Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/varanasi page 1

This Pdf and its contents are copyright © and watch the glow. There’s pandas under picturesque umbrellas, 2013,ixigo.com, all rights reserved. ixigo logo, the character and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of always a breeze, always a floating bowl of foreigners with cameras. Towards the Varanasi ixigo.com and/or third parties. leaves with marigolds, and gulls and pigeons extreme north lies Raj , the site of Adorned with epithets like 'the on floating logs.  ancient Varanasi, with Adi Keshava, the primordial Vishnu temple, physically 200 religious capital of ' and 'the years old but with a tradition stretching back city of temples', Varanasi (Banaras) to the . Going south from Raj Ghat, is the holiest of holy cities for Famous For : Weekend GetawaysCity you can take a boat till the Panchganga . Not only does the city Ghat. The holy city is also home to attract countless pilgrims, it's a Alternatively known as Benaras and Kashi, spectacular festivals such as place where many choose to spend the holy city of Varanasi (Banaras) lies on The oldest inhabited city has been (the biggest festival), Bharat Milap, their last days. Belief goes that the the banks of the . Said to have been capturing Bollywood’s fancy for many years Mahashivratri, Buddha Purnima and one who dies here attains eternal founded by Lord himself, this place now. The vivid example of this is the movie Jayanti. Plan a trip to Varanasi salvation. Tourists from across the finds mention in the epic sagas of Raanjhanaa where one could see the charm during Dev Deepawali and you will fall in of the Varanasi ghats and lanes. Masaan, love with the place for sure.  globe visit Kashi Vishwanath 'Ramayana' and the 'Mahabharata'. Most another critically acclaimed movie, is also Temple, , and people conforming to the Hindu faith strive to visit Varanasi (Banaras) at least once in based on the city of Banaras aka Varanasi. several ghats that include their lives. Many of the temples here are Enchanting ghats and religious diversity , centuries old, with some of the most have always been a fascination for , Darbhanga Ghat prominent ones being Vishwanath Temple, Bollywood movies. When To Gauri Matha Temple, and Kaal Bhairav Temple.  etc. Boat Ride on the Ganges is VISIT another top attraction here.

http://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-varanasi-lp-1140458 Sari connoisseurs will have a field day here selecting some of the finest silks Varanasi Viewing the holy ghats from a boat and Jan (Banaras) is known for. The ghats — literally taking a dip in the Ganges are considered as Cold weather. Carry Heavy woollen. one of the 'must experience' things in one's ‘flights of steps’ but more like theatres of life Max: Min: Rain: 19.0mm — stretch for some 3 km along the 16.10000038 9.600000381 lifetime. Wake up before sunrise to catch 1469727°C 469727°C the painting-like shadows of early bathers riverfront. They are the beating heart of Feb and boatmen. There are vast stretches of Varanasi; you can stroll down the entire Cold weather. Carry Heavy woollen. sand on the eastern bank of the , so stretch over a day and never be bored. The Max: Min: 13.0°C Rain: you can see the day breaking over the whiplash sound of Dhobis washing clothes, 18.89999961 18.2000007629394 8530273°C 53mm horizon. Sit on a boat with the lilt of the later arrays of prismatic clothes drying, boatman’s accent and his splashing oars children flying kites, moronic looking goats, Mar Varanasi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/varanasi page 2

