Varanasi Introduction
General Facts about Varanasi:
Location : In southeastern Uttar Pradesh, India.
Area : 73.89 sq. km.
Population : 1322248 (1991 census)
Altitude : 80.71 mtrs above sea level
Best Seasons : October – March
Languages : Hindi and English
Festivals : Shivratri, Dussehra, Ganga Festival, Bharat Milap, Dhrupad Mela, Hanumat Jayanti, Nakkatyya Chetganj, Nag Nathaiya Panch Kroshi Parikrama.
Significance : One of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus.
Local Transport : Buses, Cycle-rickshaws, Auto-rickshaws
Climate : Hot summers with temperature as high as 45°C mark the extreme tropical climate of the city. Torrential rains and highly humid monsoons and pleasant winters with temperatures around 20°C during daytime complete the picture. There can be misty mornings during winters.
STD Code : 0542
Approximately 3000 years old, Varanasi (also popularly known as Benaras or Kashi) is famous holy Hindu city. This city is situated on the banks of the River Ganga in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This city is regarded as one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. This city is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage centre for Hindus, who believe that those who are fortunate to die here attain salvation instantly. This city is also known for the city of temples and learning.
Called as the city of “Lord Shiva”, Varanasi is a religious and spiritual city. It is a city of Ghats of holy Ganga, and temples, ashrams & maths. The relationship between the sacred river Ganga and the city is the essence of Varanasi - 'the land of sacred light'. The Ganga is believed to have flown from heaven to wash away the worldly sins of the human race of mortal's.
This city is much famous for learning Sanskrit, Hindi and Hindi Philosophy. Varanasi is a centre for studying Astrology, Sanskrit, Yoga, and Ayurveda. Banaras has always been associated with philosophy and wisdom. A place of learning for many years, the Banaras Hindu University carries on this tradition. The University campus, to the south of the city, was built at the beginning of this century. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was involved in founding it.
Varanasi is rich in Arts, Music, Dance and Literature. Varanasi is famous for Banarasi Saree, Handicrafts, Jari Work, and Wooden Items. Arts and crafts including production of silks and brocades done in gold and silver threads and music and dance can never be said to have lacked behind.
Shopping Attractions
The main shopping attractions in Varanasi are Banarasi Saree, Silk clothes, handicrafts, Banarasi Pan, glass bangles, and hand knotted carpets.
Prime Attractions
Ghats of Varanasi 
The Ghats of Varanasi offer to every visitor a breathtaking experience. These are the best place to see the charming spell of the old-world traditions and the cultural identity of the city. There are 84 bathing ghats in the city.
Durga Temple
Located in the southern part of the city, Durga Temple is also known as the Monkey Temple. This temple is one of the busiest in the city and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. This temple was built in the 18th century. The temple is the finest example of the NAGRA SHILP. There is a pond adjacent to the temple called “Durga Kund”.
Bharat Mata Temple
Dedicated to 'Mother India', Bharat Mata Temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. The temple is unique in its concept as it is based on much more contemporary ideology than the customary gods and goddesses. Gifted by the nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta (Barat Ratana) and shri Durga Prasad Khatri, leading numismatists and antiquarians, the temple is known for housing one of the perfect relief maps of India made in marble with accurate scaling done dexterously in both vertical and horizontal scales. Mahatma Gandhi himself inaugurated it.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Also known as the Golden Temple, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Said to be the point at which the first Jyotirlinga, the fiery pillar of light by which shiva manifested has supremacy over others gods, broke through the Earth’s crust and flared towards the heavens. More than the Gaths and even the Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in the temple remains the devotional focus of Varanasi.
Tulsi Manas Temple
Constructed by family of Varanasi, this modern temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and situated close to the Durga Temple. Built in 1964, this temple is situated at the place Where Tulsidas, the great medieval seer, lived and wrote the epic "Shri Ramcharitmanas", which narrates the life of Lord Rama, the hero of the Ramayana.
New Vishwanath Temple
Situated in the premises of Banaras Hindu University, a modern place of worship planned by Pandit Malviya and built by the Birlas. So this temple is also known as the Birla Temple. This temple is open to all, irrespective of caste or creed.
Annapurna Temple
This temple is situated near the Kashivishwanath Temple. This is the nice temple of Devi Annapurna. The name 'Annapurna' means one who provides us with plentiful of food. The Goddess is believed to be the mother of all the three worlds, heaven, earth and hell and it is said that her devotees never suffer from starvation and want of food.
Mritunjay Mahadev Temple
On the route of Daranagar to Kalbhairav temple this temple of Lord Shiva is situated . Just besides this temple there is a Well of much religious importance , whose water is said to be mixture of several underground streams and good for eliminating several diseases.
Banaras Hindu University & Bharat Kala Bhawan
Banaras Hindu University played an important role in the independence movement and has developed since then into the greatest center of learning in India. It boasts of not only great freedom fighters but also the makers of modern India including scholars, artists, scientists and technologists who have earned remarkable repute in their respective fields. Sprawling across 1300 acres, it has well maintained roads and extensive greenery in its campus. It has a temple, an airstrip, Bharat Kala Museum and also has a 927-bed hospital, large playgrounds, a massive auditorium, a flying club and many auxiliary services and units.
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, as a centre for the study of Indian art, culture, music and Sanskrit, founded Banaras Hindu University, one of the oldest educational centres in India. Bharat Kala Bhawan finds a place in its campus as a museum exhibiting the finest collection of Mughal miniature paintings and brocade textiles along with sculptures, contemporary art forms and bronze statues from 1st to 15th centuries.
How to Reach
By Air: Indian Airlines has daily flights to and from Babatpur airport, 22 km from Varanasi, connecting it to Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow and Bhuvaneshwar.
By Train: Well connected by trains to all the major cities in India, Varanasi is an important and major rail junction. Some of the important trains connecting it to Delhi and Mumbai are Kashi Vishwanath Express, Shramjivi Express, Saryu-Yamuna Express, Mahanagri Express, Pawan Express and Purva Express.
By Road: Varanasi is well-connected by smooth and good roads and national highways to the rest of the country such as Kolkata, Delhi, Kanya Kumari and Gorakhpur.
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