Description
Varanasi, a city situated on the banks of River Ganges is one of the ancient and living cities of the world. The sacred River Ganges and Kashi Viswanath Temple along with hundreds of temples are the prime attractions of the city. Thousands of pilgrims reach Varanasi daily to explore this spiritual city. Varanasi was also known as Kashi or Benaras. It is also an important places for Buddhist believers and Sarnath, the place Lord Buddha gave his 1st sermon is very close to city. Thousands of Buddhist believers all over the world come and visit Sarnath Stupa and offer their prayers. Recently, Varanasi is became a good destination for events, exhibitions and conferences. The nearby Prayagraj is also an equally important sacred city for the Holi dip in the Triveni Sangam. Kumbha Mela happens in The city has a number of historic monuments as well.
Allahabad
Prayagraj is one of the largest cities of the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Although Prayaga was renamed Allahabadin 1575, the name later became Allahabad in an anglicized version in Roman script. The city is situated on an inland peninsula, surrounded by the rivers Ganges and Yamuna on three sides, with only one side connected to the mainland Doab region, of which it is a part. This position is of importance in Hindu scriptures for it is situated at the confluence, known as Triveni Sangam, of the holy rivers. As per Rigveda the Sarasvati River (now dried up) was part of the three river confluence in ancient times. It is one of four sites of the Kumbh Mela, an important mass Hindu pilgrimage.
Bodhgaya
The history of Bodhgaya dates back to the 6th century B.C. when Prince Siddhartha Gautama, after renouncing his family at the age of 29, attained spiritual enlightenment at this holy place. He then came to be known as Buddha. According to legends, after observing self-mortification for around 6 years in Bodhgaya, he gave up the same. Then he discovered and practiced the Noble Eightfold path and this led to his enlightenment or “Buddhatva”- a state where you are become detached from delusion, hatred and lust. He gained many followers and over the next hundred years, the village turned into a huge Buddhist pilgrimage centre. Emperor Ashoka is one of the most famous disciples of Buddha and built the Mahabodhi temple. Additional shrines were added around the 13th century but the condition of the temple began deteriorating after the city fell into the hands of the Turkish emperors. By the 18th century, it was almost severely dilapidated. Sir Alexander Cunningham later restored the temple in the late 19th century. Bodhgaya today is a pilgrimage destination for the entire Buddhist world and many others who seek spiritual presence. People come in large numbers to see the Mahabodhi Temple, which is declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.