Decor / 07.07.2024

Open left menu Varanasi. Nightlife and other entertainment

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Varanasi is a city region in northeastern India. This city is as important to Hindus as the Vatican is to Catholics. The place is considered a holy city for Buddhists and Jains. The population of Varanasi is almost one and a half million people. The city is interesting, beautiful, noisy. And here's what you can see here.

University in Varanasi (Banaras Hindu University)

The Hindu University was opened in 1916. Today this university is considered one of the best universities in India, and since the university building is beautiful, it is one of the main attractions of Varanasi. Approximately 15,000 students study at that educational institution, and the university is also a platform for students and young scientists from all over the world. The university building is huge - for example, the main campus is located on an area of 5.5 sq. km. Inside the university building there is a museum that will be of interest to tourists. The museum offers an exhibition of 150,000 ancient manuscripts written in Sanskrit, as well as magnificent collections of sculptures and miniatures dating from the 1st to the 15th centuries.

Durga Temple (Shri DurgaTemple)

This is one of the most popular temples in the city. The cathedral was built in honor of the goddess Durga, the wife of Shiva (according to some opinions). It is believed that the goddess has been guarding the temple for many centuries and protecting the entire city from harm. Durga is also considered the embodiment of feminine power. A statue of a goddess in a red robe riding on a tiger can also be seen in the temple. The temple was built in the 13th century by the Bengal Maharani in the Nagar style (Indian style of temple architecture). The temple, with red walls and a multi-level spire, is located in a beautiful location, and is adjacent to the rectangular Durga Kund pool. The building is impressive, I must say! By the way, the temple is also known as the “Monkey Temple”, as monkeys constantly climb and run around the temple, begging for food from tourists. Thousands of pilgrims come to this temple during Navratri and beyond.

Address: 27, Durgakund Rd, Jawahar Nagar Colony, Birdopur

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The temple dedicated to Shiva is located on one of the narrow city streets, in a place called Vishwanath Gali. The temple is surrounded on all sides by houses, and at first you can even walk past it without noticing it. Another point: it’s a bit difficult for foreigners to get into the temple, but it’s worth a try. The beautiful temple with a golden roof is impressive. If you don't get to the temple, at least go up to the third floor of the neighboring store. The shrine of the temple - the Adi Visheashvara lingam is located in a silver recess in the floor 60 centimeters in depth and 90 centimeters in circumference, and it is always decorated with flowers, and around it is a silver cobra. The temple consists of several small temples near the river - temples of Dhandapani, Avimukteshvara, Vinayaka, Virupaksha and other deities.

Avrangzeb Mosque

This is the largest mosque in Varanasi. She can be found in the eastern part of the city. This mosque was built in 1669 in honor of the triumph of Islam over Brahmanism. A century later, the building was reconstructed. The building looks a little gloomy. The mosque has a square shape and three domes supported by columns. Interestingly, the mosque has excellent acoustics. You can also visit the observation deck in the mosque, which offers a magnificent view of the city and surrounding area.

Art gallery in Varanasi (Banaras art gallery)

The gallery was opened in 1988 and consists of four halls that are interconnected. In the gallery you can see about 50,000 exhibits, namely paintings by young local artists.

Address: Shiv Shakti Complex, Lanka, Sigra

Bharat Mata Mandir

The temple was built in 1936. The temple became famous especially after the inauguration ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the leaders of the movement for Indian independence from Great Britain, took place here. This is the only temple dedicated to Mother India, who is depicted as a woman wearing a yellow or orange sari with the flag of the country. This marble statue can be seen inside the temple. Also impressive is the huge relief map, which covers the entire Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan plateau. This plateau is very interesting to study - all the mountains and rivers are clearly visible.

