General Information about Varanasi

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM:
The main attraction at this excellent Archaeological Museum is the superb capital from the Ashokan pillar. It has the Ashokan symbol of four back-to-back lions which has been adopted as the state symbol of modern India. Other finds from the site include many figures and sculptures from the various periods of Saranath - Mauryan, Kushana, Gupta and later. Among them is the earliest Buddha image found at Sarnath, Buddha figures in various positions dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, and many images of Hindu gods such as Saraswati, Ganesh and Vishnu from the 9th to 12th centuries. The museum is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, closed on Fridays.

A B C ART GALLERY:
[Opp. Tulsi Manas Temple], Durgakund. Holds exhibition of Contemporary art-mainly paintings, open only during the winter season i.e. October to March. Timings 3.00-7.00 p.m. Tel : 310434, 310967. Entry Free.

OTHER TEMPLE & DEER PARK:
You can visit the modern temples in the Thai, Chinese, Tibetan, Burmese and Japanese monasteries. North of the Mulgandha Kuti Vihar is the deer park.

Shop till you drop

Varanasi is a shopper’s delight, with its exquisite silk saris, handicrafts, carpets, rugs and dhurries. Look around and you might be able to pick up nice ethnic jewellery and crafted pieces at competitive rates. You can even carry home some musical instrument for which Varanasi is quite famous. Besides ivory ware, brassware, copper ware and much more is readily available. You only have to explore a bit to discover it. The Chowk, Vishwanath Gali, Gyanvapi, Thatheri Bazar, Lahurabir, Godoulia, Dasashvamedh and Goldhar. Plus shop at the Government Emporia or souvenir shops approved by UP Tourism


More about Varanasi

• Area: 1550 sq. km.

• Population : 3,147,927 [2009]

• Altitude : 80.71 mtrs. above sea level

• Season: October – March

• Language: Hindi and English

• Festivals: Shivratri, Dussehra, Ganga Festival, Bharat Milap, Dhrupad Mela, Hanumat Jayanti, Nakkatyya Chetganj, Nag Nathaiya Panch Kroshi Parikrama.

• Local Transport : Buses, Cycle-rickshaws, Auto-rickshaws

• STD Code : 0542