It is safe to say that Varanasi is the religious capital of India. When mentioning this amazing city, it is often called the “holy city of the dead”, then you will understand why. Today it is one of the most ancient inhabited cities not only in India, but throughout our planet. Scientists tend to believe that Varansi is more than 3,000 years old, but most Indians believe that it is more than 5,000 years old and was founded by the god Shiva himself. In any case, almost all of its contemporaries, such as Babylon or Luxor, have long since sunk into history, but Varanasi doesn’t care. This is a city of legend, a city of mystery.
In this article we will talk about the most famous and revered attractions of Varanasi, where to go and what to see in this beautiful city. Although, it is worth recognizing that this is a rare case when the city itself is one large and very interesting attraction, especially that part of it that is adjacent to the embankment. Narrow streets, architecture as old as India itself, chaotic buildings of old quarters, temples that are found at every step, mysterious rituals and an endless number of legends and prophecies with which the history of the city is closely connected - all this can surprise even the most experienced traveler. What tourists who arrive here for the first time experience is usually called “culture shock.”
Before we start talking about the sights, a little about the geography of the city. The most ancient quarters of the city are closest to the river. The fact is that Varanasi is located on the western bank of the sacred Ganges River; the eastern bank remains deserted because, according to legend, it is here that Shiva transports the souls of the dead. Today, like thousands of years ago, hundreds of funeral pyres are lit on the coastline every day to cremate the dead. Most people in India are sure that this type of cremation is the best, because this is the only way the soul can leave the endless cycle of rebirths and find peace. Hence the natural nickname that Varanasi received - “the city of the dead”. This is the best place to think about the eternal, put your thoughts in order and move on in harmony with the world around you. This city has absorbed all the diversity of Indian culture and carried through the millennia the unique atmosphere of Indian fairy tales.
Ghats
Ghats serve, first of all, for ritual bathing in the waters of a river sacred to the people of India. Every day tens of thousands of people wash their faces and heads here, thereby washing away all their sins and receiving blessings. Should visiting tourists perform this ritual? The question is complex. Residents of India believe in the unshakable purity of these waters, research suggests the opposite, adjusted for the fact that the water of the Ganges River actually contains an increased amount of silver, which neutralizes many diseases. Let everyone decide for themselves; we would recommend not to take risks. In any case, you definitely shouldn’t drink this water (as all the locals do). Some ghats are used for cremation of the dead. A large fire is laid out on special pedestals, where a stretcher with the deceased is placed and set on fire. Everything that remains at the site of the fire goes straight to the Ganges.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple)
Kedareshwar
Sarnath
Unfortunately, most of the ancient buildings of Sarnath were destroyed and today they are ruins brought to the surface as a result of excavations. Several majestic stupas have survived: Dhamek and Dharmarajika. It was Dharmarajika that was built on the site of that sermon. It is interesting to visit the local archaeological museum, where objects found as a result of excavations are collected. Many tourists and pilgrims from all over the world come to see the sights of the village of Sarnath.
Ramnagar Fort
Today, Ramnagar Fort is not just a majestic and beautiful building, but also an interesting museum, which houses a solid collection of household items of the Maharajas: portraits, jewelry, suits, dresses, hookahs and much more. Particularly worth noting is the rich collection of the weapons room, which includes jewel-encrusted sabers and daggers. A classic attraction that is definitely worth a visit.
Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum
Durga Temple (The Durga Mandir)
The temple of the goddess Durga is a very interesting attraction even without monkeys. It is built from bright red stone and is a fine example of the Indian craftsmanship with this material. The walls of the building are decorated with elaborate carvings, the columns and towers also boast filigree work. There is an artificial rod on the temple grounds. Goddess Durga is highly respected in Varanasi, as she is considered the protector of the city, protecting it from harm. The Durga Temple is located a few kilometers from the BHU (Banaras Hindu University) university, which we have already talked about. This is very convenient; you can visit the temple right after the museum or vice versa.
There are a lot of attractions in Varanasi and it is not possible to describe everything in one article. How can I describe this city? You need to see it with your own eyes and feel it with your heart. On the way, you can easily stop by Varanasi, because it is located between Delhi and Calcutta.
Varanasi- the city of the dead, the main city of Hindu pilgrimage in the northeastern region of India.
This is a kind of Vatican for Hindus, the center of Vedic wisdom and philosophy. Varanasi is considered the holiest place in Hinduism and is also one of the oldest cities in the world.
Varanasi on the map of India
One of the most ancient cities in the world is located in a similar ancient country on the planet -.
Where is it located?
The city of Varanasi is located in northeast India, in the very center of the Ganges River valley. Administratively, the area belongs to the state Uttar Pradesh.
The Varanasi agglomeration has about one and a half thousand square kilometers.
The city of the dead is located at the highest point between Ganga and Varuna. Despite the fact that the city stands on the banks of the Ganges River, the area here is quite dry and comfortable for visiting and building settlements.
How to get there?
It is possible to reach Varanasi in several ways:
- on– the city has an international airport, so you can get there not only from all over India, but also from other countries;
- on bus or car from different cities of the country;
- by train from New Delhi or Kolkata.
In the 18th century the city was the center of an autonomous kingdom Porridge, whose emperors came from the ancient Narayan dynasty. Then the kingdom came under the control of the British Empire and lost its status as an autonomous state.
In 1897 it happened here sepoy mutiny, which ended in a bloody massacre by the British army. In 1910, a new state was created, to which the holy city was administratively adjacent.
Attractions
Varanasi is a shrine not only for Buddhists, but also for Muslims and Christians. The main activity of tourists and pilgrims is concentrated along left bank Ganges River.
Here are the so-called ghats- These are stone structures descending directly to the water, intended for ablution and performing all kinds of religious rituals. There are a total of 84 ghats located here, the most popular of which are:
- Assi;
- Kedar;
- Panchaganga;
- Desashwamedh;
- Manikarnika.
Over several centuries, about a thousand Hindu shrines were built in Varanasi.
The more ancient ones did not survive due to attacks by the Muslim army. The temple is considered the most famous Kashi Vishwanath(translated as “temple of gold”), dedicated to the god Shiva. The roof of the temple is actually covered with 800 kg of pure gold.
erected nearby Temple of Goddess Annapurna, the worship of which protects a person from poverty and hunger. Another famous temple is Durgakund (translated as “monkey temple”), the walls of which are covered with red paint.
Varanasi is a place of worship for Buddhists, because it is believed that it was here that Buddha gave his first speech after achieving enlightenment. Here are the shrines of Buddhism, several temples and schools where young monks are trained.
Varanasi consists mostly of narrow streets called gali. As a rule, such galleys are polluted and dirty water from household waste and excrement flows over their surface. Therefore, the street is filled with stuffiness and a not entirely pleasant smell. The width of some streets is so narrow that you can only walk through them on foot or on a moped.
Considering that India has the highest mountain range, the Himalayas, mountain holidays in this country are at their best. Read about Indian ski resorts.
Several streets unite into a kind of quarter called mahallas. They often form bazaars - these are extensive points for trading certain goods.
In the outskirts of the city there are several routes for religious pilgrims - such paths are traditionally called yatras. Pilgrims walk the route barefoot and in absolute silence, eat only once a day and do not use any equipment to protect themselves from rain or scorching sun.
This is a rather difficult test, but after completing the pilgrimage, a person rises one step higher on the path of enlightenment of spirit and body.
City of funeral pyres
One of the names of the city, Mahasmassana, literally translated as "large burial place". Indeed, in Varanasi, for a thousand years now, a large fire has been burning continuously, in which it is customary to burn the bodies of dead people.
Local customs
According to local customs, any pilgrim must pass ablution ritual in the Ganges River, which can hardly be called clean. Every day, all the sewage of the city flows into it, as well as local household excrement of people living on the shore.
People wash their clothes and bathe in this water, and it also serves as a drainage point for the city's sewage system.
The pilgrim must also visit shiva temple, where the fire burns tirelessly, and bring a sacrifice to God in the form of ritual burning of some food or clothing. It is believed that the flame from the fire cleanses the souls of all people who are nearby.
Shocking sights
One of the most shocking sights for a European tourist is cremation ceremony. From all over India, people who believe in Shiva and in life after death bring the bodies of their dead relatives to burn them on a huge bonfire. Such an event is considered as a gift of worship to Shiva and a successful rebirth of the deceased in another life.
Cremation takes place at two ghats - Manikarnika And Harischandra. The latter has an electric cremation apparatus, although it is rarely used due to the high price of the ceremony.
After death the human body washed in the Ganges River, where all his relatives undergo the same ritual. All hair except one strand is cut off from the deceased, the body is washed, rubbed with oils and incense, and wrapped in a shroud of white silk.
The body is carried on a stretcher to a prepared place and placed there where the firewood is already stacked, having first removed the expensive shroud, which is subsequently washed in the same river. The eldest man in the family lights the fire, walking around it five times clockwise.
The burning process lasts about three hours, but not all the dead undergo this ritual. The bodies of children under three years of age, pregnant women and those killed by the epidemic are not burned - their corpses are wrapped in a shroud, taken to the middle of the river and lowered into the water with some kind of liquid. cargo so that the dead person does not surface.
The real horror can be seen when the body does not burn out and its semi-charred lowered into water. This happens because some families cannot afford to buy enough firewood to completely burn the body.
Another shocking phenomenon of Varanasi are Aghori- these are representatives of an ancient religious cult, whose duty is to rid their like-minded people of the concepts of good-bad, disgusting-pleasant, tasty-disgusting, and so on. Aghori or fearless ones:
- smear their body ashes from cremation pyres;
- collect skulls people;
- are engaged cannibalism corpses that are caught from the Ganges River.
Also in the city of Varanasi there is such a phenomenon as pestering drug dealers.
For the most part they are similar to beggars, selling hallucinogens, which, by the way, are popular among fans of various cults.
Watch a fascinating episode of the TV show “Heads and Tails” about the city of the dead Varanasi in this video:
It was once a major city, on par with Babylon, Luxor and Nineveh. This is a holy place for Buddhists and other religious representatives of a wide variety of branches and spiritual practices.
If you look into Indian mythology, you can read about the properties of this place. And the whole point is that Varanasi relieves a person’s soul from the burdens of life, that is, those who are lucky enough to die here are freed from the endless cycle of death and rebirth.
They bury the dead by burning their bodies on the banks of the Ganga River, because it washes away the sins of mere mortals, and perhaps therefore has the opposite flow - the river flows to the north. Varanasi has many ashrams and religious denominations; historians and scientists often come here.
Once upon a time, the city had a different name - Anandavana - translated as “blessed forest”, and instead of a dusty and noisy modern city, there was one large forest, the thicket of which was built up with ashrams, and clergy, scientists and philosophers came here from all over the country. According to historians, the Upanishads and the Advaita philosophy itself arose here.
Later the city became known as the scientific center of India.
Sights of Varanasi
Tourists come here to see naghats- rows of steps descending to the sacred river. Pilgrims descend along them to bathe in the Ganges. At some ghats, dead bodies are ritually burned and the ashes are scattered over the sacred waters of the Ganges.
Total operating in the city 84 ghats. The most important for pilgrims are Manikarnika, Panchaganga, Dasashwamedh, Assi, and Kedar.
Every day tens of thousands of people bathe in the Ganges River, sincerely believing that it will bring them happiness.
Every evening a ritual sacrifice takes place on the embankment.
On the territory of Varanasi you can see temples built in the 18th century. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to see more ancient buildings - many were devastated and destroyed.
Maintaining temples and cleaning the area around temples is what most of the residents do.
Known all over the world silk Varanasi, which became the main industry here due to the fact that the priests at one time needed special clothing.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple or, is located in the depths of the city, disguised by a labyrinth of narrow streets and hidden from prying eyes. Only the golden roof, which took more than 820 kg gold turns out to be a real work of art. Tourists can admire it from the third floor of a nearby store.
If you are in Varanasi, be sure to check out the building, which is located on the Ganga embankment and stands out among other buildings with its bright combination of red and white facade.
Another important temple Annapurna Bhavani, this is the temple of the Mother Goddess, one of the most important in India.
It is a bright red building. Its characteristic feature is the many monkeys living near it. The Warrior Goddess is honored here.
Shanichar Temple visit to rid their aura of the evil eye and evil, and in the temple Shukreshwar women pray for the birth of a son.
In the 17th century, Varanasi was destroyed by the Mughals. And where Hindu temples were destroyed, approximately 300 mosques were later built. Some of the most famous - Aurangzeb mosque, located near the Ganges, and Gayanvapi Masjid.
Also very beautiful Hindu University. To date, 15,000 students are studying there. The university has a museum whose exhibits date back to the 15th century.
How to get to Varanasi from Delhi
By plane
Not far from Varanasi is Lal Bahadur Shastri, which receives flights not only from Indian cities, but also international flights from Southeast Asia.
Airfare in India is quite cheap, so flying is a great option for traveling to Varanasi.