Ancient city of Vaishali

The ancient city of Vaishali is one of the sacred places that is revered by Buddhists. Here you can see an 18-meter column topped with a life-size lion statue. Also impressive is the ancient temple of the 4th century, created from black stone, which is dedicated to the god Shiva, as well as a temple with many deities, an artificial pond for religious ablutions and a Buddhist monastery. It is believed that Buddha stopped in this city three times to deliver his final sermon. In the vicinity of the ancient city, two burials of the remains of Buddha were found - Buddha stupas.

Sarnath

The suburb of Sarnath is a 15-minute drive from the city center. Buddhists consider this place sacred, since Buddha delivered his first sermon on the Four Noble Truths here. Previously, this place was called Mrigadava (Deer Park). And all because there is a legend according to which deer also came to listen to Buddha’s speeches. That’s why today you can see figures of deer on the roofs of houses. At the place where the first sermon was delivered, you can see stupas - “Lion Capital” (coat of arms of India), stupas of Dharmarajika, Kanishka and Guptas, Dhamekh. Also in this suburb there is an archaeological museum with exhibitions of sculptures and relics that were found in the city and its surroundings. The main pride of the museum is the statue of a meditating Buddha, which dates back to the 6th century AD.

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Varanasi is a place where a huge number of Buddhists come to perform sacred rituals, mediations and self-knowledge. Someone comes here to meet death - roughly speaking, on their “last journey.” The most important reason why a large number of tourists flock to Varanasi is to see the religious center of India, to touch something magical, incomprehensible, something that most often cannot be explained to an ordinary person. After all, a person is designed in such a way that everything that seems absurd or strange to him attracts his interest even more.

There are a lot of interesting things in Varanasi that can surprise and sometimes shock the average tourist, but the longer you stay in this place, the faster you get used to what is happening around you. I will tell you about the most interesting places in more detail below. But first, I will briefly describe what Varanasi is like. The city is located on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, where, according to legend, God Shiva ferried the souls of the deceased on their final journey. Most Hindus believe that after death the soul is reborn and experiences earthly life again. And in order to find eternal peace, you need to go through cremation, and then immerse yourself in the waters of the sacred Ganges River. This is why most Hindus come here, those who for some reason are doomed to die. They all want to be alone with themselves, and then find eternal peace. There are special houses for such people in Varanasi. This is actually why Varanasi is called the “city of the dead”. Bonfires with the ashes of the deceased do not stop burning here; all this happens in the crematorium located directly on the Ganges River. Varanasi can be compared to Mecca; every believer is obliged to visit this sacred place, and at the end of his life, end his journey here.

What is worth seeing in Varanasi.

1. Ghats- the main important place of the city is the embankment, the Ghats are stone steps that go into the water of the Ganges River. Everything happens there: bathing in the river, prayers, meditation, burning of the dead. Each Ghat has its own name and history, as well as affiliation. For example, on the Ghat, where people meditate, you cannot burn the dead and vice versa. However, for the most part, Hindus use these sacred steps for ritual baths in the river. Usually, curious tourists like to capture these moments with their cameras, but they do not swim in the Ganges themselves. The river itself is considered one of the dirtiest on Earth; doctors claim that it contains all intestinal diseases. But the Indians themselves, in addition to bathing, brush their teeth in it, and some even use it internally. At the same time, they manage not to get sick after this. This fact can be explained by the strong immunity of local residents, accustomed to such flora, as well as the great power of faith that works miracles.

Ghats - locals bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River.

2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple or Golden Temple.

This Temple is considered the most sacred in India. However, it itself is small and it is not always possible to find it the first time, so it is better to ask local residents to guide you to it. But unfortunately, you are unlikely to be allowed inside the temple, since entry there is only possible for residents of India. But you can admire the beauty of the domes of this building, made of gold weighing 800 kg. Inside Kashi Vishwanath there is a shrine - the Adi Visheashvara lingam, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is a center of pilgrimage in India.

