| While in Varanasi, the cultural capital of India, you will | | | | Ghats |
| feel the heavenly peace and solace alongside the | | | | Varanasi is visited for over 80 holy ghats. These are |
| enchanting and serene waters of the holy Ganges. | | | | the best sites for to take bath or perform various |
| The city of Varanasi (also called Banaras or Kashi) is | | | | rituals. Dasaswamedh and Assi ghats are quite popular |
| believed to be situated on the 'Trident' of Lord Shiva. | | | | among the devotees. Besides that, the Manikarnika |
| This seat of learning since time immemorial, is basically | | | | ghat is renowned for cremation. |
| named after the two tributaries of Ganges: Varuna | | | | Shopping |
| and Assi rivers. Apart from its traditional and ritual | | | | Although a number of modern shopping malls are |
| beliefs, the city is popular because of Banaras Hindu | | | | popping up in the city, but places like Chowk, |
| University (BHU), which is the largest residential | | | | Godowilia, Vishwanath Lane and Thatheri Bazaar still |
| University in Asia. | | | | retain their essence for the best of shopping. |
| Hindu Temples | | | | Varanasi cultural tour is incomplete without mentioning |
| It is the same place where the great saint Tulsi Das | | | | its carpets and silk embroidery work in sarees. |
| composed 'Ram Charit Manas'. A temple named 'Tulsi | | | | Tourists also love to buy other items like brassware, |
| Manas Mandir' marks the place. Kashi Vishwanath | | | | ivory ware, gold jewelry, woodcraft, wall hangings, |
| Mandir is the highly revered temple as it is considered | | | | lampshades, carpets and busts of various deities. |
| the most important Jyotirlinga in India. Apart from | | | | Musical instruments like Sitar, Tabla and Shehnai draw |
| that, Sankat Mochan (dedicated to Lord Hanuman) | | | | a number of music lovers. The main temptation of |
| and Durga temple (18th century temple dedicated to | | | | Varanasi, after having the authentic spicy cuisine, lies |
| Goddess Durga), and Bharat Mata Mandir (dedicated | | | | in the mouth-watering Paan. |
| to the human manifestation; doesn't have any statue | | | | Standing on the west bank of the river Ganges, |
| but a relief map of India carved out of Marble) are | | | | Varanasi is quite close to other pilgrimage sites like |
| also important sites. | | | | Sarnath, Lumbini, Kapilavastu, Kushinagar and Sravasti. |