The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been an ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world and as Mark Twain said, "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi, would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, who are believed to be the foremost citizens of the city as they lived here for sometime after their marriage and worshipped for being the holiest city along side Ganga, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals and thus, the innumerable Ghats of Ganga in the city are accounted for.

Shopping Attractions of Varanasi
The shopping hotspots in the city are Chowk, Gyan Vapi, Vishwanath Gali, Thatheri Bazar, Lahurabir, Godoulia or Dashswamedh Gali and Golghar. Varanasi is a noted centre for silk weaving and brassware. Besides the illustrious and fine silks and brocaded fabrics, one can also buy shawls, carpets, wall hangings, Zari work, stone inlay work, glass beads and bangles, masks of Hindu and Buddhist deities and lampshades in the city. However, one has to be on watch while buying silk saris and beware of the imitations that are much cheaper than the real silk ones but are not so easy to distinguish. People say that the test for real silk is to ask for a sample of cloth and burn it. If it is real silk, smoke will be odorless. One can also buy 'kamandalu' or brass water pot from here, which is often used by 'sanyasis' to carry water. People buy bottled 'Ganga jal' or jerrycans from the riverbank too for religious purposes or to be used as Holy Water in various rituals. Alternatively, people can fill water of Ganges themselves from the mid-river.

Ghats in Varanasi

• Dasaswamedh Ghat
• Asi Ghat
• Man Mandir Ghat
• Manikarnika Ghat
• Lalita Ghat

Fairs & Festivals

• Mahashivratri
  Mahashivratri is celebrated with a special fervor in Varanasi, said to be the abode of Lord Shiva and his spouse Parvati for some time. Its highlights is the procession taken out from the Maha-Mritunjaya temple to Kashi Viswanath Temple.
• Dhrupad Mela
  Celebrated usually in March, this five-day long music festival at Varanasi is a major tourist attraction. Organized on the Tulsi Ghats, renowned artists from all over India come here during the festival to perform Dhrupad, a major element of Banrasi Music.
• Ganga Festival
  Celebrated usually in October or November, this festival at Varanasi is dedicated to River Ganga. Ganges is worshipped for her glory and ritualistic importance with ardent fervor and festivity.
• Kartik Purnima
  Celebrated usually in November or December, several illuminated floating earthen lamps give a divine look to the Ganges ghats of Varanasi. Also known as Dev Deepawali, Kartik Poornima is celebrated on a full moon day and presents a spectacular event.
• Buddh Poornima
  Celebrated in May with pomp and gaiety in nearby city of Sarnath to commemorate the birth of Lord Buddha. A large fair and procession of the relics of Buddha are the highlights of the festival.
• Ramlila
  Celebrated usually in October and November, the Ramlila festival is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm at Varanasi and highlights Jhankis and pageants depicting scenes from the life of Lord Rama as depicted in the RamCharit Manas written by Tulsidas.
• Bharat Milap
  Held at Nati Imli around Dussehra in October or November, the fair is held to commemorate the reunion of Lord Rama with his brother Bharat. People throng to the place to attend the fair and see the King of Kashi attending the festival in his former royal flavor and glory.

Popular Pilgrimage Place in Varanasi

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Gyanvapi Mosque
• St. Mary's Church
• Durga Temple
• Bharat Mata Temple
• Tulsi Manas Temple
• Nepali Temple

How to reach

• By Air
  There are daily domestic flights to and from Varanasi to several cities in India. In fact, the daily flights on Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route are quite popular among the tourists.
• By Rail
  There are two railway stations in Varanasi, the Kashi Junction and the Varanasi Junction, also known as the Cantonment Station. It is well connected to Delhi and Calcutta by many trains and also to the other significant Indian cities. Rajdhani Express from Delhi or from Calcutta passes through Varanasi too. Alternatively, one can also take trains for Mughalsarai, just 10 km south of Varanasi.
• By Road
  Varanasi has a good network of roads, frequent public and private buses and road transport to all the major towns of Uttar Pradesh and nearby areas.