Top 8 Places to Visit in Varanasi

Varanasi “The Spiritual Capital of India” situated at the bank of holy river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. The name of “Varanasi” is originated with the name of two Ganges tributaries forming the city’s borders. ‘Varuna’ still flowing in the Northern Varanasi and ‘Assi’, in present-day, a small stream in the Southern part of the city. According to Hindu mythology, it was founded by The Lord “Shiva”. It has lots of temples and Ghats. Pilgrims come from all over the country forming endless lines.

In this article, we have enlisted the Top 8 Places to Visit in Varanasi. So, keep scrolling to experience a virtual tour of Varanasi.

 

1. KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is situated on the Western bank of holy Ganga. The main deity is known as Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara meaning “Lord of Universe”. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas or temples dedicated to Shiva. The temple consists of small shrines, located in a small lane called Vishwanath Galli, near the river. The Kashi Vishwanath temple receives around 3000 visitors every day. On a special occasion, the number reaches 1,00,000 or more. There are three domes each made up of pure gold, supplied by Maharaja Ranjit  Singh in 1835.

How to reach –

• Varanasi city station is just 2Km away and Varanasi junction is around 6Km from the temple. Temple is well connected with railway stations. Auto/Rickshaws are available you can go through it.

You should know before visiting –

• Visitors are not allowed to carry cell phones, cameras, belts with metals buckles, shoes, cigarettes, and lighters into the temple premises.
• Dress Code – The devotees visiting the temple will now have to be clad in ‘kurta-dhoti’ for males and saree for females. If they wished to touch the ‘Shivlinga’ inside the temple’s “Garbha-Griha”

Timing:2:30 AM to 11:00 PM

Temple schedule-

• Mangal Aarti – 2:30 AM
• Bhog Aarti – 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
• Sapta Rishi Aarti – 7:00 PM to 8 PM (Darshan not allowed)
• Shringar/Bhog Aarti – 9:00 PM

(Only Outside darshan allowed)

2. NEW VISHWANATH TEMPLE

The temple is situated in Banaras Hindu University. One of the biggest tourist attractions and The tallest temple tower in the world with the Virman’s height being around 250 feet. Shri Vishwanath Mandir is also known as Vishwanath Mandir, New Vishwanath temple, and Birla temple. The temple is made mostly of marbles and the entire text of Bhagavad Gita and extracts from sacred Hindu scripture are inscribed with illustration on the inner marble walls of the temple.

How to reach-

New Vishwanath temple is Situated 1.7 Km inside the campus of Banaras Hindu University( Southwest from the main gate)  It is 3.3 Km southwest of Durga mandir of Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple.9 Km south of Varanasi junction. Auto or rickshaws charge 20 Rs on shared and 120-180 Rs on reserved Auto. It can take about 20 minutes to reach Banaras Hindu University and then pick another rickshaw from the BHU gate to Shree Vishwanath temple local charge is 10 Rs.

• Timing :2:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

Schedule :

• Mangal Aarti -2:30 AM
• Bhog Aarti – 11:30 AM to 12 PM
• Sapta Rishi Aarti – 7:00 PM to 8 PM (Darshan not allowed)
• Shringar /Bhog Aarti:9:00 PM ( Only outside darshan allowed)

3. BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY 

Banaras Hindu University is Public Central University formally Central Hindu College. It is the largest residential University in Asia. It was Established in 1916 by Madan Mohan Malaviya, with cooperation from Annie Besant. The University campus spread over 1,360 acres. Organized into 6 institutes,14 facilities (Streams), about 140 departments, and a total of 62 Hostels-41 Hostels for males and 21 for female students. Four separate hostels are available for international students. Banaras Hindu University celebrates Saraswati puja day ( also known as Vasant Panchami as its foundation day. Goddess Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music,  arts, wisdom, and nature and Spandan which is also known as intra-University fest.

How to reach

Banaras Hindu University is 10 km away from Varanasi Cantt it is the nearest Railway Station from University. Round the clock Auto/Taxi services are available from Varanasi Cantt to BHU(Lanka).Reserve auto charges Rs 120-150/ and shared auto-charge Rs 15/-. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the BHU gate. From the BHU gate, several auto drivers charge Rs 10 for the department.

Attractive places in BHU –

 New Vishwanath Temple, Bharat Kala Bhavan, Botanical Garden, Geological museum, etc. Incredible architecture beautiful setting and lush of greenery add the beauty of BHU.Don’t forget to have a cold coffee with Ice cream at the entrance of the New Vishwanath temple, right in the middle of the campus.

