Varanasi and greater Varanasi

Varanasi is an ancient and preeminent Hindu religious city on the banks of river Ganges. On the western river bank, there are many ghats ( flight of steps) which give the place its distinctive uniqueness. From thousands of years, these ghats have attracted tourists and pilgrims. There are also many famous temples including the venerable Kashi-Vishwanath temple. This temple complex has got a major makeover recently and the cluttered shopping area nearby has been relocated.

The morning and evening arti at the Ganges ghats are mesmerizing...especially the evening arti. Since the ghats get very crowded that time, a good alternative is to see the arti from a boat.

Apart from the numerous temples and ghats, Varanasi has always been known as an educational and cultural hub. BHU ( Benares Hindu University) is the flag bearer in Varanasi's education world. BHU houses a highly ranked IIT, the only Indian religious town to have an IIT. There is a long list of renowned musicians who chose Varanasi as their home. Suffice to mention Ustab Bismilla Khan whose lifelong devotion to playing the shahnai earned him Bharat Ratna award. In music, there is Bananas gharana, a distinct way of playing the tabla. Then we have the famous Banarasi paan and the Banarasi langda mangoes. Among sweet dishes, one simply must taste creamy 'Malaiyyo' ( not available in summer). Then there is blue lassi. The narrow, dark lanes and bylanes of Benares are distinctive, having been like that over centuries. There are many well known micro-eateries tucked in these bylanes, each with their signature items, their secret recipes being passed over through generations. Of late, hordes of YouTube bloggers have descended on these eateries and have made them famous. However, there is more to Varanasi than just these. Just 10km away is uber peaceful Sarnath, a prominent Buddhist religious place. It is here Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. But Varanasi is much more than just religion, culture and tourism. Its a major production hub for Benarasi silk sarees ( it's a must for most Indian marriages), handwoven carpets (though the carpet industry is, I believe, under a decline), zari embroidery work and brass-ware utensils and items. The center of this activity is in Bhadohi which is 30km away. Then there is a major railway production unit popularly known as DLW ( Diesel Locomotive Works) It has been now renamed Banaras Locomotive Works as India buckles down on production of the pollution generating diesel locos. 17km away is the major, and extremely busy railway trunk junction station of Mughalsarai... connecting north and east India. This station has been now renamed Pt Deen Dayal Uppadhyay station. This railway station has got the biggest loco shunting yard in India! But wait, we are not through yet! Some 3 hours' ride away is what is often referred to as the Ruhr of India with its massive industrial infrastructure. So there is the gigantic Hindalco Aluminum smelter and ore processing unit, the Renusagar dam and the public sector open cast mines of Northern Coalfields and also coal mines owned by Tata Steel. Together, thousands of engineers work in this industrial heartland. Varanasi is the logistics back office and supply chain hub for this massive industrial complex. Almost every industrial machinery company has its depot and service center in Varanasi..and that explains why the town is so large and busy and crowded. All in all, Varanasi is a city of many parts...religion, music, education, craft, food and industry....this is what makes it so unique.

Varanasi and Greater Varanasi

Varanasi, located on the banks of the sacred river Ganges, is an ancient and prominent Hindu religious city. It is renowned for its numerous ghats, which are flights of steps leading to the river, giving the place its distinctive character. For thousands of years, these ghats have attracted tourists and pilgrims from all over the world. Among the most famous attractions are the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple and its recent major renovation, which included the relocation of the cluttered shopping area nearby.

The morning and evening Aarti ceremonies held at the Ganges ghats are truly mesmerizing, with the evening Aarti being particularly enchanting. Due to the large crowds that gather at the ghats during these times, an excellent alternative is to witness the Aarti from a boat on the river.

Varanasi has long been recognized as a hub for education and culture, with Banaras Hindu University (BHU) at its forefront. BHU houses a highly esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), making it the only religious town in India to have such an institution. The city also boasts a rich musical heritage, attracting renowned musicians who have made Varanasi their home. Notably, Ustad Bismillah Khan, whose lifelong dedication to playing the shehnai earned him the prestigious Bharat Ratna award. Additionally, Varanasi is home to the Banaras Gharana, a distinct style of tabla playing in Indian classical music.

Varanasi offers a delightful culinary experience with its famous Banarasi paan (betel leaf preparation) and the delectable Banarasi langda mangoes. Among the sweet dishes, one must savor the creamy 'Malaiyyo' (not available in summer) and indulge in the refreshing blue lassi.

The city's narrow, labyrinthine lanes have retained their unique character over the centuries. These alleys are home to numerous well-known micro-eateries, each with its own signature dishes and secret recipes passed down through generations. In recent times, these eateries have gained fame with the influx of YouTube bloggers showcasing their culinary delights.

However, there is much more to Varanasi than its religious, cultural, and touristic aspects. Located just 10 km away is the tranquil town of Sarnath, a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.

Varanasi also serves as a major production hub for Benarasi silk sarees, which are a must-have for most Indian marriages. The city is known for its handwoven carpets (although the carpet industry is experiencing a decline), intricate Zari embroidery work, and brass-ware utensils and items. The center of this activity is Bhadohi, situated 30 km away.

Another notable presence in Varanasi is the major railway production unit formerly known as DLW (Diesel Locomotive Works), which has now been renamed Banaras Locomotive Works as India focuses on reducing pollution caused by diesel locomotives. Additionally, the bustling railway junction of Mughalsarai, located 17 km away, serves as a vital connection point between northern and eastern India. It has recently been renamed Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay station and is home to the largest loco shunting yard in India.

Adding to the city's diversity, a few hours' drive away lies what is often referred to as the Ruhr of India—a region boasting massive industrial infrastructure. This includes the gigantic Hindalco Aluminum smelter and ore processing unit, the Renusagar dam, and the public sector open-cast mines of Northern Coalfields, as well as coal mines owned by Tata Steel. Thousands of engineers work in this industrial heartland, with Varanasi serving as the logistics back office and supply chain hub for this vast industrial complex. Consequently, the city thrives with the presence of depots and service centers for various industrial machinery companies, contributing to its size, busyness, and crowds.

In conclusion, Varanasi is a city of many facets, encompassing religion, music, education, craftsmanship, food, and industry. This amalgamation of elements is what makes Varanasi truly unique and a remarkable destination to explore.