Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

[728 Kms / 12 hrs Road Drive from Delhi]

Situated on the west bank of the Ganges, Varanasi is a prime tourist city of Uttar Pradesh. Called Benaras by the British, this age old living city is a holy pilgrimage centre of India. Spirituals from all over the globe come here in search of the nirvana. With a rich history dates back to 3500 years, Varanasi is emerged as a centre for the study, music, art, crafts and education.
Popular Tourist Attractions in/ around Varanasi
By virtue of the traditional Indian culture and tradition, Varanasi has become a great hub of tourist attractions you will find several travel agents who will help you to discover interesting and exciting tourist attractions in and around Varanasi.

Ghats of Varanasi:
It’s very difficult to find Ghats without having any history attached to it. These ghats are stretched up to 4 kms. Various religious rituals are performed here on a regular basis.

Highlights: Dasaswamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Lalita Ghat, spiritual rituals, evening fire aarti etc.



Durga Temple (Built in 18th century)
The Durga Temple of Varanasi is admired a lot by the spiritual Hindus. This temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. Here Devi is clad in red sarees and riding a tiger. The deity reflects an angry posture armed with a trident, discus and sword.

Highlights: North Indian pattern called Nagara, South-Indian Gopuram pattern, Multi-tired spires, Bengal influence in architecture etc.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Built in the year 1776 by Rani Ahalyabai Holkar)
Kashi Vishwanath Temple or the ‘Golden Temple’ is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Here Lord Shiva is worshipped as Vishveswara which means the Lord of the Universe. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the temple complex.

Highlights: gold plating on the towers (shikharas), Statues etc.

Banaras Hindu University (Built in the year 1916-1917)
Asia’s largest residential university, BHU built under the special act of parliament. BHU is considered as a citadel for education in Indian art, music, culture and philosophy and for the study of Sanskrit.

Highlights: Library, Birla Temple and Bharat Kala Bhawan

Ramnagar Fort (Built by Maharaja Balwant Singh in the 18th century)
Located on the bank of river Ganga, Ramnagar Fort is built in red sandstone. Fourteen kms away from Varanasi, this fort houses Ramnagar Fort Museum, which has some rarest collections of the past relics.

Highlights: Statues, Paraphernalia, collections of palanquins, elephant saddles carved out of silver, armory, furniture, costumes and Royal antiques

Popular Excursions from Varanasi
Important Buddhist pilgrimage centre, Sarnath is located just 10 km from Varanasi. Lord Buddha delivered his first lecture after gaining enlightenment at Sarnath. At a distance of 14 kms from Varanasi, Ramnagar is famous for the royal museum which exhibits vintage cars, royal palkies, swords, old guns, ivory work and antique clocks. The great Chunar Fort is located at a distance of 40 kms from Varanasi. Endowed with beautiful picnic spots, dense forests and cascading streams, almost 70 kms southeast of Varanasi Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary is situated.

Popular Shopping Items/ Shopping Centres in Varanasi
Famous for its silk weaving industry, silk sarees of Varanasi is popularly known as the Benarasi saree. Apart from these popular silk fabrics, for the religious books, and religious items like beads, incense sticks and small statues of gods and goddesses are offered here in a wide range.

Varanasi Travel Information
Holy city of Varanasi is easily accessible through air, road and rail from the rest of the nation.

Closest Airport: Varanasi Airport (25kms from the city center Closest Railway)

Railway Station: Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station (3kms from the old city centre)

Delhi to Varanasi trains:

• Bsb Dli Special
• K Vishwanath Exp

Bus Stand: Varanasi bus stand (walking distance from the city centre)

Road Link: National Highway 2

Local Transport in Varanasi
For the local transportation the most convenient vehicles are rickshaws. They are useful for the long city tours and also very cheap. You can also hire taxis, but heavy traffic and narrow lanes makes this choice impractical. Hire auto rickshaw from the pre-paid auto-rickshaw stand at the Varanasi Junction (Cantt) railway station. You can always explore the local market on foot.