Famous Religious Pilgrimage & Tourist Attractions in Varanasi, India

• 🔱 1. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

  Deity: Lord Shiva (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas)

  Significance: Heart of spiritual Varanasi — must-visit for any pilgrim.

  Attraction: Golden spire, sacred Gyanvapi Well, and now the grand Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.

  🌊 2. Dashashwamedh Ghat

  Known For: Grand Ganga Aarti every evening

  Mythology: Lord Brahma performed ten Ashwamedha Yajnas here.

  Experience: Fire rituals, chants, and floating lamps on the Ganges.

  🕉️ 3. Assi Ghat

  Popular With: Pilgrims, yoga enthusiasts, and travelers

  Morning Activities: Subah-e-Banaras program – spiritual music, yoga sessions

  Nearby: Temples, art cafes, and boat rides

  🛐 4. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

  Deity: Lord Hanuman

  Special Rituals: Tuesdays and Saturdays see a big crowd

  Famous For: Protection from troubles and evil

  🔁 5. Durga Temple (Durga Kund Mandir)

  Also Known As: Monkey Temple

  Style: Classic Nagara-style architecture with red-hued structure

  Associated With: Goddess Durga and her powerful energy

  🏵️ 6. Tulsi Manas Mandir

  Built In: 1964

  Dedicated To: Lord Rama

  Special Feature: Walls inscribed with verses of Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas

  🌸 7. Bharat Mata Mandir

  Unique Feature: No deity idol — it has a relief map of India carved in marble

  Symbolism: Tribute to Mother India and nationalism

  Built By: Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta in 1936

  🕊️ 8. Sarnath (Buddhist Pilgrimage Site)

  Importance: Where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon

  Key Sites:

  Dhamek Stupa

  Chaukhandi Stupa

  Ashoka Pillar (Lion Capital of India)

  Sarnath Museum

  Global Relevance: Visited by Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world

  🕌 9. Alamgir Mosque (Aurangzeb's Mosque)

  Blended Architecture: Mosque built on top of a former temple site

  Scenic View: Overlooking the Ganges River

  Cultural Layer: Represents the syncretic past of Varanasi

  📿 10. New Vishwanath Temple (Birla Mandir, BHU Campus)

  Location: Inside Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

  Architecture: White marble, towering shikhara

  Inspiration: Replica of the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple