Unconditional Love’s Power

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5 To-Dos for Youngsters Who are Staying in a Hotel in Varanasi

Flanked by the Ganges, Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited towns. Visited by tourists throughout the year, Varanasi is always abuzz with activities. Its animated streets are often crowded with various sites and sounds, making it an interesting sojourn for visitors. Some of the things that you should explore when you step out of the hotel in Varanasi are:

Boat ride in the Ganges

Ditch the clichéd practice of Varanasi – beginning the day with a trip to the temple – and go for a boat ride in the the Ganges.

Stroll along the ghats

After the boat ride, you must go for a relaxing stroll along the ghats (flight of steps) lining the Ganges. You can also hang out with your folks as you sit on these ghats and indulge in exciting conversations.

Visit Ramnagar Fort

Located along the eastern banks of Ramnagar Fort, this Mughal-style fort looks pretty with its creamy ‘Chunar’ Sandstone. This imposing structure was built in the year 1750 by Raja Balwant Singh.

Shop till you drop

Another thing that you must do is to explore the markets of Varanasi and buy souvenirs for your family and friends. Some of the famous markets in Varanasi include Gadolia market, Chowk and Vishwanath Gali.

Gorge on local delicacies

You must also try some of the dishes of the local cuisine such as Malaiyyo, Dahi Chutney Wale Gol Gappe & Laaiya Chana at any of the good restaurants and hotels in Varanasi.

Why Choose Varanasi for a Destination Wedding?

The alliance of love between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is known to all. Their affection and devotion for each other has proved to be an epitome of love. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva heard about the surpassing beauty of Kashi, known today to us as the city of Varanasi, by word of mouth. In order to confirm this rumour, he sent many of his ganas to Kashi, to see if what people say is really true. Much to his dismay, every gana he sent, and he sent four, never came back. He then decided to go see this mystic city, that had the power to engulf any man that set foot in it. And surely, it engulfed Lord Shiva too. He was mesmerised by the glory of Varanasi.

It is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati after their marriage. And that’s why; many couples wish to tie the knot at Varanasi. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is situated in Varanasi, as a dedication to Lord Shiva. The city is also famously known as Shiv ki Nagri. Thus, not only is this place blessed by the almighty, but mythology hints at the fact that the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and their undying love for each other flourished here.

Along with the positive aspect of Varanasi being spiritually rich and sacred, the city provides spectacular backdrops with the river Ganges running through it and its numerous ghats. The vibrant colours of red and orange breathe life into the city, painting a breathtaking picture while the colours of the city are in harmony with the sky during sunset, and the river reflects a painting of its own.

Varanasi is an unusual choice for a destination wedding. And for this exact reason, it has so many unexplored nooks and corners. Its spiritual value, aesthetic grandeur and historic significance provide an ideal backdrop for a day as special as a wedding. The question you should be asking then is: why not Varanasi for a destination wedding?

Ghats of Varanasi

Of the innumerable practices that Hinduism includes, it places great importance on water. The term Hindu itself is derived from Hind, the Persian translation of the river Indus. The infinite cycle of birth and rebirth until one has fulfilled their destiny and karma, is central to this religion. The means to get out of this vicious cycle of being born and reborn based on your deeds is to attain purity and eventually moksha. Thus, water has been integrated into many rituals and practices within Hinduism.

It only makes sense that Varanasi, the city of ghats on the river Ganges is perhaps one of the most sought after places for cremations. It is believed that if dipped in the river at the ghats of Varanasi, one rids oneself from all their sins, thus attaining moksha.

There are almost 100 ghats in Varanasi along the river Ganges that are mainly used for puja rituals and bathing. Of the 100, around 25 are widely popular among tourists. The ghats adorn the edges of the river like an intricate necklace. While the city is flooded with a constant crowd of locals, tourists, foreigners and students, Assi Ghat provides a place of peace and tranquility, away from the heart of the city. It is the southernmost ghat situated at the confluence of river Assi and Ganges. Worshippers of Lord Shiva bathe here and offer their prayers to the lingam erected in His name.

The Manikarnika Ghat, or simply put the burning ghat, is solely for this purpose. Throughout the day a thick black smoke rises from here as bodies are burnt and cremated continuously. Two thirds of the total number of cremations is held here, while the rest are held at the Harishchandra Ghat. A sight of this tradition truly makes one see life coming full circle, and how common an event death is.

Dasaswamedh Ghat is the heart and soul of all ghats. It comes to life every evening when a vibrant crowd makes its way towards the ghat for the daily Ganga aarti. It is believed to be the place where Lord Brahma ‘created’ Lord Shiva and welcomed him. And it is here, as is believed, that Lord Brahma sacrificed horses as part of a yagna to the sacred fire.

