Banaras: 5 Lesser Known Places to See
Banaras. Varanasi. Kashi.
The fondly addressed name. The official name. The ancient name.
Call it by any name, but this, the Oldest Living City in the World, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, is one of a kind.
On a first visit to Banaras, visitors may find the streets chaotic, noisy and crowded — but it is in these streets that lives a city as old as human civilisation itself.
And on its ghats — the banks of the sacred river Ganga (Ganges) — where cremations occur alongside celebrations, and where there are dedicated places for people to go during the last days of their lives. Because dying in this city, along the banks of the Ganga, is considered a sure shot way to get moksha (freedom from the cycle of rebirths).
Apart from the hundreds of temples that one can visit in Banaras, here are FIVE lesser known sites that are a ‘must see’:
1. The Birthplace of Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi
Known for her valour during India’s freedom struggle, Rani Lakshmi Bai was the Queen of Jhansi (another city in the same State), who valiantly fought the British before she was killed. It is a little known fact that she was born in Kashi, and a smarak (memorial) has been built by the administration where her home used to once stand.
2. Birthplace of Munshi Premchand, Most Celebrated Writer of Hindi Literature
Premchand (real name — Dhanpat Rai Srivastava) lived in Lamhi, a village near Banaras and all that stands of his home today is another smarak (memorial). Known as “Upanyas Samrat” (Emperor Novelist), and author of a dozen novels, more than 300 short stories and several essays — and there is nothing left of his home and birthplace.
A small building with empty rooms is being promoted as a place where he wrote his major works, but it wasn’t convincing enough, because he is supposed to have lived his life in penury.
3. The House of Tulsidas who wrote the Ramcharitmanas
In the 16th century, Tulsidas is said to have sat on the banks of the Ganga and composed the Ramcharitmanas. His home still exists and is now an Ashram. It is located close to Lolark Kund.
Walking through the house/ashram is a surreal experience. Photography is not allowed inside.
4. Lolark Kund
This water tank is considered to be one of the most sacred places in Banaras. Lolark means Trembling Sun. The tank is said to date back to 1000 AD and couples seeking children offer pooja at this water body.
It is said that the water of this Kund is clear throughout the year, even during floods.
5. Bharat Mata Mandir
The only temple dedicated to India (Bharat Mata) is located in Varanasi and was inaugurated in 1936.
There is a large map of India made of marble that shows Bharat’s topography, with its towering mountains, rivers and ocean bodies.
