked away into the recesses of their mouth
perpetually).
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is not a problem in Varanasi. Hotels ranging
from high-end to economy class are all available. Many of them
have magnificent views of the Ganges in exclusive suites.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - Varanasi is well connected by air to several cities
in India. It is on the popular daily tourist service
Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route.
BY RAIL - Varanasi has two railway stations-Kashi and Varanasi
Junction (also Cantonment Station). We would provide you all
India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations
and also for the intercity drives too. |
Español
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Português
English
