Things to do in Varanasi
Top sights and attractions to build your days around once you know when to go.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is located in Vishwanath Gali, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines. The presiding deity is known by the names Vishwanath and Vishweshwara, meaning Lord of the Universe.
Dhamek Stupa
Dhamek Stupa is a massive stupa located in Deer Park at Sarnath in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. One of the eight most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, the Dhamek Stupa marks the location where the Buddha gave his first teaching to his first five disciples Kaundinya, Assaji, Bhaddiya, Vappa and Mahanama. All five disciples eventually became fully liberated. According to the Lalitavistara sutra, the Buddha said he chooses "Deer Park by the Hill of the Fallen Sages, outside of Varanasi" for the location of his first teachings of Buddhism.
Gyanvapi Mosque
The Gyanvapi Mosque is a mosque located in Varanasi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The site was originally an ancient Hindu temple of Shiva or "Kashi Vishveshwara", one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas. The mosque was constructed in c. 1678 CE during the reign of the Muslim Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, a decade after he issued a royal decree (firman) in 1669 ordering the destruction of the ancient Hindu temple.
Chaukhandi Stupa
Chaukhandi Stupa is a Buddhist stupa in Sarnath located 8 kilometres from Cantt Railway Station in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The site was declared to be a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India in June 2019.
Alamgir Mosque
The Alamgir Mosque, also known as the Aurangzeb's Mosque, is a mosque in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The mosque is located at a prominent site above the Panchaganga Ghat. The ghat has broad steps that go down to the Ganges.
Sarnath Museum
Sarnath Museum, or Archaeological Museum Sarnath, is the oldest site museum of the Archaeological Survey of India. It houses the findings and excavations at the archaeological site of Sarnath, by the Archaeological Survey of India. Sarnath is located near Varanasi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The museum has 6,832 sculptures and artefacts.
New Vishwanath Temple
Shri Vishwanath Mandir also known as Vishwanath Mandir, Vishwanath Temple, New Vishwanath Temple and Birla Temple is another prominent Hindu temple in the holy city of Varanasi. Hindus across India and abroad visit this particular Lord Shiva temple to offer prayer to the Lord Vishwanath for the well-being of their families, and eternal peace. Every Hindu must perform a specific ritualistic homage for the departed souls of their ancestors this requires them to undertake pilgrimage to the holy city of Varanasi. The temple is situated near the Banaras Hindu University. Therefore, the temple site and the neighbourhood is a major attraction among Hindu students and visitors touring Varanasi. Shri Vishwanath Mandir has the tallest temple tower in the world with the Shikhara's height being around 250 feet. The temple is colloquially called VT, an acronym of Vishwanath Temple. The temple is under direct administration of the BHU.
Durga Mandir, Varanasi
Durga Mandir, also known as Durga Kund Mandir and Durga Temple, is one of the most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. This temple has great religious importance in Hinduism and is dedicated to Durga. Durga Mandir was constructed in 18th century by Rani Bhabani of Natore.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is a Hindu temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India dedicated to the Hindu deity Hanuman, in his form as sankat mochan (saṅkaṭamocana), meaning the "reliever from troubles". The temple was established by the Hindu preacher and poet-saint Tulsidas in the early 16th century. It is situated on the banks of the Assi river.
Vishalakshi Temple
The Vishalakshi Devi Temple, also known as Vishalakshi Gauri Mandir, is a Hindu temple in Varanasi dedicated to the goddess Parvati. It is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Pithas, where Shakti is worshipped as Vishalakshi Devi and Bhairava as Kaal Bhairav. The temple is believed to mark the site where the gem from Sati’s right earring (manikarṇa) fell; consequently, the goddess is also known as Manikarni Devi.
Bharat Mata Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir is located on the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith campus in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Instead of traditional statues of gods and goddesses, the temple has a large map of Akhand Bharat carved in marble. The temple is dedicated to Bharat Mata and was originally the only one of its kind in the world.
Tulsi Manas Mandir
Tulsi Manas Mandir is one of the most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. This temple has great historical and cultural importance in Hinduism since the ancient Hindu epic Ramcharitmanas was originally written at this place by Hindu poet-saint, reformer and philosopher Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century.
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