Banaras 

Banaras is the renowned place for pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world which is also known as Kashi. Banaras is also known as the world’s oldest temple. However, this city is situated in the southeastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh which ic in the middle-Ganges. The location is 692 kilometers away from India’s capital New Delhi. Banaras holds immense religious significance which is officially revived after 1947. 

Moreover, this city is the oldest cities in India which is the embodiment of Lord Shiva. This place is so sacred that it brings salvation to the visitors by Hindu Mythology. The main attraction and the central focal point of Banaras is the old ghats and river Ganges. This city grew as a major religious and industrial hub of India situated on the bank of the river Ganga. 

Additionally, this place gives employment opportunities to the numberless local population of India to its religious significance. To attain salvation and to break the cycle of the rebirth process death and cremation along the Ganga River is the great destiny. Here in the religious place of India the amazing kinds of energy and the sense of vibration can be sensed by visiting this place.

This place is the real symbol of paradise thousands of hundreds of pilgrims visit this place every day. Moreover, this place is also recognized as the place where people come to spend their last breath. However, taking a bath in the Ganga River holds great religious significance so every visitors takes bath in this river. Similarly, this place is the central palace for art and culture. However, art and architecture of this place bring forth ancient history to the world. 

Moreover, this city has long been recognized as the prominent center of musical and educational sectors. This place is a commercial and industrial hub for its silk fabrics, ivory works, sculpture, and perfumes. This city holds religious, educational, and artistic values. Additionally,this city has been taken to be the cultural center for several thousand years. This city is the focal point of various ghats where people perform rituals of birth and death. 

Some of the major places to visit in Banaras

• Ganga River

Ganga River is recognized to be the most revered river in India which extends southeast from the Himalayas to the north to the Bay of Bengal. It is estimated that the vast majority of people rely on the Ganga River for water daily. Per Hindu mythology, pilgrims from every corner of the world come to Banaras to cleanse their souls by dipping in the Ganga River. This river is the perfect spot to observe the spectacular scenes and life around the Ganga River. The most wonderful experience will deepen your understanding of Hindu culture and stick with you for years when you buy a tiny floating offering of fresh flowers and a candle and release it into the Ganges River in the afternoon or early evening. This is a major incident that is very popular in Banaras.

• Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most sacred temple which is almost four kilometers away from the Varanasi Junction Railway Station. This temple is nicknamed The Golden Temple because of its striking spire which is plated in some eight hundred kilograms of pure gold. The art and architecture and entire complex of this temple make it distinctive from other temples in India. The 60-centimeter tall Shiva Lingam on a silver altar is the major attraction of this place. Located on the western bank of the sacred river, Ganga river, this temple is considered one of twelve jyotirlingas. The major God of this temple is known by the names Shri Vishwanath and Vishweswara which means the Lord of the Universe. The ancient name of Banaras is Kashi so the temple is called Kashi Vishwanath Temple popularly. 

• Assi Ghat

Banaras' Assi Ghat is a popular tourist destination. The focal point is the Shiva Lingam, which is located beneath the sacred fig tree, and hundreds of pilgrims come here to worship Lord Shiva after rinsing in the Ganga river. In the evening, Ganga Aarti is held in this location, providing guests with the most euphoric experience possible. In this place, visitors can observe various yoga asanas with live music every day at sunrise.

• Manikarnika Ghat

Manikarnika Ghat is taken to be one of the most auspicious ghats for the departed soul to achieve salvation. A daily cremation ceremony is held in Ghat and one can observe the plumes of smoke in this ghat. It is estimated that around 100 cremations have been done in this place and seeing the cremation process makes the realization of death. The mourning situation in this ghat reminds the existence of life. 

• Dhamek Stupa

Having a brick structure of 43.6 meters tall and 28 meters in diameter, the Dhamek stupa is made up of a massive stone.  The stupa was constructed around 1,500 years ago to replace a building that was established in 249 BCE. The devout believe that after achieving enlightenment, the Buddha came to Dhamek Stupa to deliver his first speech, which revealed the Eightfold Path. As you walk around the monument, gaze at the intricate carvings of birds, people, and flowers that adorn the stupa's walls.

• Banaras Hindu University

 Since its founding in 1916, Banaras Hindu University has been an integral component of Varanasi's identity. With over 25,000 students, the well-respected public university is one of Asia's largest residential universities. Away from the hectic surroundings of Banaras Ghat, this area provides a serene and peaceful environment to visitors.

• Ruchika Art Gallery

Ruchika Art Gallery is a collection of paintings in which Banaras and the ghats are captured in a spectrum of colors in this beautiful series of paintings. Ruchika Art Gallery, which exhibits locally manufactured creative works, also welcomes visitors to pick up a paintbrush during artistic workshops.

• Shri Durga Temple

The Shri Durga Temple, located about a five-minute walk west of Assi Ghat, is a popular destination for Hindus who seek to pay homage to the goddess Durga. The 300-year-old temple stands out because it is painted bright crimson from top to bottom. The temple's nickname, "Monkey Temple," provides you with an idea of what kind of monsters you might encounter here. A couple of elegant swans may also be seen floating in the temple's water pool.