Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi

Rail

Varanasi Cantt and Mughal Sarai (one of the main railway stations of Varanasi) are the important rail junctions, that link Varanasi with all major cities of India.

Road

Varanasi is on NH 2 from Kolkata to Delhi, NH 7 to Kanya Kumari and NH 29 to Gorakhpur, is well connected with the rest of the country by good motorable roads. Some of the major road distances are: Agra - 565 km, Allahabad - 128 km, Bhopal - 791 km, Bodhgaya - 240 km, Kanpur - 330 km, Khajuraho - 405 km, Lucknow - 286, Patna - 246 km, Sarnath - 10 Km.

Language: Hindi, English, Bhojpuri.

Rainfall: 111 cms annually(approx)

• Yelchico Bar & Restaurant, Sigra.
• Amrapali, Hotel Clarks, The mall, Varanasi, Ph. No.- (0542) 2501011.
• Ashiyana Restaurant, Varuna Bridge, Clark Road.
• Mc Donald; IP Mall Sigra JHV Mall, Cantt.
• Haveli Restaurant, The Mall, Cantt.
• Berger King, Nadesar, Varanasi.

Hospitals

• Shiv Prasad Gupta Hospital, Kabir Chaura, Ph. No.- (0542) 2214723, 2214720.
• Sir Sundar Lal Hospital B.H.U, Ph. No.- (0542) 2369169.
• Rajkiya Hospital, Shivpur .
• Hindu Seva Sadan, Chowk, Ph. No.- (0542) 2400356, 2400988, 2400355.
• Mata Anand Mai Hospital, Bhadaini, Ph. No.- (0542) 2310186, 2310230.
• Ram Krishna Mission Hospital, Luxa, Ph. No.- (0542) 2451727.
• Marwari Hospital , Godoulia, Ph. No.- (0542) 2392611.
• Cancer Institute, N.E. Railway Lahartara. Ph. No.- (0542) 2220348.
• Heritage Hospital , Lanka, Ph. No.- (0542) 2369991-5.
• Apollo clinic , Mehmoorganj, Ph. No.- (0542) 2360682.

Sarnath

Restaurants

• Modern Reception Centre, Sarnath
• Anand Restaurant, Sarnath.
• Rangoli Garden, Sarnath.
• Open Restaurant, Ashapur, Sarnath.
• Green Hut Restaurant, Sarnath.
• Highway Inn Restaurant, Ashapur Sarnath.

Hospitals

• Govt. Hospital, Sarnath.
• Dr. Baijnath Hospital, Sarnath.

The narrow lanes of Varanasi are always bustling with visitors and locals thronging the shops of all kinds. Shopping in Varanasi is worth seeking for the city's rich silk weaving and brasswork. The best areas to browse are the Thatheri Bazaar (for brass), Jnana Vapi and the Vishwanatha lane with its Temple Bazaar (for silk brocade and jewellery). State run emporia in Godowlia, lahurabir and the Chowk - the three Handlooms outlets at Lahurabir, Nadesar and Neechi Bag, and Mahatex in Godowlia - of fixed prices and assured quality. Housed in a former palace opposite the Taj Hotel, Cantt, the CIE has a large and impressive selection.

Upica, emporium run by government has the advantage of fixed prices and has outlets at Godowlia opposite the Taj Hotel, Cantt. Handloom House in Sigra is the place to buy silk with a modern showroom.

Urban Haat

Keeping the preferences of tourists in mind the city has developed an Urban Haat where artisans (State and National Awarded) from various states are brought together to showcase the handicrafts of India daily (15 days roster basis) so that the excitement of upcoming crafts remains the same. The compound of Haat is provided with all basic public amenities. Visitors enjoy Indian music, art, craft and culture spiced with exclusive food plazas.

Venue : Urban Haat, Sanskritik Sankul, Maqbool Alam Road, Chowka Ghat, Varanasi.

Souvenir Shops and Malls

1. M/s Mehrotra Silk Factory, S. C. - 21/72, Englishia Line, Varanasi.
2. M/s Baba Black Sheep , Bhelupur, Varanasi.
3. IP Mall, Sigra Varanasi
4. JHV, The Mall, Cantt.
5. Modern Reception Centre, Sarnath

The glorious traditions and mythological legacy of this shining city are virtually unrivalled. It offers a breathtaking experience to every visitor. A morning at the Ganga ghat is a memorable experience. The rays of the dawn shimmering across the Ganga, the high banks, the temples and shrines, soul steering hymns and mantras along with the fragrance of incense filling the air, a refreshing dip in the holy water and a rich tapestry of music, arts, crafts and literature… truly this is the city where experience and discovery reach the ultimate bliss.

Ganga Mahotsav

Ganga Mahotsav the only festival of its kind. It adds to the attraction of this city of temples, Ghats and traditions.

As classical music fills the atmosphere, a mystique seems to envelop the environs creating a mood both celestial and soulful. The classical music rendered by maestros indeed imparts an unforgettable flavour. The attraction of the five-day-long Ganga Mahotsav is its message of faith and culture, which is enhanced by the daily Shilp Mela and the unique Dev Deepawali. Innumerable ‘Diyas’ or earthen lamps in chain, lit by devotees float down the river on the full moon night of Kartik, creating a spectacle both mystical and heart warning.

Boudh Mahotsav

One of the greatest spiritual teachers of mankind which India has produced is undoubtedly, Buddha. Edwin Arnold has fittingly called him the "Light of Asia". Buddha's message has travelled far and wide and captured the hearts and minds of billions of people outside India also.

This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Buddha with traditional religious fervour. A large fair is held at Sarnath and the relics of Buddha are taken out for public display in a procession on this day in the month of May. The beauty of this event is amplified by millions of earthen lamps or "Diyas" placed in a pattern in Mulgandh Kuti Vihar.

Kajari Mahotsav (Mirzapur)

It is among the famous festivals of Mirzapur. King Kantit Naresh's daughter Kajari was born here. She loved her husband very much and sang songs in the moment of separation from her husband, although she could not meet her husband throughout her life and died, yet she remains alive through these deep sad-love songs. Her voice and songs impress Mirzapur locals very much, so they remember her through this festival paying homage to her.

Kajari, derived from the Hindi word Kajra, or Kohl, is a genre of Hindustani classical music singing, popular in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. It is often used to describe the hanging in the summer skies, and the style is notably sung during the rainy season.

It comes in the series of season songs, like Chaiti, Hori and Sawani, and is traditionally sung in the villages and towns of Uttar Pradesh: around Banaras, Mirzapur, Mathura, Allahabad and the Bhojpur regions of Bihar.

UP Tourism along with District Administration organizes a two day cultural programme at Govt. Inter College in Mirzapur as a tribute to this exclusive musical art form of Mirzapur in the month of August or Akshay Tritiya of Bhado Month of Indian Calendar.

Ganga Water Rally (Allahabad-Mirzapur-Chunar-Varanasi)

Exploring scenic beauty along with the river Ganga with historical ghats on its bank, Ganga water rally is among top destinations for adventure tourism in India. It is an event of complete adventure and fun. The Boat Club Allahabad patronizes this event and the participants coming from all the corners of India and abroad use kayaks, canoes or row boats in this nomadic sport. Occurring in the month of November Ganga Water Rally is the first major water sporting events of its kind in the state. Here, the adventurous persons would be taken on a nerve rattling sojourn down the Ganga from Allahabad to Varanasi through Mirzapur and Chunar.

Festival Calendar