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Food Guide In Vanarasi

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Just like its rich culture and lifestyle, Varanasi is famous for its variety of foods and cuisines. The wide variety of mouth-watering sweets and ‘chatpate’ snacks are just not to be missed. Varanasi boasts a large selection of cuisines, however there is no cuisine especially linked with the city through the state’s specialities are available; as is both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. The city’s various restaurants serve a variety of cuisine such as continental, Chinese, Indian and of course the traditional mughlai.

Delicious but tangy and spicy North Indian food and snacks are the best options to try at Varanasi. Snacks like ‘paapri-chaat’, which plays with your taste buds with its tangy and spicy flavor of ginger and tamarind chutney and the cooling and soothing yoghurt. While talking about the specialties of Benarasi flavors, who can ever forget the sour and sweet ‘Langda aam’, a variety of mango available in summers and the fragrant ‘Benarasi paan’ that is often added with aromatic essences such as that of rose and ’supari’ (areca-nut) along with other goodies. Chewing this ‘paan’ seems to be a part of the cultural identity of the people of Varanasi.

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Shopping Areas in Varanasi

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The shopping hotspots in Varanasi are Chowk, Gyan Vapi, Vishwanath Gali, Thatheri Bazar, Lahurabir, Godoulia or Dashswamedh Gali and Golghar. Besides the illustrious and fine silks and brocaded fabrics, one can also buy shawls, carpets, wall hangings, Zari work; stone inlay work, glass beads and bangles, masks of Hindu and Buddhist deities and lampshades. For buying fabrics, the Government-run-shops of Uttar Pradesh Handloom are best bet.

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Musical Instruments In Vanarasi

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Banaras is famous for its classical Indian music and singing which is amply supported by the musical instruments manufactured in Varanasi.

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Handicrafts in Vanarasi

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Varanasi or Banaras has been famous for handicrafts items for years and it is still a good option if this is the type of thing you are looking for. The delicate and intricate work on the saris, carpets and wooden works are unmatched. Stone carved items of Varanasi are also quite famous. The ace craftsmen of the city chisel out beautiful utility items and objects d’art from stone. Candle stands, ashtrays, jewelry boxes not to mention replicas of Taj Mahal serve as fantastic souvenirs of a Varanasi tour.

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Entertainment in Varanasi

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Nightlife: Nightlife in Varanasi is not that much renowned. The only choice, other than the cinemas showing Bollywood fare, are the classical music recitals held at 8 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the International Music Centre Ashram not far from Dasaswamedh Ghat. Major classical concerts are also occasionally held at Nagari Natak Mandali.

Cinemas: There is only a single multiplex in Varanasi where one can go and watch movies then if they want they also do shopping from the same place, other then that there are small cinema halls to watch bollywood movies for the entertainment.

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Panch Koshi Parikrama Festival In Vanarasi

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It has a special importance in the ancient Parikrama of India, starting and finishing at ManiKarnika Ghat. Each Parikrama passes through five places: Kardmeshwar, Bhimchandi, Rameshwar, Shivpur & Kapil Dhara.

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Teppam Festival or the Float Festival In Vanarasi

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Teppan Festival Usually held during January/February in the Meenakshi Temple, Teppam festival or the float festival is one of the most important festivals of Varanasi. The last two days of the 12-day festival are specially marked as the King’s Festival. It was believed to have been started by the Tirumala Nayak, and is celebrated annually to mark his birthday by Tamil reckoning.

The images of Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwara are mounted on floats or rafts, and taken to the Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank. The illuminated rafts embellished with flowers are floated on the waters of the tank. The floats carry them back to the central shrine amidst chants and music.

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Avanimoola Festival In Vanarasi

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Avanimoola festival is Held in late of August or early September, this festival marks the coronation of Sundareshwara (Shiva). The coronation of the deity and the procession of the images all form an integral part of this elaborate festival. The special feature of the festival is its series of plays based on the myths from the legend of the temple.

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Chittirai Festival in Vanarasi

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This festival is Held in the months of April/May, which continues for 12 days. The Chittirai festival celebrates the marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareshwara (Shiva). The festival is a grand affair. An elaborate wedding ceremony is organized in the Meenakshi temple, and later the deities are wheeled around the city in massive chariots, decorated elaborately. The resounding notes of the nadaswaram and the drums create a vibrant ambience.

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Ram Leela Fair In Vanarasi

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Ram Leela is a popular enactment of the mythological epic, Ramayana. The Ramlila is based on the Ramcharitramanas by Tulsidas. The Ramnagar Ram Leela (at Varanasi) is enacted in the most traditional style. This special Ram Leela of Ramnagar lasts for almost one month which was started in the first quarter of the nineteenth century by Maharaja of Benaras Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh.

This month long festival is usually held during October/November and sees the performance of many ancient rituals. Generally, the Ram Leela is enacted on a single stage but the Ramnagar Ram stands out alone in this regard. Here, almost the whole town is transformed into a vast Ram Leela ground as permanent structures are built and spaces designated to represent the main locations of the story. Thus, we have Ashok Vatika, Lanka etc at different locations in the town. The audience moves along with the performers with every episode, to the next location. The most amazing thing about the Ram Leela of Ramnagar is its sober character. It is incredible to see that electric lights, mikes and loudspeakers are hardly used in the performances, even when the audience number in thousands.

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Nakkatayya Fair in Vanarasi

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Nakkatayya Leela is held at Chetganj, Varanasi and is attended by large number of people from all parts of city and nearby towns. A story from Ramayana in which Surpanakha- the sister of Ravan- comes to entice Ram and then Lakshman. But Lakshman cuts her nose and she goes back crying. This act is enacted as a stage- play during the mid of October. Numerous processions and tableaux are also carried out on the occasion.

