Are you planning a trip to Varanasi sometime soon? Well then you need to know a few facts about this city to make your trip all the more interesting. Varanasi is a city that has a charm of its own and its air of antiquity is best explored and understood when you are aware of certain interesting facts about this very old city.
Want to know some really cool facts about this city before you visit it? Well first arrange for accommodations in one of the best hotels in Varanasi and then equip yourself with interesting data about this city:
- Varanasi is one of the most celebrated places of Hindu pilgrimage. Do you know why? Well, it is believed by Hindus that people who breath their last here and are then cremated at the ManikarnikaGhatand then their ashes scattered in the Ganga, attain freedom from the tedious cycle of life and death. Since Hindus believe in rebirth, it is very important for one to be finally freed from the cycle of life and death. This is the reason you will still find many elderly Indian men and women expressing desire to spend their last days in Varanasi.
- This city is believed to be one of the oldest living cities in the world. It is a living city, since it has remained occupied since the time when it was first built. Varanasi in its earlier days was often referred to as Kashi, which means the city of light.
- Varanasi is one the few cities in the world where so many religions live harmoniously together. Though it is primarily recognized as a Hindu city, because of the Vishwanath Temple, which is believed to be one of the 12 jyotirlingas in the world and hence a main site of Hindu pilgrimage, there are plenty of mosques and Jain temples in the city as well. The two sects of Hinduism- Vaishnavism and Shaivism also peacefully coexist side by side here. Varanasi is also the birth place of the 23rd Jain Tirthankara- Parsavanath and hence a holy city for the Jains as well!
- Varanasi has always been the centre of learning and culture in India. Many ancient scholars and philosophers have direct ties to this city. It is believed that Gautama Buddha after attaining enlightenment had come to Sarnath, which is near Varanasi and preached his first sermons there! Book a transport from the best resort in Varanasi where you will be staying and from there head out to Sarnath to see the Deer Park with your own eyes, where Buddha had come to spread his teachings for the first time.
- And last but not the least, a really important attraction of the city is the ManikarnikaGhat. It is said that the flame of cremation never goes out here. In fact, this is an interesting feature that you will notice with your own eyes when in the city. No pyre here is ever empty!
Sounds interesting, right? So, when you visit Varanasi this time, keep these facts in mind and it will help you to enjoy the city more.