Varanasi is considered to be the land of the temples and sages and it can be indeed very spiritually uplifting. The sights, smells and sounds of the city can be really overwhelming and thrilling at the same time. It is a great place to rejuvenate oneself and also come back to one’s own cultural roots. There are a number of activities to be done here and one will experience a whole new kind of vacation. Here are some of the things to be done in Varanasi:
The holy River Ganga is the heart of Varanasi and you have to take a boat ride on the river to experience it. The boat rides in the dawn are the best. It will open you up to vistas that you could not have believed possible. The ride down the river is wonderful and you will catch glimpses of temples on the banks of the river and see how the locals do their rituals here. The panoramic view of the river with their Ghats, is simply amazing. You will see many other tourists doing the same. There are a number of old palaces and havelis by the river and they can be seen beautifully when you take the boat ride. The crack of dawn is the best time to take this boat ride as the first rays of the sun fall on the temples. Similarly, a boat ride in the evenings when the Ganga Aarti takes place is also spectacular.
The River Ganga is considered extremely sacred for the Hindus and it is believed that one dip in the waters here will absolve one of all sins. Taking a holy dip in the waters offers salvation to everyone and helps one attain moksha, and freedom from the cycle of birth and death. There are more than 84 ghats in Varanasi and the banks are filled with sages and holy men. You will see them chanting hymns and singing in praise to the lord, or simply lost in meditation. You will get in touch with your own divine self after a dip in the waters.
You do not have to be a religious person to visit the temples of Varanasi. The temples here also specimens of art and architecture. There are temples in fact, in every nook ad corner of this ancient city and not much has changed during the recent years. All the temples have their own history and folklore and if you are interested in Indian mythology, this is the best place to learn about them. You will come into direct contact with many learned men here as well, who are learned about Indian rituals and history. The most famous temple here is of course, the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the temple is supposed to be built in two gold domes. The temple was built in 1780 by Ahilya Bai Holkar. A Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, known as Vishwanath, is also established here. There are other famous temples here as well like the Durga temple, Annapurna temple, Ankatha Temple, Kalbhairav temple and more. Remember to wear covered clothing as some of the temples here have dress codes to enter.
If you love old cities and love to explore old architecture, then you will love the old world charm of Varanasi. The city will take you back in time. Some of the houses here are hundreds of years old and they have been lived in through generations. You could even get lost in the mazes of Varanasi, but there is a sudden thrill to it. Your next stop should be the number of other Ghats here, the most famous of them being the Dashashwamedh Ghat. There are others as well like the Assi Ghat, Anandmai Ghat, Raj Ghat, Tulsi Ghat and others.
At twilight every day, the Ganga Aarti takes place and it is one of the heavenly sights you will come across. It is actually a surreal experience to witness this ritual, which has been taking place through hundreds of years. All the ghats are filled with the aroma of the flowers and the fragrance of the incense and people make offerings here. The priests use huge brass lamps about two feet tall to worship the River Goddess who is the source of all life on this planet, according to the Indian mythology and who reinstated life in the ancestors of King Bhagirath. The ritual takes places everyday at 6:45 pm and goes on for 45 mins.
The fact that Benarasee sarees are special is known worldwide and this is the best place to find them. The weavers here have attained international acclaim due to their workmanship and their ability to weave magic. The silk Benarasee sarees are even purchased by celebrities and gold and silver brocade are used for the grandiose embroidery. These sarees are a must have in an Indian woman’s closet and every wedding trousseau has at least a few of these sarees. The village of Sarai Mohana is especially famous for these sarees and the weavers are known for their unique designs and dissimilar patterns. All the sarees have individual pattern and a saree could take anywhere between 15 days, to one month to even six months to complete it. Even New York Times had published an article on the weavers of Sarai Mohana.
Sarnath is situated just about 12 km away from Varanasi and it is famous because this was where Gautam Buddha first preached in sermons on Dharma after he attained enlightenment. It is one of the four holy Buddhist sites and the relics here draw visitors from all over the country, who come to pay their respects here. Sarnath was destroyed by the Turks but the ruins here still fascinating to explore. The Dharmekh Stupa is especially impressive and quite intimidating as well. It was built around 200 BC and the pillar is over 128 feet high. The Mulagandhakuti Vihara marks the spot where the Buddha first spent his rainy season. Then of course, there is the Ashoka Pillar of Sarnath. There is also a Tibetan temple and a Sri Lanka temple located here. Do not forget to visit the Archeological Museum of Sarnath for its many treasures. It is one of the popular things to do in Varanasi in winters because the heat would not bother you as you have to stay outdoors for long.
You will get very close to getting broke when you go out for your shopping trip in Varanasi. You will surely end up spending on the money predominantly on the silk sarees and exquisite jewelry. The designs are very elaborate and intricate and you would not mind paying extra for the truly good things. The local markets are riot of colors and you can get wonderful figurines with stone inlay work. The bangles of Varanasi are particularly famous. Those who are here for pilgrimage return with idols of gods and goddesses and other items of puja. The Vishwanath Gali and Thateri Bazaar are particularly famous. The jootis and mojris make for a great style statement. Some of the shopkeepers here do tend to charge high for the objects so it is good to bargain with them.
Food is Varanasi is an experience in itself. There are quite a few high end restaurants here but somehow, the most tasty and flavorful food items are found in the shops lining the streets. The kachori and aloo sabzi breakfast is to die for, followed by some jalebi and lassi. The snow cone here is famous, along with roasted peanuts, which are a must with every cuppa of masala chai. There are a vast number of chaats to try out, along with their respective chutneys and achaars. The Rabri and Kalakand are popular sweetmeats, along with Gajar ka Halwa, Badam ki Barfi and Kesar jalebi. At the end of the meal, you will have to try out the very famous Benarasi paan.
If you could plan your visit around Diwali, then Varanasi will open up a whole new world of celebrations for you. Diwali is the main festival in India and every temple, mosque, and all the homes are decked up in lights. The lanes are cleaned and clay lamps, or diyas, are lighted everywhere. There is a special Ganga Aarti of course and you will find children bursting fire crackers. This already alive city turns on its full vigor and you cannot help but marvel at the good times that the people of the community share amongst themselves.
By air: Varanasi airport is well-linked to some of the major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. International tourists can board connecting flights from the Delhi airport which is well-connected to all the major cities in the world. The daily flights on Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route are quite popular among the tourists.
By train: The Varanasi railway station is well-connected to major cities of India via rail. From the railway station, visitors can hire a cab or a taxi to reach the destination and further explore the city.
Railway station(s): Varanasi junction (bsb), Manduadih (muv), Varanasi city (bcy), Bhulanpur (bhlp), Chaukhandi (chh), Kashi (kei), Jalalganj (jll), Shiupur (sop)
By bus: Varanasi is connected to major cities of Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states by state-run buses. Private air-conditioned buses are also available from nearby cities to Varanasi.
By road: Varanasi has a wide network of roads that connects it to major cities of Uttar Pradesh. You can hire a private taxi or cab or drive down to Varanasi from nearby cities like Kanpur, Lalitpur, and Allahabad.
Next time you plan to visit North India, do make it a point to visit Varanasi. This city has been standing here from ancient times and you will experience some of the true flavours of India here.
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