Varanasi Holiday

Varanasi - The city of Light

Simply the most magical place on earth, the holiest city on the Ganges River, where the rituals of life and death are conducted day after day without being hidden away from outsiders' eyes.

Better known as Varanasi, the city of temples and learning , is a place of great historical and cultural importance. Varanasi the 'eternal city', is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India and also a major tourist attraction

This religious capital of India is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges and is presided over by Lord Shiva. It is the heart of India and an epitome of the synthesis of cultures, religions and races. The river-front of the city is decorated by hundreds of well built ghats which is a unique feature.

Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilisation for over 2000 years. It was at Sarnath only 10 km away that the Buddha first preached his message of enlightenment, 25 centuries ago.
A SOUL - STIRRING JOURNEY OF SELF DISCOVERY

Tourist Attraction
Bharat Kala Bhawan, B.H.U
Started in 1950 as a university museum, Bharat Kala Bhawan in famous for its unique collection of miniature paintings. It has a rich collection of Rajasthani paintings, Pichhawai's, pahari painting, Nepalese & Tibetan Thankas, Company paintings as well as paintings of contemporary artists, illustrated Mrigavati, Kalpa Sutra, Chora-Panchasika, Laura-Chanda, Shah-nama and some pages of Humza-nama Are the proud possessions of this museum.

Maharaja Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum, Ramnager
Ramnager fort was originally built by Maharaja Balwant Singh (1740-70 AD.) The Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum is housed in the Ramnager fort itself. The museum collection mainly Comprises of textiles, pieces of decorative arts, arms & armours, utilitarian objects, means of transport-old bagghis, palkis & haudasivories, furniture & manuscripts.

Vishwanath temple
The main temple of Varanasi, the Golden Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva or Vishweswara. The original temple was located across the road, but it was destroyed by Aurangazeb, who then built a mosque over it.

The present temple was built by Ahilya Bai of Indore in 1776. The new Mosque has been built using columns from the original temple razed by Aurangazeb. This mosque has minarets towering 71 meters above the Ganges.

Shopping
Varanasi is a noted centre for silk weaving and brassware. Fine silks and brocaded fabrics, exquisite saris, brassware, jewellery, woodcraft, carpets, wall hangings, lamp shades and masks of Hindu and Buddhist deities are some of Varanasi's shopping attractions. The main shopping areas include the Chowk, Godaulia, Vishwanath Lane, Lahurabir, Thatheri Bazaar, etc.

Access
Air : Indian Airlines connect Varanasi to Bhubaneshwar, Lucknow, Agra & Delhi, where the above places are directly connected by flights with Calcutta.

Rail: Varanasi is connected by rail with all the major cities in India.

Road: Good bus service connects Varanasi with most of the important places of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Some of the road distances are:- Agra 610 kms, Allahabad 127 kms, Bodh Gaya 240 kms, Gorakhpur 215 kms, Khajuraho 406.