Which one’s the oldest city you know? Varanasi is older than that!
My summer internship at Allahabad High Court was about to get over, and I decided to utilize my last few days in exploring the nearby locations. And since I had never been to Varanasi before, and it was hardly three hours away, the decision didn’t need a second thought on it.
Varanasi, or Benares, or Kashi, as it is variedly known, is a religious city on the banks of the Holy Ganga (Ganges). The city claims its share of fame as one of the primary abodes of Lord Shiva. Home to more than hundreds of temples, the holy city of Varanasi is located on the left bank of the Holy Ganga at the confluence of two rivers: Varuna, a minor tributary of the Holy Ganga, and Assi, a rivulet bordering Varanasi at the south.
The Ghats:
The main attraction in Varanasi is the Ghats along the banks of the Holy Ganga. Pilgrims from across the subcontinent gather herein to take a holy dip and get rid of their sins. There are around 64 ghats in continuation, each famous for some particular activity. Some ghats are famous for holy dip, some for cremation, and some for other rituals.
The best way to take a look at all of these ghats is to take a boat ride starting from any ghat, preferably the ‘Harischandra Ghat’. The ghats are spread across a distance of seven kilometres, and are a feat to the vision!
In the evening, at around 19.00 IST everyday, the grand-aarti takes place in praise of Mother Ganga. Although a lot of ghats host an aarti of their own, the grandest of them is hosted at the ‘Dasashwamedh (Das-Ashwa-Medh) Ghat’! If you’re in Varanasi, you simply can’t afford to miss it!
Other attractions:
I stayed there for a short period of time and couldn’t explore much. However, following are some other attractions that the city hosts proudly:
- · Vishwanath Temple (at a walkable distance from the Dasashwamedh ghat)
- · The view from Malviya Bridge (The bridge connecting Varanasi and Mughal Sarai)
- · Sarnath (Nearly 10 km from Varanasi)
- · Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir
- · Museums (a feat for the archaeology lovers)
- · Dhamek Stupa
- · Ramnagar Fort
Setting feet and accommodation:
Nearby railway stations are:
- · Varanasi Junction (BSB)
- · Manduadih Railway Station (MUV)
- · Kashi Railway Station (KEI)
- · Bhulanpur Railway Station (BHLP)
- · Mughal Sarai Junction (MGS)
- · Sarnath Railway Station (SRNT)
Lots of cheap hotels, lodges, and guest houses are there just in front of the Varanasi Junction Railway Station. Costlier options can be explored through online services like OYO. Lal Bahadur Shashtri International Airport is the nearest airport. Alongside, the city is well connected from almost all the Indian major cities by Train or Flight.
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