{"id":282,"date":"2018-10-23T09:30:50","date_gmt":"2018-10-23T09:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/?p=282"},"modified":"2023-05-27T05:28:42","modified_gmt":"2023-05-27T05:28:42","slug":"varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"The holy city of Varanasi &#8211; an ancient spiritual capital of India"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This place is one of the oldest living cities in the world and represents the real and authentic India. It is considered to be a wonderful kaleidoscope of centuries-old heritage and a well-preserved tradition that people from all over the world gather to witness. Due to the presence of a number of temples and holy sites owing to its incredibly colorful history, Varanasi has become a prime spiritual, religious, and pilgrimage hub for people from all walks of life and also a crucial part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/varanasi-tour-packages\"><strong>Varanasi tour packages<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\/#Here_are_some_of_the_must_visit_places_in_Varanasi\" >Here are some of the must visit places in Varanasi:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\/#1_Kashi_Vishwanath_Temple\" >1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\/#2_Dashashwamedh_Ghat\" >2. Dashashwamedh Ghat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\/#3_Dhamek_Stupa\" >3. Dhamek Stupa<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\/#4_Ramnagar_Fort\" >4. Ramnagar Fort<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\/#5_Chaukhandi_Stupa\" >5. Chaukhandi Stupa<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Here_are_some_of_the_must_visit_places_in_Varanasi\"><\/span><strong>Here are some of the must visit places in Varanasi:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Kashi_Vishwanath_Temple\"><\/span><strong>1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-283\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Kashi-Vishwanath-temple.jpg\" alt=\"Kashi Vishwanath temple\" width=\"900\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Kashi-Vishwanath-temple.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Kashi-Vishwanath-temple-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Kashi-Vishwanath-temple-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Kashi-Vishwanath-temple-696x387.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Kashi-Vishwanath-temple-756x420.jpg 756w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Located on the western banks of River Ganga this temple is among one of the most highly revered Lord Shiva temples in the entire Indian subcontinent. This is also one of the most important jyotirlingas in India and a prime center of pilgrimage for avid Shaivites and devout Hindus. This temple holds immense relevance since it has found its mentions in the holy scriptures of Skanda Purana. The shrine commemorates the place where Lord Shiva had appeared in the form of a fiery column of light while piercing through the world. Located close to the temple is the famous Manikarnika ghat.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Dashashwamedh_Ghat\"><\/span><strong>2. Dashashwamedh Ghat<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-284\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dashashwamedh-ghat.jpg\" alt=\"Dashashwamedh ghat\" width=\"900\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dashashwamedh-ghat.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dashashwamedh-ghat-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dashashwamedh-ghat-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dashashwamedh-ghat-696x387.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dashashwamedh-ghat-756x420.jpg 756w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This is considered to be the main ghat of Varanasi where the most spectacular and stunning evening and morning aarti takes place. The importance of this ghat lies in the fact that this very place is said to have been built by Lord Brahma himself to welcome Lord Shiva into the earthly realm. Another legend says that Lord Brahma had sacrificed his ten horses here as a performance for das Ashwamedha yajna here making it even more holy. Whatever the legend says, this ghat is considered to be extremely holy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Also Read:- <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/kashi-yatra-a-divine-journey\/\">Kashi Yatra- A Divine Journey<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Dhamek_Stupa\"><\/span><strong>3. Dhamek Stupa<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-286\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dhamek-stupa-1.jpg\" alt=\"Dhamek stupa\" width=\"900\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dhamek-stupa-1.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dhamek-stupa-1-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dhamek-stupa-1-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dhamek-stupa-1-696x387.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dhamek-stupa-1-756x420.jpg 756w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Varanasi is replete with numerous sites of Buddhist importance. Dhamek stupa is one such place of tourist attraction which is situated at a distance of 13 kms from the main town of Varanasi. This iconic and unique-looking stupa is said to have been built in 500 CE and was commissioned by the Mauryan king Ashoka. This place is also extremely important since this is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his very first sermon after attaining his enlightenment to his five disciples.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Ramnagar_Fort\"><\/span><strong>4. Ramnagar Fort<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-287\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Ramnagar-fort.jpg\" alt=\"Ramnagar fort\" width=\"900\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Ramnagar-fort.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Ramnagar-fort-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Ramnagar-fort-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Ramnagar-fort-696x387.