Varanasi, the old Kashi, is the city of great wealth and religious importance. It is the world's oldest city, contemporary with Babylon, Nineveh and Thebes, that finds mention in the Mahabharatha and other religious epics. Since ancient times people from all over the world come here to visit the ghats and seek nirvana.
Varanasi 'The Religious Capital of the Hindus' is a city of sadhus in saffron and wooden sandals; a city where faint strains of 'shastriya sangeet' (classical music) blends with the starry evenings dispersing deep incense of devotion and bhakti in the air. Unlike most other sacred Indian cities, Varanasi is a unique pack for the mind and body. The river, the ghats, the divine mornings, the gleaming nights - Varanasi is all this and more.
It is the city with ancient religious traditions that offers everybody a place, a promise and a touch of Eden.
It is the world's oldest city, contemporary with Babylon, Nineveh and Thebes, that finds mention in the Mahabharatha and other religious epics. Since ancient times people from all over the world come here to visit the ghats and seek nirvana. The ghats of Varanasi hum with activities all through the day. Thousand of pilgrims come here to take a bathe in the holy Ganga river, while others come here to die in a hope of breaking out thVaranasi 'The Religious Capital of the Hindus' is a city of sadhus in saffron and wooden sandals; a city where faint strains of shastriya sangeet (classical music) blends with the starry evenings dispersing deep incense of devotion and bhakti in the air. Unlike most other sacred Indian cities, Varanasi is a unique pack for the mind and body. The river, the ghats, the divine mornings, the gleaming nights - Varanasi is all this and more.It is the city with ancient religious traditions that offers everybody a place, a promise and a touch of Eden. It is the world's oldest city, contemporary with Babylon, Nineveh and Thebes, that finds mention in the Mahabharatha and other religious epics. Since ancient times people from all over the world come here to visit the ghats and seek nirvana. The ghats of Varanasi hum with activities all through the day. Thousand of pilgrims come here to take a bathe in the holy Ganga river, while others come here to die in a hope of breaking out the cycle of karma and rebirth.e cycle of karma and rebirth.
If you want to experience all this and more, get up early in the morning to take the boat cruise, exploring the ghats on Ganga linked to the holy city. Hire a boat from Dasashwamedh - the holiest of all Varnasi Ghat and proceed to the nearby Manikarnika Ghat - one of the famous burning ghat,(Harischandra Ghat being the other). The view of sun rising sun over the Ganga River is truly mind-boggling. Next head to the Asi Ghat, where you get the chance to witness the confluence the Asi and Ganga rivers. Near to it, is the Varanasi's oldest ghat - named after famous poet Sant Tulsidas.
Then visit the Darbhanga Ghat, built by one of the royal family in Bihar in the early 1990's. Stop next at Man Mandir Ghat, built by the Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur. Pssing through the Vishwanath Gali - you will come across the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, built by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1776.
In the evening, don't miss the Ganga Maiya arti at Dasashwamedh ghat conducted by white five robed priests. Crowd joins them and the whole ambiance fumes with bhakti and devotion. This is one scene that will linger in your memories forever and ever
Varanasi Pilgrimage Destinations in India