January 30, 2021 1629

Varanasi -The Spiritual Heart of India

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Varanasi is renowned worldwide for being the oldest living city on earth. If you are looking for a destination to acquire insight into spiritual awakening, positive vibes, and a serene occasion, then Varanasi is the best place for your next tour. Varanasi, generally known as Kashi is famous amongst the pilgrims for taking holy dips in the River Ganga.

It is a place that is known for temples, the city of Lord Shiva, and the holy River Ganga streams through it. The city has been one of the most famous travel locations in India because of its numerous ghats, popular temples, captivating rituals, and dazzling religious festivals. Varanasi is heaven not just for the admirers of the Hindu religion but also for the individuals seeking to land in a place different from the regular tourist destinations.

Here’s a list of reasons to plan the next trip to this divine city:

The Oldest City


The sacred city, which attracts millions to its prestigious ghats consistently to take a plunge in Ganga, is as old as the Indus Valley Civilisation. According to a new report, the city is supposed to be around 6000 odd years old and is considered the spiritual capital of the country. However, the city is accepted to have had settlements that go back to the Indus Valley Civilisation and not older to it.

The city gets its name from two rivers, Varuna and Assi, combined together to form Varanasi. There is additionally a belief that says that the city stands on the Trident of Lord Shiva. The city discovers its name in numerous Hindu scriptures, such as the Vedas, Puranas, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata.

Enchanting Ghats

The city got its name from the Ghats, Varun ghat to Assi ghat. The major attractions of Varanasi are its appealing ghats. The city has in excess of 80 ghats all around the city and the ghats have an appeal of their own, with fascinating stories about them. This can be a melting pot, of all religions.

Being the intersection of the 3 famous heavenly rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra, the city is viewed as quite possibly the most auspicious place to perform numerous rituals and pujas at these ghats. Some of these ghats are even used for the purpose of cremation. Well-known ghats you can visit here are Assig Ghat, Darbhanga Ghat, Scindia Ghat, Digpatia Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Chet Singh Ghat, and Man Mandir Ghat, and many more..


Enthralling Rituals 

Being a spiritual place for the Hindus, you have an opportunity to observe intriguing Hindu rituals and conventions at this spot. Pilgrims visit here from time to time to perform different rituals and perform pujas for different Hindu gods and goddesses.

If you wish to feel the sacredness of this spot, you should visit the ghats in the morning as the morning rituals won't just captivate you but will cause you to feel blessed to have arrived at this spot. Bathing in the Ganga and praying in the morning is very usual here as it is accepted to purify one's spirit and body. A few customs like Tarpan which is a custom performed by offering water to ones' ancestors and Daan which is performed by donating cash, garments, and sweets to the poor are extremely famous here.

Captivating Temples and Forts

The sacredness of Varanasi prevails due to its ghats as well as numerous temples spread in and around the city. These temples built in the ancient period pull in a huge number of pilgrims as well as travellers consistently.

The city is known as the spot of Lord Shiva because of the renowned temple Vishwanath Temple which is viewed as the main temple of the city and quite possibly the most visited temple in India. Sarnath is a renowned holy town for the Buddhist pilgrims.

The city likewise has various forts that were built during the Kingdom of Kashi. These forts exhibit the architectural expertise of the old time. Renowned forts you can visit are Ramnagar Fort, Chunar Fort, and Chet Singh Fort. Architecture darlings can make some incredible memories exploring these buildings here.

Mesmerizing Ganga Aarti

The Ganga Aarti in Varanasi is a spectacle of sorts and it draws in a huge number of international travellers and local people. Ganga Aarti is held each day, be it downpour or sun. A huge number of enthusiasts accumulate at the ghats to observe this custom influenced by religious beliefs. Ganga Aarti is performed by offering lit lamps or Diyas on the banks of the river Ganga. Numerous individuals float little cup candles in the river.


