Varanasi, also known as Benares, Banaras , or Kashi , is a city on the banks of the river Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, India, 320 kilometres (200 mi) south-east of the state capital, Lucknow, and 121 kilometres (75 mi) east of Allahabad. A major religious hub in India, it is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism, and played an important role in the development of Buddhism and Ravidassia. Varanasi lies along National Highway 2, and is served by Varanasi Junction railway station and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. Varanasi has been a cultural centre of northern India for several thousand years, and is closely associated with the Ganges. Hindus believe that dying here and getting cremated along the banks of the "holy" Ganges river allows one to break the cycle of rebirth and attain salvation, making it a major centre for pilgrimage. The city is known worldwide for its many ghats, embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions. Of particular note are the Dashashwamedh Ghat, the Panchganga Ghat, the Manikarnika Ghat, and the Harishchandra Ghat, the last two being where Hindus cremate their dead. The Hindu genealogy registers at Varanasi are kept here.

1. A V i s u a l T r e a t
Submitted by :
Jayaram. D
1st year MTTM
Mahatma Gandhi University

2. 01 02 03
CONTENTS
VARANASI
NOTABLE
LANDMARKS
FOOD OF THE
ANCIENT CITY

3. 01
Varanasi , also known as Benares, Banaras or Kashi , is a
city on the banks of the river Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, India,
320 kilometres (200 mi) south-east of the state capital,
Lucknow, and 121 kilometres (75 mi) east of Allahabad. A
major religious hub in India, it is the holiest of the seven
sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism, and
played an important role in the development of Buddhism
and Ravidassia.

4. • Buddha is believed to have founded Buddhism here around 528
BCE when he gave his first sermon, "The Setting in Motion of the
Wheel of Dharma", at nearby Sarnath.
• The city's religious importance continued to grow in the 8th century,
when Adi Shankara established the worship of Shiva as an official sect
of Varanasi.
• During the Muslim rule through the Middle Ages, the city continued as
an important centre of Hindu devotion, pilgrimage, mysticism and
poetry which further contributed to its reputation as a centre of
cultural importance and religious education.
• Tulsidas wrote his epic poem on Rama's life called Ram Charit Manas
in Varanasi. Several other major figures of the Bhakti movement were
born in Varanasi, including Kabir and Ravidas. Guru Nanak visited
Varanasi for Maha Shivaratri in 1507, a trip that played a large role in
the founding of Sikhism.

5. Here everybody is on a discovery, searching for the meaning of life,
witnessing closely
BIRTH & DEATH.
Even if you are not a thinker, this city gives you a scope to think.

6. THE WAKING OF VARANASI
MORNING RITUALS
The city wakes up from its slumber with
numerous rituals.
TRADTIONAL ART
The city has preserved some unique
martial art traditions.
A GLIMPSE OF HERITAGE
Various historical and heritage shades
can be found in the city.

7. MORNING RITUALS
Meanings and history of the name
Aarti
A Hindu ritual, in which light from wicks soaked in
ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or
more deities. It is said to have descended from the
Vedic concept of fire rituals, or homa.
The word may also refer to the traditional Hindu
devotional song that is sung during the ritual. Aarti is
performed and sung to develop the highest love for
God. "Aa" means "towards", and "rati" means "the
highest love for God" in Sanskrit.
• The Aarti starts at around 5 - 5:30 a.m &
duration is upto 40 - 45 minutes.
• The mornings of Kashi are enough to
lose oneself and forget about all
tensions.
• Ghats are an essential part of the city’s
culture, therefore most of the people try to
spend their morning time by visiting
places like Tulsi Ghat.

8. NOTABLE
LANDMARKS
02

9. JANTAR MANTAR
RAMNAGAR FORT
GHATS
• Tulsi ghat
• The Dashashwamedh Ghat
• The Manikarnika Ghat

10. JANTAR MANTAR
The Jantar Mantar observatory, constructed in 1737, is located above the ghats along the
Ganges, and is adjacent to the Manmandir and Dasaswamedh Ghats and near the palace of
Jai Singh II of Jaipur. While less equipped than the observatories at Jaipur and Delhi, the
Jantar Mantar has a unique equatorial sundial which is functional and allows measurements
to be monitored and recorded by one person.
RAMNAGAR FORT
The Ramnagar Fort, located near the Ganges on its eastern bank and opposite the Tulsi
Ghat, was built in the 18th century by Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh with cream-
coloured chunar sandstone. The fort is a typical example of the Mughal architecture with
carved balconies, open courtyards, and scenic pavilions. At present, the fort is in
disrepair. The fort and its museum are the repository of the history of the kings of
Benares.

11. • The Ghats in Varanasi are world-renowned embankments made in steps of
stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions.
GHATS
• The ghats are an integral complement to the Hindu concept of divinity
represented in physical, metaphysical, and supernatural elements.
• Varanasi has at least 84 ghats, most of which are used for bathing by
pilgrims and spiritually significant Hindu puja ceremony, while a few are
used exclusively as Hindu cremation sites.
• Steps in the ghats lead to the banks of Ganges, including the
Dashashwamedh Ghat, the Manikarnika Ghat, the Panchganga Ghat,
where Hindus cremate their dead. Many ghats are associated with Hindu
legends and several are now privately owned.

12. TULSI GHAT
Tulsi Ghat is one of the ghats in Varanasi. It is named after Tulsidas who lived
there while he wrote the Ramcharitmanas. Earlier, Tulsi Ghat was known as
Lolark Ghat. It was in the year 1941 that Tulsi Ghat was made pucca (cemented)
by the famous industrialist, Baldeo Das Birla.
DASHASHWAMEDH GHAT
Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main ghat in Varanasi on the Ganga River in
Uttar Pradesh. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple and is probably the
most spectacular ghat. Two Hindu legends are associated with it: according to
one, Brahma created it to welcome Shiva, and in another, Brahma sacrificed
ten horses during Dasa-Ashwamedha yajna performed here.
The present ghat was built by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao in the year 1748. A few
decades later, Ahilyabahi Holkar, the Queen of Indore rebuilt the ghat in the
year 1774.

13. The Manikarnika Ghat
The Manikarnika Ghat
The Manikarnika Ghat is the Mahasmasana, the primary site for Hindu cremation
in the city. Adjoining the ghat, there are raised platforms that are used for death
anniversary rituals.
According to a myth, it is said that an earring of Shiva or his wife Sati fell here.
Fourth-century Gupta period inscriptions mention this ghat. However, the current
ghat as a permanent riverside embankment was built in 1302 and has been
renovated at least three times throughout its existence.

14. FOOD OF THE
ANCIENT CITY
03

15. Varanasi Food – An Amalgamation Of Countless Flavors
• The cuisine of Varanasi is an essential part of its culture and is majorly
influenced by the nearby states like Bihar and West Bengal. The street food of
Varanasi is as popular as the temples of the region.
• From snacks to main courses to desserts, the streets of Varanasi are filled with
numerous shop serving delicious food.
• The Varanasi cuisine is a perfect blend of old traditional taste with a touch of
newness and modernity. Nothing can beat the mouth watering street food of
Varanasi offered in the narrow streets of this vibrant city.

16. • Kachori Sabji
The first things to do in Varanasi after visiting the temple is
to have hot and crispy kachoris with spicy aloo sabzi. This
combination is the most popular breakfast option in the
city.
• Chena Dahi Vada
This is one of the most refreshing things you can have
while exploring the city. Chena dahi vada is a delight for all
curd lovers with its perfectly balanced sweet and sour
taste.

17. • Banarasi Thandai and Lassi
A trip to Varanasi without sipping thandai and lassi is
incomplete. These drinks are famous across the country
for their refreshing taste and great flavors.
• Banarasi Paan
Talking about the cuisine of Varanasi without a mention of
the world-famous Banarasi paan is just not right. Paan is
a speciality of this city and it is a must to have at least
one paan during your trip to Varanasi.

18. Kachori Sabji
Banarasi Paan
Banarasi Thandai
& Lassi
Chena Dahi Vada

19. T H A N K S
धन्यवाद