An Overview Of Varanasi Tourism Essay

An Overview Of Varanasi Tourism EssayVaranasiVaranasi, also commonly known as Banaras or Kashi is one of the holiest cities in India and is situated in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is situated on the west bank of the river Ganga and is one of the oldest, continually inhabited city in the world. SignificanceVaranasi is believed to have been established by Lord Shiva about 5000 years ago and, in addition to cosmos one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the city has long been a centre of religion and spiritualism. The city of Varanasi finds a mention in ancient Hindu religious texts and scriptures the like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, Rigveda amongst others. It is holy shrine of Lord Kashi Vishwanath, a manifestation of Lord Shiva and was here that Gautam Buddha was born and Varanasi is perhaps one of the few holy cities that enjoys a august position among devouts of Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.AttractionsOver the years, the city of Varanasi has earned several sobr iquets, the city of temples, the city of lights and the city of learning. No wonder then, Varanasi is home to several temples, however, most of these places of hero-worship were sunk by pillaging Muslim armies of Mahmud of Ghazni and Mohammad Ghori. Varanasi is also home to over one degree Celsius ghats scattered along the banks of river Ganga.The Kashi Vishwanath Temple This temple was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar and encloses the holy Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and is said that a view of this Jyotirlinga is makes for a very profound spiritual awakening. The temple is a magnificent nibble of architecture and is adorned by ornate carvings. Intricate carvings can also be seen on the dome that is the roof of this temple.Durga Temple Is another temple of worship and is presided over by Goddess Durga. The temple is home to a large number of monkeys who can be found wandering around in the courtyard and the Durga kund, a small tank near the temple and is therefore, somet imes referred to as Monkey Temple. The temple built in the 18th century is a classic standard of the Nagara style of architecture.The Sankat Mochan Temple The Sankat Mochan temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is one of the popular temples in Varanasi. This temple, unfortunately, was also the site of a vicious terrorist attack exactly that failed to diminish the faith of the devotees who still throng to this temple in large numbers to pay obeisance to Hanuman. Other AttractionsVaranasi is also home to over hundred ghats located along the banks of the Ganga. By day, these ghats witness frantic activity of devotees wanting to take a dip in the holy waters and by evening, these ghats wind into a magnificent spectacle of lights it is here that the Ganga aarti is performed in the evening.How to ReachVaranasi has its own airport, the Babatpur airport, that is about 25 km from the city centre. The city is well connected by develop and road with other cities in India.