Varanasi City Travel
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.
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.
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.
Places to See
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.
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.
Kashi Vidya Peeth
The Kashi Vidyapeeth was set up in 1920 by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta to provide
alternate education arrangement discarding that of the British. It soon became
a centre of natoinal education with Hindi as the medium of instruction. Acharya
Narendradev, Babu Sampurnanand, Babu Sriprakash & many more Luminaries of
the time have been associated with this institute.
Museums & Arts Galleries
Archaeological musuem Sarnath open 09:30 am.- 5 pm. Friday clossed. Ramnager
fort musuem, open 10 am.-5 pm. Clossed on Friday. Bharat Kala Bhawan B.H.U.
open 10:30 am.- 4 pm. Clossed on Sundays & university holidays. Archaeological
musuem, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University open 10 am. – 5 pm. Clossed on
Sunday & university holidays.
River Front (Ghats)
The spectacular 4 km sweep of the Ghats is unique sight, best viewed at dawn,
in that "soft first light" when the river and Ghats have a timeless
appeal. Life is almost panoramic detail unfolds here from dawn to dusk as a
steady stream of devotees-swelling to thousands on auspicious days –perform
rituals by the Ganga. The Ghats are best approached by Dashashwamedha ghat,
where boats are available on hire.
How to Reach Varanasi
Varanasi is easily accessible from all parts of the country. Very well connected
by road, rail and air, the City of. offers convenient and comfortable travelling
options to and from other cities of India.
By 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.
By 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.
By 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.
