Varanasi or Benaras is one of the oldest living cities in the world, Varanasi' s prominence in Hindu Mythology is virtually unrivalled. Varanasi india's most sacred city situated on the west bank of the holy river Ganga. varanasi also known as Benaras. Varanasi is the tract of Holy land lying between the ganga and the Assi rivers. the assi rovers also floes in to Ganga. Varanasi also as Kashi. the city of light since one of the twelve 'Jyortinglinga's is installed here. Varanasi city with its ghats dotted with temples, the maze of alleys along the ghats, silk weaving, other crafts, and much more are sure to attract the visitor again and again. From time immemorial Varanasi has been the center of education, religion, art and culture. Varanasi has been a great cultural centre, especially in the fields of music, learning and the craft of silk weaving.
History :
Varanasi / Benaras is one of the most important pilgrimage in India and also a major tourist attraction. Situated on the banks of the sacred river Ganges, Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilization of for over 2000 years. 25 centuries ago Lord Buddha preached his message for enlightment for the first time in Sarnath which is just 10 kms away from the Varanasi. Later Varanasi became great Hindu center but was looted a number of times by Muslim invaders from the 11th century on. These destructive visits climaxed with that of the Mughal emperor, Aurangazeb, who destroyed almost all the temples and converted the most famous one into a mosque. For the pious Hindu the city has always had a special place. Besides being a pilgrimage center, it is considered as auspicious place to die, ensuring an instant route to heaven. To this day Varanasi is a center of learning, especially for Sanskrit scholars, and students flock here from all over India. Ironically it is in the center of one of the most backward areas of India - a largely agrarian, rural and overpopulated area that has developed little since Independence. Varanasi has became a symbol of the Hindu renaissance and has special role in the development of Hindi - the national language of India. the well known novalist Prem chand and the literary figure Bharatendu Harischand have played their parts in this development.
Cities of Uttar pradesh
Agra,
Lucknow,
Benaras,
Allahabad,
Kanpur,
Mathura,
Jhansi, Mahoba, Meerut, Muradabad, Gorakhpur.
Tourist Attraction of Varanasi :-
Tulsi Manas Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, Alamgir Mosque, River Fronts, Benaras Hindu University.
How to get there :
By Air :
Varanasi is on several Indian Airlines routes, including the popular daily tourist shuttle Delhi/Agra/Khajuraho/Varanasi and back. There are flights from Lucknow, Jaipur, Bhubaneshwar and Kathmandu also. The airport is about 22 km away from the city, and the Indian Airlines shuttle bus service runs from there to the city.
By Rail :
Varanasi is connected with Calcutta, Delhi, Madras, Bangalore and to the rest of the country by good motorable, all-weather roads
By Road :
Varanasi is an important and major rail junction. The city is linked by trains with all metros and major cities across the country - New Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Lucknow. There are three railway station - Kashi, City and Varanasi Junction (also known as Varanasi Cantonment).
