Ever since the days of yore, Varanasi has enjoyed its reputation as one of the sacred cities in India and a prominent seat for mysticism, spiritualism, Indian philosophy and Hinduism. One of the oldest cities of the world, Varanasi (also known as Banaras and Kashi) is an important pilgrimage destination not only for Hindus, but also for Buddhists and Jains. The numerous Hindu temples, ashrams and ghats form the main tourist destinations in Varanasi, besides the Buddhist Stupas and Jain temples and educational institutions.

The major tourist destinations in Varanasi are -

The Ghats �
The Ganges Ghats (river fronts) are the main center of rituals and religious activities in Varanasi. Nearly 100 ghats have been built on the western banks of the River Ganges in Kashi. On your Varanasi tour, you can best observe life on the stone steps of the Varanasi ghats through a pleasant boat or catamaran cruise along the Ganges. Among the most popular ghats in Varanasi are the Harishchandra Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Panchaganga Ghat, Dashashvamedh Ghat and the Assi Ghat.

The Temples �
A City of Temples, Varanasi is home to numerous Hindu temples which attract a large number of devotees from all over the world. Notable among these tourist places in Varanasi are the Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple), Durga Temple, Kedaresvara Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple and Shitala Temple. One of the most revered and sacred Hindu temples, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is renowned all over the world. It is believed that every Hindu wishes to visit this temple at least once in a lifetime. The Bharat Mata Temple contains a huge relief map of the Indian subcontinent and Tibetan plateau.

Historic Monuments and Educational Institutions �

Also prominent among the tourist destinations in Varanasi is the Ramnagar Fort and Palace, located about 14 kilometers from Varanasi. This fort is the ancestral home of the Maharaja of Banaras, and now serves as a museum. Places to see in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh also include the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), which is one of India�s greatest centers of learning, especially for subjects like philosophy, religion, classical languages and culture.

There are a number of other tourist destinations in Varanasi worth seeing like the ABC Art Gallery, Bharat Kala Bhavan and Jantar Mantar.

Touristplacesinindia.com offers online information on tourist destinations in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and tourist places in other parts of India.