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.