| Places around Varanasi |
| Bharat Kala Bhawan |
| An art and architecture museum, Bharat Kala Bhavan that houses a vast collection of paintings, Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and other materials of archeological importance is located inside the Banaras Hindu University campus. In the year 1920 A.D The Bharat Kala Bhavan was established. A figure of a man standing on one leg and one hand on his hip and lifting a mass of stone above his head, with one hand in the main hall of the Bharat Kala Bhawan, is prime attraction of the museum. The existence of Krishna cult in Kashi in 15th and 16th century is shown by many images in the Bharat Kala Bhavan. |
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| A great collection of miniature paintings included in Bharat Kala Bhavan from the courts of Mughals and other Kingdoms. Mahamana Malaviya gallery, Nicholas Roerich gallery, Chhavi (Painting Gallery), sculpture gallery, Nidhi (Treasures) gallery, sculpture gallery, archaeological gallery, decorative art gallery and Banaras through ages gallery are some of the important sections in the Bharat Kala Bhavan. |
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| Chandrapraba Sanctuary |
One of the tourist attractions in Varanasi is Chandraprabha Sanctuary. The beauty of Chandraprabha Sanctuary, Varanasi enhanced by beautiful picnic spots, dense forests, and waterfalls. Chandraprabha Sanctuary is situated about 70 kilometers from Varanasi. Chandraprabha Sanctuary covers an area of about 78 kilometers spread over Naugarh and Vijaigarh hillocks.
Asiatic Lions, fair collection of Chinkara and Panther, Sambhar, Nilgai, Blackbucks, porcupine and wild boar are some of the animals found in the Sanctuary. About hundred and fifty birds can be found in the Sanctuary. Dry deciduous forest constitutes the fauna of the Sanctuary. |
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| Chunargarh |
| The great monument built by the king of Ujjain, Maharaja Vikramaditya in 56 BC is Chunargarh located 45 kilometers from Varanasi in Mirzapur district. A stone umbrella like cenotaph built by King Sahdeo inside the fort in order to commemorate his victory over 52 different rulers. |
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| The Chunar fort was under many rulers like Mogul ruler Babur and Afghan Governor Sher Shah Suri, Emperor Humayun , Akbar, East India Company annexed it. The fort is famous for its fusion architecture. A defunct sundial that was most probably commissioned by King Vikramaditya is eye catching master piece. A splendid view of the Ganga can be viewed from the west embankment of the fort. The northernmost point of Kaimur Hills offers an impressive view of the invincible sandstone battlements of Chunar that overlook a bend in the Ganges. |
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| Durga Temple |
| One of the important temples of Varanasi Durga temple, also known as the "monkey temple" and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The Durga temple was built by Bengali Maharani in Nagara Style in 18th century. Stained in Red with ochre temple has a multi-tiered shikhara. The Durga Kund is rectangle tank on which the Durga temple is constructed. According to Hindu mythology the present statue of Goddess Durga appeared on its own in the temple. Because of the presence of large number of monkeys the Durga temple is also called Monkey temple. Durga is represented as the embodiment of shakti or female |
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| power, clad in red, riding a tiger and fully armed with Shiva's trident, Vishnu's discus and a sword in Hinduism. Non-Hindus are allowed to enter the courtyard of the Durga temple but not the inner sanctum. During Navratri and other auspicious occasions thousands of Hindu devotees visit the Durga temple. |
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| Ghats in Varanasi |
| The land of holy temples and spiritual ghats, Varanasi is most sacred pilgrims of India. On the banks of holy Ganges River much of the religious activity takes place. In Varanasi temples and ghats the festive magic continues throughout the year. In Varanasi there are around 100 ghats. A dip in the holy waters of the ghats cleanses all past sins is the belief as each ghat in the city has its own mythological importance and religious significance. Immersion of the ashes of the dead in the ghats grants their soul eternal peace is another popular belief in locals. To have a ritual bath and perform puja to the rising sun, every day thousands of Pilgrims flock the Ghats. Some of the important ghats in holy city are Dasaswamedh Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat, Asi Ghat, Lalita Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Harishchandra Ghat and the Ganga Ghat. |
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