 Varanasi is located on the banks of holy river Ganges. It lies between the Varuna and the Assi streams, from which this city gets its name. Varanasi or Banaras - or popularly known as Kashi - is one of the oldest living cities of India. It is not only home to followers of Hinduism, but also closely connected with Buddhism too. This city, said to be created by Shiva and Parvati, has a rich a mythological inheritance. Varanasi offers many magnificent spiritual experiences like watching the rising sun rays across the Ganges, sounds of the chanting of prayers and temple bells, the ashrams along the banks and the smell of the fragrance of incense sticks at the many ghats.
The Holy Place
Varanasi is an important pilgrimage centre for the Hindus and it finds a mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Varanasi is said to be the symbol of Hindu regeneration and perseverance of Hindu rituals and philosophy. The city is said to be the home for ancient temples situated on the banks of the River Ganga.
Famous Temples
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is situated in the premises of Benaras Hindu University. The Kashi temple was initially planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya but was finally built by the Birlas. The Durga Temple or the Monkey Temple dates to the eighteenth century. This temple was built in common North Indian style with an ornate shikara having five segments symbolizing the elements and equally supported by finely carved columns. This temple represents Durga as an incarnation of shakti in a red clad, riding a tiger and armed with Shiva's trident and Vishnu's discus. In earlier times, during the festivals, forked stake in the courtyard were used to behead sacrificial goats. This ritual of sacrifice has now been replaced by a symbolic mark in vermilion.
The Bharat Mata Temple is one of the most unique and vastly popular temples. Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated this temple. Here you will find a huge map of India instead of gods and goddesses. This displayed map is perfect horizontally and vertically making mountains, rivers and pilgrimage centres clearly visible. The Tulsi Manas Temple was built in 1964 and entirely dedicated to Lord Rama. This temple is situated at the place where Tulsidas, the great medieval seer said to have lived and wrote the greatest epic "Shri Ramcharitmanas". This temple's walls are engraved with the verses and scenes from this great epic.
Apart from being known as the temple city, the city is also known to have an elaborate cycle of festivals. Each and every single festival here is celebrated with the great pomp and show having musicians and elephants leading the procession.
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