Almost 3000 years old, Varanasi (also popularly known as Benaras or Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage centre for Hindus, who believe that those who are fortunate to die here attain salvation instantly. Much renowned as a seat of learning for ages, people who wish to learn Hindi or Sanskrit or even Hindu philosophy in its purest form throng to Varanasi in search of the most knowledgeable teacher. Besides the galaxy of thousands of schools and colleges, there are numerous Brahmins who take it upon themselves to keep up

the traditions and serve as the spiritual teacher for the people and Banaras Hindu University has carved out a name for itself, when it comes to most productive institution, which has the distinction of producing students who tuned out to be the best in their respective field ever since it was formed. However, its knowledge and enlightenment doesn't stop to mere books and religion. Arts and crafts including production of silks and brocades done in gold and silver threads and music and dance can never be said to have lacked behind.

Places to See ...

Ghats of Varanasi
The Ghats of Varanasi are the best place to see the charming spell of the old-world traditions and the cultural identity of the city. Stuck in a time warp, every morning, these Ghats come alive with the first rays of the sun as the sacred waters of River Ganges assumes different shades of gold and yellow and thousands of devotees take the ceremonial dip in it and offer prayers while standing waist-deep in the river waters. There are 84 bathing ghats in the city.
 

Durga Temple
This temple is one of the busiest in the city and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Located in the southern part of the city, it has a large rectangular tank by the name of Durga Kund, on which the image of the Goddess is seated. Its mention can be found in the Puranas as the abode of Durga Devi, where she has lived for centuries as the guardian of the city of Varanasi from the South in the form of one of the warrior goddesses (Chandikas) who were responsible for protection of the good and sacred town and destruction of the evil.
 

Bharat MataTemple
Dedicated to 'Mother India', is unique in its concept as it is based on much more contemporary ideology than the customary gods and goddesses. The nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and Sri Durga Prasad Khatri conceptualized and materialized the temple. They were leading numismatists and antiquarians of the time and the temple is known for housing one of the perfect relief maps of India made in marble with accurate scaling done dexterously in both vertical and horizontal scales. Mahatma Gandhi himself inaugurated it.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as Golden Temple, enshrines the famous 'Jyotirlinga' symbolizing Lord Shiva known as 'Vishweshwara' or 'Vishwanatha'. It is said that one finds benediction and spiritual peace merely by the 'darshan' (catching a glimpse) of the deity and gets freedom from the lures of the physical and materialistic world. It is believed that the wisdom and peace one gains by visiting all the other eleven 'jyotirlingas' barely equals the divine experience one has by visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple alone. Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore built the Temple in its present shape in 1780.

Tulsi Manas Temple

Situated close to the Durga temple, is the Tulsi Manas temple. It is built in a modern style, with 'Shikhara' typical to north Indian architecture. Marble has been used in its construction. Built in 1964, the interiors of the temple has been dedicated to the famous epic of the great saint Tulsi Das, called 'Ram Charit Manas', which can be said to be the Hindi version of Valmiki's 'Ramayana'. It is believed that Tulsi Das lived in the medieval times, wrote the book here and left his mortal body in 1623. Beautiful landscape and moving statues that depict and act out scenes from the 'Ram Charit Manas' are housed on the second floor and are a special attraction here.
 

New Vishwanath Temple

The original Vishwanath temple was destroyed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb who used its columns to build the Gaynvapi Mosque, adjacent to it. One can still see the temple's typical artistic and intricately ornate minarets that were 71 meter high along the western wall of the mosque. However, the new temple was built in the campus of much-famous Benaras Hindu University as a replica to the original temple. Birla family, the famous industrialists, has undertaken the care and maintenance of the new Vishwanath temple and thus, it is also known as the Birla Temple.

Manmandir

Situated on what was once known as Somesvara ghat of Varanasi, is the exquisite palace of Raja Savai Man Singh of Amber, built in 1585. The beautifully carved windows are worthy of note as is the Hindu Observatory built on its top floor by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II, which was known as 'Manmandir', which was one of the five that he built in his lifetime under the direction of his astrologer-minister, Jagannatha.

Bharat Kala Bhawan
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, as a centre for the study of Indian art, culture, music and Sanskrit, founded Banaras Hindu University, one of the oldest educational centers in India. Bharat Kala Bhawan finds a place in its campus as a museum exhibiting the finest collection of Mughal miniature paintings and brocade textiles along with sculptures, contemporary art forms and bronze statues from 1st to 15th centuries.
 

Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University played an important role in the independence movement and has developed since then into the greatest center of learning in India. It boasts of not only great freedom fighters but also the makers of modern India including scholars, artists, scientists and technologists who have earned remarkable repute in their respective fields. Sprawling across 1300 acres, it has well maintained roads and extensive greenery in its campus. It has a temple, an airstrip, Bharat Kala Museum and also has a 927-bed hospital, large playgrounds, a massive auditorium, a flying club and many auxiliary services and units.