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.
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.
Travel to Varanasi 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.
Travel to Varanasi by
Rail
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).
Travel to Varanasi 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.
Travel
to Varanasi by Local Transport: Taxis:
Private taxis are available from travel agencies,
hotels, etc., auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and Tempos
are also readily available.
Left Luggage Facility:
Left luggage facility is available at both the Varanasi
and Mughalsarai railway stations(24 Hours).
Places of Interest in Varanasi
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.
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.
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.
Excursions in Varanasi
Ramnager
14
km. from Varanasi .The fortat Ramnager houses a museum
displaying the Royal collection which includes vintage
Cars, Royal palkies, an armoury of swords and old guns,
ivory work and antique clocks. The Durga Temple and
Chhinnamastika Temple are also Located at Ramnegar.
Vindhyachal
80 km. One of the shakitipeeths, Vindhyavasini Devi
Temple, Ashtabhuja and Kalikhoh are the major
attraction.
Sarnath
10 km. from Varanasi is the site where Lord Buddha
preached his first sermon "Maha- Dharma-Chakra Pravartan"
(in Buddhist terminology, ‘turned the wheel of the law’)
after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of the richest
in Buddhist antiquities ranging in date from the times
of Ashoka downto the 12th century A.D Ashoka built here
the Dharmarajika Stupa and near it erected a pillar
surmounted by the magnificent capital of four adorsed
Lions, which today forms the national emblem of India.
Among
other structures at Sarnath are the ruins of the brick
temple representing the Mula- gandha kuti, ruins of
stupas and monasteries. Among the more imposing ones is
the Dhamekh Stupa, adorned with delicate floral carvings
in the lower part, the Chaukhandi Stupa and Mahabodhi
Society’s Mulgandha Kuti Vihar Temple. Sarnath has also
yielded an extremely rich collection of Buddhist
sculptures comprising of numerous Buddha and Bodhisatva
images which can be seen at Archaeological Museum,
Sarnath.
Chunar Fort
The Chunar fort is situated 40 km. from Varanasi. Saint
Bhartrihari took live Samadhi inside the fort. The
historical fort at Chunar is ascribed to one of the
greatest warrior – rulers, sher shah suri. Sonwa Mandap,
Sun clock and a huge well are some of the attractions
inside the fort. The fort offers a splendid view of the
river Ganga. There is a PWD Rest House for overnight
stay.
Kaushambi
185 km. from Varanasi. This anicent city is ascribed to
the Pandav brother of Mahabharat. The ruin of an old
gigantic fort are testimony to the city’s antiquity.
Lord Buddha visited Kaushambi in the 6th and 9th year
after his enlightenment, giving several sermons and
discourses and elevating it to a great centre of
Buddhism
Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary
70 km, Varanasi are the forests of Chandrapha. These
forests nestle within them the Rajdari and Devdari
waterfalls. A beautiful secluded place for a relaxed
outing or a picnic.
Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary
130 km. from Varanasi. Spread over an area of 500 sq.
km., the Sanctuary has a veriety of wildlife. The Mukha
waterfall is a tourist attraction.
Jaunpur
Jaunpur has the pride of being the capital of the
independent Sharqi State, the rulers of which were great
patrons of art and architecture. The city still boasts
of its rich cultural past. Important monuments worth
visiting are the Atala mosque built in 1408, Jama Masjid,
the Lal Darwaza Masjid, Khalis Mukhlis Ki Masjid, the
Shahi Bridge and the tombs of Sharqui Sultans. The
ancient temple of Shitla Chowkiya Dham, Trilochan
Mahadev temple and the Yamadagni Ashram are also much
revered places for Hindu.
