| Varanasi is a famous Hindu holy city situated | | | | Varanasis original name Kashi, is said to |
| on the banks of the river Ganges in the | | | | have been derived from the word Kasha meaning |
| Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The airport is | | | | bright which defines Varanasi as the city of |
| situated 22 km from the city. It is connected | | | | light, meaning spiritual luminance. |
| with regular flights from Delhi, Agra, | | | | |
| Khajuraho, Kathmandu and Calcutta. It is very | | | | There are about 1500 temples, palaces, and |
| well connected by a network of roads and road | | | | shrines. The most famous Hindu temples are |
| transport to all major towns of Uttar Pradesh | | | | the Golden temple. One million religious |
| and surrounding areas. | | | | pilgrims visit the city annually. |
| | | | |
| It is one of the oldest continually inhabited | | | | Varanasi is also famous for its silk brocades |
| cities in the world, dating back thousands of | | | | and brassware. The city is an educational |
| years and contemporaneous with the Summer | | | | centre, especially for Sanskrit studies |
| civilisation. One of the oldest living cities | | | | Benares Hindu University in 1916. |
| of the world. It is known as the religious | | | | |
| and cultural capital of India. Its known | | | | Though celebrated all over India as a major |
| history dates back to about 3500 hundred | | | | Hindu festivals, Mahashivratri has a special |
| years, during which it has continuously been | | | | attraction of its own at Varanasi. Especially |
| populated. However, Hindus believe that the | | | | worth mentioning is the marriage procession |
| city is eternal. Varanasi has also been known | | | | of Lord Shiva which is takes out beginning |
| as Kashi and Benares, but its present name is | | | | from the temple, Daranagar to Kashi |
| restoration of an ancient name meaning the | | | | Vishwanath temple. |
| city between two rivers the Varuna and Asi. | | | | |
| | | | During summers, weather can be as hot as 45. |
| The culture of Varanasi is deeply associated | | | | Torrential rains and high humidity |
| with the river Ganga and the rivers religious | | | | accompanies the monsoons that usually come in |
| importance. The city has been a cultural and | | | | late June or early July for about two months. |
| religious centre in northern India for | | | | Winters are pleasant and temperature dips |
| thousands of years. | | | | down to about 7. The climatic conditions are |
| | | | most favourable for the tourists between |
| Varanasi has been a great centre for learning | | | | Octobers to April. |
| and civilization and is sacred to the Hindus. | | | | |
| It has an endearing universal mystique, which | | | | Come and see for yourself. |
| has to be experienced to be understood. | | | | |