Varanasi, one of the continuously inhibited cities in the world, is a northern Indian city that gives people a mysterious façade of salvation at the backdrop of pilgrims bathing at Ganges River during sunrise. But this Indian “City of Light” goes beyond the smells on the Ghats that lead down to a holy river–Banaras Hindu University, Tulsi Manas Templ, Jantar Mantar and Ramagar Fort are also iconic enough to give you the spice of this ancient Indian city.
Banaras Hindu University
Being the largest residential university in India, Banaras Hindu University was founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya, a prominent Indian educationalist and politician who had a notable role in the Indian independence movement. With a grant status of its founder located at the entrance gate, this university also includes the 677 m high Vishwanath temple which was built in 1966 under the patronage of the Birlas. To enjoy your overnight stay only 1.9km near the university, find a place at Premiere Villa, one of the hotels in Varanasi.
Tulsi Manas Temple
Tulsi Manas Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama (Ramacandra), the major deity of Hinduism. It is a modern temple with a full white outlook constructed by the family of Vanransi, situating at the great medieval observer Tulisdas who lived through the phenomenal poem “Shri Ramcharitmanas” (literally means the lake of sea of deeds of Rama) that narrates the story of Lord Rama, the hero of the Ramayana, an Indian epic poem. Along the walls, Tulida’s epic poem’s verses are inscribed on the surfaces of them. It is also 300 m away from another ancient temple which was built by Goswami Tulsida himself .
Jantar Mantar
Built by Jai Singh I, a senior general of the Mughal Empire in the 17th century, it is built in line with other observatories in Delhi, Methura, Ujl, measuring the local time. The Jantar Mantar was also designed to measure the declinations of sun, starts, planets and to determine eclipses. Until today, the record on motion, speed and properties of the stars and planets can still be used effectively in the observatory today. For further astronomical measurement, it also incorporates different uniforms while specializing each of those for astronomical measurement. To fully immerse yourself with the historical observatories, find a place at BrijRama Palace, one of the hotels in Varanasi.
Ramnagar Fort
Located near the Ganga River on its eastern bank, the Ramnagar Fort is a fortification in Varanasi. As the residential place of Kashi Naresh, the titular ruler, there hosts a museum of an exhibition of swords, costumes and other rare items. The Royal collection in the museum of Ramnager also displays other items such as vintage cars, ivory work, antique clock, old guns and swords. With a historical backdrop of 1750 A.D. , Ramnagar Fort has the giant walls of the palace with a big clock, showing the year, month, week and day, as well as the astronomy of the moon, sun and constellation of stars.
The Indian city of Varanasi is just more than an auspicious place to liberate Hindus from the cycle of rebirth as they believe. It is a magical place that offers visitors a channel to visit the ancient history of India.
