Top Tourist Attractions in Varanasi, India

Ganges River

Varanasi is known for the religious practices that take place on the ghats alongside the river. The sights of life and death along the riverside can be shocking, but a trip to Varanasi is also rousing, contemplative, and helps tourists to further understand India’s deep cultural and spiritual practices. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Varanasi you shouldn’t miss during your trip.

Tourist Attractions in Varanasi

1. Ganges River

tourist attractions in Varanasi: Ganges River

 

Named after the Hindu goddess Ganga, the Ganges is one of the most revered natural sites in India. The river stretches southeast from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal. From 400 million to 600 million people rely on the Ganges River to provide water for bathing and drinking every day.

Hindus come to Varanasi from all over the world to purify themselves in the waters of the sacred Ganges and perform rituals along dozens of ghats along the river. For tourists, the river provides a fixed point of direction for getting around the city and you will certainly spend plenty of time sightseeing and observing the life that unfolds around the Ganges River.

2. New Vishwanath Temple

Located inside Banaras Hindu University, this shrine is full of tourists flocking to its shops daily. The Birla family, an extremely successful group of businessmen in India, commissioned construction, leading locals to call it the Birla Temple. One great thing about the temple is that it is not just one building, but actually, seven separate temples that together make up a large religious complex. The legendary ancient Vishwanath temple was the direct inspiration for this temple’s design. All its walls were covered with Lord Krishna’s words as he recited the Bhagwad Gita.

3. Dashashwamedh Ghat

tourist attractions in Varanasi: Dashashwamedh Ghat

 

The main Ghat in Varanasi on the Ganges River, Dashashwamedh Ghat is a splendid place known for its spiritual transcendence. It is often known that Lord Brahma sacrificed 10 horses during a yajna festival here, and hence got the name. Dashashwamedh Ghat tops the list of famous places to visit in Varanasi at night as it is an attractive space to immerse yourself in this small town. Come here for Agni Pooja or Ganga aarti, as it is so popularly called.

4. Assi Ghat

This is one of the best tourist attractions in Varanasi! Located in the far south, Assi Ghat is where pilgrims pay homage to God Shiva by worshiping a giant lingam under the peepal tree. This ghat is a living space, rippled in chaos and turmoil, and a space that vividly captures Kashi’s antiquity. Among the most famous religious sites in Varanasi, the Assi Ghat is a must. The stunning views of the artisans here make Varanasi one of the most beautiful cities in India.

5. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

 

Many consider it the most important temple to visit in Varanasi, and some consider it the most important temple in the country. Its story is more than three thousand and five hundred years old, it was an astonishing amount of time. There are so many things that have happened in and around it so it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed when visiting it. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas that Shivalingas is the physical symbol of Lord Shiva. The towers and arches of the temple are completely inlaid with gold. The ruler of Punjab at that time, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was responsible for it, for the gilding of the temple’s domes was a Punjabi tradition, as demonstrated in the Golden Temple. Many believers believe that a glimpse of Shivalinga will cleanse your soul and put life on the path of knowledge.

6. Dhamek Stupa

Hinduism certainly had a stronghold on Varanasi, but Buddhism had a major presence in the village of Sarnath less than 12 km. Here you will find Dhamek Stupa, a giant brick, and stone structure 43.6 meters high and 28 meters in diameter. The stupa was built more than 1,500 years ago to replace the structure dating back to 249 BC.

Devotees believe that Buddha went to Dhamek Stupa for his first sermon, which revealed the Eightfold Path after he attained enlightenment. Admire the elegant carvings of birds, people, and flowers on the walls of the stupa as you stroll around the attraction.

In conclusion, these are great tourist attractions in Varanasi for visitors to explore during your trip.

 

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