A place of great historical and cultural importance, Varanasi is a city of temples and learning. Situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, it is a religious capital of India and an epitome of the synthesis of cultures, religions and races. The river-front of the city is decorated by hundreds of well built ghats, which are its unique and extraordinary in their own.

Varanasi inspires one to reflect about life, to ponder about creation and the insignificance of temporal wealth in the face of death. Along the water's edge, there are the burning ghats. The most sacred one is Manikarnika, associated with Goddess Parvati, the Lord Shiva's wife.

The important destinations to explore in Varanasi are:

Tulsi Manas Temple:
This temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. The temple is built in the place where Goswami Tulsidas composed the epic 'Ramacharitramanas' which provides us with detailed description of the history and deeds of Lord Rama. A philanthropist family constructed Tulsi Manas Temple in 1964.

Asi Ghat:
It is one of the five special ghats which pilgrims are supposed to bathe from in order and on the same day. The order is Asi, Dasaswamedh, Barnasangam, Panchganga and finally Manikarnika.

Sarnath:
About 10 km from the holy city of Varanasi, Sarnath is the place where Gautam Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon. There are several Buddhist monuments and edifices in Sarnath, like - Chaukhandi stupa, the Dhamekha stupa and monasteries and temples of different schools of Buddhism from Japan, China, Thailand, Burma and others.

You will also find a vast expanse of ancient ruins at Sarnath. Several Buddhist structures and monuments were raised at Sarnath during the 3rd century BC to 11th century AD, and today it represents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail.