About Varanasi

Varanasi is also called "Kashi" or the city of spiritual light, said to have been founded by Shiva, Lord of the Universe. It is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, the unique relationship between the mighty Ganga and the city forms the essence of Varanasi. The city has been a centre of learning and civilisation for over 2000 years and is the home of novelists, philosophers and grammarians.

Attractions In & Around
A.B.C. Art Gallery, Prabhu AsthaIt is an Exhibition of contemporary paintings opposite Tulsi Manas Mandir. Timings: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Annapurna Temple :
Situated in Viswanath lane, this temple has an idol of goddess Annapurana (the Goddess who arranges food for all). It is said that the worship of Lord Viswanath is not complete without the worship of Annapurna.

Archaeological Museum :
The main attraction at this excellent museum is the superb capital from the Ashokan pillar having the symbol of four back-to-back lions, which has been adopted as the state symbol of modern India.

Banaras Hindu University
Founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya this is considered to be the largest residential university in Asia. It houses the Bharat Kala Kendra (museum) and Vishwanath Temple within the campus.

Bharat Kala Bhawan
Banaras Hindu University is one of the oldest educational centres in India founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya as a centre for the study of Indian art, culture, music and Sanskrit. It has a fabulous collection of miniature paintings, sculpture, contemporary art and bronzes.

Bharat Mata Temple
A novel temple dedicated to mother India, which, houses one of the perfect relief maps of India carved out of marble. Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated it.


Central Institute Of Higher Tibetan Studies
The institute envisioned by Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru in consultation with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was established in 1967 with a view to educating the youths of Tibet and Himalyan border students of India. The Institute is mainly research-oriented and seeks to mould students through its teachings.

Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary
It is beautiful secluded picnic spot about 70 kms. from Varanasi with forests of Chandraprabha, within which are the Rajdari and Devdari Waterfalls.


Chunar FortFrom their vantage point at the northern extremity of the Kaimur Hills, the impressive sandstone battlement of Chunar has an immense fort overlooking the Ganga. The sandstone has been used for centuries, most famously in Ashokan pillars - and is still quarried, leaving the surrounding hills looking ravaged in places.

Durga TempleDedicated to Durga, the Goddess of power, it is one of the most important temples in the city. It is built in north Indian Nagara style, with a multicoloured shikhara or umbrella.

Gyanvapi Mosque4.8 km from the railway station, Emperor Aurangzeb constructed this Mosque on the ruins of an ancient temple. Rare specimens of the temple art are still evident in the foundation and at the rear of the mosque.


Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread over an area of 500 sq. km, the sanctuary has a variety of wildlife. The Mukha waterfall is a tourist attraction. Other attractions being Jaunpur, Allahabad and the Vindham and Chachai falls.


Kaushambi185 kms from Varanasi, Kaushambi is said to be the place where the Pandav brothers lived. Budhha visited this place many times and gave sermons after his enlightenment in 6th and 9th century. It developed as a major center for Buddhism. The ruins of an old fort tell the saga of the town’s antiquity.

Maharaja Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum, RamnagarMaharaja Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum is housed in the Ramnagar Fort. The collection mainly comprises of textiles, pieces of decorative arts, arms & armours, means of transport-old bagghis, furniture & manuscripts.

Man MandirMan Mandir Ghat is primarily known for its magnificent 18th century observatory, equipped with ornate window casings, built for the Maharajah of Jaipur. The palace was built by Raja (King) Man Singh of Amber (Rajasthan). The Observatory houses five astronomical instruments for the study of the heavenly bodies like altitude, declination and their distance in time from the meridian.


Sarnath
The great Buddha enhanced the sanctity of Varanasi by choosing the environs of the city to preach his first sermon at Sarnath, after attaining enlightenment. Later, Ashoka, the great Mauryan Emperor erected magnificent stupas. Sarnath has been a premier centre for Buddhism.

Tulsi Manas Temple
Constructed in 1964 by a philanthropist family of Varanasi, this temple is dedicated to Lord Ram. The temple is situated at the place where the great seer of the medieval ages, Goswami Tulsi Das lived and composed the epic Ram Charit Manas. The unique temple, built in white marble, has the entire Ram Charit Manas (Ramayana) inscribed on its walls.

Vindhyachal
There are many Shaktipeeths in India. These are the places where the Goddess of power is said to be residing and people worship her. Vindhyachal is one of such abode of Shakti. The famous temples of Vindhyavasini Devi, Ashtabhuja Devi and Kalikhoh are the major attractions.


Vishwanath Temple
Also known as the Golden Temple, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. 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.


Getting in, Around & Away
AIR : Indian Airlines flies to Babatpur Airport, which is 22 kms. from Sarnath. Varanasi is also connected by air to Agra, Khajuraho, Calcutta, Bombay, Lucknow and Bhubaneshwar.

RAIL : Varanasi is an important and major rail junction. Trains with all metros and major cities link the city across the country.