Introduction of Varanasi
Varanasi (the city of light) is the most holy city of India. It is also well known by the name Banaras or Kashi. Varanasi is the most sacred city which is located on the northern bank of the River Ganges in Uttar Pradesh. The name of Varanasi is derives from Varuna and Asi, which are the two tributaries of the Ganga. Varanasi is located between these 2 tributaries.

Varanasi is about 300 kms from Lucknow.Varanasi is also known as “the religious capital of India”, “the city of shiva”, “the city of learning” and “the holy city of India”.

Varanasi is very popular Hindu pilgrimage site in India. People from all over the world come to visit Varanasi, the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi is located at an elevation of 81 meters above sea level. Varanasi is not only associated with Hinduism but it is also associated with Jainism and Buddhism.

History of Varanasi
Varanasi was built around ten centuries before the birth of Christ as per legends. Varanasi is also mentioned in various holy epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, some Buddhist texts and in Vamana Purana. Varanasi wasn founded by Lord Shiva according to legends. Varanasi was also known by various other names such as Mahasmasana, Surandhana, Brahma Vardha, Anandakanana, Avimuktaka, Ramya, Sudarsana, Kasi, Banaras and Kashi. Kasikanda described the splendor of the city Varanasi about 5000 years ago in 15,000 verses in the Skanda Purana. The city of Varanasi is also visited by the Pandavas, the heros of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Pandavas visit this place in the search of Lord Shiva. In Skanda Purana Lord Shiva says, ‘the three worlds from one city of mine and Kasi is my royal palace’. In the 4th and 7th century A.D well-known Chinese travellers, Huien Tsang and Fa-Hsien also visited this city. Varanasi also experience a cultural revival during the rule of Akbar in the 16th century. Before the foundation of Muslim rule in India, Varanasi was the capital of the Gahadavala king, Jaichand, who was the most powerful Indian king. Varanasi formed part of the province of Oudh under the rule of Mughals. There are also legends associated with Varanasi which signifies the importance of the city in the 5th century B.C. In the 5th century B.C, one of the chief disciples of the Buddha, the Ananda, had wished that instead of Kushinagara, Buddha had died in Varanasi.

Tourist Attraction in Varanasi
Prominent tourist attractions in Varanasi are as follows –

Ghats
One of the prominent tourist attraction in Varanasi are the Ghats of Varanasi. Varanasi has about 85 Ghats which are located on the west banks of the river Ganges. Some of the Ghats of Varanasi are associated with legends. Morning boat ride on the Ganges across the Ghats is very popular among visitors. Devotees from all over come to visit this place to meditate and to offer holy prayers with the aim to purify themselves by taking a bath in the holy river Ganges.

Temples
Kashi Vishwanath temple or the Golden temple – Kashi Vishwanath temple is also Known as Golden temple. This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Other temples which can be visited in Varanasi are Bharat Mata temple, Durga temple

Mosques
Another prominent attraction in Varanasi is the great mosque of Aurangzeb.

Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar which is observatory is founded in the year 1737, it is situated above the Ghats on the Ganges. Jantar Mantar has unique instruments from which measurements can be done clearly.

Ramnagar Fort
Ramnagar Fort was founded by Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh in the 18th century, it is located near banks of River Ganges. It is in Mughal style of architecture.

Sarnath and Bodhgaya
Sarnath and Bodhgaya are also situated near by Varanasi. Sarnath is the oldest museum museum near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath museum has a rich collection of Buddhist antiquities. Some other structures at Sarnatha are the ruins of stupas and monasteries & the ruins of the brick temple representing the Mula- Gandha Kuti. Dhamekh Stupa is most magnificent among all of them which is decorated delicate floral carvings in the lower part. Sarnath has a very rich collection of Buddhist sculptures which encompass several Bodhisatva and Buddha images which can be seen at Archaeological Museum, Sarnath.