General info

Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus, who believe that to die in the city is to attain instant salvation. Varanasi is the tract of holy land lying between the Ganga and the Assi rivers. The Assi river also flows into Ganga. Varanasi is also known as Kashi, the city of light since one of the twelve 'Jyortinglinga's is installed here. Varanasi has been a great cultural centre, especially in the fields of music, learning and the craft of silk weaving.
Area 73.89 sq. km.
Area 73.89 sq. km.
Altitude 80.71 metres above sea level.
Temperature Summer :- Max 43�C, Min 32�C. Winter :- Max 15�C, Min 5�C.
Rainfall 111 cms. annually (approx).
When to visit Between October and March.
Clothes Summer :- Cotton. Winter :- Woollens.
Languages spoken Hindi, Urdu, English.
STD code 542 List of Varanasi Hotels 5 star hotel

Ramada Plaza	Meraden Grand	Taj Ganges
Hindustan international	Ideal tower

First class Hotels

Palace on ganges	Hindustan international	Ideal tower
Meraden grand

Budget Hotels

Hotel Pardeep

Palace on steps

The Gateway

Excursions

Sarnath	Chunar fort	Jaunpur
Vindhyachal

Sightseeing

Vishwanath temple	Benaras hindu university	Tulsi manas temple
Durga temple	Ram nagar fort & museum	Bharat mata temple

Ghats

Dasaswamedh ghat	Tulsi ghat	Dandi ghat
Kedar ghat	Mansarowar ghat	Manikarnika ghat
Dattatreya ghat	Panchganga ghat	Man mandir ghat
Harishchandra ghat	Assi ghat	Trilochan ghat
Bachraj Ghat

Shopping

Varanasi has been a centre of handicraft, specially silk weaving. Other attractions include brassware, ivoryware, gold jewellery, woodcraft, wall hangings and lamp shades, carpets and masks of various Hindu/Buddhist gods, goddesses and saints. The main shopping areas are Chowk, Godowilia, Vishwanath Lane and Thatheri Bazar. Varanasi is famous for its silk weaving, and Banarasi silks are a part of every girl�s wedding trousseau. Banaras Brocades are prized the world over. Brassware, copperware, wooden and clay toys and exquisite gold jewelry are some of the other craft the city is famous for. The hand - knotted carpets of Mirzapur and musical instruments are among the other shopping attractions. Banaras is also famous for its � Langda Aam�, a variety of mangoes available in the summer. Betel leaf is also a specialty

Cities of Uttarpradesh

Agra	Allahabad	Ayodhya	Chitrakoot
Deogarh	Jhansi	Kalinjar	Kanpur
Kausambi	Kushinagar	Lucknow	Mahoba
Mathura	Sarnath	Shravasti	Varanasi