Varanasi: The land of spirituality

Varanasi's spirituality and beautiful waterfronts lure both Indian and foreign tourists.
Also referred to as Banaras or Kashi, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals and thus, the innumerable Ghats of Ganga in the city are accounted for. Also probably due to its unique culture, Varanasi is a major tourist destination.

The great river banks at Varanasi,built high in 18th and 19th century pavilions and palaces, temples and terraces, are lined with an endless chain of stone steps - the ghats - progressing along the whole of the waterfront,altering in appearance. Each of the hundred ghats, big and small, is marked by a lingam, and occupies its own special place in the religious city's geography.

Skirted with ghats all throughout, the major water fronts in this heritage city are Dasaswamedh Ghat, Asi Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat and Lalita Ghat. While the ghat which receives the maximum tourist footfalls is the Asi Ghat which is the southernmost in the sacred city, at the confluence of the Asi and the Ganges, pilgrims bathe prior to worshipping at a huge lingam under a peepal tree. Another lingam is that of Asisangameshvara, the "Lord of the Confluence of the Asi", in a small marble temple just off the ghat. Traditionally, pilgrims continued to Lolarka Kund, the Trembling Sun", a rectangular tank 15 mts below ground level, approached by steep steps. Now almost abandoned, except during the Lolarka Mela fair, when thousands come to propitiate the gods and pray for the birth of a son.