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Varanasi
An Ancient City And An Centre Of Learning For Over 2000 Years, Varanasi Is The Holiest Of Pilgrimage Places Located On The River Ganga.
Ghats: Varanasi’s principal attraction is the long string of bathing Ghats which line the west bank of the Ganges. Ghats are the steps which lead down to the river, and where, at the two burning Ghats, bodies are cremated. Varanasi the eternal city is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India and also a major tourist attraction. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has been a centre of learning and civilisation for over 2000 years. It was at Saranath only 10 km away that the Buddha first preached his message of enlightenment, 25 centuries ago. Later the city became a great Hindu centre. But was looted a number of times by Muslims invaders from the 11th century on. These destructive visits climaxed with that of the Moghl emperor, Aurangazeb, who destroyed almost all the temples and converted the most famous one into a mosque.
Great Mosque of Aurangzeb: Constructed using columns from the Biseswar Temple razed by Aurangzeb, this great mosque has minarets towering 71 metres above the Ganges. Armed guards protect the mosque as the Indian government wants to ensure there are no problems between Hindus and Muslims.
Durga Temple: The Durga temple is commonly known as the Monkey temple due to the many monkeys that have made it their home. It was build in the 18th century by a Bengali Maharani and is stained red with ochre. The small temple is built in north Indian Nagara style with a multitiered Sikhara.
Tulsi Manas Temple: Next to the Durga temple is this modern marble sikhara-style temple. Built in 1964, the walls of the temple are engraved with verses and scenes from the Ram Chariot manas, the Hindi version of the Ramayana. This tells of the history and deeds of Lord Rama, and incarnation of Vishnu. Its medieval author, Tulsi Das, lived here while writing it and died in 1623.
Benares hindu University: Benares Hindu university (BHU), constructed at the beginning of the century. The large university covers an area of five sq km. The university was founded by pandit Malaviya as a centre of education in Indian art, culture and music and for the study of Sanskrit. The Bharat Kala Bhavan at the university has a fine collection of miniature paintings and also sculptures from the 1st to 15th centuries. In a room upstairs there are some old photographs and a map of Varanasi.
New vishwanath Temple: Its about 30 minute walk from the gates.
Alamgir Mosque: Locally known as Beni Madhav Ka Darera, this was originally a Vishnu temple erected by the Maratha Chieftain Beni Madhav Rao Scindia. Aurangzeb destroyed it and erected the mosque in its place, but it is a curious Hindu . Muslim mixture with the bottom part entirely Hindu.
Bharat Mata Temple: Dedicated to ‘Mother India, this temple has a marble relief map of India instead of the usual images of gods and goddesses. It goes an excellent impression of the high isolation of the Tibetan plateau. The temple was opened by Mahatma Gandhi, and non Hindus are allowed inside.
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