Local Attractions
Ganges River (Ganga)
The ghats of Varanasi are quite famous. These are long flights of wide stone steps leading down to the river where people can take a holy dip. But there are more to these Ghats than just bathing and cremating. Each of the eighty-four Ghats of Varanasi holds some special significance.
Dasaswamedh Ghat
Dasaswamedh Ghat is one of the most important Ghats of Varanasi. Dasaswamedh literally means the Ghat (river front) of ten sacrificed horses. According to the legend, ten horses were sacrificed by Lord Brahma to allow Lord Shiva to return from a period of banishment.
Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath)
This is the most famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the 12 jyotirlingas. Varanasi is one of the holiest places for Hindus, where at least once in life a Hindu is expected to do pilgrimage, and if possible, also pour the remains of cremated ancestors in the River Ganges.
Manikarnika Ghat
It is one of the oldest ghats in Varanasi. It is revered in Hindu religion. Mata Sati (Aadi shakti mata) sacrificed her life & set her body ablaze after Raja Daksh Prajapati (one of the sons of Lord Brahma) tried to humiliate Lord shiva in a Yagya practiced by Daksh. Lord Shiva took her burning body to Himalaya. While going to Himalaya Mata Sati's parts of body started falling on earth. Lord Shiva established Shakti Peeth wherever Sati's body had fallen. At Manikarnika ghat, Mata Sati's Ear's ornament had fallen.
Sarnath
This is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi.
New Vishwanath Temple
A new Vishwanath temple has been built in the Banaras Hindu University on the pattern of the main Vishwanath temple. This has also become one of the prime places to visit in Varanasi.
Monkey Temple (Durga Temple)
Durga temple, also known as the "monkey temple" is one of the important temples of Varanasi. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. It was built in the eighteenth century.
Bharat Kala Bhavan
Bharat Kala Bhavan, located inside the BHU campus, is an art and architecture museum and houses a vast collection of paintings, Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and other materials of archeological importance. The Bharat Kala Bhavan was established in the year 1920 A.D.
Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple)
The King of Nepal had built this temple on Lalita ghat on Ganga river at Varanasi in Nepali style. This Nepali temple is also called the Kathwala temple. The temple has some magnificent and articulate woodwork.