Top 15 Places to visit in Varanasi

A historical and the holiest city holding many temples where all boasting great significance to Hinduism also called as the land of Shiva, situated on the bank of the river Ganga. The city is believed have many hidden and unsolved mysteries which makes exploring Varanasi an experience to remember. Dating back to 3000 years the spiritualism of this state underlies. There are numerous Ghats crowded with hundreds of devotees flocking from different nooks and corners of the country, reciting Ganga Aarti. The city is also named as Banaras or Kashi and so different institutions are named on this basis like Banaras Hindu University, Kashi Vidyapith. The city is settled on the western banks of the holy river Ganga which is holding a belief among its Hindu devout of washing their sins by taking a dip into the river.  Experiencing the admiring beauty of sunset and sunrise by taking a boat ride into the river makes the tourists spell bound. The environment of the city is dipped into the sweet fragrance of Banarasi Paan and the sounds coming from industries weaving silk Sarees, colorful rugs and beautiful carpets.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located on the banks of the river Ganges. The vicinity of the temple holds many other shrines dedicated to different gods and goddess. The deity standing on the main shrine is of Lord Shiva which is 6-cm high and is made up of silver. The shrine is shaped quadrangle and is surrounded by several small shrines. Jnana Vapi is a well settled inside the premise of the temple which holds a belief that the Linga hid himself into the well to protect it from the invaders as the shrine is attacked by invaders many times. 

New Vishwanath Temple

World’s tallest temple tower and more than 250 feet high, the temple is settled in the premise of one of the highest education institute of India Banaras Hindu University whose construction took around 20 years. Due to its construction done by Birla family the temple is also named as Birla Temple. This temple contains 9 other shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Goddess Durga, goddess Saraswati, Lord Nataraj and others. During the auspicious festivals of Lord Shiva like Maha Shivratri and Nag Panchami.

Tulsi Manas Temple

One of the most visited pilgrimage of Hinduism in Varanasi. Dating back to 1964, the construction of this temple is associated and is dedicated to Lord Ram. The ambience of this temple provides deep serenity to the tourists as the setting of the temple is amidst the lush greenery. The temple stands along the pond that is holding multiple statues which are depicting different ideas of the epics. The carvings done on the walls of the temple and the texts inscribed are very simple but are depicting beautiful moments of the Ramayana.

Monkey Temple

The temple has been named as Monkey temple as one can find numerous monkeys jumping and playing inside the premise of the temple. North Indian Style of architecture can be seen here which attracts many tourists. The temple is dedicated to Maa Durga and so is also called Durga Kund Mandir. The premise of the shrine holds a small water reservoir or a Kund which was once connected to the Ganges. It is believed that that the idol of Maa Durga is not brought by anyone, it came automatically.

Bharat Mata Temple

The temple is little different from other shrines as the shrine does not enclose any deity of any god or goddess. The temple is dedicated to Bharat Mata or Mother India. She is demonstrated as the lady of the human nation and is revered by the citizens of India irrespective of their caste, race or religion. The inauguration of this temple was done by Mahatma Gandhi in the year of 1936. The temple stands on the five pillars ad all depicting the five basic creating elements of life i.e. wind, fire, earth, water and sky. The shrine is settled inside the premise of the Kashi Vidyapeeth Campus. 

Alamgir Mosque

However the city of Varanasi is known as the Land of Temples but one can spot Mosques including Alamgir Mosque which plays a great significance to the tourists sightseeing spots in the city. The construction of the temple was done by Aurangzeb, the most prominent Mughal Ruler. For constructing this mosque Aurangzeb destroyed the shrine of Vishnu. There is a belief that the place where the mosque is standing was earlier holding the shrine of Vishnu. The place gives a perfect example of the Hindu and blend Mughal styles. Once you visit the place you would definitely not forget the spell bound beauty of the mosque for a long time.

Dashashwamedh Ghat

It is one of the most striking and the important Ghat of Varanasi whose major attraction is evening Aarti and the other rituals performed at this Ghat are also known universally. Devotees pay the homage to Goddess Ganga by carrying earthen lamps and flowers in their hand. The Ghat is settled near the Vishwanath Temple and is well known for its spell bound evening Ganga Aarti. Devotees from every nook and corners of the country flock at this place to recite the Ganga Aarti and take dip into the Ganges. You would feel like you are sitting in heaven due to the splendid aura of the place.

Manikarnika Ghat

One of the oldest and the most sacred Ghats of Varanasi where people from Hindu religions are cremated having a belief that if the dead bodies are cremated at this Ghat then they will attain Moksha. The construction of this Ghat was done by the Maharaja of Awadh. There is a very famous shrine of Lord Vishnu which serves as a major attraction to the tourists as the devotees can witness the footprints of Lord Vishnu and so the pace is named as Charanpaduka. The place symbolizes the two phases i.e. life and death. Manikarnika Kund resembles the life and the Manikarnika Ghat resembles the death.

Harishchandra Ghat

One of the oldest and the second most known Ghats for cremation in Varanasi. The Ghat is named after the king Harishchandra who was very much known for his truthfulness and charity. During early 1980s the Ghat initiated the facility of electric cremation. The people from Hindu devout bring their relatives and friends at this Ghat having a faith in their heart that if the bodies get cremated and the rituals of their funeral are done here then they attain Moksha. The construction of this Ghat was done during the same construction age of Manikarnika Ghat.

Scindia Ghat

There is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva which is somewhat submerged into the River Ganges due to its overweight and the very old construction of this Ghat. The Ghat is crowded by many people doing meditation and attaining soul enriching experiences. Tourists of Hindu devout take dip into the river Ganges with a belief that they will get freed from all the sins of their entire life. The tranquility and the serenity lingering in the atmosphere of the Ghat make it a perfect spot for doing meditation. The construction of the Ghat is almost 150 years old which is one of the reasons of submerging of the temple.

Ramnagar Fort and Museum

This 17^th century originated fort is settled on the Eastern Ghats of the River Ganges. The palace is however not considered as the prime attraction of the city but still holding a great place in the list of major attractions of the city. The view of the sunset over the river from the premise of the Vyas Temple leaves the tourists mesmerized. There is an ancient clock hanging on the walls of the museum which witnesses the early origin of the monument.

Chunar Fort

Situated at a distance of 40 km from Varanasi this fort is the most visited place near Varanasi. The fort is located in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. The fort holds several natural beauty and historical events too. Tourists can spot a stone umbrella which was constructed by King Sahadeo to celebrate the victory over more than 50 rulers. There is an underground tunnel inside the fort which connects

Sarnath

A Buddhist pilgrim spot located near Varanasi where Lord Buddha attained his first enlightenment. India’s national emblem has been carved out on Ashoka Pillar which is a major attraction of Sarnath. The place is very popular for holding numerous sculptures of Lord Buddha and the fascinating gardens and lawns give a proper relax. One can witness the Buddha Statue in Thai Monastery.

Banaras Silk Emporium

Varanasi is a renowned hub of industries manufacturing Banarasi Sarees, rugs, carpets and other handlooms. The emporium was established during 2004 which transports its products not only in India but also deals with transportation outside India. The Banarasi culture rich in history of India can be depicted from the Hindu epics like Mahabharata. It takes at least 3 craftsmen to design one saree by using the power loom.

Godowlia Market

The most liked and the oldest market in Varanasi which holds the best and the most varied goods. You can reach at the market by covering a small distance of only 3kms. It is well advised to tourists that always bargain at your best as the shopkeeper asks for a high range of the products. The market contains all the required elements from birth to death which you can get at the cheapest prices as compared to other markets.