Top 10 Reasons to Visit Varanasi Once in Your Lifetime

If you are seeking a place to gain experience of spiritual awakening, positive vibrations, and a peaceful holiday, then Varanasi is the best destination for your next trip. Varanasi, popularly known as Kashi is popular amongst the pilgrims for taking holy dips in the River Ganges.

The city has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in India due to its endless ghats, famous temples, fascinating rituals, and vibrant religious festivals. Varanasi is a paradise not only for the admirers of the Hindu religion but also for the people seeking to land in a place distinct from the usual tourist spots.

Let us find out the top 10 reasons why you should plan your next trip to this divine city:

1. Enchanting Ghats (river landing steps or passage)

The main attractions of Varanasi are its attractive ghats, most of which were built during the reign of the Maratha Empire. The city has more than 80 ghats all around the city and each ghat holds an interesting story to tell. Being the junction of the 3 popular holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra, the city is considered to be one of the most auspicious places to perform many rituals and pujas at these ghats. Even Varanasi became Varanasi by taking the names of two famous ghats of this place called Varun Ghat and Assi Ghat. Some of these ghats are even used for the purpose of cremation. Read More: Top Places to Visit in Varanasi.

Some of the famous ghats you can visit here are Assi Ghat, Darbhanga Ghat, Digpatia Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Chet Singh Ghat, Scindia Ghat, and Man Mandir Ghat, etc.

2. Enthralling and Unique Rituals

Being a soul place for the Hindus, you have an opportunity to witness interesting Hindu rituals and traditions at this place. Pilgrims flock here every now and then to perform various rituals and perform pujas for various Hindu gods and goddesses. There is a strong religious belief that if one will attain (attainting freedom from the recycle of birth as being born again is considered to be a journey of pain and suffering) if cremated at one of the cremation sites in Varanasi after death. Some rituals like Tarpan which is a ritual performed by offering water to one’s ancestors and Daan which is performed by donating money, clothes, and sweets to the poor are very popular here.

If you want to feel the holiness of this place, you must visit the ghats in the morning as the morning rituals will not only enthrall you but will make you feel blessed to have landed at this place. Bathing in the Ganges and praying in the morning is very common here as it is believed to purify one’s soul and body. So if you happen to land in Varanasi do not forget to take a holy dip in the Ganges in the morning. Read Also: 10 Popular Things to do in Varanasi

3. Captivating Temples and Forts

The holiness of Varanasi prevails not only because of its ghats but also because around 23000 temples are scattered in and around the city. These temples built in the ancient period attract thousands of pilgrims as well as tourists throughout the year. The city is called the place of Lord Shiva because of the famous Vishwanath Temple which is considered the most important temple in the city and one of the most visited temples in India. Sarnath is a famous sacred town for Buddhist pilgrims. Read Also: List of Most Popular Temples in Varanasi

Some of the famous temples of the city are Durga Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Nepali Hindu Temple, Kaal Bhairav Mandir, Maa Annapurna Temple, and Kardameshwara Mahadeva Temple, Tridev Temple, and Tulsi Manas Temple, etc. The city also has a number of forts which were built during the Kingdom of Kashi. These forts showcase the architectural expertise of the ancient era. Famous forts you can visit are Ramnagar Fort, Chunar Fort, and Chet Singh Fort. Also, read List of Famous Ghats in Varanasi that You Must See

4. Mesmerizing Ganga Aarti ( offering of lighted Diya)

Ganga Aarti is one of the most popular ceremonies why pilgrims flock to this holy city. Every evening is lightened with this performance of divine ritual. Thousands of devotees gather at the ghats to witness this tradition influenced by religious beliefs. Ganga Aarti is performed by offering lighted lamps or Diyas on the banks of the river Ganges. Many people float small cup candles in the river. The whole atmosphere becomes amazingly mesmerizing and holy with the sounds of bells and the air filling the smoke of incense and Diyas.

If you want to get yourself immersed in the blessed aura of this divine ritual, then you must visit Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat as these ghats perform the most spectacular Ganga Aarti. You can even enjoy the Aarti on a boat at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

5. Alluring Festivals and Fairs

Like every other pilgrimage place, Varanasi is also famous for various religious festivals and fairs held here. One of the most famous festivals in the city is Maha Shivratri which is held for one day. During this festival, Lord Shiva is worshipped. Rituals of fasting, and pouring water and milk on Shiva Linga on this day are ancient traditions of the Hindus. Holi, the festival of colors takes a new dimension in this city as the colors give a new look to the city. Dev Diwali festival is another famous festival when the ghats are decorated with thousands of lighted Diyas.

