Varanasi Monuments - मान सिंह वेधशाला वाराणसी
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Varanasi has been a center of handicrafts, specially silk weaving. Other attractions include brassware, ivoryware, gold jewellery, wood crafts, wall hangings and lampshades, Carpets and masks of various Hindu/ Buddhist gods , goddesses and saints.The main Shopping areas are chowk, Godowila, Vishwanath Lane and Thatheri Bazar.
Varanasi , besides being famous as an attractive tourism spot , is also known for it's silk saris, which are Popular both within the Country and Abroad.
The Dasaswamedh Ghat is the most significant ghat here, and conveniently placed at the centre. The Manikarnika ghat is associated with Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva's wife. The five ghats where pilgrims are supposed to bathe in order, and on the same day are Asi ghat, followed by Dasaswamedh, Barna Sangam, Panchganga, and finally, Manikarnika, in that order. Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats, are the ghats used primarily for the cremation of the dead. Other main ghats include Kedar ghat, a shrine popular with Bengalis; Mansarovar ghat built by Man Singh of Amber; and PanchGanga Ghat where the five rivers are supposed to meet.
Bharat Kala Bhavan is a museum on the campus of Benares Hindu University.
Varanasi , besides being famous as an attractive tourism spot , is also known for it's silk saris, which are Popular both within the Country and Abroad.
The most important facet of Varanasi is the Ganges and
Ghats lining it's Southern bank in the city. Virtually the eaison de etre, from dawn to dusk the ghats are thronged by thousands of devotees, who perform their holy rituals in the hope of attaining eternal salvation, or ' Nirvana'. One of the ways to assimilate this life on the ghats is to mingle with the crowds and let all of one's senses experience. But this mode has limitations,too. Especially, if one has limited time or if one desires a panoramic view of the activity. Alternative? just cruise along the ghats on a country boat. Hire one from those moored along the ghats. Charges are generally negotiable, though RS. 50 for a small boat for a cruise will be a good bargaining peg.History
Almost midway in its long journey from the slopes of the mighty Himalayas to the inflamed shore of Bay of Bengal, the muddy waters of the Ganges flow by a city that is five centuries older than Christ. The city finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. It was already an old city when Rome was founded, and was a flourishing center of trade when Buddha came to Sarnath, some 10 km away, to preach his first sermon in 500 bc. It is a city of temples and for more than 2,500 years, it has attracted pilgrims from near and far. According to Hindu belief, Benaras or Varanasi as it is known, is the cosmic center of the Universe. The renowned American novelist Mark Twain once wrote, "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together." Down the ages, Varanasi has stood as a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Swathed in an aura of history, religion, and tradition, Varanasi preserved the rituals and traditions of Hindu philosophy. From a time stretching beyond human memory, pilgrims from distant lands have come to Varanasi in search of divine blessings.Kashi Vishwanath Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is popularly known as the golden Temple due the Gold plating done on its 15.5 meter high spire. One tonne of gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been used in the gold plating of the spire. The temple was destroyed in the various invasions and was rebuilt in 1776 by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore.Durga Temple
The Durga temple is one of the most important temples in Varanasi and is built in the 8th century, by Bengali Maharani and is stained red with ochre This temple is built in north Indian Nagara style with a multi-tiered shikhara(spire). The shikhara of the temple is formed by many small spires which are built one on top of the other. Durga is the 'terrible' form of Shiva's consort Parvati, so at festivals there are often sacrifices of goats. Non-Hindus can enter the courtyard but not the inner sanctum. It is commonly known as Monkey Temple due to many frisky monkey that have made it their home.Sarnath
About ten kms from the Varanasi, is the place where lord Buddha after enlightenment gave his first sermon or as the Buddhist say set the 'wheel of dharma' or law rolling. Today Sarnath is considered as one of the richest place to have antiques since the Ashoka period to the 12th century. The Dharmarajika stupa was also built by Ashoka and it was surmounted by the pillar. This pillar with four lions today forms the national emblem of India. Sarnath has many more ruins of monasteries and stupas.The spot at which the stupa stands is believed to be the place from where Buddha gave his forts sermon. Sarnath has an extremely rich collection of Buddhist statues. These sculptures are the images of Buddha and Bodhisatva. These images are kept in the Archaeological museum of Sarnath.Ganga Ghat
Varanasi's principal attraction is the long string of ghats, which line the west bank of the Ganges. Ghats are the steps which lead down to the river. There are around 100 ghats in Varanasi, each with its own significance. Most Indians believe that anyone dying on the banks of the river, in Varanasi, attains instant 'moksha' or enlightenment.The Dasaswamedh Ghat is the most significant ghat here, and conveniently placed at the centre. The Manikarnika ghat is associated with Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva's wife. The five ghats where pilgrims are supposed to bathe in order, and on the same day are Asi ghat, followed by Dasaswamedh, Barna Sangam, Panchganga, and finally, Manikarnika, in that order. Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats, are the ghats used primarily for the cremation of the dead. Other main ghats include Kedar ghat, a shrine popular with Bengalis; Mansarovar ghat built by Man Singh of Amber; and PanchGanga Ghat where the five rivers are supposed to meet.
Nepali Temple
The King of Nepal had built this temple on Lalita ghat in Nepali style. The Nepali temple is also called the 'Kathwala temple'. The temple has some magnificent woodwork. Tourist from all over the world come just to see this temple which has no comparison with any other temple in India. The workers who carved this temple out were brought from Nepal. The wood used in the temple is also found in Nepal. The speciality of this wood is that termites do not eat this wood.Krishna Govardhana
This important early sculpture shows Krishna as he holds up Mt. Govardhana to shelter his disciples from a storm. The weight of the mountain does not stiffen Krishna's relaxed, tribhanga posture. The god's arms have been restored; the originals would have been more slender and graceful.Bharat Kala Bhavan is a museum on the campus of Benares Hindu University.
