Varanasi

Clipboard "COPY" Copy Water, with its religious connotations as a symbol of + 1 India's ancient cities grew around rivers. Guided by geography and climate, limited local resources, and individual histories, riverscapes emerged as a unique design expression for each settlement. A built form typical, if not unique, to Save this picture! Boats are accessed from the Ghats at Varanasi. Image © Srivatsan Balaji Throughout history, the riverbanks were magnets for the establishment of temple complexes, pilgrimage sites, palaces, forts, and capital cities during various reigns and periods. Among the Ghats scattered across the country, the ones along the river Ganga are the most celebrated, as the river is honored as a living goddess and believed to possess self-healing properties. In Hindu tradition, Related Article At Varanasi, the Ghats are a thin sliver of public space between the dense city and the Ganga. Eighty-four sets of steps line the urban edge, their number increasing with gradual subdivisions. Narrow streets lead residents, pilgrims, and tourists to the wide landings of the Ghats, where people engage in Save this picture! The changing water levels of the Ganga river. Image Courtesy of Morphogenesis The belief in a cosmic loop in the Ghats of Ganga, a promise to Serve a vital practical purpose, the Ghats function as guardians of the river embankment while providing a safe and accessible pathway to the river. Their resilient structure has weathered the tests of time, stan...

The best time period for visiting Varanasi is from October to March, when the weather is not so hot and it is dry. November to February is the peak season, when crowds and higher prices are expected. Rainy season is from late June to September. It is still possible to tour Varanasi in these months, but get ready for the humidity and rain. Lower prices and less-crowded attractions are the rewards. Best Times to Visit Varanasi for Weather, Festivals, and Prices Along the Ganges As mentioned above the most popular times to visit Varanasi are from October to March. However, this can depend on your Varanasi trip purposes, budget, and weather preferences. • For the perfect weather conditions, November to February are the best months to travel to Varanasi — (almost) rainless, clear, and cool to warm. • October to March is the best period to photograph Varanasi as dry weather allows for nicer views. • Festivals are the highlights of Indian life. If you want to experience some festival atmosphere, you should consider traveling during Holi (usually in March) or Diwali (in late October or November), which are the two grandest festivals in Varanasi and also in India. • July to September (the rainy season) is the best time for low prices in general, when you should find the biggest discounts and more promotions on accommodation, flights, and tours. Get more tips in our article: Or Worst Times to Visit Varanasi July and August see the heaviest rainfall in Varanasi. If you don't like the...

Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • All • A-Z • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Featured • • About • • • • • • • • Follow • • • • • • • Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Inside Varanasi, India's holy 'City of Death,' where people hoping to break the Hindu cycle of rebirth go to die Facebook Icon The letter F. Facebook Email icon An envelope. It indicates the ability to send an email. Email Twitter icon A stylized bird with an open mouth, tweeting. Twitter Snapchat icon A ghost. Snapchat Fliboard icon A stylized letter F. Flipboard Pinterest icon The letter "P" styled to look like a thumbtack pin. Pinterest Link icon An image of a chain link. It symobilizes a website link url. Copy Link Read in app Every day, the dying arrive in Varanasi, India's holiest city. These people — primarily Hindus — come to Varanasi, dubbed the "City of Death," hoping that by dying and being cremated there, they can break out of the Hindu rebirth cycle and attain salvation. About 100 people are cremated across the city every day. But often these people don't die as quickly as they expected. They are forced to take temporar...

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