Since times immemorial, Varanasi or Banaras has been described as the divine place where life and death merge together. Regarded as the ‘Spiritual Capital of India’, Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Located on the banks of River Ganga, which has two tributaries in the city—Varuna and Assi—this confluence gives the city its name, ‘Varanasi’.
This holy city is swarmed by thousands of pilgrims who flock in to wash their sins in the holy ghats, attain salvation, or cremate their beloved ones. Apart from its religious significance, Varanasi is a culturally rich city of arts and music. Varanasi has experienced a convergence of various civilizations from the Mauryan period up to the Medieval age, followed by the British regime.
A City of Contrasts: Chaos and Calm
Varanasi is a tiring yet emancipating experience. The bewildering bazaars, congested ghats, massive temples, and stunning Aartis attract millions of domestic as well as foreign tourists.
Some very popular temples such as Kaal Bhairav, Durga Temple, Sankat Mochan, and Gauri Mata Temple are strewn across the city. Yet, the most symbolic of them all is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in Hinduism.
Attractions Beyond the Spiritual
Apart from the spiritual and religious sites, Varanasi also excels in scholarship with Banaras Hindu University (BHU)—a world-class institution. A visit to Varanasi is not complete without a serene boat ride on the Ganges, particularly at sunrise.
Do not miss the hypnotic evening Ganga Aarti, when the mayhem of the ghats halts for a spiritually recharging experience of light and sound. Other attractions around are the Ramnagar Fort and Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon.
Cultural and Shopping Delights
Varanasi is also a hub of traditional silk weaving. The busy bazaars of the city are ideal places to shop for Benarasi silk sarees—a reflection of luxury and workmanship. Improve your bargaining skills and take home a part of this heritage.
How to Reach Varanasi
Varanasi is also well connected to other large Indian cities by rail, road, and air. The city’s closest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, which lies around 26 km northwest of the city centre.
Most tourists and pilgrims opt to come by train since Varanasi Junction railway station receives more than 3.6 lakh people and 260 trains on a daily basis. With the popularity of the city, tickets in the train tend to get booked early, so advance planning is advisable.
If you have booked your ticket on the waiting list, check the PNR status frequently using the IRCTC website. Regular updates will be able to update you with your reservation status.
Best Time to Visit and Festival Highlights
As Mark Twain says, “Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
The most suitable time to visit Varanasi is October to March, when the climate is nice and pleasant. One of the highlights of the city is the Ganga Mahotsav, a five-day fair in November. It reflects the cultural richness of Varanasi with music, dance, and spiritual performances.
In order to witness this majestic event, it’s recommended to book a train ticket in advance. You can also utilize the “Where is My Train” app, which provides offline options such as station location, platform number, and train status.
A Life-Changing Journey Awaits
A visit to Varanasi is usually a life-altering experience. The more you dive deeper, the more you get entrenched in this city of light, spirituality, and age-old rituals. You are a seeker of spirituality, a history buff, a foodie, or a photographer – Varanasi has something in store for everybody.