For example, you can get from Delhi for 80-90 US dollars, and the flight time is 1.5 hours. In the case of Mumbai, the flight time is about two and a half hours, and the cost of tickets is $120-130. However, there are no special problems with booking tickets, since there are a lot of flights.
Major airlines flying to Varanasi: Air India, Spicejet And Indigo air.
By train
The Varanasi railway also connects with Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, as well as Delhi. Tickets will be much cheaper than plane tickets. Buying tickets at the station on the same day can be problematic, so it is better to purchase them in advance.
Where to stay
The best place to stay, oddly enough, is in the city center; there are many budget hostels and mini-hotels there. This is due to the fact that the Gadolia area, where many hotels are located, is adjacent to the Ganga embankment, which is very close to the ghats and other city attractions.
Not everyone wants to watch cremation around the clock, so room prices depend mainly on the view from the room, the presence of air conditioning, and a terrace overlooking the river (most often pilgrims take this room). The average room in this area costs between 100 and 300 rupees per night).
List of some hotels
- Yogi Lodge. Shared showers, cheap prices, fans instead of air conditioners.
- Alka Hotel. Large rooms, separate showers. Many rooms overlooking the embankment. Prices from 350 rupees. There are rooms with air conditioning.
- Ganga Fuji Home. Located in a building of historical value. There is access to the roof, from where a beautiful view of the Ganges opens. Paid Wi-Fi at the hotel is available until 22:00. If comfort is more important to you, it is best to stay away from the ghats, in the central areas of Contonment and Lahurabir near the railway station.
- Temples Town. Clean rooms, separate showers. A room without air conditioning will cost only 150 rupees.
- India. It is considered one of the most comfortable hotels. Separate shower, Wi-Fi available. The cost of a room without air conditioning is from 300 rupees, with air conditioning - from 500 rupees.
- Hotel de Paris. Rooms start from 600 rupees, but it is quiet here, a beautiful pre-house area with an exotic garden.
You can also stay near the station; there are many hotels here, prices starting from 20 rupees. Highly recommended Tropic bungalow Dak And Relax.
Varanasi can be called a museum city or maybe
maybe even a temple city: according to some data from various religious buildings
here from two to three thousand. I don’t think anyone knows the exact number.
I previously wrote about
ghats - embankments of the Ganges, where the main flavor of Varanasi is concentrated...
Varanasi can be called a city-museum or maybe even a city-temple: according to some data, there are between two and three thousand of various religious buildings here. I don’t think anyone knows the exact number.
Previously, the embankments of the Ganges, where the main flavor of Varanasi is concentrated, and to which the city owes much of its popularity. This article will talk about the main attractions we visited. In most temples, “mere mortals” are not allowed to take photographs, so this time the photos will be from the Internet.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple. One of the most important Hindu temples in all of India, something like Mecca for Muslims: every Hindu tries to visit Kashi Vishwanath at least once in his life. Therefore, the queues there are simply incredible, especially on holidays and weekends: they stretch for tens of meters along narrow winding streets. The main pride of the temple is the dome made of gold weighing about a ton, for which it received its second name - the Golden Temple. But despite all this, Kashi Vishwanath is not yet destined to become a popular tourist destination, since foreigners are reluctantly allowed there. On the one hand, entry is not prohibited for them, but a stern guard can show you the door without explaining the reasons (there are too many people that day, he is in a bad mood, he doesn’t like you - whatever). And if he does give the go-ahead, he will definitely write down your passport details, so be sure to grab your documents. By the way, you cannot bring anything into Kashi Vishwanath except your passport and money for donations, so leave your bag at the hotel or use the paid storage room at the temple.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Durga Temple. One of the most popular temples in Varanasi. Dedicated to the formidable aspect of Parvati - the goddess Durga. The temple is often called the Monkey Temple - for the large number of these animals gathering near it.
But the truly monkey temple is, of course, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple - Temple of Hanuman, patron of monkeys. Here the macaques live in contentment: they eat well, scurry along walls and trees, and sometimes entertain themselves by communicating with tourists. For example, on the way to the exit a young macaque overtook me and grabbed my skirt with its teeth and claws.
Inside Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Bharat Mata temple- a temple dedicated to Mother India, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi himself in 1936. The place is interesting not for its interior, which is more than austere, but for its relief map of India and part of the surrounding territories, which occupies almost the entire floor of the room.
