1. THE GHATS OF VARANASI
Every holy activity begins with a cleaning bath on one of hundred of ghats lining the Ganga in Varanasi. It would be safe to say that the life of a Hindu centres on the Varanasi ghats.
When he is born , he is brought to the ghats for the blessings of the gods, he receives the janeo (holy thread) on its banks and when it is time for him to depart to the other world, his mortals remains are cremated on its banks. No journey to Varanasi is, hence , complete without a visit to the ghats.
2. ASSI GHAT
Legend has it that Assi Ghat is located exactly on the spot where Goddess Durga threw her dagger after slaying the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. The impact was so great that a crater was formed and a stream emerged that merged with the Ganga.
3. HARISHCHA GHAT
Legend has it that Assi Ghat can be easily identified by the pyres that burn all day long on its stone steps. It is believed that the legendary King Harishchandra worked here. One can , also visit the temples of Adi Manikanteshwara, Vriddha Kedar and Raja Harishchandra located on the ghat.
4. HANUMAN GHAT
The foremost feature of the Hanuman Ghat are the numerous akhadas( country gymnasiums) lining its steps. Every morning, heavily built men wielding clubs can be spotted exercising on its earthen floors. It is also the best place to lie down on a charpai ( string cot) and have a pehelwan ( wrestler) give you nice and refreshing oil massage)
5. DASASHWAMEDH GHAT
One of the most important ghats in Varanasi, Dasaswamedh derives its name from the ten (dus, in Hindi) horse sacrifices( ashwamedh) performed here by Lord Brahma to appease Lord Shiva.One of primary attractions is the Ganga aarati. Every evening, priests come down to the ghats and worship the Ganga with multi tiered flaming lamps. Viewed from a boat on the river, it is a visual spectacle,
6. MANIKARNIKA GHAT
The chief cremation ghat of Varanasi, Manikarnika Ghat has numerous pyres burning day and night.It is believed that Lord Shiva himself goes near the burning pyre and carries the soul to heaven. Fuelled by this belief, the ghat received hundreds of bodies every day.
7. KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE
One of the most popular and revered shrines of Varanasi is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple . It is one of the twelve sacred jyotirlingas of this famed lingas can sanctify one's entire being. In the same complex is the temple of Devi Annapurna Bhavani.
8. GYANVAPI MOSQUE
Sharing the same complex of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the triple domed Mughal style mosque was built by Emperor Aurangzeb. The mosque and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple stand testimony to the diversity of India.
9. JANTAR MANTAR
Established by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1737, this observatory is similar to the one in Delhi and Jaipur. It measures local time, sun's declination, altitude , movement of stars, planets and determines eclipses with the help of yantras or mechanical instruments. Some of the important yantras are the Krantivritta Yantra, Digansha Yantra, Samrat Yantra, Prakash Yantra, Ram Yantra , Disha Yantra and Dhruva Yantra.
10. GURUDWARA BARI SANGAT SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR
The earliest and most significant gurudwara at Varanasi is located at the very site where Guru Tegh Bahadur is said to have stayed during his visit. It is 3 storeyed building that houses a sanctum, 2 shrines and a small room called Tap Asthan which is believed to be the chamber that Guru Tegh Bahadur used for medication. The complex also has a narrow step well, called Baoli Ganga Pargat.
11. MRITYUNJAY MAHADEV TEMPLE
The name of this holy temple is derived from the legend that the linga enshrined in its sanctum has the powers to conquer death ( mrityu in Hindi means " death " and jay means " victory" ). The waters of the well called Kalodak koop inside the complex is believed to have healing properties.
12. ALAMGIR MOSQUE
The beautiful 17th century Alamgir Mosque, built by Emperor Aurangzeb , is the largest structure on Panchganga Ghat.
13. ST MAY'S CHURCH
St Mary's is among the oldest Protestant churches in the country. It is believed that the foundation stone of this church was laid by Daniel Corrie in 1810. The compound with a short tower, spire and projecting porch also serve as the resting place to many tombs and memorials.
