Varanasi,Banaras the city of temples and the ganga,kashi,kashi vishwanath temple,banaras hindu university,sarnath,jaunpur,tanda falls,banarasi sarees,ganges in banaras,ganga

Varanasi

Situated on the banks of the sacred river Ganga, the `eternal city' is one of the world's oldest living cities. Also called Banaras, the city has been a renowned centre of l0earning and civilization and the capital of Hinduism since time immemorial. Often visited by destructive blows from Muslim invaders, Varanasi lost many of its ancient temples through the centuries.

Varanasi,banaras,kashi,kashi vishwanath temple,banaras hindu university,sarnath,jaunpur,tanda falls,banarasi sarees,ganges in banaras,ganga

But even today, the city has about 1,500 temples, the most important and famous of them being the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Countless people bow in reverence and pray for eternal freedom of the soul at this sacred city. A sure way of attaining Nirvana or salvation, believe the Hindus, is to die in this holy city. Proud of its 100-odd ghats on the river front, the city attracts a large number of pilgrims coming for a dip or bringing the dead bodies of their dear ones to be cremated here.

ACCESS

Varanasi is connected to all major cities in India by air, rail and road.

PLACES OF INTEREST

The river front, the Kashi-Vishwanath Temple, the Alamgir Mosque, the Gyanvapi Mosque, the Bharat Mata Mandir, the Durga Temple, the Banaras Hindu University and Sarnath.

EXCURSIONS

Ramnagar Fort (17.5 km), Fort of Chunar (37 km), Jaunpur (60 km), Tanda Falls (95 km), Wyndham Falls (93 km), Rajdari and Devdari Falls (80 km). Sarnath - A short distance out of Varanasi is the Buddhist destination of Sarnath. This was the place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon 2,500 years ago and set into motion the wheel of the law. It was here that the Buddha revealed the cause of suffering and the middle way to end it, as well as the eightfold path which leads to Nirvana.

ACCOMMODATION

Clarks Varanasi (5-star), The Mall, Varanasi Cantt- 221002. Phones: 348501. Fax: 0542-348186.

Taj Ganges (5-star), Nadesar Palace Grounds, Varanasi-221 002. Phones: 345100-117. Fax: 348067.

Varanasi Ashok (4-star), The Mall, Varanasi-221 002. phones: 46020-30. Fax: 0542-348089

Pallavi International 3-star), Hathwa Palace, Chetganj, Varanasi 221010. Phones: 356939. Fax: 322943.

Hindusthan International (4 star), C-21/3, Maldahiya, Varanasi-221 002. Phones: 351484-90 . Fax: 350931.

Ideal Best Western (3-star), The Mall, Varanasi Cantt. Phone: 348091-2; Fax: 348685.

De Paris (3-star), 15, The Mall, Varanasi Cantt. Phones: 46601-08; Fax: 0542-348520.

Malti (3-star), C-31/3, Vidyapeeth Road. Phones: 351395; Fax: 322161.

Pallavi International (3-star), Hathwa Place, Chetganj. Phones: 356939-42; Fax: 0542-322943.

Tourist Bungalow (UPSTDC) varanasi,banaras,kashi,kashi vishwanath temple,banaras hindu university,sarnath,jaunpur,tanda falls,banarasi sarees,ganges in banaras,ganga,fort of chunar,ram nagar fort

Parade Kothi, Phone: 343413