However, there is another side to Varanasi beyond its religious significance. The Darbhanga Ghat is the most photogenic of all, and also responsible for the commercialisation of the city. It is one of the most visually appealing and architecturally superior in the fray. The royal family of Bihar got it constructed in the early 1900s, along with a beautiful palace, which has now been converted into a hotel.

Each of these ghats has an interesting history attached to it. One of them is the Chet Singh Ghat. It was the battle ground for the war waged between Maharaja Chet Singh, ruler of Varanasi and the first British governor of India, Warren Hastings. Unfortunately, he was defeated by the British and had to resort to escaping.

Every ghat of Varanasi has a story attached to it, these are only a few. They breathe life into this vibrant and chaotic city; Varanasi wouldn’t be Varanasi without its ghats.

Why is Assi Ghat called so

As the sun rises on the river Ganges, the ghats of Varanasi witness hordes of people making their way to the holy river, in order to pay their respects and conduct their daily puja. Although the city is chaotic and busy, the ghats offer a serene view over the water body where one can be at peace with themselves.

Of the 100, or so, ghats that are home to Varanasi, one of them is called the Assi Ghat. The city of Varanasi is known by many other names, but this particular name originated from the confluence of two rivers, Varuna and Assi. The birth of the river Assi has a mythological story behind it. It is believed that when Goddess Durga was fighting the demon Shumbha- Nishumbha, her sword struck the ground when she destroyed him, resulting in the inception of a stream, now known as the river Assi. The ghat, which came to be on this edge of the river, where the river Assi joins the Ganges, was thus named the Assi Ghat.

The ghat is situated near the Shivala in Varanasi. Although it may not be the most popular ghat amongst the many that the city has, it sees at least 300 people every morning and the number multiplies many folds during Mahashivratri and other auspicious Hindu festivals. It serves as a special favorite for a lot of people since it is situated in the south of the city, a little far away from all the hustle and bustle, providing a place of peace and tranquility while the river flows in front as the sun sets.

It is believed that a holy dip here, in the months of Chaitya (month of March/April) and Magh (month of Jan/Feb) — as well as some other significant events like solar/lunar eclipse, Probodhoni Ekadashi and Makar Shankranti — grant one the power to get rid of all their mortal sins. The Assi Ghat also sees mentions in Sanskrit literature such as Matsya Purana, Agni Purana, Kurma Purana, Padma Purana and Kashi Khanda.

The Asisangameshwar lingam, set up to pay respect to the lord of confluence is enshrined in a small marble temple. And it is here that Tulsi Das, a realized soul and saint, Hindu poet, penned down the Ramcharitmanas.

If one ever does visit Varanasi, one must go to the Assi Ghat, not purely for its mythological significance but to experience a more quiet and quaint aspect of Varanasi.

Why Is Varanasi A Place Of Pilgrimage?

Varanasi, also famous as Banaras and Kashi, is one of the holiest cities present in India. This city is regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities present in the whole wide world. In fact, it is reckoned as the religious capital of India. One intriguing question that arises in this context is that how did this city get this label. This blog seeks to unravel this mystery and explicates how this city went on to become a place of pilgrimage.

  • It is believed that Buddha gave his sermon on first turning of the wheel of Dharnma, in Varanasi (kasha in the Buddhist scripts). This is why this site is considered as a “site of spiritual luminance” and is revered by Buddhist pilgrims.
  • Varanasi is positioned in South-Eastern part of UP, between the two tributaries of River Ganga that is Varuna to the north and Asi to the south, giving the city its name. Varanasi is the hub of religious tourism in India and every Indian tries to visit this place at least once in his lifetime. Varanasi is also stated in Holy Scriptures like Puranas, Buddhist texts and in the Mahabharata.
  • The most interesting part of this religious city is that life revolves around the sacred river Ganga and its Ghats. On the banks of river Ganga, life begins before dawn, when a great number of pilgrims visit the river for the holy dip, believing that the revered river will purify them, washing their all sins away.
  • A typical day begins with the recitation of morning prayers and the ringing of temple bells. You will find Brahmins reciting shlokas (verses) from ancient Hindu scriptures and priests performing different types of holy rituals.
  • Varanasi is a city of life and death. While the burning Ghats situated at the edge of River Ganga remind people that life is mortal, it is paradoxically believed that dying in Varanasi guarantees a break from the cycle of life and death. Thus, Varanasi is considered the Gateway to Moksha or nirvana.
  • Other than this, Varanasi is associated with numerous myths. It is believed to be the home of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. It is said that Lord Shiva walked here at the beginning of time with his consort Goddess Parvati. It is believed that this place is a blessing, which is given by them and the tourists who come here experience all their desires getting fulfilled. Some legends also say that it’s in this city that Lord Krishna set fire on his imposter and it is also believed that after defeating Ravana, Lord Ram came here for penance.
  • Varanasi is also known as the city of temples and has many famous, antique temples such as Bharat Mata Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, etc., which are quite known among people. Even the Ganga Aarti performed in the evening invites thousands of tourists from all around the world.

