Religious/ Spiritual

Kashi Vishwanath Temple or Golden Temple as it is also known, is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganges, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. Its gold towers gained it the name of Golden temple.

Also known as the Great Mosque of Aurangzeb, the mosque was built over Raja Todar Mal's Vishwanath temple. The architecture of the mosque is an interesting mixture of Hindu and Muslim styles because a lot of material from the temple was salvaged and used randomly in the construction of the mosque. The mosque has a 71m high minarets towering over the Ganges.

Gyan Kup or Gyan Vapi Well is an acclaimed religious spot in Varanasi. The name literally means well of wisdom. Gyan Vapi well, an imposing pavilion, is located at the entrance to the renowned holy Kashi Vishwanath temple. This Well was built by Gwalior Rani Baiza Bai in 1828 AD. Some parts of the temple structure including the central dome and two peaks are placed in this pavilion.

Commonly known as the Beni Madhav Ka Darera, the mosque was built by Aurangzeb after destroying a Vishnu temple that stood on the site. The lower portion of the mosque and the enclosure walls are entirely in Hindu designs while the rest of it is in Mughal design.

Alamgir Mosque, built by the Mughal Emperor Aurangaseb, has the unique distinction of being the largest structure located on the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi. It is believed that the Mosque is placed at a place where a majestic Krishna temple was located. This temple was destroyed and the Mosque was constructed at that place during Mughal invasion in India.

Bharat Mata Temple, a fairly new temple built in 1936 and located at Kashi Vidyapeeth Campus, is a shrine dedicated to Mother India. This temple was built by a Gandhian follower Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. It enshrines a marble structure of Mother India, a fine three dimensional structure of undivided India. The marble structure, rather a map of India, is constructed at the right proportions of oceans, lands and hills. This is a unique temple and a symbol of patriotism.

Built in the 18th century by a Bengali Maharani the temple is also referred to as the Monkey temple. Goddess Durga, an angry form of Goddess Parvati is a consort of Lord Shiva. Built in the North Indian style of architecture the temple has a multi-tiered spire built on on top of the other tapering to a single shikara symbolizing air, water, fire, earth and sky, the 5 elements of nature.

Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple but can view it from a walkway at the top of a house. The monkeys at the temple can be fairly aggressive trying to steal caps or spectacles off people and often scratching or biting people when they get near.

Sravasti is not only famous as a Buddhist Pilgrimage center but it is a major travel attractions of the Jains. The place was under the influence of Lord Mahavira, the last Jain Tirthankar. Thousand of Jain pilgrimage travel to this place to pay their respect to their Almighty. The Sobhnath Temple is believed to be the birthplace of the Jain Tirthankar Sambhavnath.

Believed to be the birthplace of Jain Tirthankar Sambhavnath. It is revered by Jain pilgrims.

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Sankissa, situated on the banks of river Kali is another famous tourist excursion around Sravasti. It is believed that Sankissa is the place where the Buddha descended from heaven along with Lord Brahma and Devaraj Indra after giving a discourse to his mother, Mayadevi who had died soon after giving birth to him. Emperor Ashoka erected a pillar with an elephant capital to mark this holy spot.

The Jetavana Monastery Shravasti was one of the most famous of the Buddhist monasteries in India. It was the second monastery donated to Buddha, after the Veluvana in Rajagaha- modern day Rajgir. Jetavana Monastery Shravasti In India is located just outside the old city of Shravasti. Jetavana was the place where Buddha gave many teachings and delivered many of the discourses for the first time more than in any other place. Somehow Lord Buddha was in love with the place and spent 24 monsoons of his life, which is more than in any other monastery.