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Ramnagar-fort-756x420.jpg 756w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Situated right opposite the famous Tulsi ghat is a stunning and majestic representation of the classical Mughal architectural style. Built in the year 1750 by Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh, this place has neatly laid, green gardens, and fountains and offers a stunning view of the holy River Gang flowing close by. This opulent sandstone structure offers some much-needed insight into the bygone era of the life of Varanasi.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Chaukhandi_Stupa\"><\/span><strong>5. Chaukhandi Stupa<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-288\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Chaukhandi-stupa.jpg\" alt=\"Chaukhandi stupa\" width=\"900\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Chaukhandi-stupa.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Chaukhandi-stupa-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Chaukhandi-stupa-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Chaukhandi-stupa-696x387.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Chaukhandi-stupa-756x420.jpg 756w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This is one of the most important Buddhist stupas in Sarnath which is located at a mere distance of 8 kms from the main town of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/varanasi\">Varanasi<\/a><\/strong>. This unique-looking stupa depicts a change in the architectural style of stupas over a period of time. As the name suggests this stupa has four sides as compared to a traditional stupa which is in the form of a mound. This stupa is said to have been built somewhere between 4<sup>th<\/sup> and 6<sup>th<\/sup> century and ever since it has been one of the prime centers of attractions for visitors from all over the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This place is one of the oldest living cities in the world and represents the real and authentic India. It is considered to be a wonderful kaleidoscope of centuries-old heritage and a well-preserved tradition that people from all over the&hellip;<\/p>\n<div class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\/#more-282\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading &#10142; <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">The holy city of Varanasi &#8211; an ancient spiritual capital of India<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pilgrimage-destination","oviyan-lite-has-thumbnail"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The holy city of Varanasi - An ancient spiritual capital of India<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This place is one of the oldest living cities in the world and represents the real and authentic India. It is considered to be a wonderful kaleidoscope.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Pilgrimage Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-10-23T09:30:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-05-27T05:28:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dashashwamedh-ghat.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ashish Thapliyal\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ashish Thapliyal\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ashish Thapliyal\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/189b3d65b9d028275d392a18a9e9b3ac\"},\"headline\":\"The holy city of Varanasi &#8211; an ancient spiritual capital of India\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-10-23T09:30:50+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-05-27T05:28:42+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":569,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/10\\\/Dashashwamedh-ghat.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Pilgrimage Destination\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\\\/\",\"name\":\"The holy city of Varanasi - An ancient spiritual capital of India\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/varanasi-the-ancient-spiritual-capital-of-india\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pilgrimagetour.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/10\\\/Dashashwamedh-ghat.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-10-23T09:30:50+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-05-27T05:28:42+00:00\",\"description\":\"This place is one of the oldest living cities in the world and represents the real and authentic India. 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A proud native of Uttarakhand \u2014 the Devbhoomi \u2014 he grew up surrounded by the Garhwal Himalayas and has undertaken the Char Dham Yatra personally multiple times, giving him rare first-hand knowledge of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri that goes far beyond guidebooks. Ashish holds the title of Acharya from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi \u2014 one of India's most prestigious centres of Vedic scholarship \u2014 with deep grounding in Hindu scripture, ritual traditions, and pilgrimage philosophy. This academic foundation, combined with nearly two decades of practical tour management, makes him uniquely qualified to guide pilgrims both spiritually and logistically. Over his 18-year career at Pilgrimage Tour India, Ashish has personally planned and managed 200+ pilgrimage tours covering Char Dham Yatra, 12 Jyotirlinga circuits, Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Varanasi &amp; Kashi Vishwanath, Puri Jagannath, Rameshwaram, and international pilgrimages to Nepal and Sri Lanka. He has helped thousands of pilgrims \u2014 from first-time travellers and senior citizens to NRI families visiting from the USA, UK, UAE, Canada, and Australia \u2014 complete their sacred journeys safely and meaningfully. His writing on the Pilgrimage Tour blog focuses on making India's ancient pilgrimage traditions accessible to modern travellers. He covers temple history, Char Dham opening and closing dates, trekking conditions, altitude health advice, puja rituals, VIP darshan tips, packing guides, and practical planning advice based on real on-ground experience. He writes in both English and Hindi. 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