Adi Visheasvara Linga

3. Kedareshwar- this temple, like the previous one, is dedicated to God Shiva. It is located directly on the banks of the Ganga River, so finding Kedareshwar will not be difficult, but it is worth admiring it from the water, sailing on a special boat for tourists. A distinctive feature is that it has not been modified in any way since its construction. And what you will see is unique. Unlike the Golden Temple, tourists are allowed here, but you must wear clothes that cover your elbows and knees. Photography is not allowed inside.

Kedareshwar.

4. Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum- art lovers should definitely visit this place; many beautiful objects from Indian culture are exhibited here. Ancient manuscripts, bronze statues, all kinds of jewelry, both made of precious metals and not, ceramics, Buddhist and Hindu sculptures and more. The museum is located on the campus of Banaras Hindu, the largest educational institution in India.

Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum

5. Durga Temple- this temple was built in honor of the goddess Durga, and it is also called the Monkey Temple; a large number of these animals live here. While in the temple you should be very careful, as these seemingly sweet creatures can skillfully steal something from you. And in India it is prohibited to offend monkeys, so you should be very careful and watch your things. The temple itself is built of red stone, and there is a beautiful pond on its territory. Durga is very revered in Varanasi; she is considered the protector of the city, protecting it from all kinds of troubles.

Durga Temple.

To summarize, I want to say that there are a lot of interesting places in Varanasi and it would take too long to list them all here, I just want to say that this holy city deserves you to visit it. In my opinion, the real India is hidden here, not in Goa, where tourists are used to going. It is very interesting to see Indian culture, how much the locals believe and revere their God. It seemed to me that all these people were constantly in some kind of neutral state between life and death. They are not afraid to die, but on the contrary, they consider death to be something sacred and important, and perhaps even, although it sounds ridiculous, the meaning of life for them is to die with dignity in the waters of the great river Ganga.

Varanasi is located in northeastern India in the center of the Ganges Valley and is part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a holy place for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, a center of Brahminical learning, one of the oldest cities in the world, a city of pilgrims where people come to wash away their sins in the Ganges or cremate loved ones. Varanasi is a place where the physical and spiritual worlds are closely intertwined. The Ganges is considered a river of salvation, a symbol of hope for ancestors, living and future generations. Here, rituals of life and death are performed right in front of passers-by.

Varanasi is a city with a very strong energy, but it is famous not only for its funeral pyres: there are many ancient temples here. They also make the finest silk here and sew dresses, saris and other handicrafts from it.

How to get to Varanasi

By bus: There are two regular buses per day from Khajuraho and one from Bodh Gaya. The Varanasi bus station is located a few hundred meters from the main railway station Varanasi Cantonment.
By plane: There are no direct flights from Moscow to Varanasi; you will need to make two transfers, the second usually to Delhi. From there the plane flies to Varanasi Babatpur Airport.
By train: If you want to visit not only Varanasi, but also other cities in India, choose to travel by rail. High-speed trains from Delhi and Kolkata arrive at Mughal Serai station, 12 km southeast of Varanasi.

At the end of December and in January there is often heavy fog, which can cause flights and trains to be cancelled. This happens especially often on the Delhi-Varanasi route.

Search for air tickets to Delhi (closest airport to Varanasi)

Transport

You can get around the city by bus (the fare will be about 5-10 INR). The bus stop is located near the main railway station. Another popular mode of transport is rickshaws and pedicabs. Prices on the page are as of March 2019.

Weather in Varanasi

Average monthly temperature, °C day and night

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The climate in these places is humid subtropical, summers are long and hot, lasting from April to October. Thanks to the cold air blowing from the Himalayas, temperatures from December to February are below −5 °C. Fogs are common in winter.

Varanasi Hotels

There is no dearth of tourist accommodation in Varanasi. Most tourists prefer budget guesthouses closer to city attractions, which is why there are the most budget hotels here. There are also expensive hotels in the city, and they are concentrated mainly behind the railway station.

