Varanasiवाराणसी — Kashi — City of Moksha

Kashi Vishwanath is the supreme Jyotirlinga — where Lord Shiva himself permanently resides as light (jyoti). The new Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (2021) is a 320-meter-long grand passage connecting the temple directly to the Ganga ghats. Five daily aartis, the most sacred being Mangala Aarti at 3 AM.

Dashashwamedh is Varanasi's most famous ghat and the venue of the legendary Ganga Aarti. Every evening at 7 PM, 5-7 priests perform a synchronized fire-worship ceremony — enormous brass lamps, conch shells, incense, and flower offerings — as hundreds of boats crowd the river. The aerial photograph taken of this aarti is one of the most iconic images of India.

Manikarnika is the sacred cremation ghat where funeral fires have burned uninterrupted for over 3,500 years. 100-300 cremations happen here daily, 24 hours a day. For Hindus, dying in Kashi and being cremated at Manikarnika is the ultimate spiritual blessing — a direct pathway to Moksha.

Sarnath is where it all began for Buddhism. In 528 BCE, just weeks after attaining Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, Buddha traveled to Sarnath to deliver his first discourse (Dhamma Chakra Pravartana) to five disciples. This single sermon set the Wheel of Dharma in motion — and Buddhism was born.

Assi Ghat is Varanasi's beloved bohemian ghat — a favorite of students, writers, poets, and yogis. The 'Subah-e-Banaras' (Morning of Varanasi) ceremony here at dawn — yoga on ghat steps, small morning aarti, steaming chai — captures the timeless soul of Kashi better than any other place.

Sankat Mochan (the Dispeller of Troubles) is the most beloved Hanuman temple in Varanasi, founded by the great saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century. The temple stands in a serene forested area and is famous for the Hanuman ji idol considered self-manifested. Despite a terrorist attack in 2006, the temple's spirit remains unbroken.

Tulsi Manas Temple stands at the exact spot where the poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas in 1574 — one of Hindi literature's greatest epics, beloved by hundreds of millions. The current white marble temple (1964) has the complete text of Ramcharitmanas inscribed on its walls — a unique and moving sight.

BHU is Asia's largest residential university, sprawling over 1,350 acres. Founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, it is one of India's premier institutions. Inside the campus stands the magnificent New Vishwanath Temple — a white marble structure built by the Birla family, considered one of the most beautiful temples in North India.