Visit 'Varanasi' - the Spiritual Capital of India

Located on the banks of river Ganga (the Ganges) in the state of Uttar Pradesh in North India, Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities of the world. Popularly known as ‘Kashi’ in Hindu mythology, it is revered as a sacred place where vedic rituals of life and death take place in broad day light. Pilgrims from all over India come here to take a dip in the Ganges, along the many ghats or embankments here at Varanasi.

River Ganga is the holiest river in Hindu tradition. The river’s personification is Ganga, the elder sister of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva. According to the puranas, river Ganga came to earth for giving salvation to 60,000 ancestors of sage Bhagirath. But when She came on earth, Her falling force was so enormous that Lord Shiva had to hold her in his matted hair and He was the one who ultimately released Her in the form of a river.

Taking a dip in the sacred Ganga water is believed to wash away one’s sins. According to popular belief, anyone who dies in this magical land of Kashi attains Moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death and the last funeral rites are performed on the ghats of Varanasi. 

 

Varanasi also houses some of the ancient and famous temples of India. They are listed below:

THE KASHI 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 others Gods, broke through the earth’s crust and flared towards the heavens.

ANNAPURNA TEMPLE – Goddess Annapurneshawari is worshipped as the ‘Goddess of Food’ in vedic tradition.

SANKATHA TEMPLE – Located near the Sindhia ghat, there is an important temple of ‘Goddess of Remedy’, Devi Sankatha. There are also small nine temples of the nine planets (Navagrahas) nearby this temple.

KALBHAIRAV TEMPLE – According the belief, God Kalbhairav is believed as ‘kotwal (chief police officer) of Varanasi’; without his permission no one can stay in Kashi.

MRITUNJAY MAHADEV TEMPLE – This temple situated next to Kalbhairav temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nearby is a well of much religious importance, water of which is said to be an amalgam of several underground streams and is good for eliminating several diseases.

NEW VISHWANATH TEMPLE - Situated on the premises of Banaras Hindu University, is a modern place of worship planned by Pandit Malviya and built by the Birlas. It is open to all, irrespective of caste or creed.

TULSI MANAS TEMPLE - Constructed by a family of Varanasi, this modern temple is dedicated to lord Rama. It is situated at the place where Tulisdas, the great medieval seer, lived and wrote the epic ‘Sri Ramcharitmanas’, which narrates the life of Lord Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Verses from Tulidas’s epic are inscribed on the walls of the temple.

SANKATMOCHAN TEMPLE- Lord hanuman is also known as ‘sankat mochan’, the God who protects one from the troubles. This temple is founded by Goswami Tulsidas. This temple is also known as the ‘monkey’ temple, as one can see a lot of monkeys on its premises.

DURGA TEMPLE - Goddess Durga is believed as the symbol of strength and power which govern the entire world. There is a pond adjacent to the temple called ‘Durgakund’.

BHARAT MATA TEMPLE - This temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 and houses one of the most perfect relief maps of india carved out of marble. The temple was gifted by the nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta (Bharat Ratna ) and Shri Durga Prasad Khatri, leading numismatists and anti-quarians.

Besides temples, one may also visit many of the popular ghats at Varanasi and witness the grand evening Ganga Aarti and puja ceremony. Some of the famous ghats are mentioned below:

DASHASHWAMEDH GHAT – It is Varanasi’s liveliest and most colorful ghat. The name indicates that Brahma sacrificed (medh) 10 (das) horses (ashwa) here.  Every evening at 7 PM, an elaborate Ganga Aarti (river worship) ceremony with puja (prayers), fire and dance is staged here.

ASSI GHAT – It is particularly important as the river Assi meets the Ganges near here and pilgrims come to worship a Shivalingam (phallic image of Shiva) beneath a peepul tree. Evenings are particularly lively; as the ghat’s vast concreted area fill up with hawkers and entertainers. There's also music and yoga at sunrise. 

Manikarnika Ghat - The main burning ghat, is the most auspicious place for a Hindu to be cremated. Dead bodies are handled by outcasts known as doms, and are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher, swathed in cloth.

Huge piles of firewood are stacked along the top of the ghat; every log is carefully weighed on giant scales so that the price of cremation can be calculated. Each type of wood has its own price, sandalwood being the most expensive. There is an art to using just enough wood to completely incinerate a corpse. You can watch cremations but always show reverence by behaving respectfully. Photography is strictly prohibited. 

HARISHCHANDRA GHAT  - It is also a cremation ghat – smaller and secondary in importance to Manikarnika, but one of the oldest ghats in Varanasi.

MUNSHI GHAT – also known as Darbhanga Ghat – is one of the more photogenic ghats along the old city stretch of the Ganges at Varanasi. Besides there are many smaller ghats along the Ganges where you can go for leisure walks. Other off beat things to do in Varanasi are:

MORNING BOAT RIDE IN THE GANGES - The ride along Ganges River offers the quintessential Varanasi experience. It takes one through different ghats and former palaces situated close to the banks of the Ganges, giving a panoramic view of this river and the region. It usually starts from Dasawamedh Ghat, goes to the Harishchandra Ghat and then back. If you ride in the evening, you can see how women from all over the world light lotus flower candles and leave it adrift in the river water.

It is believed that whatever wish you ask for while doing this comes true. Experience peace, serenity and be enthralled by colorful sight of pilgrims and sadhus (saints and sages) offering ablutions and other religious activities.

VISIT THE HISTORICAL RAMNAGAR FORT - Built by Raja (King) Balwant Singh in 1750, this castle is the best representation of Mughal style of architecture. It is popular around the world for its strong, lavish appearance. It features carved balconies, pavilions and open courtyards, which is associated with summer resorts, palaces and forts of the Mughals.

The fort also a has a museum, which showcases unusual and rare collection of vintage cars from America along with ivory work, sedan chairs, golden and silver palanquins in the shape of lotus and elephant saddles made of beautiful designs. It also features an armory hall that displays swords and guns from around the world.

SHOPPING IN VARANASI’S LOCAL MARKETS AND TRYING OUT ITS MOUTH-WATERING CUISINE - The local market here is filled with illustrious fine silk and apart from saris, one can buy shawls, carpets, stone inlay work, bangles and idols of Hindu or Buddhist deities. The main shopping areas to explore in this city include Vishwanath Lane, Thateri Bazaar, Chowk and Godowilia.

Popular places to eat street food are Keshari Restaurant, Bona café, Vegan Raw, Blue Lassi, Bhumi French Bakers, Brown Bread Bakery, Dosa Café, Om café, Dolphin restaurant, Eden Restaurant, Ayyar’s café and many more.

BHARAT KALA BHAVAN - This museum hosts a wonderful collection of miniature paintings, as well as 12^th century palm-leaf manuscripts, sculptures and local history displays. No cameras are allowed here.

Unwind and renew your heart and soul in this pristine city of Gods!

(pic courtesy Wikimedia Commons)