Cold weather. Carry Heavy woollen. Nov The beating heart of Varanasi, Shivalinga in order to protect it. Max: Min: Rain: Cold weather. Carry Heavy woollen. 24.39999961 17.39999961 8.30000019073486 Vishwanath Temple is dedicated to Lord 8530273°C 8530273°C 3mm Max: Min: Rain: Shiva and is the holiest of the 12 revered 21.89999961 15.89999961 9.30000019073486 Apr 8530273°C 8530273°C 3mm jyotirlingas in the country. One of the most Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. Dec famous Hindu temples, even its glimpse is Max: Min: 22.5°C Rain: Cold weather. Carry Heavy woollen. said to be auspicious.  30.20000076 6.09999990463256 2939453°C 8mm Max: Min: Rain: Every day, five major 17.39999961 11.19999980 4.80000019073486 aartis are held at    May 8530273°C 9265137°C 3mm Vishwanath Temple and it is abuzz with Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. worshipers through the day. During the Max: Min: Rain: 32.90000152 26.39999961 10.3000001907348 What To religious occasion of Mahashivratri, Kashi 5878906°C 8530273°C 63mm It is difficult to ascertain the antiquity of the Naresh (King of Kashi) is the chief officiating Jun temple as it was repeatedly destroyed by priest. No other person or priest is allowed Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, SEE the pre-Mughal Muslim invaders and later to enter the sanctum sanctorum and it is umbrella. 5 Sights by Aurangzeb. However, the devotion in the only after he performs his religious Max: Min: Rain: 32.79999923 27.70000076 107.300003051757 http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-varanasi-lp-1140458 hearts of the people of the city for Lord functions that others are allowed to enter. 706055°C 2939453°C 81mm Shiva has outlived every such attempt. Every Even though non-hindus are not allowed to Jul 1 Vishwanath Temple time the temple was destroyed, a new enter the shrine, they can stroll through the Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, temple came up in its place. The temple that Vishwanath Gali (lane) and get a glimpse of umbrella. stands today was rebuilt by Queen Ahilyabai the interiors. Max: Min: Rain: 29.70000076 26.89999961 309.299987792968 Holkar of Indore in 1777. In 1839, 42 years 2939453°C 8530273°C 75mm later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, gifted 820 kg of 2 Aug gold to Vishwanath Temple. This gold was Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, used to plate the umbrella. shikhara and ceiling and thus the temple is Max: Min: Rain: 29.20000076 26.60000038 288.399993896484 also referred to as the 'Golden Temple'. 2939453°C 1469727°C 4mm Apart from a Shivalinga, there are a number Sep of small temples for deities including Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, Dhandapani, Kaalbhairav, Avimukteshwara, umbrella. Vinayaka, Sanishwara, Vishnu, Virupaksha Max: Min: Rain: 28.60000038 25.89999961 244.899993896484 and Virupaksh Gauri in the complex. Also, 1469727°C 8530273°C 38mm there is a small well in the temple called the Oct Jnana Vapi--the wisdom well. It is believed Vishwanath Gali, Varanasi, Uttar that the Jytorlinga was hidden in this well to Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. Semi Circle Road 3, Kabir Colony, Max: Min: Rain: Pradesh 221001, India protect it at the time of invasion and the 26.70000076 22.10000038 32.2999992370605 Campus, 2939453°C 1469727°C 5mm main priest jumped in the well with the Varanasi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/varanasi page 3

Varanasi.  in the ghats, you will be amazed to know the Varanasi, 221005, immense belief people have for these India 3 Holy Dip at Dasaswamedh customs and traditions, which have been Ghat celebrated for centuries. Covering an area of 1350 acres, the Located inside the campus of BHU, among university was built in Varanasi because of the oldest educational institutes of India, 4 Banaras Hindu University its centuries-old tradition of learning, Bharat Kala Bhavan was founded by Pandit wisdom and spirituality. BHU comprises of 3 Madan Mohan Malviya. Established in 1920, Institutes, 4 Interdisciplinary Centers, 14 it became the property of BHU in 1950, and faculties, 124 departments and 3 it was then that the collection was Constituent Schools. A total of more than transferred to university campus and the 20,000 students study here and that too present building was inaugurated on 31 form 34 different nations like United States, January, 1962. The museum displays India's Asia, Middle East, Europe and Africa. The heritage and preserves the past. It is divided main campus has around 60 hostels for into various sections in the form of galleries, students, a central library, Malviya Bhavan, a including Mahamana Malviya Gallery, Nidhi Close to Vishwanath Temple, multi-specialty hospital, a museum (Bharat Gallery, Nicholas Roerich Gallery, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221002, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Road, Kala Bhavan), sports facilities, and a few Archaeological Gallery, Chhavi Gallery, India Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, entertainment venues. With the campus, Sculpture Gallery and Decorative Art Gallery. India there is a spectacular temple called the New

