Unknown Facts About Varanasi

Varanasi, also known as Banaras and Kashi, is a popular destination in India due to its association with the holy Ganga river, sacred temples, and traditional Banarasi fabric. It is considered the oldest city in the world and a pilgrimage site for Hindus. You can book online Varanasi tour packages to discover the city’s narrow alleys behind its ghats that attract tourists and pilgrims from around the globe. Varanasi is both historically significant and the finest tourist destination in India. Many visit to worship, take a dip in the Ganges to wash away sins and seek Nirvana. Varanasi has some interesting and unknown facts that are worth exploring. If you want to visit the destination soon or learn more about Varanasi, keep reading.

•  The story behind the name Varanasi:

Varanasi, the sacred city of Lord Shiva, has derived its name from the confluence of two rivers, Varuna and Assi. It is fascinating to note that Varanasi is referred to by various names throughout the country, such as Banaras, Kashi, Sudarsana, Ramya, and Brahma Vardha. Interestingly, all the names have a deep story behind them.

•  Several notable writers and artists reside here:

Varanasi has been home to many renowned figures in India, such as philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians including Kabirdas, Munshi Premchand, Vallabhacharya, Ravidas, Tralang Swamy, Shivanand Goswami, Jaishankar Prasad, Swami Ramanand, Acharya Ramchandra Shukla, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, and Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Additionally, Goswami Tulsidas authored the revered book Ramcharitmanas, and Sarnath is the site where Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon. If you wish to explore Sarnath, check out the Varanasi Sarnath tour package on Indiator and do your bookings now.

•  The first ray of sunlight:

Kashi is known as the city of salvation, as being in the presence of Baba Vishwanath is believed to free devotees from the cycle of rebirth. According to legend, Kashi was the first place on Earth to receive the first ray of light, and Lord Shiva once resided there. He is considered the patron deity of the city and its people, with even the nine planets being subject to his power. Shani, one of the planets, couldn’t enter the Vishwanath temple for seven and a half years when he came to Kashi to find Shiva. Shani’s temple is located outside the Vishwanath temple.

•  Unusual things happen in Varanasi:

In Varanasi, there is a tradition of catching frogs and getting them married to please the rain gods when rains are delayed. This happens every year during the rainy season at Ashwamedh Ghat, where a scholar performs the wedding rituals and releases the frogs into the river.

•  Varanasi is known as the “Mukti Dhaam”:

Varanasi is a destination sought out by people from all over the globe seeking salvation. The belief is that taking their last breath in this city will liberate them from the never-ending cycle of reincarnation. In Varanasi, there exists a unique lodging known as Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan or the “death hotel.” This accommodation is exclusively reserved for those who have a few days left to live, and the maximum length of stay is limited to two weeks.

•  Home to thousands of temples:

Varanasi is a city with over 23,000 temples, making it the spiritual capital of India. While it may be impossible to explore all of them in one visit, you’ll have the chance to experience different temples dedicated to Shaivism and Vaishnavism, two forms of Hinduism that coexist peacefully.

Varanasi is a city that is more than 3,000 years old and was built by Lord Shiv himself. The list of unknown facts doesn’t end here as Banaras is a place that is beyond one’s imagination. It is not just a place of spirituality but also a place of culture and education. Varanasi is well connected by all modes of transportation, if you plan to visit Varanasi via flight then consider booking Varanasi Airport to Varanasi hotel transfer with us and let us take care of you for a seamless and comfortable journey ahead.