4. ASSI GHAT

It is situated at the southernmost ghat of Varanasi. It is the heart of Varanasi and The Cleanest Ghat of Varanasi. One of the centers of tourist flocks. People enjoy the amazing view of sunset and sunrise at the Ganges, boat rides, hot air balloons for the aerial view of Assi ghat, daily talent show of the evening.

On typical days about 300 visitors per hour in the morning and on festival days, 2500 people arrive per hour. However, ghat can accommodate 22,500 people at once during a festival like Shivratri. Most visitors like boat riding from Assi to Dashaswamedh in the evening to see the evening prayer.

Timing – Open throughout the day.

 How to reach –

Assi ghat doesn’t have flight connectivity but it can be reached via train or bus. It’s also connected with the road so you can hire a taxi or self-drive to reach.

5. DASHASHWAMEDH GHAT

 It is the main Ghat in Varanasi located very close to Vishwanath Temple and Manikarnika Ghat. According to Hindu mythology, Brahma sacrificed ten horses during Dasa-Aswamedha yajna performed here to welcome Shiva. Dashaswamedh Ghat is very speculative famous for its ‘Ganga Aarti’. The priest carries ‘Deepam’ and moving it to up and down in a rhythmic tune of bhajans.

Special aartis are held on Tuesday and at a religious festival.

Aarti starts soon after sunset and lasts for about 45 minutes.

Aarti timing

• 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM (Summer)
• 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM (Winter)

How to reach

This ghat is located near the Vishwanath temple in Godowlia, this ghat can be reached by auto or rickshaw till Godowlia Chowk and from there on foot.

6. RAMNAGAR FORT

It is situated about 14 KM from Varanasi and located on the Eastern bank of Ganga River. Tulsi ghat is opposite to it. The building was constructed with creamy colored Chunar sandstone. It is built in the typical Mughal style of architecture. The fort has many carved balconies, open courtyards, and pavilions. Only a part of the structure is open for public viewing as the rest of it is the residence of Kashi Naresh and his family.

Fort has a temple and a museum within the ground and the temple is dedicated to Ved Vyasa, who wrote Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. The museum displays a Royal collection which includes cars, palanquins, Swords and old guns, ivory work, and antique clocks.

How to reach

Ramnagar Fort is 14 KM  from Varanasi and 2 KM from Banaras Hindu University by the newly built Ramnagar bridge. With the bridge, it hardly takes 10 minutes to reach the fort from BHU. The boat ride from the Dashaswamedh Ghat to the fort takes about an hour.

• Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry fee: Rs 20

7. MANIKARNIKA GHAT

Manikarnika is one of the holiest and oldest Ghats in Varanasi lies alongside the river Ganga. It was named after Maharani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, who born here. According to Hindu Mythology, Dead humans should attain moksha and hence breaks the cycle of rebirth when cremated here. It is the gateway to another life marked by the results of one’s karma.

• Timing: Open throughout the day

How to reach 

This ghat is located near the Vishwanath Temple in Godowlia and Dashaswamedh ghat. It can be reached by auto and rickshaw till Godowlia Chowk and from there on foot.

8. SANKET MOCHAN HANUMAN TEMPLE

This temple is situated on the bank of the Assi river near the Bananas Hindu University. The deity was named “Sankat mochan” meaning the “Reliever from troubles”  It was established by famous Hindu poem Saint Shree Goswami Tulsi das in the early 16^th century. The temple offers a sweet dish ‘Beshan k laddu’ as a Prasad and also decked with a pleasant marigold flower garland. The temple is also known as a monkey’s temple because of the presence of lots of monkeys.

Temple continuous to be attended by thousands of Rama and Hanuman devotees who chats Hanuman Chalisa and Sunderkand (also provided in the form of booklets in the temple for free).

• Timings: 5:00 AM to 10:00PM

Aarti time

• 4:00 AM in morning
• 9:00 PM in the night

How to reach

It is located about 11KM from Railway Station of Varanasi and 3 KM from BHU. From Banaras Railway station auto-rickshaw can charge Rs 15 only and it will take 45 minutes to reach mandir.

Apart from this, Varanasi has lots of places to visit. There is about 88 Ghats and 23,000 temples in Varanasi. There are also many water parks, malls, shopping complexes, and theatre. Also hotels and restaurant services available in Varanasi.

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