North India Travel Guide » Varanasi - Khajuraho Travel Guide

Varanasi Travel Guide

The cultural and religious capital of India, Varanasi is situated on the banks of the holiest of all Indian rivers, the Ganga. It is one of the most ancient city of world and probably the oldest living city in India. Varanasi is also called Kashi, or the city of spiritual light. Hence for the devout Hindu, this besides being a pilgrimage centre, is considered especially auspicious to die here, ensuring an instant route to heaven. 25 centuries ago, Lord Buddha, preached his message of enlightenment, for the first time, in Sarnath near Varanasi. Thus from time immemorial, it has been the center of education, religion, art and culture, which continues till this day. Varanasi with its ghats dotted with temples, the maze of alleys along the ghats, silk weaving, other crafts, and much more, are sure to attract the visitor again and again.

History
Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, even older than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together. Mythology associates Varanasi with Lord Shiva since the beginning of time. Legends relate how, after his marriage to Parvati, Shiva left his Himalayan abode and came to reside in Kashi with all the gods in attendance. From time immemorial Varanasi has been the center of education, religion, art and culture. A place of learning for many years, the Banaras Hindu University carries on this tradition. The Banaras region was a great Hindu center, administered by Hindu rulers but was looted a number of times by Muslim invaders from the 11th century until the 17th century, when it fell into the hands of the Mughals. As was the practice many buildings of the previous rulers and the religious structures of the Hindu and Buddhists were demolished during the wars of the conquest, which climaxed with the Mughal emperor, Aurangazebs conversion of the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple into a mosque. Of recent times, the well - known novelist Prem Chand and the literary figure Bharatendu Harishchand, have played their parts in the literary development. Tulsi Das, the famous poet who wrote the Hindi version of the Ramayana, known as the Ram Charit Manas, also lived in this city for many years.

Culture
The life and activities in Varanasi, revolves around the holy river Ganga, which is believed to have flown from heaven, to wash away the worldly sins of the human race. In Pali language, Varanasi was called Banarasi, hence it is also known as Banaras. Varanasi is also called Kashi or the City of Spiritual Light. Varanasi has been the religious capital of Hinduism, and the centre of education, religion, art and culture, since time immemorial. Written records of the Skanda Purana and the Mahabharata mention its existence, as long as 3,000 years ago, making it, one of the most ancient cities of the world and probably the oldest living city in India. As a place of devotion and worship, Varanasi attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

How to Reach
Varanasi is well connected and easily accessible from all parts of the country by road, rail and air, offering convenient and comfortable travelling options to and from other cities of India.

Tourist Places

Durga Temple
The Durga Temple is an important temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. This temple, is commonly known, as the Monkey Temple, due to the large number of monkeys, who have made, the temple their home. It was constructed in the 18th century, by a bengali Maharaja, in the Nagara style of architecture, and has five shikharas (spires), which start from the bottom, and converge on the top. Non-Hindus, can enter the courtyard, but not the inner sanctum.

Benares Hindu University
Founded by the great nationalist Pandit Malaviya in 1917, as a centre for education, in Indian art, music, culture and philosophy, and for the study of Sanskrit, it is probably the largest residential university in Asia, covering and area of approximately 2,000 acres. The former Maharaja of Varanasi, a scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy gifted it. Being a center of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture and music, it attracts students both from India and abroad. The five sq km campus houses the Bharat Kala Bhavan, which has a fine collection of miniature paintings, sculptures from the 1st to 15th centuries and old photographs of Varanasi.

Nepali Temple
This temple situated on Lalita Ghat, was constructed by the late king of Nepal. Made of wood brought from Nepal, the wall has exquisite carvings and is also known as a mini Khajuraho.

Ram Nagar Fort & Museum
This 17th century fort, lies 16 km, from the railway station, and across the Ganges, is also the palace of the former maharaja of Benares. Of special interest here are the Durbar Hall (public audience room) and museum which houses an antique collection of palanquins, elephant saddles, arms, costumes, etc. The festival of Dussehra celebrated here, is an interesting spectacle.

Sarnath
Sarnath, at a distance of 10 kms from Varanasi, is one of the major Buddhist centres. It was a renowned centre of religion and learning from the 6th century B.C. to 12th century A.D. It was here, that Buddha first gave his preachings, after attaining enlightenment, the Buddhist religion was born. Recent Excavations, have brought out the remnants of numerous temples and stupas. There were monasteries in the area around. The antiques so far discovered, are housed in a museum.

