Places of Interest in Varanasi
Central Institute Of Higher Tibetan Studies
The only institute of its kind in the world, imprating education in the Tibetan
language, it was Est. by the Dalai Lama in 1971. Presently located at Sarnath,
the institute has a rare collection of Buddhist texts, Tibetan manuscripts and
other journals.
Barat Kala Bhawan, B.H.U
Started in 1950 as a university museum, Bharat Kala Bhawan in famous for its
unique collection of miniature paintings. It has a rich collection of Rajasthani
paintings, Pichhawai’s, pahari painting, Nepalese & Tibetan Thankas,
Company paintings as well as paintings of contemporary artists, illustrated
Mrigavati, Kalpa Sutra, Chora-Panchasika, Laura-Chanda, Shah-nama and some pages
of Humza-nama Are the proud possessions of this museum.
Maharaja Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum, Ramnager
Ramnager fort was originally built by Maharaja Balwant Singh (1740-70 AD.) The
Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum is housed in the Ramnager fort itself. The museum
collection mainly Comprises of textiles, pieces of decorative arts, arms &
armours, utilitarian objects, means of transport-old bagghis, palkis & haudasivories,
furniture & manuscripts.
Banaras Hindu University
The Banaras Hindu University was established in 1916 by special efforts of Nationalist
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. Today it has grown into one of the biggest universities
of India.
Kashi Vidya Peeth
The Kashi Vidyapeeth was set up in 1920 by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta to provide
alternate education arrangement discarding that of the British. It soon became
a centre of natoinal education with Hindi as the medium of instruction. Acharya
Narendradev, Babu Sampurnanand, Babu Sriprakash & many more Luminaries of
the time have been associated with this institute.
Museums & Arts Galleries
Archaeological musuem Sarnath open 09:30 am.- 5 pm. Friday clossed. Ramnager
fort musuem, open 10 am.-5 pm. Clossed on Friday. Bharat Kala Bhawan B.H.U.
open 10:30 am.- 4 pm. Clossed on Sundays & university holidays. Archaeological
musuem, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University open 10 am. – 5 pm. Clossed on
Sunday & university holidays.
River Front (Ghats)
The spectacular 4 km sweep of the Ghats is unique sight, best viewed at dawn,
in that "soft first light" when the river and Ghats have a timeless
appeal. Life is almost panoramic detail unfolds here from dawn to dusk as a
steady stream of devotees-swelling to thousands on auspicious days –perform
rituals by the Ganga. The Ghats are best approached by Dashashwamedha ghat,
where boats are available on hire.
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir
Also known as the Golden Temple, it is dedicated to Lord shiva, the presiding
deity of the city. Varanasi is Said to be the point at which the first jyotirlinga,
the fiery pillar of light by which shiva manifested has supremacy over others
gods, broke through the Earth’s crust and flared towards the heavens. More
than the Gaths and even the Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in the temple remains
the devotional focus of Varanasi.
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more details about Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir
Gyanvapi Mosque
The Gyanvapi mosque was raised by the Aurangzeb near the present Vishwanath
Temple or the Golden Temple.
Durga Temple
Commonly called the ‘Monkey temple’, it was built in the 18th century.
Although it is one of the best-known temple. Beware of the monkeys here who
are daring and menacing.
Tulsi Manas Temple
Constructed by family of Varanasi, this modern temple is dedicated to Lord Rama.
It is situated at the place Where Tulisdas, the great medieval seer, lived and
wrote the epic "Shri Ramcharitmanas", which narrates the life of Lord
Rama, the hero of the Ramayana. Verses from Tulidas’s epic are inscribed
on the walls.
New Vishwanath Mandir
Situated in the premises of Banaras Hindu University, a modern place of worship
planned by Pandit Malviya and built by the Birlas. Open to all, irrespective
of caste or creed.
Alamgir Mosque
An amalgmation of Hindu-Muslim religious sentiments, this mosque is also known
as " Beni Madhav ka Darera". Curiously, the entire lower portion of
the mosque is retained as a Hindu temple.
Bharat Mata Temple
This Temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 and houses one perfect
relief maps of India carved out of marble.The Temple was gifted by the nationalists
Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta (Barat Ratana ) and shri Durga Prasad Khatri, leading
numismatists and antiquarians.
