Varanasi Tours and Travels

1. Varanasi Tours and Travels

2.  Varanasi: An Introduction Varanasi is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C.E. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws pilgrims who bathe in the River Ganges’ sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along its winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including KashiVishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Area: 1,550 km² Weather: 17°C, Wind W at 10 km/h, 62% Humidity Population: 1.092 million (2001) UNdata

3. 2. Name and Origin One of the oldest cities of the world and the oldest city of India Have several names: Varanasi, Banares, Kashi A place between Varuna and Assi Holy place for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains Significance of the Ganga River • 3. Ganga in Varanasi or Varanasi at the bank of the Ganga • 4. Attractions of the City Temples Sari Roads Gharana Pan Sadhu • 5. City of Temples Old KashiVishwanath SankatMochan Temple Durga Mata Temple (DurgaKund) Manas Temple Bharat Mata Temple Banks of River Ganga (Ghat- Aarati) • 6. KashiVishwanath • 7. Durga Mata Temple • 8. River Bank • 9. Vishwanath Temple • 10. Vishwanath Temple • 11. Lord Shiva • 12. Mosque near Vishwanath Temple • 13. River Bank

4. 14. Nandi • 15. Banarasi Sari Known in India for its special features Weavers mostly Muslim but customers Hindu and representative of composite culture The city also produces carpets and handicrafts. • 16. Banaras kiGaliyan Old City - so very narrow roads In the old part of the city, such as near the Vishwanath Temple, it is difficult to see sunlight. Modern impacts in other parts but complicated traffic All means of transportation including animals commute on the roads. • 17. Music (Gharana) • Music of Banaras Gharana is quite famous • More than 200 years of history • Initiated by Pandit Ram Sahai (1780–1826) who was a tabla player • Famous Personalities- Chhunulal Mishra, Giraja Devi, Rajan-Sajan Mishra • Every year, SankatMochanSangeetSamaroh • Khayal, Dhrupad, Kajari, Chaita etc. • 18. SankatMochanSangeenMahotsava • 19. Chhunulal Mishra • 20. Tabala • 21. Pan Shop

5. 22. Sadhu • 23. Mani KarnikaGhat • 24. SarnathStupa • 25. SankatMochan Temple • 26. DasasawmedhGhat • 27. DevDipawli • 28. Ganga Aarti • 29. Ramnagar Fort (Varanasi) • 30. Food Of Varanasi • 31. Get in Varanasi is well connected by plane, train, and bus. By plane LalBahadurShastri Airport (IATA: VNS) is located 25km northwest of the city center. A taxi to/from the airport takes an hour and costs 750, while a₹ tuk-tuk/auto-rickshaw can take twice as long and costs 500. Allow extra₹ time due to traffic. Air India [2], JetKonnect [3], SpiceJet [4], and IndiGo[5] all operate regular flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad , Khajuraho, andVisakhapatnam. There are flights to Colombo on Mihin Lanka Airlines, and flights to Bangkok on Thai Airways. Its easy to get a state-run bus to city center (opposite Varanasi Junction/Cantt station), which costs less than half a dollar. Bus stand is 10 minutes walking distance from airport. If taking state run(or private operator) bus from Varanasi to airport, take bus going to Jaunpur and get down at Babatpur airport stop. After walking 10 min, you can easily get to airport. varanasi tour package

6. 32. By train There are multiple daily services to cities including Delhi (13 hours), Agra (13 hours), Lucknow (7 hours),Mumbai, and Kolkata. Varanasi is served by three major railway stations: Varanasi Junction (IR station code : BSB) - the trip between the train station and the Ganges-area costs 100 in a tuk-tuk.₹ Manduadih Railway Station - the trip between the train station and the Ganges-area costs 100 in a tuk-tuk.₹ Mughal Sarai Junction (IR station code : MGS), about 20km east of the city - the trip between the train station and the Ganges-area costs 500 in a taxi.₹ • 33. By bus The bus station in Varanasi is located just east of the Varanasi Junction train station. A tuk-tuk from the bus station to the Ganges area costs 100.₹ By foot is the only way to see the waterfront and the ghats - but be ready to be hot, sweaty, and lost - locals are usually happy to point you in the right direction. The names of ghats and signs pointing to restaurants and hotels are often painted on the walls in Roman letters. For better orientation, walk into any book store and pick up a small guide/map book that will have the list of all the ghats and their historical background. By cycle-rickshaw and auto-rickshaw The chaotic streets of Varanasi are sometimes too much to handle by foot. Therefore, it will often be convenient to travel by cycle rickshaw or auto- rickshaw. A short journey of a few kilometers should cost under 50, while a₹ longer journey within the city, such as between the ghats and the train station, will cost 100. Further journeys, such as to Sarnath (10km), cost₹ 200 each way by auto-rickshaw.₹ • 34. By car or taxi While taxis and cars-for-hire do exist, traffic makes them impractical. By bicycle[ Bicycle rental is available from many vendors. Inquire at your hotel. • 35. Varanasi Silk • 36. Varanasi Festivals • 37. Thank you