Map of India in Bharat Mata temple
Benares Art Gallery– an art gallery, amazing because here you can not only touch things with your own hands that are several hundred years old, but even buy them. There are also many exhibits of contemporary artists and craftsmen. I couldn’t resist and bought a bronze figurine of Parvati, which completely enchanted me. According to a gallery employee, the figurine was made on the same day, but it is so skillfully aged that it seems as if it had lain forgotten in the corner of some ancient temple for several centuries.
U.I. (Useful Information):
Visiting attractions in Varanasi is mostly free, but almost everywhere you need to take off your shoes or leave your bag in a storage room, for which they usually charge from 10 to 20 rupees.
Many temples are lost in the winding narrow streets of the city, so even if you have a navigator, you will sometimes have to get lost. Don’t hesitate to ask locals for directions, and you will be happy and have another temple.
Photo:m.mobsea.org, varanasionline.in, indostan.ru
Varanasi is rightfully considered the sacred capital of India. In addition to its official name, it is often called the “city of the dead.” A little later you will find out why. Today, Varanasi is one of the oldest cities not only in India, but throughout the world. When studying, scientists came to the conclusion that it is more than 3,000 years old. The local population believes that the city was founded by the god Shiva, and he has already exchanged the fifth millennium. In any case, all such cities, for example Babylon, have long been destroyed, but Varanasi is still standing and thriving.
This article is intended to tell about the sights of this amazing city, however, the territory of Varanasi itself is one great historical heritage. The most interesting places are located closer to the river. There are entire neighborhoods with narrow streets where secret rituals were once held. They are literally imbued with numerous legends and traditions. A trip to Varanasi will bring a lot of pleasure and will surprise anyone, even the most experienced tourist. Many who come here call their first impression of the city “culture shock.” But first things first.
Content:Geography of Varanasi
The oldest buildings are located closer to the coast. This is due to the fact that the ancient city was built along the course of the sacred Ganges River on its western bank. The eastern shore was empty all the time. There was a legend that Shiva sent the souls of the dead here. Even today, cremations and ritual burials take place on the eastern shore. Residents of the city believe that cremations held here give peace to the soul and send it to a better world. That is why Varanasi is called the “city of the dead”. Arriving in India, it is worth visiting this city, because only here you can think about existence, and then go on your journey with peace of mind.
Ghats
It is impossible not to notice that the ghats are considered the most important place for pilgrimage. In addition, this is one of the main local attractions, which tourists love to visit. Ghats are large, stepped structures on the banks of a river that are used for bathing and cremating the dead. The oldest ghats are located in Varanasi and are more than six thousand years old. There are 84 ghats in the city, varying in structure. Let's get acquainted with the most important of them.
Ghat Assi. This is one of the most important ghats of Varanasi. It is located in the southern part of the city. Mentions of it can be found in ancient Indian literature in many famous works: Matsya Purana, Karma Purana and so on. There is a legend according to which the goddess Durga killed the demon Shumbha-Nishumbha with her sword. The Assi River originates from the place where the battle once took place. At the confluence of two rivers today there is a ghat of the same name.
Ghat Gheta Singh. This is a huge ghat divided into 4 parts. In the 18th century, a bloody battle took place at this place between Warren's army and Singh's detachment. At the beginning of the 20th century, the ghat, along with the British fort located next door, was forcibly annexed by Maharaja Prabha. Three magnificent Shiva temples were founded on the territory of the ghat back in the 18th century, which until the 20th century were the main cultural center of Varanasi. It was here that the Bulkhwa Mangal festival was first held, which has not been forgotten to this day. Bathing is not done at this ghat due to the high flow of the Ganges.
Ghat Dasaswamedh. It received this name because Brahma sacrificed (medh) 10 (das) horses (asva) here. Dasaswamedh Ghat is one of the most popular and visited places by tourists. And all because there is a special atmosphere that helps you feel the sacred city from the inside.
Ghat Gai. This is the most spiritual ghat in Asia. Just like the others, it has a staircase arrangement and descends directly to the Ganges River. From here there is a magnificent view of ritual activities and the everyday life of ordinary people.
Ghat Harish Ghandra. They named it after the famous mythical ruler. Harish Ghat is one of several cremation facilities and is also the oldest ghat among its brethren. A crematorium using electricity was opened here at the end of the 20th century. However, the standard method of cremation at the ghat is still used. Photography or filming is strictly prohibited. If you are seen with a camera, the police may be called.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
This is one of the most famous Hindu temples not only in Varanasi but throughout the world. This is a small building, hidden from view in a labyrinth of streets and alleys. It has several domes, but even them are difficult to see when located within the city. The city is so densely built up. To see the holy place, you will have to climb to the roof of a neighboring house. This is the only thing vacationers can count on, because only Indians are allowed entry. The Kashi Temple is unique in that about a ton of gold was used to cast the domes. The main exhibit of the structure is the Adi Visheashvara lingam. It is located on the floor, on a metal dish, surrounded by plants and fruits. It is not difficult to guess that the temple was built in honor of Shiva. Millions of Hindus come for the pilgrimage every year. Such an event can be compared to a visit to Mecca.