A large selection of tourist accommodation in the Godaulia area, in the very center of the Ganges embankment, closer to the ghats and other interesting places of Varanasi. There is a lot of economy class housing here, but it is better not to count on comfort. Prices for accommodation depend on the view from the window, the presence of a terrace - pilgrims often meditate there and the availability of air conditioning (it’s better not to skimp on this). Prices start from 200 INR per person.

A lot of inexpensive housing is concentrated along the Ganges River and the Old City. The practice of settling tourists in private houses is popular here. Rent a room in a private house or apartment will cost at least 200-300 INR per person, for 1000-1500 INR per day you can count on conditions close to European ones.

Immediately behind the station there is a very calm area where the bulk of expensive hotels are concentrated - there you can stay in a completely European-looking “three ruble” for 40-60 USD or in a decent 4* hotel for 80-110 USD per day for a double room.

Shopping in Varanasi

The city of Varanasi is famous for its finest silk. It is sold everywhere here: in markets, in small silk shops in the Old Town and in souvenir shops. There are a lot of scammers in the silk business, so don’t trust barkers and rickshaw drivers who “know exactly the best store.” This applies not only to private stores, but also to state ones - there are no guarantees. The only place where you definitely won’t run into a fake is the store at the Mehrotra Silk Factory. Silk and silk products have been traded here for more than 50 years, and there is no doubt about the quality. There is a large selection there, and the prices are fixed, so there is no need to bargain. Prices for silk scarves and shawls start from 400 INR, for dresses and sarees from 2500 INR, and a silk bedspread can be purchased for 9000 INR. The store is located in a small side street on the Ganges River embankment, within walking distance from the railway station.

In the markets and shops of Varanasi you can buy musical instruments - sitars (string instrument) and tablas (Indian drums). The cheapest are made from mango wood, but the best are those made from teak and vijaisar.

The city has many street markets, literally selling everything from fresh watermelons and mangoes to ritual flowers and water containers from the sacred Ganges River. There are a lot of silk products and jewelry in the markets of the Old City, but authenticity is always a big question - there are many fakes. You can also buy copper jewelry and dishes, handmade carpets and local oil-based perfumes here. Fragrances, of course, are not for everyone, but if you are lucky enough to find your own, it is good luck, since they are very persistent.

Cuisine and restaurants of Varanasi

Varanasi is full of cafes and restaurants at every turn. Most of them are unsanitary, especially in the Old Town, but it is quite safe there, and you can eat there very cheaply - for 60-70 INR you can get a full meal and tea.

Almost every hotel and guesthouse has its own restaurant or at least a small cafe. The more expensive the hotel, the greater the choice and the higher the chances of getting not only Indian, but also Italian, Nepalese and Japanese dishes. The most expensive restaurants, where almost any food is available, are located in five-star hotels; You don’t have to live there, you can just come for dinner or lunch.

The most popular dishes in local eateries: thali (rice and lentil stew with spices and vegetable sauces), fried rice, paneer in different variations, noodles, chicken in sauce, Indian-style pizza and pasta, dosa (large pancake made from rice flour) and everything is deep fried.

From verified places:

local cuisine - in the Lotus Lounge restaurant (Tibetan curry, Tibetan “momo” - somewhat similar to dumplings and Goan delicacies);
Indian - at El Parador: it’s worth trying homemade pasta, chicken souvlaki (kebabs on wooden skewers) and pancakes;
dishes of northern India and Afghanistan - at Varuna Restaurant: thali and tandoori kebab;
Israeli cuisine - at the Haifa restaurant;
Japanese - at Megu Cafe: real sushi, rolls, miso soup and chicken in ginger.

Entertainment and attractions of Varanasi

Varanasi is called the City of the Dead - life and death are intertwined here surprisingly tightly. To die here is considered a great honor and good luck among Hindus - this means that the endless cycle of rebirth will finally end and the soul will end up in the best of worlds. That is why all old and sick Hindus, when they feel imminent death, strive to get to Varanasi.

