Varanasi | Voluptuou Varanasi

Varanasi is comprehended for its Temples, Culture, Ghats, Bull, and rituals. We have recognized our spot where you can meditate and feel the energy level in Varanasi. Please review our Temples Tour in Varanasi.

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Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on earth. Situated in Uttar Pradesh on the banks of river Ganga, Varanasi is among India's most revered religious destinations.

The city earns its name from two rivers — Varuna and Assi — which meet here. Kashi emanated from the word 'Kas,' which means to shine. Varanasi is famous for bathing ghats along the banks of the river Ganga. Pilgrims throng these ghats to take a holy dip to wash themselves of their iniquities. Varanasi has been interchangeable with the majestic river Ganga and its numerous creeks. The Ganga Aarti held every evening at Dasashwamedha Ghat is scenery to behold.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the holiest pilgrimage to Lord Shiva. Varanasi is an essential destination among Hindus as they believe those who die in Varanasi attain salvation. Many people like to spend their old age in this holy city and choose to die here. Varanasi is also the best site for immersing the ashes of the dead in the river Ganga. Performing funeral ceremonies and cremation in the pyres are familiar sights here.

Best Places to Stay in Varanasi

Varanasi has numerous ashrams around the ghats. Several hotels near the ghats offer a beautiful view of the Ganga. Good hotels and lodgings are available in the interior sections of the city. The hotels also deliver travel and medical assistance to the guests. The city gets hot and humid in summer but is quite remarkable at night. Most hotels offer air-conditioned rooms.

Best Places to Eat in Varanasi

Food in Varanasi is traditional, plain, and straightforward. The restaurants and bars (found in some hotels) offer various cuisines. Roof-top restaurants delivering homemade food are also available. Restaurants located closer to the ghats cater more to foreign tourists. To get the taste of original Banarasi food, head to the main market area.

The city is also known for its sweetmeats. Rabri Malai Balai is a popular dessert. You can't leave Varanasi without eating street food specialties like aloo chat and pani puri. But the one thing you must try here is the famous Banarasi Paan (mixture of betel nut leaves, Areca nut, tobacco, and lime), made even more famous by Bollywood movies and songs.

The famous Bhang is a concentrated, powdered form of cannabis often mixed into lassis and called Bhang Lassi. As Varanasi is a major center of Shiva worship, it is offered to the Lord in the form of Prasad. It can be pretty intoxicating. Thandai is a cool milk-based drink made with pistachios, almonds, and saffron filled with a large dollop of malai (cream). You can try thandai and lassi at stores found near the Godowlia area.

Kashi Vishwanth Temple

Kashi Vishwanath, a representation of Lord Shiva, is the patron deity of Varanasi. The pinnacle is a jyotirlinga, one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. The Kashi Vishwanath temple has been built several times over the past few centuries. The present temple was constructed in the 18th century by Rani Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore after Mughal emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the previous temple and built a mosque at the site (now adjacent to it). The temple gets its name from Kashi, another name for Varanasi. The Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of India's most famous Hindu pilgrim centers. It also finds mention in old religious texts like the Skanda Purana. The aarti held at this temple is one of the most majestic experiences you can have on a trip to India.

Bharat Kala Bhavan

Bharat Kala Bhavan is situated inside the Banaras Hindu University campus. It states India's heritage and preserves the past of the nation. It is divided into several sections in the form of galleries such as Mahamana Malviya Gallary, Nidhi Gallery, Nicholas Roerich Gallery, Archaeological Gallery, Chhavi Gallery, Sculpture Gallery, and Decorative Art Gallery.

The museum has a vast historical treasure, from archaeological materials to paintings and costumes. It also houses several Mughal miniatures, Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, manuscripts, and many more things that will interest those who love historical places. So if you are in Varanasi, you must visit this fantastic history center.

Assi Ghat

Assi Ghat is the southernmost ghat in Varanasi. It is located at the intersection of the Ganga and Assi rivers. It is the best place to witness Hindu culture and traditions and a beautiful sunrise. Pilgrims soak in the waters at the ghat before paying homage to Lord Shiva. In the evenings, there is an aarti at Assi ghat, which lures many tourists.

Urban Haat

Varanasi is famous for brocade silk sarees, heavy gold jewelry, wooden and clay toys, copperware and brassware, and much more. The city authorities have established Urban Haat, where artisans exhibit their work, and tourists can buy everything here.

Holy Dip at Panchganga Ghat

It is said that the five holy rivers, Ganga, Saraswati, Yamuna, Kirana, Dhutapapa bisect at the Panchganga Ghats. Taking a dip in these waters is considered auspicious, especially during October and November.

Holy Dip at Assi Ghat

Assi Ghat, situated at the confluence of rivers Ganga and Asi, is mentioned in many Hindu scriptures. It is accepted that a dip in the holy waters here brings salvation. The Ghats are the city's primary attraction and are popular destinations among pilgrims and religious people, and tourists.

Shopping in Varanasi

Varanasi is a famous center for silk weaving and brassware. Fine silks, brocades, exquisite saris, brassware, jewelry, woodcraft, carpets, wall hangings, lamp shades, masks of Hindu and Buddhist deities, etc., can be bought here. Be cautious, however, while buying silk saris because duplicates are much cheaper than the real silk ones but are not easy to distinguish. The main shopping areas are Gyan Vapi, Vishwanath Gali, Thatheri Bazar, Lahurabir, Dashaswamedh Gali, and Golghar.

Bottled 'Ganga Jal (water from the Holy Ganga river) can also be bought for religious purposes.