Kedareshwar
Kedareshwar is one of the few ancient temples that has remained virtually unchanged since its foundation. It reached its contemporaries almost in its original form. The temple was built during the reign of Ballala II. Kedareshwar, like the others, is dedicated to Shiva and is considered one of the most revered shrines in India. Today it attracts the interest of scientists and tourists. This is due to the fact that the shrine is located right on the banks of the Ganges, and most importantly, it has never undergone fundamental changes. So, by studying this place, you can safely draw conclusions about the life and culture of the city in that distant era. Getting to it is much easier, and you can admire the beauty from a boat, sailing past.
Sarnath
This is not a landmark of Varanasi, but just a suburb of it. However, this does not detract from its merits. The main difference between this temple and others will be its religious orientation. Buddhists come to Sarnath to worship. There is a legend that Buddha first came to this place to read his sermons. The location of the temple was chosen specifically. According to historical data, on the site of the ancient city there was once a small forest settlement, where philosophers, writers and other scientific minds came from all over the world in order to learn the truth and learn a lot of new things. So you can believe the legend, because Buddha simply could not visit a place where there was no knowledge.
Today, most of the Sarnath suburb is destroyed and remains in ruins that were only discovered during excavations. However, this does not prevent tourists from coming here and visiting, in addition to the ruins, the historical museum, where you can see ancient tools and objects found during excavations. Also, many pilgrims come here who dream of paying tribute to these sacred places.
Ramnagar Fort
This is an amazing attraction, and all because, being in the holy city, it does not belong to any religion. The fort was located on the other side of the river, opposite the city. However, there are no problems with access, since there is a modern, convenient bridge between it and Varanasi. The fort was founded in the mid-18th century and was used as the residence of the dynasty of the same name. The Ramnagar fort is decorated in the Mongolian style with tracery windows and numerous minarets. Why Mongolian style? This is due to the fact that for a long time this territory of India was ruled by the Mughals, who professed Islam. Thanks to them, a lot of things from the city simply have not reached the present day. After the capture of Varanasi by Muslims, most of the temples were destroyed and mosques were erected in their place.
Currently, the fort is not only a famous landmark of extraordinary beauty, but also an interesting museum where you can see household items, clothes, shoes, and jewelry of the Maharajas. The weapons room, which contains magnificent examples of that time, inlaid with precious metals, deserves special attention. This place is definitely worth a visit.
Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum
This is another attraction of Varanasi that deserves special attention. The museum with a complex name is located on the campus of a famous higher educational institution. The museum is famous for its huge collection of sculptures, paintings, old records, books, luxury items, weapons, statues and so on. Moreover, not only Hindu luxury goods were collected, but Buddhist ones. A tour of the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum will appeal to lovers of aesthetics who will see the uniqueness of the local culture.
Durga Temple
If after a long journey you do not know where to go, then visit the temple founded in honor of the goddess Durga. It has another name - Monkey Temple. This is due to the fact that there are a lot of monkeys on its territory. This is probably the only reason why most tourists come here. You can chat with the monkeys and take pictures. By the way, there are already so many of these animals in the city itself, sometimes they even become very annoying to local residents. However, it is prohibited by law to abuse monkeys in any way. When playing with a furry animal, be careful, not all of them are so kind. Many individuals are distinguished by their aggressiveness and sharp fangs.
The Durga temple itself is a very interesting place. It was built by Indian craftsmen entirely from rare red stone, which has amazing engraving throughout its entire area. Right at the entrance to the temple there is an artificial, but incredibly beautiful pond.
Just like Shiva, the goddess Durga is respected among Hindus, because she is the protector of the city and has saved the population from troubles many times. The temple is located in close proximity to the Bharat Museum. So, if you decide to visit the temple, then be sure to go to the museum.
Here are some attractions in Varanasi. In fact, there are many more of them, but it will take a very long time to describe them. It’s worth visiting the city in person and seeing with your own eyes all the beauty that has been preserved after many millennia.
