Varanasi being known as the eternal city of India has provided tourists from way back a lot of reasons to visit the city. It provides a blend of culture, spirituality and a sense of emotional reset once you experience the city. From its majestic ghat besides River Ganga, the Ganga Arti, Kash Vishwanath temple, Banaras Hindu University, various temples, Sarnath to other nearby places like Ramnagar Fort, Chunar Fort, Vindhyavasini Mata Temple etc it has a long list of places for tourist attractions. Not to forget the culture and the street food like Chats and Paan. These all makes an unforgettable experience for every tourist.

Also known as Kashi the city is well connected by road, railways and air. There are directs trains, cabs and flights from most major cities specially in north India to reach there. It is the most cherished spiritual destination in India. Referring to the city it is ancient, vibrant, chaotic, spiritual, artistic yet deeply human. It is said that once you take a cup of the tea sitting in the Ganga ghat early morning you will forget all your hardships and will resonate deeply with the moment. Temple bells, sacred chants driving over the Ganges and sunsets painted in gold along with cows roaming in the roads and humans treating them equally as themselves this is all will take us to our sacred roots and forget all the chaos around. Revered to as "City of Lights" this is known as the favourite place of Lord Shiva spiritually. This is among the seven sacred cities in India and has one of the Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

There are gurukuls around with the tradition still there with students studying Vedas in ashrams. Saints sitting around in the Ganga ghats and chanting sacred mantras. Mark Twain fittingly captured its essence best when he wrote "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend." The city is timeless but has its modern aspects too. With hotels available around ghats to luxury hotels everything is there in Varanashi. The transport consists of auto rickshaws, hand rickshaws and cabs mostly. Here are some of the best places to stay in Varanasi.

Best places to stay

The Taj Ganges: This is a luxury hotel by the Taj Hotels and Resorts. The property is extensive with extensive, large walking loop through mango orchards and a central large pool. Very grounded staff and beautiful meals this is definitely one of the favourite places to stay in Banaras.

Hotel Radisson: This luxury hotel situated in cantonment area is nearby the city attractions along with railways and airport. The city has luxurious rooms and grounded staff along with it provides very good meals for a better experience.

Places to visit

Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Standing on just beside the Ganga river and Dashashwamedh Ghat this is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. This is a must visit for spirituality and is the heart of the city as doing a puja in the temple is a must do for any Varanasi traveller.

Banaras Hindu University (BHU): Banaras Hindu University is one of the oldest still operating universities in the world. People from India and outside feels lucky to get a chance to be its part. There is a replica of the Kashi Vishwanath temple in the campus which too is very sacred and a must watch in Varanasi. 

Mata Annapurna Temple: This temple is just beside the Kashi Vishwanath temple and people always visits this temple alongwith Kashi Vishwanath Temple as Maa Annapurna is wife of Lord Shiva according to Indian mythology. So it is referred to visit Lord Shiva along with his wife Maa Parvati only completes the visit.

Shri Vishalakshi Temple: This temple is devoted to Maa Parvati and is also one of the Shaktipeeths in India. 

Sankatmochan Temple: This temple is devoted to Lord Hanuman and this is the place where it is said that Tulsidas the famous poet has written Shri Ramcharit Manas. The temple is very old and has a traditional architecture. This temple is always a must visit place for a Varanasi trip along side the Durga Kund.

Shri Kaal Bhairava Temple: Kaal Bhairava is said to be as the dwarapala of any city. So people of Varanasi often says that before visiiting any other place the Kaal Bhairava temple must be visited in Varanasi. The temple architecture is good and tourists tend to start visiting any place in Varanasi by visiting Kaal Bhairava Temple first.

Dashashwamedh Ghat: There are a total of 108 ghats in Varanasi. Among them the Ganga Aarti is popular in Dashashwamedh and Assi Ghat. So people often visits this ghat for sensing the Ganga along with the Ganga Aarti which is perfomed in morning and evening times. The sacred chants fiils the soul with positivity and spirituality.

Ganga Ghats: Often there are boats which provides a tour of all the ghats in around 2 hours of time. Also Ganga Aarti can be watched from the boat by sitting over river Ganga. This is another majestic experience specially in morning and evening times.

Sarnath: Sarnath is a Budhist place where there is a Stupa and said that Lord Budha has given preachings to his first five disciples at this spot. This is a place where peace along with spirituality can be experienced. The place is around half an hour drive from Varanasi.

Ramnagar Fort: This is at around one hour from Varanasi and on the other side of the river Ganga. With mostly as a museum the artillery and belongings of the Maharaja of Ramnagar has been showcased in the place.

Chunar Fort: A fort over the Vindhyachal range this is very calm place with the broken fort still existing and displayed to visitors.

Maa Vindhyavasini Temple: Maa Vindhyavashini Temple situated over the Vindhyachal mountains is also a Shaktipeeth. Located in the mountains and besides river Ganga the scenic beauty of the place is also cherishing. Around 3 - 4 hours from Varanasi this is also often toured by tourists.

So alongside this Banaras also offers a blend of spirituality and culture. The festivals like Dev Deepawali, Diwali etc are celebrated in Varanasi extensively and are the best times to experience Varanasi. The Ganga ghats along with the whole city is decorated vibrantly and joyous for anyone to be a part of it. The street food of Kachori, Chaat etc are also vibrant parts of Varanasi culture. One who travels to the city cannot go back without tasting these foods. The markets in Godhawliya etc are very good and famous for Banarasi Sarees. And no one can forget that before returning from Varanasi to experience the Banarasi Paan.

So just take your time out and make a plan to experience spirituality, culture, temples and an all different experience by visiting Varanasi.

--

Written by Shouvik Sarkar