Get going to the city of light, Varanasi. Holiday at the ghats of the great Ganges. Pray piously at the pristine temples. Discover inimitable India is at its religious best.

Welcome to the holy land of Varanasi on the banks of the great Ganges and in between the Varuna and the Assi streams. One of the most ancient Indian cities Varanasi or Benaras embraces millions of devotes annually. Join the group of Hindus and Buddhists who frequently flock to their religious center. Explore the center of education, religion, art and culture from times immemorial. Visit the temple dedicated to Mother India besides the Durga temple and the Tulsi Manas temple. The observatory of Jantar Mantar and the oldest university of north India namely the Benaras Hindu University are worth paying a visit. A holiday destination with gharanas of Indian classical music, an art form as popular as the ghats, is awesome.

The weavers create dreams on silk, carpets and wood. So do pick up the brocades and the saris in silk along with the bhadohi carpets. Your pilgrimage holiday at Varanasi is sure to be religiously rewarding as also spiritually elevating. The fragrance of the incense sticks and the chanting mantras will haunt you time and again. Ready for the pilgrimage of a lifetime?

Places to see

There are several places worth seeing in and around Varanasi. Amongst the many places that lie around Varanasi is the Ramnagar fort. The Ramnagar fort is located on the other bank of the Ganges. The Ramnagar fort used to be the residential palace of the erstwhile ruler of Varanasi. The hall of public audience (Durbar Hall) and the royal museum housing collections of palanquins, elephant saddles, arms, furniture, costumes, etc., are a must see at the Ramnagar fort. Then there is another holy city of Sarnath that is situated at around seven km from Varanasi. There are several places in Sarnath itself that are worth seeing. While in Sarnath visit the fabled deer park, where the Buddha preached his sermon enshrining the principles of his teaching into laws. A stupa and a large complex of ruined monasteries are also there around Sarnath.

You must see the Ashoka Pillar that stands in commemoration of the visit of the Mauryan emperor Ashok's visit to sarnath, more than 2,000 years ago. You may also see the rich collection of items belonging to the Kushan and Gupta periods as well as from the Ashokan era in the archeological museum of Sarnath. Chunar Fort, Kusumi Forest besides the Rajdari Falls and Deodari Falls in the Chandraprabha forest are some other places worth seeing around Varanasi.

Make your holidays at Varanasi more enjoyable by seeing these nearby places. These places not only enhance tourism potential in Varanasi but also are worth seeing holiday spots themselves.