If a person is unlucky enough to leave the world in the City of the Dead, relatives will bring his body here for ritual cremation. These funeral pyres became almost the main local attraction. The crematoria are located on ghats - steps that lead from the embankment down to the river. There are many of them in Varanasi, but the most important is Manikarnika Nhat - there you can often even find a line of dead people. The body, wrapped in a sheet, is burned at the stake, and the ashes are then scattered over the Ganges. For Hindus themselves, there is nothing sad or dramatic about this - from their point of view, the soul is still either reborn or ends up in nirvana.

Photographs of funeral rites are not permitted. There is no prohibiting law, but the locals will not allow you to do this for free; for them, selling pseudo-permits is a kind of business. Prices vary - from 300 INR per frame to 13,000-15,000 INR per day of photography. Shooting with a professional camera will cost 5-10 times more.

The Ganges embankment is the most party place in Varanasi. Here they pray, meditate and just sit in the water and communicate. The audience is very diverse: pilgrims, Rastafarians, freaks, beggars, artists and hashish dealers.

Varanasi

Temples of Baranasi

There are at least two thousand temples in Varanasi, their exact number is unknown. The most impressive:

Vishwanath (aka Golden Temple) - built in 1785 and 800 kg of pure gold was spent on its gilding alone. Non-Hindus cannot get there, so tourists go up to the third floor of the store in the neighboring building - from there the golden roof is best seen.
Kedareshvar - stands on the banks of the Ganges and stands out among all other buildings with its striped red and white walls. Water and flowers are brought to the local lingam (a symbol of divine power in Hinduism), as it is believed that if it is not watered, drought will hit the city.
Annapurna Bhavani is one of the most important temples in Varanasi where Goddess Annapurna and feminine energy are worshiped. The temple houses a statue of Annapurna made from a single piece of gold.
Durga is the most popular temple among tourists. It has red walls, and is popularly called “monkey”, as there are always a lot of monkeys around it. The Mother Goddess is worshiped here, the temple itself is located in a very beautiful place, and it even has its own swimming pool.

Museums and galleries

In Sarnath (a suburb of Varanasi, 10 km from the city) there is an interesting archaeological museum where you can see antiquities from the 3rd century. BC e. up to 12th century n. e. Fragments of ancient monasteries that were built by Buddha's followers, fragments of columns and other archaeological artifacts found in these places are exhibited there.

14 km from Varanasi on the other bank of the Ganges is the Ram Nagar fort, built of red sandstone in the 18th century. The fort has a museum and a temple dedicated to the ancient Indian poet Vyasa, who wrote the Mahabharata. 25 km from Varanasi is the Chunar fort - the ruins of ancient settlements.

The Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, which is located on the premises of the local university, houses a large collection of miniatures, sculptures, manuscripts of Indian art, and bronzes. The exhibition features works by foreign artists inspired by the beauty of Varanasi, including Nicholas Roerich.

Nightlife and other entertainment

There are bars and other drinking establishments in Varanasi, but they are located far from the Ganges. Drinking alcohol on the banks of the sacred river is not approved, but you are unlikely to receive a fine for this - only public censure. The best bars and discos are located in hotels away from the ghats - and here the more expensive the hotel, the better. For example, the evenings are bustling with classical music at the Brown Bread Bakery, the Puja Hotel and the Varuna Restaurant at the Gateway Hotel Ganges, while the Ashram International Music Center hosts small musical performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays (entrance 100 INR).

Events

Diwali is celebrated annually in Varanasi - the festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, when candles and lanterns are lit throughout the city. The city also hosts the Shivaratri festival in honor of the god Shiva, when believers read stories about Shiva and sing hymns in his honor, after which a fair opens on the river bank.

Varanasi can be called a museum city or maybe

maybe even a temple city: according to some data from various religious buildings

here from two to three thousand. I don’t think anyone knows the exact number.

I previously wrote about

ghats - embankments of the Ganges, where the main flavor of Varanasi is concentrated...

Varanasi can be called a city-museum or maybe even a city-temple: according to some data, there are between two and three thousand of various religious buildings here. I don’t think anyone knows the exact number.

