Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, and the oldest in India!
Also known as the spiritual capital of India, it’s no surprise this place is a very popular site full of beautiful architecture and lots of culture. It is home to one of the most important Hindu temples – Kashi Vishwanath and is considered the holiest city of the seven sacred cities. There is a belief among many Hindus that dying in Varanasi will break the cycle of rebirth.
Found in Uttar Pradesh, North India, Varanasi is a city built on the banks of the holy Ganges river.
The old city is full of narrow, winding alleys with temples and buildings dating back to the 18th century. Most of the original buildings were plundered and destroyed in the 12th century, a shame as Varanasi has a history that is older than most of the major world religions! If only the walls could talk!
Obviously one of the biggest attractions to this ancient city is the Ganges river; the most sacred river in the Hindu religion. The river spans over 2,500kms running from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. Something you must experience from this river is an early morning boat ride. It is magical to see hundreds of colourfully clad people bathing and praying to the Gods as the sun rises over head.Every night as the sun sets on the banks of the holy river a ceremony (to honour the river) is performed, known as Ganga aarti. The aarti is a religious ritual that involves chanting, singing, flaming lamps waving, bells ringing and conch shells blowing. Multitudes of people flock to the shores to launch lighted wicks soaked in ghee as an offering to Goddess Ganga; these are floated out across the water, accompanied with flowers and a little prayer. It’s a magical sight to see.Our tour ‘Beauty Unwound’ will take you to this magical city, and let you experience the crazy, chaotic, cultural capital of North India in the flesh!
Click here for our full list of wonderful tours.
You can contact us on 1300722932 or click here to send us an email.
See you next week!
