The city of Lord Shiva, Kashi or Banaras or Varanasi known as the Spiritual Capital of India. Varanasi is a kind of city which is worth visiting, even more, times as it delights you every time you pay a visit. Kashi is dedicated not only to Lord Shiva or Hinduism but different religions are situated in the heart of the city like Jainism – the 23rd Jain Tirthankara  Parshvanath was born in Varanasi, Buddhism – Sarnath, one of the most important Buddhist sites where Buddha gave his first sermon after achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Muslims – Varanasi is city of Saint Kabir.

Varanasi, India is one of the oldest city in India and that can give you a closer look to best of history and culture. In terms of divinity, the presence of River Ganga which is considered as ‘Ganga Ma’, the goddess according to Hindu culture and Kashi Vishwanath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva makes it a heavenly place.
Two universes meet up in Varanasi and you can taste both of them, where you can see the belief of people that the city offers salvation and you can experience the modern culture where people can have a glimpse of Kashi Vishwanath temple online and can have live Darshan.

Things to explore in Varanasi

If you are thinking of visiting Varanasi then some of the essential information that you need to know includes:

a.       Varanasi Weather or Climate – Humid subtropical climate

b.      Varanasi Temperature – With a high degree of variations in temperature, the best time to visit Varanasi is winters that is October to March.

c.       Education – BHU Varanasi, IIT Varanasi, etc.

d.      Conveyance –

1.      Varanasi Airport – Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (26km from the city)
2.      Varanasi Railways – Varanasi Cantt Railway Station
3.      Varanasi roads – Connected with NH 2, NH 28 and NH 31 allows you to easily travel from Delhi to Varanasi, Kolkata to Varanasi, etc

Varanasi is known as the religious hub of the country but apart from Ghats and Temples, there are much more places to have a look on. Tourist places in Varanasi not only includes temples and Ghats but also Forts which resembles history of Varanasi city, Shopping in Varanasi at places where you can shop for famous Banarasi Sarees, Museums, Buddhist pilgrimage, Mosque and much more.

Whereas for Temples and Ghats you can have a look at http://myindiantourism.com/explore/varanasi-temples/

Places to visit in Varanasi

1.      Ramnagar Fort

Located opposite the Tulsi Ghat, the Ramnagar fort in Varanasi was built in the 18th century. The Fort is an example of Mughal Architecture with cut galleries, open yards, and picturesque structures.
In any case, the blood red nightfall as saw from inside this nook is reason enough to give Ramnagar Fort a spot on the rundown of spots to visit in Varanasi. This old defense is likewise home to a vintage gallery that is celebrated for its uncommon accumulation of old American autos, ivory works, medieval ensembles, and a gigantic cosmic clock.

2.      Jantar Mantar

Located at the Ganga Ghats, the observatory was built by Maharaja Jai Singh. If you are an explorer and Historical monuments attract you then you can pay a visit to the Jantar Mantar, Varanasi. It was constructed for measuring local time and altitude and is comparably less equipped than the one in Jaipur and Delhi.

3.      Sarnath

Sarnath is a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site believed to be the place where Buddha gave his first sermons after achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya. It is a perfect place to spend some time at peace after enjoying at Ghats and praying at temples in Varanasi.
Mainstream touring places in Sarnath incorporate the Dhamekh Stupa and Monastery Ruins, the Chaukhandi Stupa, the Ashoka Pillar, the Archeological Museum, etc.

4.      Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum

Located inside the famous university of Varanasi, Banaras Hindu University. The Museum was set up in 1920 with Rabindranath Tagore as its chairman. It is a must visit place for artists and art lovers where they can have look at finest sculptures, miniature paintings and also the history is depicted through different things in different ways. The Museum is also less with an art gallery dedicated to the Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich.

5.      Alamgir Mosque

The Alamgir Mosque, Varanasi is also known as Beni Mahadev Ka Darera and wast built in 17th century by Aurangzeb, a Mughal Emperor. The Mosque is situated above the Panchganga Ghat is a picturesque site. The Mosque has high domes and minarets. As it is built over a Hindu temple its architecture is a combination of both Hindu and Mughal Architecture. If you are visiting Varanasi for a long Varanasi tour than considering the Mosque is worth it.

Things to do in Varanasi

You have visited Varanasi and you have seen Temples and Ghats and you have also enjoyed and explored the different tourist sites as mentioned above. But in case you have been thinking that you are related to a place which is far away from Varanasi and now when you are in Varanasi you do not want to miss any single point of interest and attraction at Varanasi, so here are some of the things which will definitely add value to your trip to Varanasi and are actually soul refreshing and peace generating activities.

1.      Taking a holy dip in the Ganga River is common but to explore and feel the immense beauty of the river try a boat ride. This ride will be your lifetime experience and you can never ever be forgetting it. All the Ghats, temples and places situated on the banks of the river make it a perfect picturesque and nice view.

2.      Sunset at the Ghats is another marvelous and ravishing view and you must not miss it if you are in Varanasi. The city has almost a hundred Ghats, the steps of each leading to waters of River Ganga and exploring these Ghats is awesome but a sunset at the Ghats is wow some.

3.      Ganga Aarti – You cannot afford to miss this evening Aarti at the Dasawamedh Ghat, where you can explore the beautiful hymns, rituals, chants and aroma of flowers. The Ganga Aarti is performed every evening at 6.45 PM.

4.      Eating out in Varanasi – The simmered peanuts, Tamatar Chat, Pani Puri, Kachoris, Aloo Tikki, Jalebis, Banarasi Kalakand, Rabri, and so on are the wonderful, delicious, mouth-watering and most famous foods in Varanasi. You are from any corner of India you must have heard about the Paan of Banaras and also listened the song ‘ Khai-ke Paan Banaras wala’.

5.      Shopping in Varanasi – All that we do to take memories with us is taking pictures and buying something famous from the place that we are visiting. The most famous item to buy from Varanasi is Banarasi Sarees. Apart from sarees, one can buy shawls, carpets, stone inlay work, bangles and idols of Hindu or Buddhist deities.

The busiest shopping market of the town is Godowlia Market. It sells everything from daily household items to glass bangles and trinkets.

For Banarasi silk you can try Banaras Silk Emporium. For natural and khadi products there is also a famous place Shri Gandhi Ashram Khadi Bhandar.

Thus, Varanasi not only gives you the spiritual and pious places but also a delightful shopping and traveling experience.