Vishwanath Temple or  'VT', A  which is known for its architectural Holy Dip at Dasaswamedh Ghat is believed One of the largest residential universities in brilliance.  to relieve the person of all sins. The ghats of the world, Banaras Hindu University is an

Varanasi stretch over some 3 km along the internationally reputed university, situated

west banks of the holy River Ganges and are in the Lanka area of the city. Founded by The museum houses a rare collection of undoubtedly the prime attractions of the Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916, this precious artifacts, a number of Mughal city. It is believed that a dip in the sacred university complex is a city in itself with miniatures, paintings, Buddhist and Hindu waters of the holy river brings salvation, excellent facilities and architecture, which sculptures, pictures, manuscripts, Every year on Pandit Madan Mohan which leaves them free from all sins.  creates the atmosphere of an old township. contemporary art form and bronze statues Malviya's birthday (25 December) there is a The university is associated with many from 1-15 CE, brocade textiles, which are of flower show and the whole university is nation builders and great freedom fighters, great archaeological importance. There are decorated with earthen lamps--a truly contributing enormously to the many other objects of visitor's interest spectacular sight to behold. including mental craft, pottery, ivory goods, development of the country through a large jewellery, terracotta beads & rare number of celebrated artists, scientists and 5 Ramnagar Fort collection of Rajasthani, Gujarati and Pahari The ghat is always crowded with pilgrims, scholars.  miniature paintings. It is well maintained salvation seekers and tourists. When you and gives an overview of ancient city of take a bath here and mingle with the crowd Varanasi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/varanasi page 4

Kila Road, Crossing, Ram Nagar, Manmohan Malviya Road, Nagwa D 5/127 Tripura Bhairavi

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221008, Lanka, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Dashaswamedh, Varanasi, Uttar India 221005, India Pradesh, 221002, India

+91-542-2368806 +91-9838888823|+91-9792420450 Ramnagar Fort Within the premises of

was built by Maharaja Balwant Singh in Ramnagar Fort, there is a temple which is Reopened in June 2010, Flavours Cafe is an A very popular place, 1750 as his residential palace. An dedicated to Ved Vyas. The author of amazing place to relax and unwind while Brown Bread Bakery is known for its laid astronomical and astrological wonder, this Mahabharata, the great Indian epic, he is having yummy snacks and delicious coffees. back, casual and hippy atmosphere. The fort imposingly stands as an example of believed to have stayed here for a short Situated in the heart of Lanka, it offers its bakery also boasts of using only organic strength and steadiness to the city. A fine period. The temple consists of three visitors space to read, study, network, ingredients in their recipe. Owned by blend of Indian and Islamic style of lingams representing Kashi Vishwanath converse, experiment and think. Flavours Michael Schmid, this place has been architecture, the fort has been constructed (Lord Shiva), Vyasa and Suka, his son. with red stone. The fort ans its surroundings Cafe provides a perfect haven for all this and extensively renovated and now features a are majestically decorated during the festive much more.  roof top restaurant as well, which has occasion of Dussehra. Where To gorgeous views of the River Ganga. 

