Explore the spiritual heart of India with this guide to Varanasi, the ancient city of Kashi. Discover sacred ghats along the Ganges, iconic temples like Kashi Vishwanath, and serene Buddhist sites in nearby Sarnath. Varanasi offers a profound journey into Hindu traditions, ancient rituals, and vibrant cultural life.
Varanasi
Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is a cultured and spiritual capital of India, situated on the banks of the Ganga river in Uttar Pradesh. It is famous for its temples, ghats, fairs, festivals and is considered one of the oldest living cities in the world.
Kashi Vishwanath temple
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, considered sacred, and was built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar ji in 1780, later covered in gold by Maharaja Ranjit Singh ji in 1857.
Hotel Central Residency
Hotel Central Residency is a hotel located 3 km from Kashi Vishwanath Temple, offering clean rooms and good service for around INR 2000 per night.
Panch Ganaga ghat
Panch Ganga Ghat is considered the meeting point of five rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kiran, and Dhutpapa), featuring small temples and statues and is considered sacred for holy baths, especially during Kartik.
Kaal Bhairav Mandir
Kaal Bhairav Mandir, also called the Kotwal of Kashi, is a temple dedicated to Lord Kaal Bhairav, whose darshan is considered essential for completing the Kashi Vishwanath pilgrimage.
Mahamrutnajay Mandir
Mahamrutnajay Mandir is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as Mrityunjaya Mahadev, believed to protect devotees from unnatural death and features an ancient well with medicinal water.
Ratneshwar Mandir
Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple, also known as the Leaning Temple of Varanasi, is a tilted temple dedicated to Lord Mahadev, located between Manikarnika Ghat and Scindia Ghat, and remains submerged in the Ganga for most of the year.
Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat is one of the oldest ghats in Varanasi, where cremation leads to immediate salvation, featuring a continuously burning pyre.
Dashashamedg Ghat
Dashashwamedh Ghat is a famous ghat known for its Ganga Aarti, which is performed every evening as a dedication to Lord Shiva, Surya, Agni, and river Ganga.
Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Ganga Dwar
Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Ganga Dwar is a gateway to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Assi Ghat
Assi Ghat, considered the heart of Varanasi, is known for its Ganga Aarti at dawn and dusk, boat rides, and camel rides on the sand dunes.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Manidr
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Manidr is a 400-year-old temple established by Goswami Tulsidas, dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
BHU, New Kashi Vishwanath Mandir
New Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as Birla Temple, is located in Banaras Hindu University and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Bharat Mata Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir, located in Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth Campus, is a unique temple dedicated to Mother India, featuring a map of India instead of deities.
Ramanagar Fort
Ramanagar Fort, built by Kashi King Balwant Singh in 1750, is made of red sandstone and houses a museum, temples, and old royal artifacts.
Sarnath
Sarnath is where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon to his first five disciples.
Chaukhandi Stupa
Chaukhandi Stupa is a Buddhist stupa that serves as a temple for the relics of Buddha.
Thai Temple
The Thai Temple, constructed in 1993, features an 80-foot-tall statue of Buddha and gardens.
Buddhist Temple
The video mentions visiting Buddhist temples in Varanasi.
Kashi Vishwanath Gali
Kashi Vishwanath Gali is one of the oldest and busiest streets in Varanasi, leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Gyanvapi
Gyanvapi is a well near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, believed to have been discovered by Lord Mahadev, and its water is said to impart knowledge and devotion.
Annapurna Mata
Annapurna Mata is located in the premises of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Kashi Annapurna Bhojnalaya
Kashi Annapurna Bhojnalaya is located 50 meters from the premises of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, where prasad can be obtained.
Scindia Ghat
Scindia Ghat is near Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple.
Harishchandra Ghat
Harishchandra Ghat is used for religious rituals.
Yamuna
Yamuna is a river that meets Ganga at Panch Ganga Ghat.
Saraswati
Saraswati is a river that meets Ganga at Panch Ganga Ghat.
Manikarnika Kund
Manikarnika Kund is the pond built by Lord Vishnu.
Tent City Varanasi
Tent City Varanasi offers night stay in camping.
Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth Campus
Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth Campus houses the Bharat Mata Temple.
Durga temple
Durga temple is inside Ramnagar Fort.
Chinh Mastika temple
Chinh Mastika temple is inside Ramnagar Fort.
Dhamak Stupa
Dhamak Stupa is the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon.