Varanasi Tourism - Varanasi City - Varanasi India - Varanasi Tour & Travels Guide

Varanasi City: City of Lord Shiva, City of religion and city of enlightenment we can call Varanasi (Kashi) by many names. It is called the oldest city. Varanasi is situated on the bank of river Ganga and also considered as the last pilgrimage. Sarnath, where the lord Buddha had delivered his first speech is in this city. Parshvanath and Patanjali also belong to Varanasi. Varanasi is linked with many centuries of history and yet dynamic with its association with river Ganga. The main thing about this city of Kabir and Tulsi is that it is associated with its oldest root customs and culture.

To keep the old customs alive the people of this city trying hard and to fulfill this goal they do every work with unity. In Varanasi can not be seen any difference of caste, greed or religion. We can see difference outside but there is unity internally. There is unity in diversity. The whole world admires this effort and unity of this city. Many tourist and people from all over the world come to visit this beautiful city.

Kashi on the Trident of Lord Shiva

It is believed that Varanasi is situated on the trident of Lord Shiva. Varanasi (Visheshvara) exists on the middle fork of trident of Lord Shiva, Omkareshvara on the north fork and Kedareshvara on south fork of trident of Lord Shiva (Omkareshvara, Visheshvara, Kedareshvara). Lord Shiva always lives here invisibly and flow the energy from his hair in the form of Ganga River. Varanasi is the oldest city in the world and older than history. Varanasi has destroyed four times by Muslim invaders between 11th to 17th centuries but it has re-built. In the Varanasi, there are over 3000 Hindu temples, 1400 Mosque, 12 Churches, 3 Jain temples, 9 Buddhist temple and 3 sikh temples. Varanasi is denoted by various names such as Varanasi, Kashi, Banaras, Mahasmashana, Avimukta, Anandvan, Rudravasa etc.

Kashi: The word Kashi is taken from Atharva Ved which means 'concentration of cosmic light’. Kashi gives Moksha (liberation) to everybody. Kashi is originated from name of Kasha who was seventh king of Kashi. Devout Hindu of the city called it Kashi because the rays of the sun in morning spread across the river and strike high banked face of the city.

Varanasi: This city is called Varanasi (Varuna + Assi) because it is lying between Varuna River (north side) and Assi stream (south side). It is believed that Varuna and Assi is originated from left and right legs of Lord Vishnu lying at Allahabad (Prayag) and both the river is were created by God and place to guard the entrance of evil.

Banaras: This city is denoted by Banaras or Banarasi by Buddhist literature. Pali version became more popular. In the time of Muslim ruler and British ruler, this city was popular by Banaras. One meaning of Banaras is also popular as: Banaras = Bana (readymade) Ras (Juice), thus Banarase means a place where readymade juice of life is always available.

Avimukta: According to the literature Lord Shiva said “Because I never forsake it, this great place is therefore known as Avimukta (‘never forsaken’).

Anandvan: Lord Shiva explains: “My ling are everywhere there, like little sprouts arisen out of sheer enjoyment” (mentioned in Kashi Rahasya). Thus it is known as forest of enjoyment (Anand+Van=Anandvan).

Rudravasa: This city is denoted by Rudravasa because Lord Shiva lives here and protect it.

Mahasmashana, The ground of great cremation: The whole city is the ground of cremation which controller is Lord Shiva. The word Mahasmashana is explains as: Maha (greate), Sma (dead body), and Shan (final rest). All the five gross elements (earth, water, air, fire and sky) live here like corpses. At present there are two cremation ghats (Harishchandra ghat, Manikarnika ghat) in Varanasi. More than 50,000 dead bodies are cremated here in a year. People come here from all other parts of India to die for relief from transmigration.


Varanasi Information
STD Code	0542
Geographical Location
Longitude	83.0
Latitude	25.20
Area	1535 square KM
Height	77 m from sea level
Rivers	Ganga, Varuna
Capital	Lucknow
Population: 3138671 (as per calculation of 2001)
Male	1649187
Female	1489187
General Information
Police Stations	25
Nationalized Bank	151
No. of Tehsils	2 (Varanasi Sadar & Pindra)
Development Blocks	8 (Kashi Vidyapeeth, Cholapur, Badagoan, Chiraigoan, Harahua, Pindra, Arajiline, Sevapuri)
Naya Panchayat	108
Gram Panchayat	696
Nagar Nigam	1
Nagarpalika	1
Nagar Panchayat	2
Post Offices	280
Languages	English, Hindi, Bhojpuri
Famous Tourist Places	Sarnath, B.H.U., Bharat Mata Temple, Bharat Kala Bhawan, Ramnagar Fort, Ganga Ghats, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidhyapeeth, Maan Mandir Vedshala, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, DLW
Famous Religious Places	Kashi Vishwanath Temple, New Kashi Vishwanath Temple (BHU), Sankat Mochan Temple, Durga Temple, Manas Temple, Shitala Temple, Mahabeer Temple, Markandey Mahadev Temple (Kaithi), Kadareshwar Temple, Maha Mritunjay Temple, Gyanwoapi Mosque, Aalamgir Mosque, Kabir Prakatya Sthal, Sant Ravidaas Temple, Sant Merry Church (Gurudwara , Gurubag), Gurudwara Nichibag
Total Villages: 1327
Habited	1289
Inhabited	38
Forest Village	0
Education
Middle Schools	1368
Primary Schools	1404
High Schools	265
Colleges	19
CBSE Schools	55
University	5
Medical College	1
Engineering Colleges	4
Literacy: 66.12%
Male Literacy	77.87%
Female Literacy	53.05%
Varanasi Hospitals
Homeopathic	13
Allopathic	80
Ayurvedic	28
Unani	1
Community Health Centre	6
Primary Health Centre	30
Family welfare Centre	41
Family welfare sub-centre	305
T.B. Centre	2

Varanasi Climates:

Winter: 4° - 32° C

Summer: 22° - 45° C

Humidity:Max. 93%, Min. 62%

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Varanasi city enjoys all three types of seasons: cold, hot and rainy. Varanasi city enjoy the Cold from November to February, hot from March to June and Rainy from July to September. October to March is the best to visit the Varanasi.

Weather Chart of Varanasi

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Avg.
Max,° C	23	27	33	39	41	39	33	32	33	32	29	24	32
Min, ° C	9	12	17	22	27	28	26	26	25	21	13	9	20
Rain, mm	21	12	11	3	9	102	332	284	226	47	12	3	1062