Varanasi City Guide leads the reader through time and space to understand what the city has been, how it has evolved, and what remains of its past. Interspersed with Innumerable myths and legends, it is a guidebook full of historical delight. Varansi. Benaaras. Kashi. Names of the same city that lies at the spiritual core of every Hindu. Steeped in sanctity, this most blessed of holy cities, is beloved of the supreme lord, Shiva, and set on the banks of the sacred river, Ganga. The last stop before release from the endless cycle of birth and death. This detailed guidebook seeks to capture the spirit of Varansi as well as its physical charms. Over 160 specially commissioned photographs freeze-frame the city, its architectural splendour as well as its teeming populace. A comprehensive practical information section meets every need from the time you decide to visit the city. The book is the perfect companion not just for the intrepid tourist but also the armchair traveller.

Contents:

Varanasi: The Other Reality
  An Introduction
  Shiva: The Supreme Lord
  Ganga: The Eternal River of Life
  Kashi: The City at the Center of the Earth

The Varanasi Experience
  Ghats
  Temples
  Galis & Mohallas
  Ramnagar
  Sarnath

Life & People
  Festival
  Crafts
  Food
  Indic Sciences

Experience
  Varanasi through the Eyes of Painters

Practical Information
  Excursions 
  Arriving in India
  Travel within India
  Arriving in Varanasi
  Tourist Information Centers

Travellers' Needs
  Where to Stay
  Where to Eat
  Where to Shop
  Further Reading
  Phrase Book: Hindi-English

Glossary

Index