Eat

5 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-varanasi-lp-1140458 The cafe has a wide menu consisting of The major attraction of the fort is popularly coffees, teas, milkshakes and mocktails The place has a wide array of dishes 1 Flavours Cafe known as 'Durbar Hall', the hall of public along with different kinds of pies, ranging from Italian to German to Asian audience. The palace houses a museum, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, subs, rolls, along with home-baked cakes, wheat bread, which is known as Maharaja Banaras Vidya cakes, pastries and muffins among other pastries and some real espresso coffee. Mandir Museum. This museum has a huge things. Do try the Boston cream cake for Relax on cushions at the low tables and collection of an array of items including dessert, it's really yummy and you will be enjoy home cooked hearty meals at this howdahs and palanquins made of silver and left wanting for more. The warm hospitality, beautiful place. The restaurant, apart from ivory, brocade costumes, weapons, friendly atmosphere and yummy food make serving delicious food, also supports a expensive coaches carved in ivory. An this a place a popular one. couple of local charities, including the Learn interesting item housed here is the 'Dharam for Life School for Children. 2 Brown Bread Bakery Ghari', a huge clock made by the court 3 Tunday Kababi astronomer of Benaras in 1852 AD, which apart from showing the time, day, week and year, also baffles the onlooker with 1st Floor, Swastik Plaza, Near astronomical facts about the moon, sun and Ravidash Gate Lanka, Pandit constellation of stars.  Varanasi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/varanasi page 5

Sarnath Road, Opposite Old RTO The Terrace of Kautilya Society, D- B1/201 , Varanasi, Uttar Office, Pakhora, Mavaiya, , 20/21 , Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007, Pradesh, 221001, India +91-9335631122 India +91-542-2452179|+91-542- +91-8423671610 2455139|+91-9839066788 Situated on Assi Ghat, the colourful and A perfect place to relax and unwind, vibrant exteriors of Om Cafe welcome you Tunday Kababi first opened in the city of Filocafe offers great views of the River for a lovely afternoon. The interiors are Nawabs--Lucknow Ganges and its surroundings. The place equally vibrant, with artificial flowers and and then branched to many cities like follows its motto -'Filocafé is your space, butterflies adorning the place. The menu Delhi, Varanasi etc. Tunday Kababi needs no dedicated for the love of coffee, friendship here is extensive with the picture of almost introduction, the name is synonymous with over coffee, philosophizing over coffee'. A all the dishes on the menu. The owner, a delicious non-vegetarian Mughali food, space to read, study, network, converse, really caring and sweet lady, herself takes especially Kebabs. Tunday Kababi in experiment and think, it provides a perfect care of the food served.  Lucknow haven for this and much much more. Come boasts of a simple and modest ambience here to showcase or appreciate up coming with walls that are covered with pictures of talents including musical, intellectual and the owner and many celebrities.   artistic, or use this free space any other activity.  The food offered here is continental with a desi twist, which adds to the zing of this place. Do try creamy potato soup, nine ingredient salad, iced green tea, burritos, The quality of the food they serve and pastas and yummy desserts, along with usage of fresh ingredients and spices, make This cafe boasts of 45 different types of tea refreshing chais and coffees.  the dishes taste awesome. This has resulted that it serves, along with real espresso in a huge fan following, delivering fantastic coffee which has developed a huge fan-base and authentic Awadhi food coupled with a for its authentic taste and aroma. Equipped lovely and warm service. Don't forget to try with free Wi-Fi and electrical outlets, Filocafe out thegalawati kebabs, boti kebabs and the also serves fresh juices and a few snacks. parathas which are quite delicious. Apart This rooftop cafe with spacious sitting from this, the chicken and mutton biryani, arrangement is quite simply, a piece of curry dishes are also a favourite among paradise on earth! locals and tourists. 5 Om Cafe 4 Filocafe Varanasi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/varanasi page 6

Quick LOCATE

http://www.ixigo.com/hotels-in-varanasi-lp-1140458

See A: Vishwanath Temple B: Bharat Kala Bhavan C: Holy Dip at Dasaswamedh Ghat D: Banaras Hindu University E: Ramnagar Fort Accommodation F: Rangam Hostel G: Bunkedup Hostel Varanasi H: Hostale Assi I: Rangam Hostel J: Bunkedup Hostel Varanasi K: Hostale Assi L: Rangam Hostel M: Bunkedup Hostel Varanasi N: Hostale Assi Food O: Flavours Cafe P: Brown Bread Bakery Q: Tunday Kababi R: Filocafe S: Om Cafe