Varanasi, also known as Benares, Banaras or Kashi, is a city on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism. There is a belief that anyone who dies here will be liberated from the cycle of life and birth, and that death at Varanasi brings salvation. It is considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in India.
Varanasi is considered to be the spiritual capital of India. Scholarly books have been written in the city, including the Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas. The Benares Hindu University which is one of Asia’s largest residential Universities is located here. People often refer to Varanasi as "the city of temples", "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of lights", "the city of learning", and "the oldest living city on earth."
Varanasi is the ultimate travel destination of India and has been for centuries. The Benares Gharana form of Hindustani classical music developed in Varanasi, and many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians live or have lived in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi.
General Information
Temperature: Summer: 45-30 C and Winter: 15-5 C
Season: October - March
Clothing: Summer – Cottons and Winters - Woolens
Languages: Hindi and English
STD Code: 0542
How to Reach
Air: The city’s airport is connected by flights from major cities in India.
Rail: Varanasi is a major railway junction connecting several important cities in India.
Road: Varanasi is connected by good motorable roads. Some of them are Agra (565 km), Allahabad (128 km) and Lucknow (286 km).
Varanasi is considered to be the spiritual capital of India. Scholarly books have been written in the city, including the Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas. The Benares Hindu University which is one of Asia’s largest residential Universities is located here. People often refer to Varanasi as "the city of temples", "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of lights", "the city of learning", and "the oldest living city on earth."
Varanasi is the ultimate travel destination of India and has been for centuries. The Benares Gharana form of Hindustani classical music developed in Varanasi, and many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians live or have lived in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi.
General Information
Temperature: Summer: 45-30 C and Winter: 15-5 C
Season: October - March
Clothing: Summer – Cottons and Winters - Woolens
Languages: Hindi and English
STD Code: 0542
How to Reach
Air: The city’s airport is connected by flights from major cities in India.
Rail: Varanasi is a major railway junction connecting several important cities in India.
Road: Varanasi is connected by good motorable roads. Some of them are Agra (565 km), Allahabad (128 km) and Lucknow (286 km).