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Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city's winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Hindus consider Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganga, as their holiest city. It gets its name from the rivers Varuna and Asi, tributaries that flow in to the Ganga in Varanasi. Also known as the ‘City of Light', legend has it that the city was founded by Lord Shiva himself. Devout Hindus consider frequent pilgrimages to Varanasi essential to attaining liberation or moksh and breathing their last in the city as tantamount to achieving it. The Buddha gave his first sermon, after attaining enlightenment, at Sarnath, close to the city.
Varanasi has often been at the crossroads of history. The ancient road from Taxila to Pataliputra, connecting western and eastern India, passed through the city. Sher Shah Suri’s road connecting Peshawar to Kolkata also passed through it. Its fame also attracted numerous conquerors and invaders who despoiled it but never could extinguish the city’s spirit. So, it rose once again and continued to flourish.
Over the centuries, the city has been home to numerous philosophers, musicians, artists and poets including Tulsidas, Kabir, Munshi Premchand and Ustad Bismillah Khan who have left their imprint on the country at large. Famous shrines, historical monuments and institutions dot the city’s landscape giving visitors a glimpse into Varanasi’s hoary past.
Varanasi is well connected by air, road and rail. Visitors can fly into the city from Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkatta. NH2 passes though the city connecting it to Delhi, Agra, Kolkatta and Kanpur. NH56 connects it to Lucknow. NH7 connects Varanasi to South India. Varanasi is a busy junction of Indian Railways, connecting the city to different parts of the country especially Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kolkatta, Gwalior, Dehradun, Amritsar, Jammu, Patna, Pune and Ernakulam.
MANIKARNIKA GHAT
people from different places come here to die. Yes, it is considered that dying in Varanasi will provide “Moksha”.
When talking about death in Varanasi, the famous ghat for cremation is Manikarnika Ghat. Manikarnika Ghat is one of the most sacred ghats of the legendary “Kashi Nagari”. It has been an important site for performing the Hindu rites of cremation and rituals of body disposal for centuries. Manikarnika Ghat is believed to be the place where human souls depart from this world to the next destination. If you are a travel enthusiast and Varanasi is in your bucket list, then you must visit the famous Manikarnika Ghat.
DASHASHAVMEDH GHAT
Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the most important ghats in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is on the Ganges River and very close to the Vishwanath Temple. The journey to the Dashashwamedh Ghat is truly magical. Located in Varanasi, this holy destination has been attracting pilgrims for centuries. Today, Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the most important ghats in Varanasi, and the surrounding area is a vibrant centre of activity. The Ganga Aarti, which is held daily at this ghat, attracts thousands of devotees from all corners of India. At this ghat, you can see a group of sadhus doing holy things. Pilgrims come here to do a wide range of religious practices and activities.
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