DREAM DESTINATION- VARANASI

Varanasi, well-known for its sanctity,is also known by the name of Kashi and Benaras. It is one of the holiest cities of India and an important destination for not just Hindus but for Buddhists and Jains alike. Kashi,the city of Moksha for Hindus since centuries, is known for its fine-quality silks, 'paan' and Benares Hindu University and Avimukta of the ancient days. 

One of the seven holiest cities, Varanasi city is also one the Shakti Peethas and one of the twelve Jyotir Linga sites in India.The city houses numerous attractions including pious temples, ghats, Jain shrines and Buddhist stupas attracting a huge number of devotees and tourists every year. In Hinduism it is believed that those who die and are cremated here get an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of births and re-births. September is essentially marked with religious gatherings of devotees on the Ghats of Ganga. A holy dip in Ganga is considered pious.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is located in the heart of Varanasi. It stands on the western bank of India's holiest river Ganges. It is one of the most famous temple in Varanasi and centre of faith for millions of Hindus.The Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha, is enshrined in the Kashi Vishwanath temple, considered as one of the holiest temples of India. A single darshan of Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga is considered to merit more than the darshan of other jyotirlingas, scattered in various parts of India. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living picture of the timeless cultural traditions and highest spiritual values. It was constructed in the year 1780 by the Maratha monarch, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of the Indore. This makes Varanasi a tourists place because of great religious importance to the Hindus.

The Dashashwamedh Ghat is the most popular and most visited river banks of the holy river Ganges.There are two mythologies about the ghat is that the Lord Brahma was created the Dashashwamedh ghat in order to welcome the Lord Shiva, and the second one is the Lord Brahma was sacrificed the ten horses in a yajna here. The Ghat is abuzz with activity through the day with people taking baths and performing rituals as soon as dawn breaks. The Ghat also provides a livelihood to barbers who shave the hair of relatives of the dead before they perform the last rites, pandas who help pilgrims with the rituals, chai-wallahs, diya sellers, and so on. The most mesmerizing activity at the ghat is the evening pooja. 

Manikarnika is one of the most famous, sacred and oldest ghat in the Varanasi. It is the main burning ghat and one of most auspicious places that a Hindu can be cremated. According to the Hindu mythology, being burned here provides an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of births and rebirths. Lying at the center of the five tirthas, Manikarnika Ghat symbolizes both creation and destruction.There is a sacred well at the Manikarnika Ghat, called the Manikarnika Kund. Manikarnika Kund is said to be dug by Lord Vishnu at the time of creation while the hot ashes of the burnt bodies makes one remember the inevitable destruction of everything in the world.