Previously, the embankments of the Ganges, where the main flavor of Varanasi is concentrated, and to which the city owes much of its popularity. This article will talk about the main attractions we visited. In most temples, “mere mortals” are not allowed to take photographs, so this time the photos will be from the Internet.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple. One of the most important Hindu temples in all of India, something like Mecca for Muslims: every Hindu tries to visit Kashi Vishwanath at least once in his life. Therefore, the queues there are simply incredible, especially on holidays and weekends: they stretch for tens of meters along narrow winding streets. The main pride of the temple is the dome made of gold weighing about a ton, for which it received its second name - the Golden Temple. But despite all this, Kashi Vishwanath is not yet destined to become a popular tourist destination, since foreigners are reluctantly allowed there. On the one hand, entry is not prohibited for them, but a stern guard can show you the door without explaining the reasons (there are too many people that day, he is in a bad mood, he doesn’t like you - whatever). And if he does give the go-ahead, he will definitely write down your passport details, so be sure to grab your documents. By the way, you cannot bring anything into Kashi Vishwanath except your passport and money for donations, so leave your bag at the hotel or use the paid storage room at the temple.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Durga Temple. One of the most popular temples in Varanasi. Dedicated to the formidable aspect of Parvati - the goddess Durga. The temple is often called the Monkey Temple - for the large number of these animals gathering near it.

But the truly monkey temple is, of course, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple - Temple of Hanuman, patron of monkeys. Here the macaques live in contentment: they eat well, scurry along walls and trees, and sometimes entertain themselves by communicating with tourists. For example, on the way to the exit a young macaque overtook me and grabbed my skirt with its teeth and claws.

Inside Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

Bharat Mata temple- a temple dedicated to Mother India, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi himself in 1936. The place is interesting not for its interior, which is more than austere, but for its relief map of India and part of the surrounding territories, which occupies almost the entire floor of the room.

Map of India in Bharat Mata temple

Benares Art Gallery– an art gallery, amazing because here you can not only touch things with your own hands that are several hundred years old, but even buy them. There are also many exhibits of contemporary artists and craftsmen. I couldn’t resist and bought a bronze figurine of Parvati, which completely enchanted me. According to a gallery employee, the figurine was made on the same day, but it is so skillfully aged that it seems as if it had lain forgotten in the corner of some ancient temple for several centuries.

U.I. (Useful Information):

Visiting attractions in Varanasi is mostly free, but almost everywhere you need to take off your shoes or leave your bag in a storage room, for which they usually charge from 10 to 20 rupees.

Many temples are lost in the winding narrow streets of the city, so even if you have a navigator, you will sometimes have to get lost. Don’t hesitate to ask the locals for directions, and you will be happy and have another temple.

Photo:m.mobsea.org, varanasionline.in, indostan.ru

Mysterious and amazing India has always attracted travelers with its fabulous beauty and interesting history. Travelers from all over the world strive to get here to touch it. Each city has its own flavor and a certain charm.

One of the most mysterious and controversial cities in this country is Varanasi. It is called the city of light, life and death, as well as the oldest existing settlement. It is believed that a true Hindu must visit the Holy City and plunge into the waters of the Ganges River.

Over the long period of existence of Varanasi, many legends and traditions have appeared related to the history of the emergence and formation of the city. According to one of these legends, ancient Varanasi appeared more than 5 thousand years ago. Scientists, relying on data obtained during excavations, claim that the true age of the city is no more than 3 thousand years.

The university building is both a cultural and historical city landmark, built in the first half of the 20th century. More than 15 thousand students study in this building. In terms of the quality and level of education, the university deservedly ranks first in the ranking of the best educational institutions in the country.

For those wishing to become more familiar with the history and art of ancient India, a museum has been opened on the territory of the university. A large exhibition will give you the opportunity to plunge into the world of Indian culture.

