Varanasi - Travel Diaries India

Varanasi, once known as Benares or Banaras and Kashi, is a historical city in northern India. The city is sacred to Hindus and Jains and also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with settlements dating back to the 11th century BC. Many Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi brings salvation/nirvana and so they make the trip to the city when they realize that they are close to death. For some, the culture shock of the burning corpses in plain view can be a bit overwhelming.

This is the Hindu capital of the country. Varanasi is one of the ancient cities that are still inhabited. March is the lean period of the calendar for Varanasi. March is dotted with very few religious rituals. Thus, you can watch the iconic Ganga Aarti without the hustle of the crowd. The temples will be far less crowded. You can easily enough a quiet early morning Varanasi boat ride or experience exotic rituals. If you are visiting in March, you can be a part of Maha Shivratri, a festival during which people stay awake throughout the night performing interesting rituals to Lord Shiva.

Best known for its Ghats and Temples, a visit to Varanasi is incomplete without the best temples of this city. There is one on almost every road and road crossing in Varanasi. While the small temples are used for daily local prayers and rituals, larger ones are associated with Hindu history and mythology. These places of worship are regularly visited by travelers in large numbers. They also reflect the architecture in India.