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Nag Nathaiya Festival in Vanarasi

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It is another important festival of Varanasi. The Nag Nathaiya festival is held during the month of Nov-Dec and a large number of people gather to see the re-enactment which is famous as Nag Nathaiya Leela.
This festival is a part of the Krishna Leela ceremony, a mythological tradition involving depiction of a famous episode in the life of lord Krishna.

The Nag Nathaiya festival of Varanasi is held at the Tulsi Ghat. Lord Krishna jumps into River Ganga for Nag Nathan. The origin of this festival is traced back to Mahabharata. When lord Krishna lost his ball in river Ganga. And then little Krishna dived into the river so as to get his ball back, where he was confronted by King Cobra (Kalia naag). After recognizing the power of little Krishna king cobra lifted Krishna on the surface instead.

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Ganga Mahotsav Fair in Vanarasi

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The city of Varanasi or Banaras, celebrates the timeless glory of the river which is a rare festive experience that pays a fitting tribute to the mighty Ganga. It is the most famous festival of Varanasi which comes in the month of October/November. The festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Varanasi. On the occasion of this festival, apart from boat race display of marital arts also takes place.

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Mahashivratri Festival in Vanarasi

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Since Varanasi is considered the city of Lord Shiva, Mahashivaratri festival holds immense importance here. On this day every Shiv Mandir is decorated. In Varanasi a marriage procession of Lord Shiva is taken out starting from Mahamrityunjaya Temple, Daranagar to Kashi Vishwanath Temple via Chowk. Mahashivratari falls on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna which comes in February/March.
On the day of Mahashivaratri, the main center of religious activity and worship at Varanasi is the Kashi Vishvanath temple, where devotees throng in large numbers to offer prayers to the residing deity of Varanasi, Lord Shiva. During the occasion of this festival, people visit nearby temples of Shiva and offer prayers in large numbers. The prayers and worship continue late into the night.

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Dev Deepavali Festival in Vanarasi

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It is celebrated in the month of November/December. This is the sacred day, which is celebrated on the occasion of Kartik Poornima when the Ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of Diyas (earthen lamps). It is believed that on the day of Dev Deepavali, the Gods descend on Earth. Dev Deepavali is celebrated on the fifteenth day of diwali. It is interesting to note that the Kartik Purnima festival also coincides with the Jain light festival and Guru Nanak Jayanti.

On the eve of Kartik Purnima, the number of pilgrims begins to increase manifolds and most of the pilgrim’s camp by the riverside. In the evening, pilgrims and local people decorate the entire riverbank with tiny earthen lamps (’Diya’). These lamps are lit as a mark of welcome to the Gods as they descend on earth. The little sparks of fire flicker elegantly and is a wonderful sight to watch. The ‘Ganga-Aarti’ is an important event in the evening. Almost all Ghats organize their own ceremony. Huge lamps are set ablaze and the priest holds forth the lamp as the multitude chants the hymns.

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Dhrupad Mela in Vanarasi

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It is a five days music festival which is generally performed by the famous artists at tulsi ghat which is celebrated in the month of March. This festival is very popular festival among foreign tourists.

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Hanuman Jayanti Festival in Vanarasi

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Hanuman was a zealous devotee of Rama, and is worshipped for his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama. Like all other Hindu Gods, Lord Hanuman is also very popular among Hindus. Jannotsav of Lord Hanuman is celebrated at Sankat Mochan Temple for five days with cultural & musical programmes by artistes from all over India. During which many plays are staged based on the Saraswati, Ram, Krishna Lila and Hanuman Charitra. All the devotees of hanuman in Varanasi apply sindhoor tilak on the forehead from the statue of hanuman
Laddoos (sweets) are also offered to Lord Hanuman and distributed among poor people and other devotees. The Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with great fanfare and feast at Varanasi

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Bharat Milap Festival in Vanarasi

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The Bharat Milap festival is held the day following Dussehra. It is held in October/November and an important festival of Kashi or Varanasi. It is celebrated to commemorate Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his reunion with his brother, Bharat.
The Bharat Milap festival is held at Nati Imli, Varanasi. The annual Dussehra festival and the Bharat Milap festival is one of the greatest attractions of Varanasi city.

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Buddha Purnima Festival in Vanarasi

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This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Buddha with traditional religious fervour. It celebrated in the month of April/may on the full moon day in the month of vaisakh. It is believed that Lord Buddha was born on the same day in 563 B.C. Here, it is interesting to note that Buddha achieved enlightenment and nirvana (salvation) on the same day (the Full Moon day).
A large fair is held at Sarnath and the relice of the Buddha are taken out for public display in a procession on this day. The Buddha Purnima celebrations at Sarnath attract large Buddhist crowds as Buddhists offer prayers in different Buddhist temples at Sarnath on this day. Monks and devotees meditate and worship the statue of Gautam Buddha

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Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary Beautiful Place Near Vanarasi

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Chandraprabha sanctuary is situated to the Southeast of Varanasi which is about 55 km from the city. The most convenient way to reach the Chandraprabha sanctuary is by hiring a taxi and driving down. The journey takes approximately two hour. These forests nestle within them the Rajdari and Devdari waterfalls. A beautiful secluded place for a relaxed outing or a picnic. The Chandraprabha sanctuary was established in May 1957. Asiatic lions were introduced at Chandraprabha in 1958 but finally the plan to put lions was revived in 1993 but sadly not much has happened since then.

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