Varanasi: The Beloved City of Lord Shiva
Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is regarded as the most beloved city of Lord Shiva. It holds immense religious significance, primarily because of Baba Vishwanath—one of the most revered among the twelve Jyotirlingas in India.
According to sacred beliefs, Kashi is not only home to Adi Visheshwar (the original Vishwanath), but also houses twelve other symbolic Jyotirlingas. Each of these holds profound historical and spiritual importance.
It is believed that visiting these Jyotirlingas in Kashi bestows the same spiritual merit as visiting all twelve Jyotirlingas spread across the country. This divine promise draws countless devotees, especially during the holy month of Sawan, when the city overflows with faith and devotion. The air reverberates with chants of “Har Har Mahadev”, and temples echo with the fervent prayers of Shiva bhakts.
By Air:
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS)
Location: Babatpur, about 25 km from Varanasi city center.
Domestic Flights: Well-connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, etc.
International Flights: Available from cities like Kathmandu, Dubai, Sharjah (though limited).
Transport from Airport: Prepaid taxis, app cabs (Ola/Uber), and private transfers are available to reach the city or hotels.
By Train:
Main Railway Stations:
Varanasi Junction (BSB) – Major station, centrally located.
Banaras (BSBS) – Another important station, about 6–7 km from BSB.
Manduadih (MUV) – Now renamed as Banaras station, used for some express and premium trains.
Kashi (KEI) – For local trains or nearby areas.
From Major Cities:
Delhi: 10–12 hrs by overnight express trains (e.g., Shiv Ganga Express, Vande Bharat)
Mumbai: 24–28 hrs (e.g., Kamayani Express, Mahanagari Express)
Kolkata: 10–12 hrs (e.g., Howrah–Varanasi Express)
Lucknow, Patna, and Gorakhpur are also well connected.
By Road:
National Highways: NH-19 (Delhi–Kolkata), NH-7 (Varanasi–Kanyakumari)
State-run and private buses:
From Lucknow (320 km): 6–7 hrs
From Patna (250 km): 5–6 hrs
From Allahabad (120 km): 2–3 hrs
Private Taxis or Self-Drive: Available from major cities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
🚖 Local Transport in Varanasi:
Auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws (best for the narrow lanes).
Ola and Uber cabs (for longer distances).
Boats (especially along the Ganga Ghats).
Private guides and tour vehicles are also available.