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Famous Places to Visit in Varanasi | Popular Tourist Attractions in Benaras

Varanasi is one of the oldest cities of India situated on the banks of River Ganges. People used to mean this city as one of the holiest cities from India. The place is believed to be a sacred city with very old tradition and culture. Varanasi or Banaras is a place which still yet hasn’t flown down by the western culture. It is still very orthodox but also booming as modern cities. The city has all those major amenities which a modern advance city requires.

Varanasi is famous for spiritualism, mysticism, Indian philosophy and Hinduism. All these are reflected in numerous sects, temples, Ashrams and Ghats. Varanasi is associated not only with Hinduism but also with Buddhism and Jainism. Varanasi also boasts of Buddhist Stupas and Jain temples. Varanasi is mainly associated with Hinduism, temples form the main attraction. The Ganges Ghats (river fronts) are the main center of religious activities and rituals and also form one of the main attractions of Varanasi. The most important temples of Varanasi are Durga temple, Vishwanath temple, Sankat Mochan temple, Tulsi Manas temple and the Bharat Mata temple.

Temples of Varanasi:

Varanasi is a place can be considered as the place especially for different temples. The place has great spiritual importance with so many other attractions. Varanasi is home to about 2,000 temples, and also known as the city of temples. Many important and famous temples are located at the Ghats of Ganges. The holy river Ganges in the place is like icing on the cake. Varanasi is also called Kashi, “the City of Light”. The “Kashi Vishwanath temple”, located near the Ganga Ghats, is the most famous and important temple of Varanasi.
Here is a detailed coverage of the Temples of Varanasi.

Ghats:

Spiritual life in Varanasi revolves around the ghats, the long string of bathing steps leading down to the water on the western bank of the Ganges. Most are used for bathing but there are also several ‘burning ghats’ where bodies are cremated in public. The main burning ghat is ‘Manikarnika’. There, one can often experience watching funeral processions threading their way through the backstreets to this ghat. The best time to visit the ghats is at dawn when the river is bathed in a mellow light as pilgrims come to perform puja (literally ‘respect’; offering or prayers) to the rising sun, and at sunset when the main ‘ganga aarti’ ceremony takes place at Dasaswamedh Ghat. One can explore a trip from Dasaswamedh Ghat south to Harishchandra Ghat and can have a great knowledge about the place Varanasi.

Varanasi is mainly popular for these ghats and the spiritual environment over here. People here come to explore about the Hindu culture, tradition and religion. Thus this place is very famous and caters a good quantity of visitors every year.

Bharat Kala Bhavan:

Bharat Kala Bhavan, located inside the BHU campus, is an art and architecture museum and houses a vast collection of paintings, Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and other materials of archeological importance. Bharat Kala Bhavan was established in the year 1920 A.D. In the main hall of the Bharat Kala Bhawan, there is a figure of a man standing on one leg and one hand on his hip and lifting a mass of stone above his head, with one hand.

Bharat Kala Bhavan also has a great collection of miniature paintings from the courts of Mughals and other Kingdoms and principalities. Some of the important sections in the Bharat Kala Bhavan are Mahamana Malaviya gallery, Nicholas Roerich gallery, Chhavi (Painting Gallery), sculpture gallery, Nidhi (Treasures) gallery, sculpture gallery, archaeological gallery, decorative art gallery and Banaras through age’s gallery.

Banaras Hindu University:

The Banaras Hindu University or BHU is an internationally reputed University and is situated in Varanasi. The great nationalist leader, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, founded the Banaras Hindu University in the year 1916. Dr Annie Besant also played an important role in the formation of the BHU. The Banaras Hindu University played an important role in the Indian independence movement. Over a period of time, it has developed into one of the greatest centers of learning in India. The BHU has produced many great freedom fighters and Nation builders. It has immensely contributed to the progress of the nation through a large number of renowned scholars, artists and scientists.

Jantar Mantar:

Jantar Mantar is an observatory, built by Jai Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur  in the year 1737. Jai Singh was a great admirer of science and technology and he was particularly passionate about astronomy. Before the commencement of construction (of observatories) he sent scholars abroad to study the foreign observatories. The emissaries returned with many manuals on astronomy. The Jantar Mantar at Varanasi was built in line with Delhi, Mathura, Ujjain and Jaipur observatories. There are Jantar Mantar Clones in Delhi and Jaipur as well.

Ramnagar Fort:

The Ramnagar fort lies about 14 km. from Varanasi and is situated on the opposite bank of river Ganga. It is the ancestral home of the Maharaja of Banaras. Maharaja Balwant Singh built this fort-palace in the eighteenth century. The fort is built in red sandstone. The Ramnagar fort has a temple and a museum within the grounds and the temple is dedicated to Ved Vyasa, who wrote Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. Legends have it that Ved Vyasa stayed here for a brief period.

The Ramnagar fort is a museum displaying the Royal collection which includes vintage Cars, Royal ‘palkies’, an armory of swords and old guns, ivory work and antique clocks. The ‘Durga Temple’ and ‘Chhinnamastika Temple’ are also located at Ramnagar. A temple of Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman is there. Inside the giant walls of the Ramnagar fort-palace, there is a big clock. This particular clock shows of the movement of the stars. An interesting array of ornate palanquins, gold-plated howdahs and weapons are some of the artifacts on display in the Ramnagar fort-palace museum.

Besides these places you can also look for places like; Sarnath Museum, Ashoka Lion Capital, Buddhist Temples, Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamekh Stupa, Dharamrajika Stupa etc.

Night Life and Entertainment Elements:

Varanasi is a place which basically carries the tradition or the old Indian Culture. So, you can’t expect any rocking night life over here. But for amusement purpose you can roam in the city. There you are able to find many sorts of restaurants or multi cuisine foods and beverages. Along these you can also able to see different branded costume stores, stores of traditional Banarasi Saree Houses, Cinema Halls and many other things.

Are you thinking to come to Varanasi? Then, don’t think, just come and know the Mythology and all the Puranas related to Hinduism. This is one of the most sacred places which can make you feel revive surely, after coming.

Famous places to visit in Chennai | Popular Attractions in Chennai

The Capital city of Tamil Nadu state, Chennai or Madras(formerly), is south India’s largest city. Chennai is India’s automotive hub and an IT bastion too. Even though it is a modern city it has a very strong cultural inclination. Chennai hosts an annual gala event known as the Madras Music Season. Kollywood, the Tamil cinema and music industry is headquartered here and it is the second largest entertainment industry in India.

Fort St. George

This 1640 AD edifice is perhaps the oldest British establishment in India. It is a magnificent thing that overlooks the Bay of Bengal on one side. Till date it serves as a base of Indian Army. It housed a museum that displays a fine collection of colonial era memorabilia. Another thing you would not want to miss at Sr George Fort is the 15 ft statue of Lord Cornwallis. One can still feel the regalia of the old days from the glass windows, wall frescoes and shining teak plaques. Because of its immense historical importance it is under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Marina Beach

Acclaimed to be the longest beach in India Marina Beach draws a big volume of tourists everyday. It starts right next to St George fort and extends for 12 Kms till the Besant Nagar in a north – south extension. This place is particularly popular in the evening and is famous for its food stalls and shops on the sandy beaches. Another attraction of Marina beach is the line of statues of famous Indian and Tamil personalities. As a part of beach modernization plan a huge artificial waterfall has been installed here. The waves are generally strong and seas are not fit for swimming or bathing. There are no life guards stationed here.

San Thome Cathedral Basilica

This church holds a great significance for the catholic Christians. It is dedicated to the St Thomas the apostle of Christ who is believed to have been killed on St Thomas Mount. He was buried in San Thome beach and then latter moved into the city in 1606 when this church was built. Around three centuries latter it was declared a basilica. The works on wood and glass inside the church depict the life story of St Thomas and scenes narrating the last days of Christ. Even if you are a non Christian and believe in Christ this is the place you should be when you are in Chennai.

Valluvar Kottam

This beautiful stone chariot located near Kodambakam area in Chennai is dedicated to the ancient saint and poet Thirvalluvar who is famous for his literary works on Ethics. Some legends claim Mylapore to be the birthplace of Thiruvallavur. It is an exquisitely carved structure where a life-size image of the poet-saint. There is an auditorium that can seat 4000 people and is considered one of Asia’s largest. The large hall is devoid of supporting pillars. Verses from Thirukurral are depicted on granite walls around the hall.

Other places to visit in Chennai (Madras)

Kapaleswar Temple, Guindy National Park, Kalakshetra or the “Temple of Art”, MGR Film City, Birla Planetarium.

