About Varanasi

{"data":[{"city":"Varanasi","coordinates":{"lat":"25.3176452","lng":"82.9739144"},"localArea":[{"id":"d0","name":"Banaras Hindu University","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Varanasi/city-highlights/1x1sightseeing/Banaras-Hindu-University-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"10:00 AM","closingTime":"5:00 PM","description":"Established in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Banaras Hindu University is one of the largest residential universities in Asia, with over twenty thousand students. Its lush campus is also home to the Bharat Kala Bhavan, which has a priceless collection of Indian paintings.","coordinates":{"lat":"25.2685304","lng":"82.9904737"}},{"id":"d1","name":"Sarnath","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Varanasi/city-highlights/1x1sightseeing/Sarnath1X1.jpg","openingTime":"10:00 AM","closingTime":"4:30 PM","description":"A short drive outside the city, Sarnath is the place where Gautam Buddha gave his first discourse after attaining enlightenment. The Dhamekh Stupa marks the spot at where Gautam Buddha gave his sermon. You will also see a section of the massive Ashoka Pillar here.","coordinates":{"lat":"25.3809025","lng":"83.0245148"}},{"id":"d2","name":"Vishwanath Temple","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Varanasi/city-highlights/1x1sightseeing/Kashi-vishanath-temple-1x1.jpg","openingTime":"3:00 AM","closingTime":"11:00 PM","description":"The most sacred temple in India’s Holy City, the Vishwanath Temple sees thousands of visitors waiting to get a glimpse of Lord Shiva’s idol. The temple, in its current form, was built by Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. In 1859, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore had the tower and dome plated in gold.","coordinates":{"lat":"25.3108532","lng":"83.0106783"}},{"id":"d3","name":"Sail down the Ganga at sunrise","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Varanasi/city-highlights/1x1activities/Sunrise-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"5:30 AM","closingTime":"8:30 AM","description":"Wake at the crack of dawn and head down to the ghats to go on a boat ride on the Ganga River. Watch as the skies turn from pink to goldenand witness the city welcome a new day, asits citizens come to bathe, pray,and meditate on the steps leading down to the river.","coordinates":{"lat":"25.312676","lng":"83.015934"}},{"id":"d4","name":"Let the magic overwhelm you","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Varanasi/city-highlights/1x1activities/Ganga-Aarti-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"6:45 PM","closingTime":"","description":"Dashashwamedh Ghat is thronged by massive crowds every evening as locals and visitors come together to witness the Ganga aarti, a dramatic evening lighting of the holy flame, performed by local priests. This one-hour ceremony can also be enjoyed from a boat on the river for a unique experience.","coordinates":{"lat":"25.308968","lng":"83.0085642"}},{"id":"d5","name":"Immerse yourself in the city","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Varanasi/city-highlights/1x1activities/Activityghats-1x1.jpg","openingTime":"","closingTime":"","description":"Varanasi lives in its ghats and winding bylanes, which were reputedly designed to be very narrow to prevent invasions. Take a walk through lanes like Dal Mandi, Vishwanath Galli and Manikarnika Galli to the ghats on the riverfront for an experience like no other. It is the best way to take in the sights and sounds of a city stuck in time.","coordinates":{"lat":"25.3128329","lng":"83.007412"}},{"id":"d6","name":"Spice up your life ","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Varanasi/city-highlights/1x1shopping/Kinari-bazaar-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"","closingTime":"","description":"Absorb the colours, aromas and rich flavours fresh spices at Kinari Bazaar. Bring back a whole or ground spices to recreate at home some of the authentic dishes you enjoyed on your visit to this beautiful city.","coordinates":{"lat":"25.3176452","lng":"82.9739144"}},{"id":"d7","name":"Shop with the locals ","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Varanasi/city-highlights/1x1shopping/Dal-mandi-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"","closingTime":"","description":"Dal Mandi once used to be the courtesans’ street. Today, it is a bustling wholesale market that is frequented by locals and visitors alike. Everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to daily-use items ethnic lampshades, intricate brass lamps and traditional wall-hangings can all be found here.","coordinates":{"lat":"25.3128329","lng":"83.007412"}},{"id":"d8","name":"Bring back a piece of history ","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Varanasi/city-highlights/1x1shopping/Benarasi-sari-1x1.jpg","openingTime":"10:00 AM","closingTime":"8:00 PM","description":"An authentic Banarasi silk is like a family heirloom – it lasts forever and and is passed down generation to generation by the women of the family. Buy some gorgeous works, shot through with rich brocade, and pick up shawls, stoles and coin bags as souvenirs from Mehrotra Silk Factory.","coordinates":{"lat":"25.3247872","lng":"82.9893064"}}]}]}