The 18th century temple is often called the monkey temple, since a huge number of these funny animals live on its territory. They happily pose for numerous tourists. The red color of the temple walls contrasts brightly with the green color of the trees and shrubs growing around.

This sacred temple is built and dedicated to the famous goddess Durga and is a popular pilgrimage center.

A visit to the city's art gallery will be of interest to all admirers of contemporary art. In addition to the permanent exhibition, which includes works by famous masters, exhibitions of paintings by young, little-known artists are periodically organized in the gallery’s halls.

The famous temple where the inauguration of the famous fighter for Indian independence, Mahatma Gandhi, took place.
In addition to the original decoration of the interior of the temple, in one of the rooms you can see in detail a map of the Indian continent, with relief images of famous mountains and other hills printed on it.

Location: Vidyapeeth Road.

The building looks a little harsh. It was built in the 17th century in the eastern part of Varanasi. Today, the Avrangzeb Mosque is the largest such structure in the entire city. On the upper tier there is a wonderful observation deck, open to everyone, from which you can see all the beauty of the ancient city of Varanasi.

Many tourists note the excellent acoustics, thanks to which the wonderful singing heard within the walls of the Avrangzeb Mosque can be heard even on the approaches to the building.

These places are considered sacred for all Buddhists, because Buddha visited Vaishali more than once and even gave sermons. Not far from the borders of the ancient city, the remains of Buddha were discovered during excavations. They decided to leave part of the ashes of the Great Prophet in Vaishali.

Lovers of antiquity will be interested in seeing the ancient temple made of black stone. Its construction, according to historians, dates back to the 4th century.

In addition, on the territory of Vaishali you can see a monastery, a large artificial pond, which was intended for ablutions before the coronation, and much more.

The temple is not so easy to find - you will have to get lost a little through the narrow and winding streets of sacred Varanasi. Surrounded by a tight ring of nearby buildings, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple amazes travelers with its golden roof, which can only be admired from the windows and open areas of neighboring buildings.

On the territory of Varanasi and near its borders you can find a large number of religious attractions. A special place on the list of must-see places is occupied by ghats - these are steps leading to the river where ablutions and burning of the dead are performed.

Manikarnika Ghat is one of the most famous and creepy attractions of Varanasi. There are special funeral pyres here that have been burning for several millennia along the banks of the Ganges River. At its core, this place can be called an open-air crematorium, where work is in full swing and does not stop.

Despite the gloomy, depressing atmosphere, this place is popular among tourists from all over the world. Guides and special signs warn that taking photos and videos is prohibited. It is noteworthy that residential buildings are located literally a stone's throw from this terrible place.

Assi ghat

This attraction is located on the southern side of the city of Varanasi, where the Assi River flows into the Ganges. Compared to Manikarnika Ghat, this place is more attractive for travelers. A large number of cafes and shops, street musicians slightly dispel the gloomy atmosphere that brings awareness of the true purpose of the stepped structure by the river.

Aarti is a stunning spectacle that can be seen after sunset. This is a special ceremony during which gifts are presented to the gods in the form of rice, water, flowers and, most importantly, fire. It is carried out by clergy - Brahmins.

You can watch this action while standing on the shore or by renting a boat. The spectacle attracts a huge number of spectators every day. Small oil lamps are sold especially for tourists - they are lowered into the water at the end of the ceremony. The sight of numerous lights gradually filling the entire surface of the water and turning the Ganges into a river of fire is truly mesmerizing and leaves an indescribable impression in the memory.

The art gallery is named after the artist who created it. You can visit this attraction on any working day (it’s best to check the exact opening hours by phone and on the gallery’s website in advance).

Every day, dozens and hundreds of connoisseurs of beauty visit the halls of this hospitable building. A pleasant place puts you in a great mood and gives you a feeling of lightness and good mood for the whole day.

Open lessons are regularly held here, where you can feel like a real artist and draw views of the holy city of Varanasi as a keepsake for yourself or your friends.