On the banks of the River Ganges in northern India lies colorful holy city Varanasi, it has been important cultural, historic and religious center for more than 5,000 years, presided over by Shiva Varanasi is the most important Hindu pilgrimage site in the world, the ghats or stone steps along the river banks are the main focus of religion, here is ritual to bath in the water and perform PUJA to the rising sun, here many old and sick Hindus come to the city to die surviving their last days, also on the River Ganges are funerals, their bodies are burnt on funeral pyres and the remains are tossed into the water, Dasashvamedh Ghat offers good views of the river and all the hustle and bustle along the banks, other special ghats are the Asi, Barnasangam, Panchganga and Manikarnika, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a home to the shrine of Lord Kashi Vishwanath, this temple is the place of pilgrimage for millions of Hindus and it is the most sacred shrine in Varanasi, Sarnath is a place of great meaning to Buddhists, it is place where Buddha preached his first seramon and revealed the eight gold path, Ashoka the great Mauryam emperor erected magnificent stupas including Dharmarajika Stupa to honour Buddhas presence, Archaeological Museum at Sarnath displays many ancient relics, among them countless images of Buddha and Budhisatva. See the holy city of Varanasi pictures …
The holy city of Varanasi
