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Places of Interest in Varanasi
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An important part of the pilgrimage
circuit, Varanasi or Benaras has been a pilgrimage site
since time immemorial. The largest city of Uttar Pradesh,
and the oldest, Varanasi is located on the North bank
of the River Ganges. People from far and wide come here
to take a bath in the Holy River Ganges, as it is believed
that its waters are so pure that they wash away your
sins.
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| Ghats of Varanasi |
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Varanasi's principal attraction,
Ghats are the steps which lead down to the river. There are around
100 ghats in Varanasi, each with it's own significance. Most Indians
believe that anyone dying on the banks of the river, in Varanasi,
attains instant 'moksha' or salvation.
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| Durga Temple |
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The 18th century Durga temple is one of the most
important temples in Varanasi built by a Bengali Maharani.
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| The Kashi Vishwanath Temple |
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The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most sacred
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is popularly known as the Golden
Temple due the Gold plating done on its 15.5 mt high spire.
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| Tulsi Manas Temple |
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Tulsi Manas Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama.
The temple is built in the place where Goswami Tulsidas composed
the epic 'Ramacharitramanas' which provides us with detailed description
of the history and deeds of Lord Rama. The Temple was constructed
by a philanthropist family in 1964.
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| Ram Nagar Fort & Museum |
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The 17th century Ram Nagar Fort is the home of
the former Maharaja of Benares on the opposite bank of river Ganga.
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| Bharat Kala Bhawan |
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Bharat Kala Bhawan, a museum inside the campus
of the Benares Hindu University (BHU) has a very rich collection
of precious and rare historical artifacts, statues, pictures, paintings
and manuscripts.
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| Benares Hindu University |
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This is the largest and oldest university in
North India. Spread over an area of 2,000 acres, this great place
of education was established by Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1917.
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| Nepali Temple |
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The King of Nepal had built this temple on Lalita
ghat in Nepali style. The Nepali temple is also called the 'Kathwala
temple'.
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| Sarnath |
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About 10 km from Varanasi, is the place where
lord Buddha after enlightenment gave his first sermon or as the
Buddhist say set the wheel of dharma or law rolling.
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| Jantar Mantar |
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Jantar Mantar observatory was built by the ruler
of Jaisingh in Varanasi in line with those built in Delhi, Mathura,
Ujjain and Jaipur observatories.
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| Chunar |
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Chunar or Chunargarh of 'Chandrakanta', the classic
novel by Babu Devakinandan Khatri is 40 km from the city of Varanasi.
Today the place is known as Chunar. Along one of the meanders of
Ganges, where the Kaimur Hills are taking a north face, are built
the imposing fort of Chunar.
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| Bharat Mata Temple |
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Bharat Mata Temple is dedicated to 'Mother India'
and built in the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth by Babu Shiv Prasad
Gupt.
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| Kaushambi |
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The mention of this town can be seen in The Mahabharata.
It is said that the Pandav brothers lived here. Budhha visited this
place many times and he gave sermons after his enlightenment in
6th and 9th century. Kaushambi developed as a major center for Buddhism.
The ruins of an old fort tells the saga of the towns antiquity.
Kaushambi is 185 km from Varanasi.
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| Vindhyachal |
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There are many Shaktipeeths in India. These are
the places where the Goddess of power, Goddess Durga, is said to
be residing and people worship her. Vindhyachal is one of such peeths.
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