Varanasi - Fact File
Location : Uttar Pradesh, India.
Area : 73.89 sq. kms
Population : 6,50,000
Main Languages : Hindi, Urdu and English.
Also Known As : Banaras, Benaras, Kashi.
Major Attractions : Ghats, Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Bharat Mata Temple.
Climate : Extreme type of climate, Summer temp : 45°C and 32°C, Winter temp : 25°C and the minimum is 5°C.
Ideal Time to Visit : October to March.


Varanasi - the Holy City of Hindus
Varanasi, the 'Eternal City' is one of the most important pilgrimage sites and also a popular tourist destination. The town is situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the sacred Ganges. Varanasi is one of the ancient cities of world and has been a centre of learning and civilization for thousand of years. Even today, Varanasi is a centre of learning, especially Sanskrit and students flock here from all over the country. About Varanasi Mark Twain has told, "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together." The name Varanasi is a combination of Varuna and Asi, which means the city between two rivers. The city always has a special place for the pious Hindu and has become a symbol of the Hindu renaissance. Apart from a pilgrimage centre, it is considered auspicious to die in Varanasi, ensuring an instant routing to heaven. The old city of Varanasi is situated along the west bank of the river Ganges and extends back from the ghats in a winding collection of narrow alleys. The Cantonment area is entirely new and modern structures are situated across the tree lined avenues.

Attractions of Varanasi
Ghats : Varanasi's principal attraction is the long string of bathing ghats which line the west bank of the river Ganga. All the ghats extending over a 5 km stretch are busy all day long as Pilgrims take a ritual bath and worship the rising sun. Wrestling bouts, yogic exercises, pranayam, recital of stories to the assemble audience make the atmosphere lively. There are over hundred ghats of which the Dasawamadh Ghat is the most convenient starting point. Other popular ghats are Manikarnika, Asi, Panchganga and Barnasangam.

Vishwanath Temple
Vishwanath Temple or the Golden Temple is dedicated to Vihswanath (Lord Shiva) who occupies the highest rank among all the Hindu Gods. The original temple was demolished by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century and built a mosque over it. Maharani Ahalya Bai of Indore built the present temple in 1776, across the road from its original position. Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore provide the gold plating on the towers in 1835.

Durga Temple
The Durga Temple was built in the 18th century by Rani Bhawani of Bengal.

Built in the Nagara style the temple is unique in its own way and has a multicouloured umbrella. Its five spires merges into one is symbolical, it means dissolution of the five elements (Panchbhuta) into the Supreme Being (Parama Brahma). Durga temple is commonly known as the Monkey temple due to the presence of large number of monkeys.

Tulsi Manas Temple
Tulsi Manas Temple is situated next to the Durga Temple. It was built in 1964 by a philanthropist family in memory of Tulsidas the author of Ram Charit Manas. The deities here are Lord Shri Ram, Lakshmana and Sita. The verses and scenes from the Ram Charit Manas, the Hindi version of Ramayana is inscribed here in white marble.

Bharat Mata Temple
The temple is situated on Vidyapith Road, 3 km west of Godawalia. Mahatama Gandhi inaugurated the temple in 1936 and in place of any conventional deities there is a relief map of India in white marble.

Sarnath
Sarnath is 10 km to the North-East of Varanasi. It was at Sarnath that the religion of Buddha first blossomed. At Sarnath Buddha preached his first sermon of Mahadharmachakra which contains the essence of Buddhism that is gaining absolute peace, ultimate knowledge and total emancipation (Nirvana).

Accommodation
Varanasi is equally attractive to both the tourists and the pilgrims, hence plenty of accommodation options are available. Accommodation is available in hotels, guest houses, rest houses and lodges. Most popular hotels of the town are Hotel Taj Ganges (5 Star Deluxe), Hotel Clarks (5 Star), Hotel Radission (5 Star), Hotel Hindustan International (4 Star) and Pallavi International Hotel (Heritage).

How To Reach Varanasi
By Air : Varanasi airport is connected to major cities of India. A flight of Indian Airlines ply between Varanasi and Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Khajuraho.

By Rail : Varanasi railway station is connected to major cities like Delhi and Kolkata. Mughal Sarai (16 kms) is the major railhead near Varanasi which has the trains from all over India.

By Road : National Highway connects Varanasi with important places of Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India. UPSRTC, MPSRTC and private buses ply towards various destinations of UP and Madhya Pradesh. There are regular buses to Jaunpur, Allahabad, Lucknow, Faizabad and Gorakhpur.