Also known as the Cultural site featuring India, situated at eastern U.P., on the banks of river Ganges, it is one of the oldest and holiest cities of India. Varanasi is also called 'Kashi - the city of spiritual light'. From time immemorial Varanasi has been the centre of education, religion, art & culture. Thje city is marked by various temples, ghats, narow by lanes & Ashrams. It's an important centre for learning with the renowned 'Benaras Hindu University' - a premier institution. The city is also an important centre for silk weaving and Banarasi silk brocades sarees and carpets are cherished as collectors' item across the world. A wide range of brass, copper & silver articrafts and perfumeries can be seen here. Another speciality of Varanasi is bettle or pan famous as 'banarasi pan'. Pan lovers enjoy this special pan available only in this city ranging between Rs. 2/- to Rs. 200/- each.

The ghats of Varanasi are a major attraction. Thousands come here for a holy dip in the Ganges and to worship in the temples beside the ghat. The Asighat, Barnasangam ghat, Manikarnika ghat, Tulsi ghat, Harishchandra and Dasaswamedh ghat, Kedar ghat, Siva ghat, Ram ghat, Panchya Ganga ghat etc. has a particular significance.

The Kashi Viswanath temple or the Golden temple was built in 1776 by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. The gold of about 800 kgs on the towers was donated by Mahaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore. The temple gyan kapor and its drinking water lead to gain of spiritual insight. Durga temple was built in the 8th century, in the Indian Nagesh style. Tulsi Manas temple, close to the Durga temple, was built in 1964. It is dedicated to lord Rama and both the temples are built in the Shikhara style. The walls are engraved with verses and scenes from the epic 'Ramcharit manas'. One of the other watchable - Ram Nagar Fort is situated 2 kms from Benaras Hindu University, across the Ganges. A section of this fort consists of a museum, which displays the royalty which was one part of the kingdom.

Benaras Hindu University is the largest and oldest University in northern India and was established by Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1970. It is a centre for education and Indian art, culture, music philosophy and Sanskrit. This city lines on the northern railway as is well connected to the rest of the country. Mughal Sarai, 12 kms away from Varanasi is another important plae / railhead.

Ghats of Varanasi
Varanasi or Kashi is older than traditions. Varanasi presents a unique combination of physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements. According to the Hindu mythology, Varanasi liberates soul from human body to the ultimate. It is the Ganga Ghats of Varanasi that complement the concept of divinity. Ghats of Ganga are perhaps the holiest spots of Varanasi. The Ganga Ghats at Varanasi are full of pilgrims who flock to the place to take a dip in the holy Ganges, which is believed to absolve one from all sins.

There are number of temples on the bank of the Ganga river in Varanasi. It is believed that people are cleansed physically, mentally and spiritually at Ganga Ghats. It is at the Ganga Ghats where we see life and death together. For thousands of years people have been thronging these Ghats to offer their morning prayers to the rising sun. There are more than 100 ghats along side Ganga in Varanasi. Some of the prominent and popular Ghats at Varanasi are the Dasaswamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Harischandra Ghat, Kabir Ghat and Assi Ghat.

Temples and other watchables:
Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Gyanvapi Mosque:
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple has earned the name of Golden Temple due to the gold plating done using one ton of gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh on its 15.5-m high spire. Invaders destroyed the original temple and Rani Ahilyabai of Indore rebuilt it only in in 1776. Again, the fanatic Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the Vishvanath temple to replace it with the Gaynvapi Mosque. However, one can still see the remnants of the temple in the intricate and fine artwork of the western wall of the mosque. Today, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Gyanvapi mosque lie adjacent to each other.

St. Mary's Church:
Situated in the cantonment area of Varanasi, the architectural peculiarity that distinguishes St. Mary's Church from others are its louvered doors and hooded ventilation. It has a low tower, spire and projecting portico. The church looks beautiful with its plain timber canopy protecting the rectangular fanlight above each doorway and also impresses a major architectural impact.

Durga Temple:
The 8th century Durga temple is built in Nagara Style and is one of the most important temples of the city. The 'shikhara' of the temple consists of several small spires layered one on top of the other.

Bharat Mata Temple:
Dedicated to Mother India, it is situated in Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth. It was built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. The statue marble of Mother India shows undivided India with mountains, plains and oceans in exact proportions.

How to Reach
Varanasi is easily accessible from all parts of the country. The place is well connected by road, rail and air, the City offers convenient and comfortable travelling options to and from other cities of India. TOURIST OFFICE Regional Tourist Office/ Tourist Bunglow , Parade Kothi , Opposite Railway Station Phone : (542) 2208413, 2206638

Varanasi is well connected and accessible to major Indian cities and tourist spots. There are daily domestic flights to and from Varanasi to several cities in India. Apart from the state owned Indian Airlines, there are many private air taxi operators that offer their services from Varanasi to other Indian cities. In fact, the daily flights on Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route are quite popular among the tourists.

By Rail
Since Varanasi lies in the heartland of the North Indian plains, it is well connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and other parts of India. There are two railway stations in Varanasi, the Kashi Junction and the Varanasi Junction (also known as Varanasi Cantonment). Rajdhani Express from Delhi or from Calcutta passes through Varanasi too. One can also catch trains from Mughalsarai, just 10 km south of Varanasi.

By Road
Situated in the flat Ganga plains, Varanasi has a good network of roads. frequent public and private buses and road transport to all the major towns of Uttar Pradesh and nearby areas.