Things to see and do in Varanasi (Banaras)

Varanasi (Banaras) Uttar Pradesh is the spiritual pocket of India. Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Benaras, is the cultural capital of India. Varanasi is a melting pot, where both death and life come together. The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi. Unsurprisingly many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians once resided or reside in Varanasi (Banaras). Kabir, Tulsidas, Munshi Premchandra, Jai Shankar Prasad, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar to name a few are all masters of their fields and need no introduction.

Things to see and do in Varanasi (Banaras)

Visit the ghats on the Ganga river and the old city. Both are linked through a series of steps. Boats are good for a ghat tour. Some of the famous ghats are Dasashwamedh Ghat: is considered Varanasi's holiest spot. Get up early and try to be there at daybreak. The sight of the sun rising over the Ganga is spiritually exhilarating. Take a boat from Dasashwamedh Ghat to the nearby Manikarnika Ghat, one of Varanasi' two burning ghats, where another is Harishchandra Ghat. Its permanently lined with funeral pyres and bodies in shrouds awaiting the final rites. If you haven't had your fill of ghats don't worry - there are about a hundred more to choose from. Hire a boat and start at Asi Ghat, wehre you can see the confluence of the Asi and Ganga rivers. Close by is one of Varanasi's oldest ghats, named after Sant Tulsidas and near the great sage's home. Stop next at Darbhanga Ghat, built in the early 1900's by the royal family of Bihar. At the Man Mandir Ghat, built by Raja Jai singh II of Jaipur, you can check out one of his four Jantar Mantars and the massive sundial. Next, head for Vishwanath Gali for a pushcart breakfast of piping hot kachoris and jalebis. At the end of the gali towers the golden-domed Kashi Vishwanath Temple, built by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1776. The original lingam is belived to bre resting in the Gyan Vapi Well nearby. Come the evening, absolutely don't miss the aartiat Dasashwamedh Ghat conducted every sunset by five white robed priests. These five yourng men sway in seemingly choreographed movements, worshipping the river goddess with incense, camphor flowers and diyas. The crowd joins in by pulling at the strings of bells suspended in the air.