This makes Varanasi India’s very own Medina, a major place of pilgrimage, which draws swarms of believers throughout the year.

Unexplored Places To Visit In Varanasi

Varanasi, which is regarded as the city of Lord Shiva, has its own charisma and serenity. This beautiful place, which is situated on the banks of River Ganga, has a lot to offer to its visitors. From famous temples to the tantalizing street food, Varanasi is a complete package of fun. For people who are planning a trip to Varanasi, there are plenty of jewels hiding in this city. This blog brings out the unexplored places that you must visit that will definitely add extra charm to your trip.

Ramnagar Fort

This fort is famous for its Mughal styled architecture. Located on the eastern bank of River Ganga, it was constructed in 1750 by Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh. This place is now the residence of the Maharaja (present king) of Varanasi, Pelu Bheru Singh. This fort is a delight to watch as it has the amazingly carved architecture with numerous intricate designs, which will leave you spellbound.

Dhamek Stupa

Located in Sarnath, Dhamek Stupa is a quite massive structure, which originated in Buddhist era. It is that particular spot (Rishipattana which literally translates as “where the Rishi arrived”) where the Buddha delivered the first sermon to his first five Brahmin disciples after achieving enlightenment. This Stupa has delicate carvings of Gupta origin, which are beautiful. It also has an Ashokan pillar with intricate edicts.

Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum

Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum is an archaeological museum, which was constructed in 1920. This museum is a great place to visit as many political leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi have visited here. They even praise the artifacts – paintings, textiles, costumes & personal items – present in the museum.

Banaras Hindu Unversity

Varanasi is visited by a lot of tourists for the sacrosanct temples that it has. Other than that, Banaras Hindu University is a must visit if you are in this place. It is a public central university, which was established in 1916 by Madan Mohan Malviya, the remarkable Indian educationist who also contributed immensely to India’s freedom struggle. Thousands of students come every year to study there.

Alamgir Mosque

The Alamgir Mosque, also called Beni Madhav Ka Darera or Aurangzeb’s Mosque, is definitely worth a visit in Varanasi. This mosque was built in the 17th century by Emperor Aurangzeb. The architecture depicted by this mosque represents a mesmerizing culmination of Indo-Islamic styles of construction and is definitely worth seeing.

What is the Story Behind Ramnagar Fort?

Ramnagar Fort is a work of art as it exhibits a striking aura, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions in Varanasi. The grandeur of this place is out of the world with its intricate artwork. Its enchanting beauty adds an element of enigma to the fort. This blog brings out this esoteric element and explores the story behind Ramnagar Fort.

Situated at a distance of 14 km from Varanasi, Ramnagar Fort overlooks the bank of river Ganga. It was built by Maharaja Balwant Singh in the 18th century. Presently, Pelu Bheru Singh who is known as Maharaja of Varanasi resides here. Although the title- Maharajas have been abolished ever since the Abolition of Titles Act 1971, the inhabitant of this fort is still fondly called ‘Maharaja’.

Talking about the fort, it dates back to the 17th century and is adorned by all the typical features of the Mughal architecture. Thus, it has been built on high grounds, crossing above the flood level. There are a number of carved balconies, arcades, towers, open courtyard and pavilions. Only some part of the fort is open for public as rest is the residential area of the Maharaja. When the Maharaja is in the residence that is in his palace in the fort, the flag of the fort is raised.

In terms of construction, this quaint fort was constructed using red sandstone. This fort has two stunning temples and a museum within the property. While one temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the other one was built to venerate Ved Vyasa, who wrote the great Indian epic, Mahabharata, which is believed to be the longest poems in the world. It is also believed that Ved Vyasa stayed at this land for quite some time. The temples house fascinating statues of Lord Vishnu & Ved Vyasa.

The museum present at this fort exhibits a majestic collection which comprises of vintage Cars, Royal palkies, an armoury of swords, cannons and old guns, ivory work and antique clocks. There are also jewel-encrusted chairs, religious manuscripts and royal costumes present in the museum. The Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman, Durga Temple and Chhinnamastika Temple are also located at Ramnagar.

The Ramnagar Fort is a delight to watch especially during Ram Lila festival when it is buzzing with life. The fort looks vibrant and colourful during the festival in which different episodes of Ramayana are enacted, keeping the visitors engaged. The fort is pretty busy during the grand prix of this ten day long festival because of the grand scale on which the festival of Dussehra is celebrated. The fort is also worth a visit during the monsoon season when it looks pretty being drenched in the rain.

Thus, Ramnagar Fort is a great place to visit as there you can see the ancient type of architecture and style. It serves as a great place for amateur photographers with its picturesque views from the fort during the sunset.