Varanasi

Varanasi, the holy city of India, is also known by the name of Kashi and Benares.
Kashi, the city of Moksha for Hindus since centuries, is known for its fine-quality silks, Varanasi is the most popular pilgrimage point for the Hindus. One of the seven holiest cities in India, Varanasi  is one of the Shakti Peeta and one of the twelve Jyotir Linga sites in India. In Hinduism it is believed that those who die and are cremated in Varanasi, get an instant gateway of freedom from the cycle of births and re-births. 





The city of Varanasi is situated along the west bank of the Ganges in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Considered as the abode of Lord Shiva, Varanasi is situated on the west banks of River Ganges, which is believed to have the power of washing away all of one's sins. As per pundits, whatever is sacrificed and chanted here or given in charity are reaps its fruits thousand times more than those good deeds performed at other places because of the holiness of  Varanasi. It is believed that three nights of fasting in Varanasi can reap you rewards of  thousands of  lifetimes of asceticism.

Varanasi is one of the oldest city in the world. Varanasi was more than 3000 years old and is famous as the city of temples. In Varanasi, there are temples at every few Meters. Looking at the number of temples in Varanasi, it is hard to believe that a large number of temples were destroyed by  invaders like Moguls in that time  . Jyotirlinga Visvanatha Temple or Golden Temple, rebuilt in 1776, main lord of the temple was Lord Shiva. The Jnana Vapi well (meaning 'Well of Wisdom) is believed to have been dug by Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that the majestic Alamgir mosque has replaced one of the most ancient shrines known as the temple of Bindu Madhava. The thirty-three hundred million shrines fill one with awe and wonder with sheer numbers.

The Ganges river front is the most sacred pilgrimage spot of Varanasi  the most sacred path is that of Panchkoshi Parikrama, the fifty-mile path with a radius of five miles that cover 108 shrines along the way, with Panchakoshi Temple as its main shrine. Another popular pilgrimage route is Nagara Pradakshina, which covers seventy-two shrines along the way. Since time immemorial Varanasi is a great center of learning. The holy city has been a symbol of spiritualism, philosophy and mysticism for thousands of years and has produced great saints and persons like  Buddha, Mahavira, Kabir, Tulsi Das, Shankaracharaya, Ramanuja and Patanjali.

• Benares silk sarees were famous in India, the word Benares was created by English men during British rule in India.
• The flesh eating agori holy men still exist in Varanasi (Agori yogis believe the human flesh eating is a way to Moksha).
• Ganges the sacred river of India, makes Varanasi the holy place of India. 
• Sarnath located 10 km from  Varanasi, where Buddha started his preachings. Visiting this holy  Buddhist place will cultivate one's mind and soul.

Related:

• Amritsar
• Varanasi Images
• Varanasi Typical Images