Continued in : Places to visit in Chennai Part 2 

Famous places to visit in Kolkata | Popular Attractions in Kolkata

Victoria Memorial

This imposing marble edifice is laid out in a sprawling lawn, at Maidan, Kolkata. It was built in 1921 by Sir William Emerson in Indo-Saracenic style to commemorate Queen’s 25 years of rule. Today this heritage site is house to achievements in art and a fine collection of images and statues of British India memorabilia . There are a group of statues on the north porch of the building signifying Motherhood, Prudence and Learning. It is tranquility that is striking, at a place amidst a roaring Kolkata crowd. This museum is a treat to watch with the colorful lights on after Sun set.
In case you need the location find it here on google maps
Here are some images to give you a visual idea of Victoria memorial, Kolkata

Belur Math

Barely an hours drive form kolkata is the famous belur Math. It is the headquarters of Sri Rama Krisha spiritual order. Located on the banks of Hoogly (Ganges), it spreads over an area of 40 acres. The sacred shrines, the Ganges and lush green vegetation infuses into you a sense of peace and divinity. As per the words of Swami Vivekananda, the greatest disciples of Sri Ramakrishna ”The blazing light of universal harmony that will emanate from here will flood the whole world ”. The Math houses elegant temples containing the sacred remains of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda plus headquarters of Ramakrishna order. The main temple is a unique work of modern architecture and a true demonstration of India’s cultural richness. The magnificent sandstone edifice embodies features of a Hindu temple, Buddhist cave, Christian church and Islamic mosque.

You can locate your destination here

Here are some images to give you a visual idea of Victoria memorial, Kolkata

Fort William, Kolkata

Named after the king of England, King William III, Fort William is probably one of the oldest and most powerful fortresses of British Raj in India. Built in 1701 this fort still serves as the headquarters of India’s Eastern military command. The impregnable fort was then erected at a cost of more than 2 million British pounds. There is a museum for the tourists that displays a fine collection of old and new armaments. There are old photographs of Burma war and Bangladesh Liberation war too to hold your interest. You need to seek prior permission from the fort authorities to be able to visit.

You can locate your destination here

Here are some images to give you a visual idea of Victoria memorial, Kolkata

Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu)

The symbol of Kolkata, this cantilever bridge has a history dating back to 1874 when it was a Floating Pontoon Bridge was built using timber. The sixth longest bridge of its kind in the world the Howrah bridge connects the twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata. Howrah railway station is one of the busiest in the world and would be your gateway to Kolkata if your are arriving or departing by rail. The view of Ganges (Hoogly) from the bridge is an experience one must undertake when in Kolkata. The breeze and rhythmic vibrations of vehicles crossing the bridge give you a feeling of euphoria. You could also check out the flower market right at the Kolkata end of Rabindra setu.

Birla Planetarium, Kolkata

Birla planetarium of Kolkata is one of the largest and oldest Planetariums in India . Established in 1962 it has been a hub for astronomical studies in East India . The main structure is an imitation of the Sanchi Stupa and can seat 500 spectators at a time. It houses a giant projector setup comprising of a whooping 29,000 components. Shows are in English, Bengali, Hindi and occasionally in some other Indian languages. The outer corridors have a fine array of paintings showcasing famous astronomical models and theories of renowned astronomers. If you are interested in stars, galaxies and space then this is the place for you. It is entertainment packet with education.

Marble Palace, Kolkata

Marble Palace is actually an old private mansion of an Indian Jamindar built way back in 1835. This incredible building houses a huge collection of western sculpture and Victorian furniture. If you are a lover of arts then you would definitely be interested in paintings by European and Indian artists. In home décor you could find nice chandeliers and ceiling length mirrors. Is it said that the Marble Palace had India ’s first ever zoo. Though it still stands inmates are today a few species of birds. This place is still inhabited by the descendants of the original Jamindars who built this imposing and beautiful mansion. You need a permission letter from the tourism department to visit this place.

What we list above is not all. This is only a small part of the attractions that Kolkata stores for you. If you are planning to visit Kolkata some where in October then make sure you adjust your itinerary so that you do not miss the world famous Dussehra Festival of Kolkata. Here are some other places that you would like to include in your list of places to cover in “Calcutta”.

Eden Gardens – One of the most reverred cricket gorunds in world. It is in the same leagues as Lord’s and MCC Ground.
Writer’s Building – Currently the State Secretariat that houses several departments, this impressive edifice has a very high significance in Indian freedom movement.
Nicco Park – A modern entertainment spot. For young and old alike, it has a good collection of joy rides and a water theme park.
Shaheed Minar – A tower dedicated to martyrs that looks over the Maidan area.
National Library – The largest library in India and the second largest in Asia, it holds around 2 million books and half a million documents.
Botanical Garden – It is believed to house the worlds second largest canopy in form of a giant banyan tree. You could see a wide variety of flora from over the world and an abundance of colorful flowers including Orchids.
Alipore Zoo – Though it has been the butt of press ridicule and criticized by wildlife organizations it still continues to be one of popular tourists attractions.

Continued in: Places to Visit in Kolkata – Part 2