Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Varanasi, also commonly known as Benares or Banaras is a city situated on the left bank of the River Ganga, regarded as holy by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, and is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.

This Holy City has been a symbol of spiritualism, philosophy and mysticism for thousands of years and has produced great saints and personalities like Buddha, Mahavira, Kabir, Tulsi Das, Shankaracharaya, Ramanuja and Patanjali. Varanasi is a famous Hindu Holy City situated on the banks of the river Ganges, which is believed to have the power of washing away all of one's sins. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back thousands of years and contemporaneous with the Sumer civilisation. The culture of Varanasi is deeply associated with the river Ganga and the river’s religious importance. The city has been a cultural and religious centre in northern India for thousands of years.

Varanasi has its own style of classical Hindustani music, and has produced prominent musicians, philosophers, poets, and writers in Indian history. Considered as the abode of Lord Shiva. As pundits here will tell you, whatever is sacrificed and chanted here or given in charity, reaps its fruits a thousand times more than those good deeds performed at other places because of the power of that place. It is believed that three nights of fasting in Varanasi city can reap you rewards of many thousands of lifetimes of asceticism.

More than 1,000,000 pilgrims visit the city each year as this is the most sacred pilgrimage places for Hindus of all denomination. Many references to the city of Varanasi are found in ancient texts, leading to more mystery. It is generally believed that the city is as old as 3000 years. Another myth is that it is 5000 years old. It is believed that Varanasi is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. Regions near the banks of river Ganga are extremely crowded and house several Hindu temples, narrow winding lanes and road-side shops Here is the holy shrine of Lord Kashi Vishwanath, and one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas of the Lord Shiva. Hindus believe that bathing in the river Ganga will remit sins and that dying in the holy city of Varanasi circumvents rebirth.

This holy city is worshipped as one of the Shakti Peethas where Divine Mother Sati's earring fell and so devotees believe that on that spot stands the present Vishalakshi Temple. It is here that Shankaracharya wrote his commentaries on Hinduism, leading to the great Hindu revival. In the residential neighbourhood of the city lies Sarnath, the site of the deer park where the Dhamek Stupa, an impressive structure marks the spot where the Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon about the basic principles of Buddhism. It is one of the four pilgrimage sites designated by Gautama Buddha, the other three being Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Lumbini. Varanasi has kept its sacred position as the Holy City of Hinduism.

Varanasi is a city of temples. Almost every road crossing has a nearby temple. Such small temples form the basis of daily local prayers and other rituals. There are about 1,500 temples, palaces, and shrines, erected at different times throughout the history of Varanasi. Few of these, however, date back further than the 17th century, since Muslim invasions destroyed many Hindu religious sites. The most famous Hindu temples, are the Golden temple and the Durga temple with its swarms of sacred monkeys.

The Golden Temple was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, is located on the outskirts of the Ganga. This temple makes Varanasi a place of great religious importance to the Hindus. It is believed that the majestic Alamgir mosque has replaced one of the most ancient shrines known as the temple of Bindu Madhava. The thirty-three hundred million shrines fill one with awe and wonder with sheer numbers.

The city's unique culture revolves around the Holy River. Legends say that the waters of Ganges have come from heaven to wash away sins and sufferings. Thousands of pilgrims come every day to immerse in the river. The famous American writer Mark Twain once wrote, 'Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together'

Varanasi is a major tourist destination with a number of 3 & 4 star hotels. Auto Rickshaws and Rickshaws are the most widely available form of public transport within the city. In outer regions, mini-buses are common. Small boats and small steamers are used to cross the river Ganga.

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