That’s right! The oldest city in India! Rigveda, one of the four major vedas in Hindu Religion, mentions Varanasi, as "Kāśī́ṃ mṛḳtā́ṃ kṛ́mibhiḥ.” which means Kashi (another name for Varanasi) is the holy city of Brightness. It is said, Lord Shiva wanted the divine realm and mortal realm to meet at some point, so he created the city of Varanasi.
Queue even after death. Don't belive us? Then read this! As per Hinduism, the purpose of life is to break the cycle of birth and death. Once the cycle is broken, you and the Braham` (divine) become one. And it is believed that being cremated at Manikarnika Ghat, fulfills this purpose. So at any given moment, this Ghat is burning with Sandalwood and Cadavars, with as much as 20-25 corpses in queue! So if you're seeking liberation, Manikarnika Ghat awaits you!
Manikarnika ghat might give you salvation but Assi Ghat will give you panoramic views of the Ganges! The boats moving around, temples ringing their bells, birds flying down on a setting orange sun in the deep waters! Just mesmerizing! The Assi ghat is also widely famous for its Ganga Arti. Hundreds of Pujaris (Priests) with their stacked Diyas synchronously perfom evening prayer with much enthusiasm!
The most prominent temple in whole Varanasi. The newly built Kashi Vishwanath Corridor has given a new look to the temple! The temple is always filled with Yogis and Gurus, saints and their disciples. Many people have left their mateirlistic lives and have accommodated near this temple, to gain inner peace and knowledge.
Varanasi, is filled with a million tales, and one such is this. The demon Bhasmasur was given a boon to annihilate anyone just by touching their head. Lord Shiva deftly tricked him to put his own hand on his own head in order to vanquish him, which ultimately resulted in the demon’s demise. According to legend, this incident happened in Kashi, highlighting the significance of the temple as a site of successful divine intervention.
Did you know that Sarnath is where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment? It’s here he taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, creating the Buddhist Sangha. Today, it remains a major pilgrimage site with historic landmarks like the Ashoka Pillar. Sarnath is just on the cusp of Varanasi!