Some other popular festivals of the city are Diwali, Rangbhari Ekadashi, Ram Leela, Ganga Dussehra, Annakut, Shravan Maah, Makar Sankranti, etc. Some important religious fairs are Dhrupad Mela, Kumbh Mela, Sarnath Fair, and Vaisakhi Mela. Read Also: Top 10 Attractions in Sarnath

6. Pocket-Friendly Place

You will be surprised to know that this famous sacred place is one of the most cost-effective cities in India to live in. The cost of lodging and food is comparatively much cheaper than other pilgrimage places in India. The average cost of food on a daily basis starts somewhere from $3.

There are a lot of budget-friendly accommodation options available in the city. Many guesthouses, hostels, and hotels are available near the ghats at affordable rates. Even the traveling costs in and around the city are much less than in other cities.

In a few words, you do not need to carry a heavy wallet, if you plan for a trip to Varanasi.

Read Also: 5-Star Hotels in Varanasi Near Ghat

7. Tempting Cuisine

Varanasi offers a variety of flavors and dishes when it comes to food. The city offers mostly vegetarian dishes except in the areas inhabited by the Muslim community. Street food is very popular in Varanasi as the mouth-watering preparations depict the culture of the people living here. The smell of this enticing food attracts a number of visitors to various stalls across the city.

Some of the most popular street food and drink items are Kachorisabzi, Jalebi, Baati Chokha, Choora Matar, Channa Dahi Bada, Laaiya Channa, Launglata, Golgappe, Lassi, Peda, Rabri, Thandai, and Bhang, etc.

Read Also: Alaknanda: Varanasi Luxury Cruise in River Ganga

8. End-less Shopping

Being a cost-effective place Varanasi is the best place where one can shop without much effort to focus on one’s wallet. Enjoying your stay in Varanasi could never be complete without shopping the various handicraft items at various shops and stalls across the city. Banarasi silk is a famous fabric of this place which is desired by people worldwide.

You can shop for Banarasi silk and brocade sarees and dress materials, glass bangles, rudraksha bracelets and necklaces, brass and copper items, wooden toys, crystal Shivalinga, handmade carpets, and many other items.

Read Also: Best Way to Travel from Delhi to Varanasi

9. Charming Musical Events

Varanasi does not only touch your soul with its religious value but also with its enlightening and inspiring music. Varanasi is the place where several styles of music were born. You will surely be enthralled with the sounds of various musical instruments like tabla, flutes, sitar, and sarods. Several music schools teach mesmerizing musical ragas.

A number of musical events take place in this place, including classical music concerts at Music Paradise Hall, Gulabbarievent, Ganga Mahotsav, and Mahindra Kabira Musical event, to name a few. Some of the world-famous musical geniuses have their roots in this place. Ustad Bismillah Khan, an expert in playing shehnai, a woodwind musical instrument, Girija Devi, a classical singer, and Pandit Ravi Shankar, a Sitar maestro are the two prominent names in the music world.

Read Also: 12 Most Famous Museums in Varanasi

10. Fascinating Sadhus (Wise Men)

The mystic city lets you explore another side of Varanasi when you get to see a lot of Sadhu babas or ascetics in and around the city. Their unconventional looks with saffron capes and matted hair will leave you in an unspeakable mind state. Your yearning for knowledge of Karma and Hindu religions can be fulfilled with a question-answer session with these wise men of the city.  If you happen to peep into their lives, their unparalleled lifestyle of smoking marijuana, maintaining celibacy, practicing yoga, and possessing skulls are bound to give you a chilling sensation.

There are fascinating stories about most of these sadhus. Some of the sadhus are even known to have come from rich families who have renounced all the luxuries of life in order to gain the supreme knowledge of life and spirituality.

Varanasi is a place where lies the heart of the Hindus. The greatness of Varanasi can never be explained even in a million words. You need to visit this place once in your lifetime in order to unveil the numerous mysteries this sacred place has in its kitty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Varanasi:

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