Incredible Varanasi (Kasi) - The Holy City

A Pilgrimage to the Holy City of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, North INDIA

Varanasi also known as: Benares and Kasi
History of : 3000 - 5000 years approx
population: 14 Lac

Varanasi or Benares is another sacred Hindu city with a very old history, older than tradition, older than legend, and looks twice as ols as all of them put together - ofcourse there is something special about this city! The ancient name of Varanasi was 'Kasi'. According to the "Vamanm Puran", the Varuna and Assi river originated from the body of the primordial person at the begining of time itself. The tract of land lying between these two rivers got the name Varanasi, is one of the oldest surviving cities worldwide and an important pilgrimage destination not only for Hindus, but for Buddhists and Jains as well.

Varanasi (kasi) early morning river ghats

It is also known as the city of Lord Shiva, the god of creation and destruction, it's believed that anyone who dies here will be liberated from the cycle of reincarnation. Even a wash in the Ganges River is said to cleanse away all sins. The cultural capital of India, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is a major center for spiritualism, mysticism, Hinduism and Indian philosophy.

Boats on River Ganga at Varanasi (kasi) ghats

The fascinating thing about this mystical city is that its rituals are revealed openly to along the many riverside ghats, which are used for everything from bathing to burning the bodies of the dead. Yoga, blessings, massages, shaves, and games of cricket are among the other activities you'll find performed along the river edge.

Why Varanasi ? - Well, you need to find it yourself!

How to Reach - Varanasi ..?

Varanasi has an airport (Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport) and is connected by direct flight from major cities including Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport), Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport), Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport), Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport), Lucknow, and Khajuraho. Many people choose to travel to Varanasi by train, because Rail is definitely the most cost-efficient mode of travel and the most sought-after by people traveling from various parts of India. It takes a minimum of eight hours from Kolkata, 10-12 hours from Delhi, 22 hours from Mumbai and around 26 to 28 hours from Hyderabad/Secunderabad.( there is only one direct train runs from Secunderabad to Varanasi ). This train starts from Secunderabad and runs daily to Patna via-Varanasi.

Train Number : 12791
Train Name : SC PNBE Express
Schedule : Secunderabad Jn to Patna Jn

Most trains conveniently run overnight. Make sure you book your tickets well in advance especially if you are traveling in the main season (October-March).

Bus services to Varanasi tend to be very slow and uncomfortable, and are generally avoidable. they are a good option if traveling from nearby places of Uttar Pradesh.

When to visit - Varanasi ..?

October to March are the best months to visit Varanasi. This is when the weather it at its coolest. Winters are refreshing and pleasant. The temperature gets uncomfortably hot from April onwards, easily reaching 35 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), followed by monsoon rains from July to September.

Mode of transport with-in Varanasi ..

Traveling within Varanasi, I feel that cycle- rickshaws are the best mode of transport. Though auto-rickshaws, unmetered are also a popular mode of transport. The rates for both of these are negotiable and they are found all over the city. Vehicular traffic is not allowed at the roads leading to Dashashwamedh and other ghats for most part of the day. Around the ghats, walking may often be the fastest mode of commuting as traffic jams are common.

happy reading..blog by Nagaraju Poona