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Temples jostle for space with sacred ghats, and vibrant festivals vie for attention with famous sites in this city.
By the Ganga
A total of 88 ghats, or stepped banks, line the holy River Ganga, lending Varanasi its unique character and serving as the centre of all religious activity. The most famous is the 1 Dashashwamedh Ghat, where, according to legend, Lord Brahma performed the Dasa Ashwamedha, or the sacrifice of 10 horses. Located at the confluence of the Ganga and its tributary Assi is the 2 Assi Ghat, which marks the southern boundary of the city. Considered the gateway to afterlife, 3 Manikarnika Ghat is believed to be the most auspicious place for cremation. Candle-lit flower bowls floating in the river here make for an awe-inspiring sight. A boat ride lets you take in the numerous ghats.
Heritage High
Beyond the spiritual essence of Varanasi are landmarks that speak of the city’s history and heritage. With around 30,000 students, 4 Banaras Hindu University ( bhu.ac.in) is the largest residential university in Asia. Established in 1916, it features IndoGothic architecture. Located within the campus is the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, which displays over 1,00,000 artefacts, including sculptures, paintings, pottery, and textiles from the 1st to the 15th century. The 18th
Ramnagar Fort, stretching along the Ganga opposite Tulsi Ghat, exhibits Mughal architecture and houses a museum of vintage cars and medieval costumes. It is also home to the current Maharaja of Benares (a title abolished officially but still in common parlance in the region).
Unique Attractions
Barely 10 kilometres from Varanasi is 5 Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Numerous stupas, excavation sites, temples, and museums make it a popular destination. The water of the Gyan Vapi Well was once considered holier than that of Ganga. Today, it is located inside the Gyan Vapi Mosque, which was constructed by Aurangzeb on the site of the demolished Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The Man Mandir Observatory sits atop Man Singh Palace and was built in 1737 by Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur.
In Varanasi, vibrant ceremonies and grand festivals make for unique spectacles. The famed Ganga Aarti, held daily at dusk at Dashashwamedh Ghat, attracts onlookers by the droves. In the hypnotic ceremony, the priests move large lighted lamps to the tune of prayer—a ritualistic offering to the Ganga. Held for a month in autumn, the 200-year-old Ramnagar Ramlila is the oldest Ramlila in the world, and has been recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The grand Ganga Mahotsav is generally held over five days in November, during which the rich culture and heritage of Varanasi is showcased through classical music, country boat races, crafts fairs, etc. The final day coincides with the traditional Dev Deepawali festival, when all the ghats are lit with a million earthen lamps in honour of the holy river—a dazzling sight regardless of your beliefs.