Top 5 Attractions in Varanasi Are you looking for some of the best tourist places to visit in Varanasi that greet travelers with their mystical environment and glorious history? The spiritual capital of the country, Varanasi, is home to over two thousand temples and is therefore revered as one of the holiest and culturally rich cities in the entire world. It also has some of the glorious forts where you can witness the royal lifestyle of the Kings and Queens. If you’re a shopaholic then it has both street style shops as well as humongous malls where you can shop all that you want at great prices.
If you’re pressed with time and can’t explore every part of this beautiful city, then there are many places to visit in Varanasi in 2 days. It has some of the most scenic ghats where you can witness the aarti and can practice mediation. It also has some of the most famous museums that give you a chance to step back into time and witness the glorious history of this city.
From spirits to death, this city lives all the charms of the journey of life. A trip to this artistic combination of physical and spiritual worlds is a must to discover more untold offbeat and supernatural stories recited by this holy city in a promising way. To find all magical surprises you will encounter on your soulful journey to “Spiritual Capital of India.” So here is the list of Top 5 Attractions in Varanasi while you visit here:-
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Meaning “The Lord Of The World “, Kashi Viswanath Temple is one of the most prominent Shiva temples of India. Kashi Viswanath Temple at Varanasi is one of 12 Jyotirlingas. it is on banks of holy Ganges on the western side.
History of this temple in Varanasi dates back to ‘Puran era’, and it finds its mention in ‘Skanda Purana’. Kashi Viswanath Temple has been rebuilt many times throughout history. It’s a temple of gold for Lord Shiva because it has around 800 kilograms of gold plating on its tower. No electronic gadgets are allowed inside the temple and those should be deposited in lockers outside Varanasi Tour Packages.
Kashi Viswanath Temple is not only an integral part of Hindu culture and faith, but it is also a spectacle to watch. This temple is beautifully covered in elaborate carvings that project a divine artistic vibe. Apart from the famous shiva temple in the center, there are several small temples of Lord KaalBhairav, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Vinayaka etc. This temple holds a lot of significance because there’s a belief that people will attain moksha (salvation) here. Several great saints and famous personalities have paid a visit to this holy place such as Tulsidas, Vivekanand, Guru Nanak, and the cast of the movie “Eat, Pray and Love” etc.
Manikarnika Ghat
Varanasi is held so piously in the minds of Hindus as it portrays the eternal truth of life -‘Death’. Manikarnika Ghat is popular for being crematory ghat and most visitors to Varanasi do visit this place. It demands respect from visitors and in return, lets them witness the funeral ceremony and mourners. Boats here are laden with wood and bamboo used in last rites. It’s a tranquil place, and visitors should be honorable towards it to experience this unique aspect of life and culture, Top 5 Attractions in Varanasi.
There’s a story behind the name of this ghat that Sati Mata’s body parts fell where different Shaktipeeths are today. Ear ornaments from her charred body fell here, and it became the ‘Manikarnika’.
Dasaswamedh Ghat
Its name breaks into ‘ Dasas + Ashwamedha’. It is written in scriptures that Dasa Ashwamedha yajna was performed by none other than Lord Brahma right here, Top 5 Attractions in Varanasi.
Dasaswamedh Ghat is home to many rituals, and you should visit it on Kartik Purnima, to be part of a conscious experience of ‘Dev Deepawali’. But what people always remember this ghat for is the ‘Ganga Aarti’.
Every evening many people throughout the world witnesses this through the broadcast. But the live experience is otherworldly and can’t be described in mere words Varanasi Tourism.
Also, you can enjoy sunrise boat tours and enjoy the beauty of Ganga so closely. Also, many Hindu sages can be seen performing last rites and other rituals on this ghat in Varanasi.
Assi Ghat
One of the two most famous ghats of Varanasi, Assi Ghat is placed at the conjunction of Holy Ganges and Assi river. There is an old Peepal tree which hosts a large Lord Shiva’s ‘Shiva Linga’ under it, Top 5 Attractions in Varanasi.
Assi ghat leaves a distinctive mark on the heart of visitors and is the lifeline of locals. Many locals and tourists of Varanasi gather here in large groups to enjoy sunrise and sunset. Mostly it is visited by nearby students of Banaras Hindu Vishwa Vidyalaya.
On 24 November 2014 a tourism promotion program ‘Subah-e-Banaras’ was started here. It includes a boat tour along with rising sun shining over the horizon. All this creates a mesmerising sight. You Can enjoy Vedic knowledge sessions here in the morning and also entertain yourself with ‘Yoga’. Assi Ghat is surely a place to visit when in Varanasi.
Banaras Hindu University (New Vishwanath Temple)
The campus of widely acclaimed Banaras Hindu university is the home of this sacred temple. There’s an aura of calmness and tranquility around the temple. The natural beauty of the campus and the holy Ganges flowing on its side creates such an atmosphere that you would want to settle there.
This temple is the dedication of Famous business tycoons ‘Birla’ Group. They started the construction which got completed in 1966.
There is also something for curators of Visual art, as there is a Bharat Kala Mandir boasting of beautiful pieces. Temple could be considered as a hidden jewel within the campus. It is also considered to be a great example of architectural excellence. Like Golden Vishwanath temple, this is also dedicated to Hindu Deity Lord Shiva.
The Maha Shivaratri festival stands as a great attraction here with sparkling lights and enjoyment, Top 5 Attractions in Varanasi.