Chunar
Chunar, which is 40 kms away from Varanasi, has an immense fort, overlooking the Ganga. The Chunar fort, was constantly seized. Captured by Humayan in 1537, it was taken over by Sher Shah and later by Akbar in 1575. Till the Britishers came in 1764, this fort was under the Nawabs of Avadh. It is protected by massive ramparts, that looks down the flowing river, and often when the river leaves the shore, the citadel overlooks a beautiful beach. From the ramparts the Ganges look very beautiful. The main attraction inside the fort is the Sonwa Mandap, the Sun Dial and the Huge Well. The area is rich in sand stone and for centuries Chunar sand stone has been used. Even the highly polished Ashok pillar, was built from the sand stone from Chunar. History says that Vikramaditya occupied this place way back in 56 BC.

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Khajuraho Travel Guide

The temples of Khajuraho are India's unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy; perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been capured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman's artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed.

The world renowned temple town of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site for its archaeological and historical monuments.

The Khajuraho temples were built in the short span of a hundred years, from 950-1050AD in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world's great artistic wonders.

The Creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon and the legend behind the founding of this great dynasty and the temples is a fascinating one. Hemwati, the lovely young daughter of a Brahmin priest, was seduced by the moon-god while bathing in a forest pool. The child born of this union was Chandravarman, founder of the Chandela dynasty. Brought up in the forests by his mother who sought refuge from a sensorious society, Chandravarman, when established as a ruler, had a dream-visitation from his mother. It is said that she implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so, bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. It is also possible that the Chandelas were followers of the Tantric cult, which believes that gratification of earthly desires is a step towards attaining the infinite liberation of nirvana.

Why they chose Khajuraho, even then a small village, as the site for their great complex is also open to of their faith and the many beliefs represented in the temples, the Chandelas conceived Khajuraho as a seat of religion and learning, to bring together many sects.

With their decline, the temples lay forgotten for many centuries, covered by the encroaching forests, victim to the ravages of the elements. Re-discovered only in this century, restored and claned, the temples of Khajuraho once again testify to a past glory.

Architecturally too, they are unique, being very different from the temple prototype of their period. Each stands on a high masonry platform with a marked upward direction in the structure, further enhanced by vertical projections to create the effect of grace and lightness. Each of the chief compartments is mounted by its own roof, grouped so that the highest is in the centre, the lowest over the portico; a highly imaginative recreation of the rising peaks of the Himalayas, abode of the gods.

The three main compartments are the entrance (ardha-mandapa), assembly hall (mandapa) and sanctum (garbha griha), with further additions in the more developed temples.

How to Reach

By Air : Regular services link Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.

By Rail : The nearest rail heads are Harpalpur (94 km) and Mahoba (61 km ) . Jhansi (172 km) is a convenient rail head for those traveling from Delhi and Madras; Satna (117 km) , on the Mumbai-Allahabad line of the Central Railway for those coming from Mumbai, Calcutta and Varanasi

By Road : Khajuraho is connected by regular buses with Satna, Harpalpur, Jhansi and Mahoba.

Best Season : July to March.

Place to See

The Creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon and the legend behind the founding of this great dynasty and the temples is a fascinating one. Hemwati, the lovely young daughter of a Brahmin priest, was seduced by the moon-god while bathing in a forest pool.

The child born of this union was Chandravarman, founder of the Chandela dynasty. Brought up in the forests by his mother who sought refuge from a sensorious society, Chandravarman, when established as a ruler, had a dream-visitation from his mother.

It is said that she implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so, bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. It is also possible that the Chandelas were followers of the Tantric cult, which believes that gratification of earthly desires is a step towards attaining the infinite liberation of nirvana.

Why they chose Khajuraho, even then a small village, as the site for their great complex is also open to of their faith and the many beliefs represented in the temples, the Chandelas conceived Khajuraho as a seat of religion and learning, to bring together many sects.f a Brahmin priest, was seduced by the moon-god while bathing in a forest pool. The child born of this union was Chandravarman, founder of the Chandela dynasty.

Eastern Group of Temples
Adinath Temple: Dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinath, the temple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including yakshis. The three Hindu temples of the group are the Brahma, containing a four faced lingam, the Vamana, which is adorned on its outer walls with carving of apsaras in a variety of sensuous attitudes; and the javari, with a richly-carved gateway and exterior sculptures.

Western Group of Temples
The Western group is certainly the best known, because it is to this group that the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple belongs: The Kandariya Mahadev.

Southern Group of Temples
Dulah Deo Temple: This finest temple at Khajuraho also called Kunwar Math offers some of the choicest sculptures especially the Shalbhanjika. It is a fully developed temple measuring 21 m by 12 m (69 ft. by 40 ft.) with the ardhamanadap, the mandapa, the maha mandapa, the antarala and the garbha griha with no circumambulatory passage.

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North India Travel Guide
Delhi Travel Guide	Agra Travel Guide
Varanasi Travel Guide	Khajuraho Travel Guide
Jaipur Travel Guide	Jaisalmer Travel Guide
Pushkar Travel Guide