1. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, or temples devoted to Lord Shiva, is Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is located in Varanasi on the western bank of the sacred Ganga river. Lord Shiva, sometimes referred to as Vishwanatha or Vishweshwarar, which means “the ruler of the universe,” is the primary deity of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Thus, the name “city of Lord Shiva” refers to Varanasi, the cultural center of India. The temple’s tower boasts 800 kilograms of gold plating.
Electronics such as cameras, phones, and other gadgets must be kept outside in lockers and are not permitted inside. Outsiders can enter by Gate #2 and proceed past the Indians who are waiting for their turn. Within the temple complex is a well known as Jnana Vapi, or the wisdom well, to which Hindus alone are permitted access.
The king of Kashi (Kashi Naresh) used to attend the temple for worship on important occasions like Shivaratri, when no one else was permitted to enter the temple grounds. When the king finished his prayers, devotees were permitted. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple’s significance is further increased by the fact that it is mentioned in a number of Hindu sacred texts. The temple’s exterior is decorated with elaborate sculptures that give the facade a celestial appearance. In addition, the temple is home to a number of smaller shrines, including those dedicated to Vishnu, Virupaksh Gauri, Vinayaka, and Avimukteshwara, as well as Kaalbhairav.
2. Dashashwamedh Ghat
The Ganges River in Varanasi is home to Dashashwamedh Ghat, a vibrant cultural hub with great religious significance. Notable for its daily Ganga Aarti, it provides an enthralling experience with pilgrim activities, spiritual rites, and a vibrant ambiance. Priests perform rites with brass lamps and hymns during the famous Ganga Aarti, a spiritual ceremony, held every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Delightful scenes like this draw sizable audiences and create a heavenly atmosphere.
As a pilgrimage site, Dashashwamedh Ghat is where devotees ceremoniously purify themselves by taking a bath in the Ganges. Numerous shrines are dotted along the ghat’s steps, lending a sense of sacredness. Boat cruises on the Ganges provide visitors with a distinctive viewpoint of Dashashwamedh Ghat and Varanasi. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is next to the ghat, contributes to its religious aura and makes it a major spiritual focus in Varanasi.
3. Ganga Aarti, Varanasi
An important ceremony known as Ganga Aarti is performed on a large scale every morning and evening on the banks of the sacred Ganges. The Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is performed by the priests. A holy light that permeates the entire Ghat becomes palpably apparent. Huge oil-lit brass lamps are used in the majestic ritual, and the priests recite the hallowed mantras that fill the entire space with resonance.
The colorful Ganga Aarti lights up Varanasi’s ghats as twilight falls. The ceremony is performed by priests dressed in traditional garb, who synchronize their movements with the reciting of hymns and the rhythmic ringing of bells. The glowing brass lamps, or diyas, which are the focal point of the arrangement, swing softly in circular motions and form elaborate patterns against the setting sky. The air is filled with the sound of incense and the reverberation of holy mantras, creating an incredibly engrossing atmosphere.
4. Assi Ghat
The big Shiva Lingam that is housed beneath a peepal tree is the main attraction of the Assi Ghat, which is situated where the rivers Assi and Ganga converge. It has been mentioned in the Puranas and several stories, and it has great religious significance. The people of Varanasi, locals and visitors alike, throng Assi Ghat to take in the breathtaking views of the Ganges at dusk and dawn.
It is the residence of visitors and foreigners who come to Varanasi and remain for an extended length of time. For years, the Ghat has been a well-liked hangout for young people in the area. If you want to truly feel Varanasi, you have to see the morning Aarti at the Ghat, which started recently. Additionally, tourists typically take a boat in the evening from Assi to Dashaswamedh Ghat to witness the unique experience of the nightly aarti performed there. Due to its proximity to Banaras Hindu University, Assi Ghat is often visited by students.
5. Ganga Mahotsav, Varanasi
Every year, the Ganga Mahotsav is held to showcase the cultural legacy of the Gangetic plains, particularly that of the ancient city of Kashi, better known today as Varanasi. Organised by the Uttar Pradesh government’s Department of Tourism, the Mahotsav Samiti is a five-day celebration.
With all of its traditions, music, and dance performances, the five-day festival offers an unforgettable experience that is hard to replicate. Every year, the Ganga Mahotsav, which starts on Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month of Kartik and takes place at several river ghats, showcases the land’s cultural legacy, drawing people from all across the country and beyond to see and participate.
6. Ramnagar Fort
Situated across from Tulsi Ghat on the eastern banks of the Ganga, Varanasi’s Ramnagar Fort is a magnificent historical site. In 1750, Raja Balwant Singh constructed it in the Mughal architectural style. Pelu Bhiru Singh, the current Maharaja of the area, still lives in the Fort despite the abolition of the monarchy in the area. Its elaborate carvings and elaborate constructions are a fusion of Mughal and Indian architectural styles.
The fort is home to a number of notable buildings, such as Saraswati Bhawan, Durbar Hall, and a museum that holds ancient objects, vintage cars, and royal regalia. Royal meetings were originally held at the Durbar Hall, which has a marble balcony and vibrant murals. The museum showcases items from several historical periods, providing an insight into the lavish way of life enjoyed by Banaras aristocracy.
7. Ramnagar Ramlila at Varanasi
A traditionally performed collection of plays called Ramlila tells the story of Lord Ram’s travels as it is written in the Ramayana. Under the Benaras Royal House’s sponsorship, the 200-year-old Ramlila flourished. Approximately 10,000 people participate in the large-scale celebrations that are organized. In Ramnagar, the performance lasts longer than a month, although it often lasts ten days. The celebration of Dussehra, which commemorates the triumph of Good over Evil, marks the end point of it all. Every year, more than a million people travel to Uttar Pradesh to attend this festival.
8. Banaras Hindu University
The 5.3 square kilometer campus of Banaras Hindu University was founded in the city by Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916. It is the biggest residential institution on the continent, with over 30,000 students on site. The University boasts a long list of distinguished professors and alumni. The expansive lawns and Indo-Gothic buildings enhance the area’s charm.
9. Kedar Ghat
One of Varanasi’s oldest Ghats, Kedar Ghat is thought to be cleaner for taking a dip in the sacred Ganga and presenting prayers to Lord Shiva at the Kedareshwar Temple. Because of the serene atmosphere and lovely surroundings, it is frequently frequented.
10. Manmandir Ghat
Maharaja Mann Singh constructed Manmandir Ghat around the beginning of the 17th century. The Ghat is well-known for the observatory that Savai Jaisingh II constructed in 1710 and the palace that the Maharaja constructed. There is a stone balcony with a stunning view of the Ganga River on the northern side of the Ghat.