14. BHARAT MATA TEMPLE
Pay your obeisance to the map of undivided India, carved on marble and guarded by five pillars , each one symbolising the sky. Unlike other temples of India, Mother India is worshipped in the Bharat Mata Temple. Established by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt, the temple had Mahatma Gandhi as it first visitors in 1936.
15. DURGA TEMPLE
The 18th century temple , placed on the rectangular Durga Kund, can be easily identified by its huge multi tiered red shikhara. Built by a Bengali Queen, the goddess is worshipped with fervour especially during the Navratras.
16. BHARAT KALA BHAVAN
A part of Banaras Hindu University , this museum treasures Hindu and Buddhist archaeological remains. Established in 1920, the hall has the sculpture of a man on one leg, one hand on his hip and the other handling a huge stone on his head, The museum houses other galleries like Nicholas Roerich Gallery, Chhavi (painting ) Gallery,Mahamana Malviy Gallerym Decorative Art Gallery and many others.
17. SANKAT MOCHAN HANUMAN TEMPLE
Founded by Goswami Tulsidas, the holy Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is believed to grant the wishes and desires of those in distress. According to Vedic Astrology, Lord Hanuman rescues people from the malignant forces of planet Saturn. The famous Prataha Aarti ( morning puja with hymns) at 5 am every day must be attended by one and all.
18. NEW VISHWANATH TEMPLE
Situated within the Banaras Hindi University grounds, the Shiva temple was planned by Madan Mohan Malviya and built by the famous Birla family. The Bhagavad Gita on the walls and shivalinga are the main attraction of this temple.
19. BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY
One of the internationally accredited institutions, the Banaras Hindu University or BHU, was founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916 with De Annie Besant playing a crucial role. Known as " Oxford of the East", it is spread over 1300 acres on the south of the city. The architecture of the university considered amongst the marvelous monuments in Varanasi and also houses an airstrip for aeronautical education.
Every holy activity begins with a cleaning bath on one of hundred of ghats lining the Ganga in Varanasi. It would be safe to say that the life of a Hindu centres on the Varanasi ghats.
When he is born , he is brought to the ghats for the blessings of the gods, he receives the janeo (holy thread) on its banks and when it is time for him to depart to the other world, his mortals remains are cremated on its banks. No journey to Varanasi is, hence , complete without a visit to the ghats.
2. ASSI GHAT
Legend has it that Assi Ghat is located exactly on the spot where Goddess Durga threw her dagger after slaying the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. The impact was so great that a crater was formed and a stream emerged that merged with the Ganga.
3. HARISHCHA GHAT
Legend has it that Assi Ghat can be easily identified by the pyres that burn all day long on its stone steps. It is believed that the legendary King Harishchandra worked here. One can , also visit the temples of Adi Manikanteshwara, Vriddha Kedar and Raja Harishchandra located on the ghat.
4. HANUMAN GHAT
The foremost feature of the Hanuman Ghat are the numerous akhadas( country gymnasiums) lining its steps. Every morning, heavily built men wielding clubs can be spotted exercising on its earthen floors. It is also the best place to lie down on a charpai ( string cot) and have a pehelwan ( wrestler) give you nice and refreshing oil massage)
5. DASASHWAMEDH GHAT
One of the most important ghats in Varanasi, Dasaswamedh derives its name from the ten (dus, in Hindi) horse sacrifices( ashwamedh) performed here by Lord Brahma to appease Lord Shiva.One of primary attractions is the Ganga aarati. Every evening, priests come down to the ghats and worship the Ganga with multi tiered flaming lamps. Viewed from a boat on the river, it is a visual spectacle,
6. MANIKARNIKA GHAT
The chief cremation ghat of Varanasi, Manikarnika Ghat has numerous pyres burning day and night.It is believed that Lord Shiva himself goes near the burning pyre and carries the soul to heaven. Fuelled by this belief, the ghat received hundreds of bodies every day.
7. KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE
One of the most popular and revered shrines of Varanasi is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple . It is one of the twelve sacred jyotirlingas of this famed lingas can sanctify one's entire being. In the same complex is the temple of Devi Annapurna Bhavani.
8. GYANVAPI MOSQUE
Sharing the same complex of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the triple domed Mughal style mosque was built by Emperor Aurangzeb. The mosque and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple stand testimony to the diversity of India.
9. JANTAR MANTAR
Established by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1737, this observatory is similar to the one in Delhi and Jaipur. It measures local time, sun's declination, altitude , movement of stars, planets and determines eclipses with the help of yantras or mechanical instruments. Some of the important yantras are the Krantivritta Yantra, Digansha Yantra, Samrat Yantra, Prakash Yantra, Ram Yantra , Disha Yantra and Dhruva Yantra.
10. GURUDWARA BARI SANGAT SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR
The earliest and most significant gurudwara at Varanasi is located at the very site where Guru Tegh Bahadur is said to have stayed during his visit. It is 3 storeyed building that houses a sanctum, 2 shrines and a small room called Tap Asthan which is believed to be the chamber that Guru Tegh Bahadur used for medication. The complex also has a narrow step well, called Baoli Ganga Pargat.
11. MRITYUNJAY MAHADEV TEMPLE
The name of this holy temple is derived from the legend that the linga enshrined in its sanctum has the powers to conquer death ( mrityu in Hindi means " death " and jay means " victory" ). The waters of the well called Kalodak koop inside the complex is believed to have healing properties.
12. ALAMGIR MOSQUE
The beautiful 17th century Alamgir Mosque, built by Emperor Aurangzeb , is the largest structure on Panchganga Ghat.
13. ST MAY'S CHURCH
St Mary's is among the oldest Protestant churches in the country. It is believed that the foundation stone of this church was laid by Daniel Corrie in 1810. The compound with a short tower, spire and projecting porch also serve as the resting place to many tombs and memorials.
14. BHARAT MATA TEMPLE
Pay your obeisance to the map of undivided India, carved on marble and guarded by five pillars , each one symbolising the sky. Unlike other temples of India, Mother India is worshipped in the Bharat Mata Temple. Established by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt, the temple had Mahatma Gandhi as it first visitors in 1936.
15. DURGA TEMPLE
The 18th century temple , placed on the rectangular Durga Kund, can be easily identified by its huge multi tiered red shikhara. Built by a Bengali Queen, the goddess is worshipped with fervour especially during the Navratras.
16. BHARAT KALA BHAVAN
A part of Banaras Hindu University , this museum treasures Hindu and Buddhist archaeological remains. Established in 1920, the hall has the sculpture of a man on one leg, one hand on his hip and the other handling a huge stone on his head, The museum houses other galleries like Nicholas Roerich Gallery, Chhavi (painting ) Gallery,Mahamana Malviy Gallerym Decorative Art Gallery and many others.
17. SANKAT MOCHAN HANUMAN TEMPLE
Founded by Goswami Tulsidas, the holy Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is believed to grant the wishes and desires of those in distress. According to Vedic Astrology, Lord Hanuman rescues people from the malignant forces of planet Saturn. The famous Prataha Aarti ( morning puja with hymns) at 5 am every day must be attended by one and all.
18. NEW VISHWANATH TEMPLE
Situated within the Banaras Hindi University grounds, the Shiva temple was planned by Madan Mohan Malviya and built by the famous Birla family. The Bhagavad Gita on the walls and shivalinga are the main attraction of this temple.
19. BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY
One of the internationally accredited institutions, the Banaras Hindu University or BHU, was founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916 with De Annie Besant playing a crucial role. Known as " Oxford of the East", it is spread over 1300 acres on the south of the city. The architecture of the university considered amongst the marvelous monuments in Varanasi and also houses an airstrip for aeronautical education.
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