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India Destinations Holidays

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Varanasi Travel Guide

Welcome at "THE HOLY CITY VARANASI". Varanasi, or Banaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi`s Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrivalled. Mark Twain, the English author and literateur, who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of Banaras, once wrote : "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". According to the ‘Vamana Purana’, the Varuna and Assi rivers originated from the body of the primordial Person at the beginning of time itself. The tract of land lying between them is believed to be ‘Varanasi’, the holiest of all pilgrimages.

The word ‘Kashi’ originated from the word ‘Kas’ which means to shine. Steeped in tradition and mythological legacy, Kashi is the ‘orignal ground ‘ created by Shiva and parvati, upon which they stood At the beginning of time. Varanasi is the microcosm of Hinduism, a city of traditional classical culture, Glorified by myth and legend and sanctified by religion, it has always attracted a larg number of pilgrims And worshippers from time immemorial.To be in Varanasi is an experience in itself…. An experience in Self –discovery… an ethereal oneness of the body and soul.

To every visitor; varanasi offers a breathtaking experience. The rays of the dawn shimmering across the ganges… the high-banks ; the temples and shrines along the banks bathed in a golden hue …soul stirring hymns and mantras alongwith the fragrance of incense filling the air…and the refreshing dip in the holy waters gently splashing at the Ghats. Varanasi – The land where experience and discovery reach the ultimate bliss.

Varanasi is also renowned for its rich tapestry of music, arts, crafts and education. Some of the world – renowned exponents India has produced in these fields were schooled in Varanasi’s cultural ethos. Luminaries apart, Varanasi abounds in the art of silk weaving, an exotic work of art which manifests itself in precious Banarasi silk sarees and silk brocades which are cherished as collector’s items across the world today.


Places of Interest in Varanasi

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir
Also known as the Golden Temple, it is dedicated to Lord shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Varanasi is 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.

Central Institute Of Higher Tibetan Studies
The only institute of its kind in the world, imprating education in the Tibetan language, it was Est. by the Dalai Lama in 1971. Presently located at Sarnath, the institute has a rare collection of Buddhist texts, Tibetan manuscripts and other journals.

Barat Kala Bhawan, B.H.U
Started in 1950 as a university museum, Bharat Kala Bhawan in famous for its unique collection of miniature paintings. It has a rich collection of Rajasthani paintings, Pichhawai’s, pahari painting, Nepalese & Tibetan Thankas, Company paintings as well as paintings of contemporary artists, illustrated Mrigavati, Kalpa Sutra, Chora-Panchasika, Laura-Chanda, Shah-nama and some pages of Humza-nama Are the proud possessions of this museum.

Maharaja Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum, Ramnager
Ramnager fort was originally built by Maharaja Balwant Singh (1740-70 AD.) The Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum is housed in the Ramnager fort itself. The museum collection mainly Comprises of textiles, pieces of decorative arts, arms & armours, utilitarian objects, means of transport-old bagghis, palkis & haudasivories, furniture & manuscripts.

Banaras Hindu University
The Banaras Hindu University was established in 1916 by special efforts of Nationalist Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. Today it has grown into one of the biggest universities of India.


How to Reach Varanasi

Air
Indian Airlines flies to Babatpur airport which is 22 km. from Varanasi and 30 km. from Sarnath There is a. direct, daily flight connection between Varanasi and New Delhi. It also connects Varanasi to Delhi, Agra,. Khajuraho, Calcutta, Mumbai, Lucknow and Bhuvaneshwar. For travel reservations contact Indian Airlines.

Train
Varanasi is an important and major rail junction. The city is served by trains from all metros and major cities across the country. New Delhi, mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Gwalior, Meerut, Indore, Guwahati, Allahbad, Lucknow, Dehradun… the city has direct rail connections. Varanasi Cantt Railway Station Enquiry number 135. Some important trains from Varanasi station are Kashi Vishwanath Express (Varanasi-Delhi), Shramjivi Express (Patna- Varanasi-Delhi), Farakka Express (MaldaTown-Varanasi-Bhiwani),Saryu-Yamuna Express,(Muzzafarpur-Varanasi-delhi), Mahanagri Express (Varanasi-Mumbai), Pawan Express (Varanasi-Mumbai), Sabermati Express (Varanasi-Ahamedabad), Ganga-Kaveri Express (Varanasi-Chennai), Purva Express (Howrah-Varanasi-Delhi), Himgiri Express (Jammu-Varanasi-Howrah), Siyaldah Express (Varanasi-Jammu Tawi), Marudhar Express (Varanasi / Agra /Jaipur).
From Mughal Sarai Station: (16 Km. from Varanasi) Train from Mughal Sarai Station are Rajdhani Express (Howrah – Mughal Sarai- Delhi), Toofan Express (Howrah- Mughal Sarai- Delhi), North East Super Fast Express (Delhi –Mughal Sarai-Guwahati), Magadh Express (Delhi- Mughal Sarai – Patna).

Road
Varanasi, on (National Highway) NH2 from Calcutta to Delhi, NH7 to Kanya Kumari and NH29 to GoraKhpur is connected literally to the rest of the country by good motorable, all – weather roads. Some important road distances are: Agra 565 km., Allahabad 128 km., Bhopal 791 km., Bodhgaya 240 km., Kanpur 330 km., Khajuraho 405 km., Lucknow 286 km., patna 246 km., Sarnath 10 km., Lumbini (Napal) 386 km., Kushi Nagar 250 km. (via Gorkhpur), UPSRTC Bus Stand, Sher Shah Suri Marg, Golgadda Bus Stand.

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Delhi Travel Guide || Agra Travel Guide || Jaipur Travel Guide || Jodhpur Travel Guide || Khajuraho Travel Guide || Udaipur Travel Guide || Varanasi Travel Guide || Pushkar Travel Guide || Ranthambhore Travel Guide || Bharatpur Travel Guide || Chennai Travel Guide || Mumbai Travel Guide || Goa Travel Guide || Cochin(Ernakulam) Travel Guide || Kolkata Travel Guide || Kovalam Travel Guide || Madurai Travel Guide || Ooty Travel Guide || Darjeeling Travel Guide || Bangalore Travel Guide || Mysore Travel Guide

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