The 11 best places to visit in Varanasi are Ghats, Ganga River, Ganga Arti, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Assi Ghat, Vishwanath Temple, Ramnagar Fort, Dhamekh Stupa, and Sarnath. In addition to these, there are many temples and places that one must visit in Varanasi.
Varanasi is the spiritual capital and Hindu pilgrimage center of India. Varanasi is also called “Kashi” or “Banaras”. It is located on the bank of River Ganga in the Uttar Pradesh state of India. It is one of the oldest cities in the world.
11 Best Tourist Places Within 100 Km In Varanasi
Ghats in Varanasi
Ghats are the places with steps leading down to the banks of River Ganga’s water. The city of Varanasi has 88 ghats. Some of the famous Ghats in Varanasi are Assi Ghat, Banaras Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Scindia Ghat, Lalita Ghat, Panchganga Ghat, and Chet Singh Ghat. These Ghats in Varanasi are the most iconic and celebrated images. The majority of the ghats are bathing and Pooja ceremonial ghats. The Dashashwamedh ghat is famous for arti in the evening time. Manikarnika ghat is the oldest ghat in Varanasi.
The Ganga River
The Ganga river is the heart of Varanasi. There are a number of Ghats and temples along the riverside. The Ganga Arti on every day at the ghat is the worship of the river. It is a place of spirituality and ritual. The Ganga river is more distinct northerly than at Haridwar. The Ganga river has merged with five more rivers like Varuna and Assi at Varanasi. The name Varanasi comes from the river Varuna and Assi. The Ganga river is home to crocodiles and dolphins. The exact figures of crocodiles and dolphins are not known.
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main ghat in Varanasi located on the bank of the River Ganga. It is one of the oldest and most sacred Ghat in Varanasi. This ghat is famous for its Ganga Arti which is an elaborated and lively ceremony on every evening after sundown. It is one of the most spectacular ghats in Varanasi. It is close to the Vishwanath temple. It is believed that this is the place where Lord Brahma performed Dasa Ashvamedha.
Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika ghat is the holiest cremation ghat located along the holy river Ganga in Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh state of India. Hindu cremation is customarily performed here. Death is celebrated on this ghat. It is also called “Mahashamshan Ghat” Or “Great Cremation Ground”. It is believed that Lord Shiva gave the boon of eternal peace to the Manikarnika ghat. Manikarnika ghat is the most hunted place in Varanasi.
Assi Ghat
Assi ghat is the southernmost ghat and one of the first of 88 ghats from south to north of the Ganges river in Varanasi. This ghat is visited by most of the researchers, and foreign students for study. Assi ghat is famous for the large Shiva Linga installed under a peepal tree. Ganga Arti is happening every evening at 6.30 pm. It is a wonderful experience for the visitors.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath temple is a Hindu temple located on the bank of Holy River Ganga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state of India. The temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas temples of Shiva. It is also known as the Golden Temple. The time of the temple is from 4.00 am to 11.00 pm. The timing of the Mangala Arti in the temple is from 3.00 am to 4.00 pm. The timing of the Bhog Arti is 11.30 to 12.00 and Sandhya Arti is from7.00 pm to 8.15 pm. The distance of the Kashi temple from Varanasi Junction is 6 km away.
Ramnagar Fort
Ramnagar Fort is a fortress located on the eastern bank of the Ganga river in Ramnagar, Varanasi of India. The fort was built by Kashi Naresh Maharaja Balwant Singh in 1750. The fort was the royal residence of the Kashi Naresh. The structure of the fort is Mughal type. The distance of the fort from Varanasi is 14 km. It looks very elegant from the western bank of the river Ganges.
Dhamekh Stupa
Dhamekh stupa is a Buddhist temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The stupa is situated at Sarnath at a distance of 14 km from Varanasi. Dhamekh stupa is the place where Buddha gave the first sermon to his first five disciples after attaining enlightenment. It is most the famous and noticeable structure in Sarnath. The shape of the stupa is cylindrically built in red brick and stone. The height of the stupa is 43 meters and the diameter is 28 meters. The stupa was built by Great Mauryan King Ashoka in 500 EC.
Sankatmochan Temple
Sankatmochan Temple is a Hindu temple in Varanasi dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman. The term “Sankatmochan” means reliever from the problem. The temple is a symbol of faith and fearlessness. Inside the temple, there are idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama. The temple was established by the famous Hindu preacher and poet-saint Sri Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century. It is one of the oldest temples in Varanasi. The timing of the temple is from 5.00 am to 11.30 am and 3.00 pm to 10.00 pm.
Sarnath – Holy Site of Buddhism
Sarnath is one of the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage places in the world. Sarnath is located at a distance of 10 km from Varanasi. It is near the confluence of rivers Ganges and Varuna in Utter Pradesh. The Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon in Sarnath. The top tourist attractions in Sarnath are Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Asoka Pillar, Sarnath Museum, Tibetan temple, and Mulagandha Vihar.
Ganga Arti
Ganga Arti is a ritual prayer ceremony honoring the River Ganges held in Varanasi. The arti takes place on Dashashwamedh Ghat which is one of the holiest ghats in all ghats in Varanasi. It is shining beacons of devotion and bliss that make us experience the divinity in and around us. The arti takes place at 6.30 pm post sundown in summer and 7.00 pm in the winter. Ganga Arti in Varanasi is a magical experience. It is performed every day. It is one of the most spectacular religious and devotional rituals.
I hope this article will be useful to you for planning your next trip to Varanasi.
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v.good
Thank you Ajay
Very informative