The whole atmosphere turns out to be incredibly entrancing and heavenly with the sound of bells and the air filling the smoke of incense and Diyas. If you wish to get yourself immersed in the blessed aura of this heavenly custom, then you must visit Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat as these ghats perform the most astounding Ganga Aarti. You can even appreciate the Aarti on a boat at Dashashwamedh Ghat.


Alluring Festivals and Fairs

Like all other sacred places, Varanasi is also well known for different religious celebrations and fairs held here. One of the most popular celebrations in the city is Mahashivratri which is celebrated for one day. During this celebration, Lord Shiva is worshipped. Rituals of fasting, pouring water and milk on Shiva Linga on this day are ancient conventions of the Hindus.


The celebration of colors 'Holi', paints the city in different tones and shades, which give its ghats and alleys a fresh and vivid look. Festival of Holi draws in an enormous number of travellers who come to watch the spot getting soaked in an ocean of various colours. Dev Diwali celebration is another renowned celebration when the ghats are decorated with a large number of lit Diyas.

Pocket-friendly Place

You will be astounded to know that this well-known sacred destination is perhaps the most financially savvy urban communities in India to live in. The expense of housing and food is comparatively less expensive than other pilgrimage places in India.

There are a ton of pocket-friendly accommodation choices accessible in the city. Numerous guesthouses, inns, and lodgings are accessible close to the ghats at moderate rates. Indeed, even the travelling costs in and around the city are significantly less than in other cities.

Tempting Cuisine

Varanasi offers an assortment of flavors and dishes when it comes to food. The city mostly offers vegetarian dishes aside from the territories inhabited by the Muslim people group. Varanasi is well known for its street food offering mouth-watering delicacies to savor. The smell of this tempting food draws in various travellers to different stalls across the city.

When it comes to food, as in most different parts of the city, it is probably the best spot in the nation to savor the absolute best chats in the country. The absolute most famous street food and drink things are Kachorisabzi, Jalebi, Baati Chokha, Peda, Rabri, Choora Matar, Channa Dahi Bada, Laaiya Channa, Launglata, Golgappe, Lassi, Thandai, and Bhang, etc.

End-less Shopping

Being a budget-friendly place Varanasi is the best destination where one can shop without a lot of concern on one's wallet. Making the most of your visit to Varanasi would never be complete without shopping the different handicraft things at different shops and stalls across the city.

The old city is notable for its zari and brocade materials and gets their names according to the patterns woven in them. The saris are viewed as probably the best silk and have consistently kept the womenfolk excellent. You can search for Banarasi silk and brocade sarees and dress materials, glass bangles, rudraksha armbands and accessories, metal and copper things, wooden toys, precious stone Shivalinga, high-quality rugs, and numerous different things.

Charming Musical Events

varanasi music

Varanasi doesn't just touch your spirit with its religious aspect but in addition with its enlightening and motivating music. Varanasi is where a few styles of music were born. Varanasi is perceived as the "City of Music" by UNESCO.

Traditional music echoes everywhere here, and in a real sense. You will doubtlessly be captivated by the sounds of different instruments like tabla, woodwinds, sitar, and sarods. A few music schools teach hypnotizing melodic ragas.

There are additionally numerous music schools in the city if you wish to become familiar with an instrument and there are heaps of shops to get them as well. The most vivid encounters in the city after religion is quite possibly maybe music.

Fascinating Sadhus (Wise Men)

The spiritual city allows you to explore another side of Varanasi when you will see a lot of Sadhu babas or monks in and around the city. Their traditional looks with saffron capes and tangled hair will leave you speechless. Your longing for information on Karma and Hindu religions can be satisfied with a conversation with these wise men of the city.

While some of them would be accessible to you for an intense discussion about existence, karma, and dharma, there are the evasive ones too; the Naga Sadhus, who are difficult to interact with, usually avoid the glare of general society.

Varanasi is a destination where lies the heart of the Hindus. The magnificence of Varanasi can never be explained even in a million words. You need to visit this place once in your lifetime in order to unveil various mysteries this sacred place holds.