Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Varanasi | Varanasi Tourist Places

Ganga River is the lifeline of Varanasi and the most sacred river in Hinduism. It is believed that bathing in the Ganga River can wash away your sins and liberate you from the cycle of birth and death. The river ghats also host many rituals and ceremonies, such as the daily Ganga aarti, cremations, boat rides and festivals. The best time to visit the Ganges is at sunrise or sunset when you can witness the stunning views of the river and the ghats with the sounds of bells, chants and prayers.

It is believed that there are 84 ghats on the bank of River Ganga in Varanasi. If you want to see Ganga Aarti, Dasaswamedh Ghat is the place to be. It is one of the oldest and holiest ghats in Varanasi.

Manikarnika Ghat is one of the most sacred ghats of Varanasi. As per Hindus, if you are burned and cremated here, you are liberated from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Assi Ghat is the place where the River Ganges meets the Assi River. It is situated in the southern part of Varanasi. The area around this ghat is also famous for some boutiques and cafes.

There are many other ghats like Ahilya Ghat, Tulsi Ghat, Lalita Ghat and Ganga Mahal Ghat in Varanasi that you can visit on foot or via boat ride in the Ganges.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple a sacred temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as Vishwanath (the lord of the universe). It is one of the most famous and sacred temples in Varanasi.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Shiva and attracts thousands of devotees every day. The Dome of the main temple is covered with gold.

Recently the area surrounding the temple has been renovated to create the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. The temple is located near the Dashashwamedh Ghat and can be accessed through a lane full of shops selling flowers, sweets and souvenirs. There is a Jnana Vapi or wisdom well inside the temple premises.

Cameras, Cell Phones and Electronic Devices are not allowed inside the temple premises.

Located in the northern part of Varanasi, Sarnath is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. After attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon in Sarnath.

Sarnath is a sacred site for Buddhists. It has many monuments that showcase the Buddhist heritage in India. Some of the main attractions in Sarnath are:

• The Dhamek Stupa: It is a huge circular structure of bricks and stones, with intricate carvings of flowers and shapes. It is believed to be the place where Buddha delivered his first teachings.
• The Ashoka Pillar is a stone column erected by Emperor Ashoka to mark his visit to Sarnath. It has four lions on the top, which is also the emblem of India. The pillar also has Buddha’s teachings inscribed on it.
• The Mulagandha Kuti Vihar is a modern temple built by the Mahabodhi Society. It has stunning paintings depicting the life of Buddha, painted by a Japanese artist. It also has a golden statue of Buddha and a relic of his bone.
• The Sarnath Museum displays a rich collection of artefacts and sculptures related to Buddhism. The most famous among them is the Dharmachakra Pravartana Mudra, which shows Buddha turning the wheel of law.

Sarnath is a place of peace and spirituality, where you can learn about the history of Buddhism.

Founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1916, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is one of the oldest, largest and most prestigious universities in India. The university is spread across an area of about 1,300 acres and has more than 30 faculties and departments.

The university also has a museum called Bharat Kala Bhavan, which showcases a collection of paintings, sculptures, textiles and manuscripts from different periods of Indian history.

Ramnagar Fort is a 17th-century fort located on the opposite bank of the Ganga River. It was built by Raja Balwant Singh of Kashi and served as the residence of the Kashi Naresh. The fort is made of red sandstone and has a blend of Indian and Mughal architecture. The fort also houses a museum that displays a royal collection of weapons, vintage cars, palanquins, costumes and other artefacts.

Ramnagar Fort is famous for hosting a month-long Ramleela (a theatrical performance of the epic Ramayana) every year from September to October. It is one of the oldest and most famous Ramleela in India.

Durga Temple is one of the most sacred and colourful temples in Varanasi dedicated to Goddess Durga, who is also known as Shakti. The temple also has a large pond called Durga Kund, which is connected to the Ganges and is believed to have healing powers. The temple is very crowded during the Navratri festival when devotees offer prayers and sacrifices to the goddess.

Durga temple was constructed by Rani Bhabani of Natore in the 18th century.

Bharat Mata Temple in Varanasi is dedicated to Mother India. It was built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936.

Bharat Mata Temple does not have any idols of gods or goddesses but instead has a huge map of undivided India. The map shows details of mountains, rivers, plains and oceans. The temple is a symbol of patriotism and nationalism and celebrates the diversity and unity of India.

The New Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Birla Mandir, is located on the campus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Built by the Birla family from 1931-1966, it is a replica of the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple and is also dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple BHU consists of nine shrines and is one of the tallest in India with a total height of approximately 77 meters. It is made up of marble and has Hindu scriptures inscribed on the walls.

Sankat Mochan Temple Varanasi is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is situated on the banks of River Assi and was established by poet Goswami Tulsidas. Every Tuesday and Saturday, a large number of people gather to worship Lord Hanuman and offer “besan ke ladoo” as a prasad offering.

According to some beliefs, Goswami Tulsidas has written many verses of Ramacharitramanas in this temple.

Tulsi Manas Temple is an important temple situated near the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. At this place, in the 16th century, Goswami Tulsidas wrote the epic Ramayan in the Awadhi dialect called Ramcharitmanas.