India is a country of holy places and rich culture. People living in India, begin their day with purity which they get by worshipping the god and most importantly believing in God.
While talking about purity and sanctity, there is a place which we can recall is Varanasi or commonly called Banaras by the local Hindu people.
The city of Varanasi is one of the most historical and ancient cities where thousands of pilgrims visit to find the peace that comes within through customs and rituals. Therefore, it is a site for many of the saints and pilgrims of Hindu culture.
Why Is the City of Varanasi Called Holy?
Holy, means something which signifies or tends to God. It is pure and divine in terms of our relationship with God. Being holy means following the practices formulated by the customs or religions and preaching them throughout life.
There is no choice in choosing a religion, in some cases, we follow the practices and culture that are inherited from us and the other cases include the selection of culture or religion on the basis of choice.
Location of Varanasi
Varanasi is located in the southeastern portion of Uttar Pradesh, a northern state.
The former name of Varanasi was Kashi. Kashi is a Hindi word which has the meaning "City of lights" that best depicts the city that is always enlightened by holiness. It is located to the east of the Ganges or Ganga River.
It has a well-connected system of transportation through air, road and railways.
Places to Visit in Varanasi
No doubt it has the largest number of Ghats which makes this place serene in terms of Devotion. People believe the cycle of birth begins and terminates from this place. At the time of birth, people come to wish for the healthy life of the individual and at the time of death, people believe and wish for the peaceful afterlife of an individual.
According to Hindu culture, people flush the remains of the dead ashes of an individual in the Ganga ghat present in Varanasi.
So, let’s begin with the first place
This place is considered to be an essential part of Varanasi city. It is the major reason for the attraction of devotees towards Varanasi. It originates from the Himalayas and terminates in the Bay of Bengal. People are supposed to take holy baths in this ghat and it is believed to remove all the sins of an individual.
The best time to visit this place is in the early morning or the evening time, to listen to the soulful aarti. People also suggest buying a small collection of flowers and candles and letting them flow in the ghat.
2. Kashi Vishwanath temple
This temple is one of the most renowned temples in India. People travel miles away to reach here. It is spread over a wide area and due to its construction, it is also named “The Golden temple”. It has a huge Shiva Linga.
People wait in long queues to get darshan of the statues present inside the temple. It sometimes might take a whole day to explore this place.
3. Darbhanga Ghat
It is known for its beautiful scenes for a perfect photograph. It is known to have been built after the Darbhanga family. It is located near Rana mahal ghat. It has a beautiful fort-like structure at its edge. This place also has a temple near it having a huge Shiva Linga. It is also known for the conduction of religious events.
This university is known to be the heart of Varanasi, its architecture is inspired by the old forts which give it a royal look. There are a decent number of recognized Alumni of Banaras Hindu university which is very well known. Annie Besant, a freedom fighter, was an alumnus of BHU.
5. Dashaswamedh Ghat
This ghat is the significant and famous ghat of Varanasi, located near the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Dashaswamedha is a word which originated when Lord Brahma sacrificed their 10 horses at the time of Dasa Ashwamedha yajna, performed. It is known to be the oldest ghat of Varanasi.
Apart from the places to visit, there are also a huge number of things to do and markets to explore. Varanasi is injected with a good variety of handmade products and let us now have a glance at the markets of Varanasi.
What Are Some of the Famous Markets?
Varanasi is said to be an epicentre for handlooms, accessories and home decor items. People who visit these places are stunned by the variety of choices they get at a reasonable price.
Thus, considering shopping as a part of your itinerary to Varanasi should be your priority.
- Banaras Art Gallery
- Vishwanathan lane
- Golghar
- Godowlia market
- Dal Dandi Market
- Thatheri Bazar
These are some of the famous marketplaces in Varanasi that offer religious artefacts, stonework accessories, bangles, sarees, household items, decor markets, footwear and the very famous Banarasi dupattas from the markets of Varanasi.
Food Culture in Varanasi
Talking about the temples, holiness and sanctity, now comes the time to talk about the famous food items and places known in Varanasi.
The supreme or prime dish of Varanasi is Baati Chokha where Baati refers to the round-shaped structure made from wheat and sattu in it and Chokha refers to the mashed potatoes in the form of gravy. To enhance its taste, you can combine your dish with Thandai and Lassi which is common to every Indian.
Apart from these, you can also try Dahi Vada, Kachori Sabzi, Banarsi paan and Chooda Matar which is made by frying the peas and mixing them with the spices.
Knowing the diverse religions, rich culture and numerous artefacts of Varanasi, one thing is very clear, it is the ultimate hub of purity and devotion and emotions ranging from God to the markets.
Written by: Khushbu Arora
Edited by: Nidhi Jha
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