Varanasi often called Banaras is one of the oldest living cities in the world. It is the definitive place of pilgrimage interest of the Hindus for ages. Home of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the genesis of Varanasi are yet unknown to us. The city probably gets its name from the two rivers that border the city, the Varana to the north and the Asi to the south. Many people still use the name of Banaras or Benares, while pilgrims call it Kashi.
Mark Twain in one of his writings said that “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. In Hinduism it is believed that one who dies on the pious land of Varanasi is blessed. Death on the land of Varanasi bestows salvation and breaks an individual free from the cycle of birth and re-birth. The ultimate ‘moksha’ is achieved only from dying in Kashi, “Kashivam maranam muktiha” or death in Kashi is freedom. The reason, according to Hindu mythology, is because Benares is thrice-blessed. It is sacred in its very existence as the City of Light, it is blessed perpetually by the heavenly Ganges and it is only here that lord Shiva himself murmurs the taraka mantra in the ears of the dying. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.
Varanasi represents an exclusive amalgamation of physical, metaphysical and paranormal elements. The Varanasi Ganges ghats reflect the perception of divinity. Varanasi ghats are perhaps the holiest places of Banaras. The Ganga Ghats are crowded with pilgrims who gather for a dip in the holy Ganges, It is believed that people are cleaned physically, mentally and spiritually at Ganga Ghats. Plan a varanasi tour if you are a bit pious or a student of history and culture.
There are number of temples on the bank of the Ganges in Varanasi. It is the only place where we can witness life and death alongside. There are more than 100 in Varanasi. Some of the popular Ghats at Varanasi are the Dasaswamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Harischandra Ghat, Kabir Ghat and Assi Ghat. Varanasi tour offers you to visit an array of shrines, temples and palaces rising in several layers from the water’s edge,. It is also a city of fairs and festivals, celebrating about four hundred of them during a calender year. You can plan your Varanasi tours at any time of the year according to your convenience to witness the culturally rich fairs of Banaras.
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Tags: Banaras tour, Benares tour, Kashi Varanasi tour, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi Benaras travel, Varanasi tour