Varanasi
Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Benares, is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. It is the spiritual capital of India and the holiest city in Hinduism, situated on the banks of the Ganges River.
History
Varanasi has been a center of learning, culture, and spirituality for over 3,000 years. It was a major city in ancient India and a center of the Vedic religion. The city is associated with Lord Shiva and is believed to be the city where death brings liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Famous for
How to reach
By air: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. By rail: Varanasi Junction connected to all major cities. By road: well-connected highways.
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Emergency contacts
About
Varanasi's spiritual significance draws pilgrims from across India and the world. The city has over 80 ghats (riverfront steps) along the Ganges, where devotees perform rituals, bathe, and pray. The evening Ganga Aarti at Dasashwamedh Ghat is a spectacular ceremony of fire, music, and devotion.
The narrow lanes of old Varanasi are a maze of temples, shops, and tea stalls. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Boat rides at dawn offer a serene view of the ghats coming to life.
Sarnath, 10km from Varanasi, is where Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment. It features the Dhamek Stupa and an archaeological museum. The city is also famous for its silk weaving industry producing the renowned Banarasi sarees.