Exploring the Spiritual Sites of Varanasi

The city of Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh and is one of the holiest cities in the country. It has a long and rich cultural history and holds great spiritual significance, sometimes called the ‘spiritual capital of India’. This city is highly revered and visited by hundreds of thousands of devotees every single year, who wish to pray at the various religious sites throughout the city.

Temples of Varanasi

There are countless temples in Varanasi, although the most famous would have to include: the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the most revered Hindu temples; Kal Bhairav Temple, dedicated to Lord Bhairav, the guardian of Varanasi; Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, for Lord Hanuman that is particularly crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays; and Durga Temple, also known as Monkey Temple due to the many monkeys that roam the temple grounds.

These temples are open on most days save for a select few, with timings from early morning to late evening. There are multiple aarti rituals held throughout the day, and the temple architecture is something to be marveled at.

Ghats of Varanasi

There are also many Ghats in Varanasi, that hold immense value and significance for devotees. These ghats are the site of worship and massive crowds of people visit them just to take part in the prayers and aarti held there, both regularly and especially during festivals such as Diwali. The elaborate rituals and mesmerizing hymns are an indicator of just how incredibly traditions have been passed down generations over thousands of years. 

Some of the famous Ghats here are Dashashwamedh Ghat, known for the evening aarti; Assi Ghat, located at the convergence of the Ganga and Assi rivers; and Panchganga Ghat, believed to be the converging point of five rivers. These Ghats are usually open twenty-four hours a day, but most visit at the time of the aarti.

There are also some spiritual sites other than temples and Ghats, which include Gyan Vapi, an ancient well believed to hold ancient wisdom, and Sarnath, a pilgrimage site for Buddhists where the Buddha had given his first sermon. The best way to explore these sites is to go walking and take boat rides along the river, which sometimes offer tour packages. In order to find out more, click here