Excursions in Varanasi

There are a number of historical and religious places and towns around Varanasi that are worth visiting. Some of the important and famous are Sarnath, Chunar, Jaunpur, Kaushambi, Kushinagar and Vindhaychal. Sarnath is about 10 km from Varanasi and is famous for being the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment. Sarnath is an important pilgrimage place for the Buddhists as it was here that the wheel of dharma was set in motion. Sarnath also boasts of a number of monuments and edifices ranging from the Ashokan period to the 12th century. Chunar is about 40 km from Varanasi and is known for the Chunar fort. The Chunar fort looks beautiful upon the Kaimur Hills that provides a fantastic view of the meandering Ganga River. This is the same 'Churnargarh', on which the famous Hindi classical novelist Devinandan Khatri based his renowned work 'Chandrakanta'. Another important and historical place around Varanasi is Jaunpur. The Tughlaq ruler, Feroz Shah built Jaunpur in 1360. It was built to guard the eastern frontier of the kingdom. The town still has some of the beautiful monuments of that period. Vindhyachal is about 90 km from Varanasi and is one of the several Shaktipeeths in India, which is believed to be the abode of Goddess Durga. Besides these cities and towns, one may also visit the Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary spread over an area of 500 sq km and the Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary. Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Chandauli district and has rich flora and fauna. Kushinagar is yet another important excursion point around Varanasi. Lord Buddha breathed his last at kushinagar.

Chandraprabha Sanctuary
Chandraprabha sanctuary is situated to the Southeast of Varanasi. Though one of India's lesser-known sanctuaries, Chandraprabha is endowed with beautiful picnic spots, dense forests, and scenic waterfalls like Rajdari and Devdari that attract a large number of tourists. The Chandraprabha sanctuary was established in May 1957. Asiatic lions were introduced at Chandraprabha in 1958. To start with the exercise was successful, with the number of lions rising from three to 11 by 1969. However, the next year the lions were found missing. The plan to put lions was again revived in 1993 Flora but sadly not much And has happened since then. Fauna

A variety of wild animals and plant life are found at Chandraprabha. The animal life includes blackbucks, chital, sambhar, nilgai, wild boar, porcupine and Indian gazelle. The reptilian species include gharial and python. In terms of flora, it is a typical dry deciduous forest, composed of gneiss and laminated stone. Reaching Chandraprabha

Chandraprabha sanctuary is about 55 km from Varanasi. The most convenient way to reach the Chandraprabha sanctuary is by hiring a taxi and driving down. The journey takes approximately two hours. The nearest rail junction is Varanasi, well connected to most parts of India.

Chunar Fort
The Chunar fort is situated in the Vindhya Range at a distance of about 45 odd km from Varanasi. The Chunar fort is located in the Mirzapur district. According to the Puranas the oldest name of Chunar was Charanadri as Lord Vishnu had taken his first step in his Vaman incarnation in the dynasty of Great king Bali. However Chunar came into prominence after the visit of Babar followed by Shershah Suri, Humayun, Akbar, Aurangzeb and finally the Britishers. It is said that Maharaja Vikramaditya, the king of Ujjain established the fort of Chunar. According to the Alha Khand, King Sahadeo made this fort as his capital and established the statue of Naina Yogini in a cave of Vindhya hill. To commemorate his victory on 52 rulers, King Sahadeo built a stone umbrella inside the fort.

The Chunar fort became important for its association with the Mughal king, Babar and later Shershah Suri, who got the possession of the fort by marrying the wife of Taj Khan Sarang-Khani, the Governer of Ibrahim Lodi. In 1531 AD Humayun made an unsuccessful effort to capture this fort but later in 1574AD, Akbar the great captured this fort and since that very time it remained under the Mughals up to 1772AD. In the year 1772AD the East India Company captured the Chunar fort.

Jaunpur
Jaunpur district is located to the northwest of Varanasi. Jaunpur's history dates from 1388 when the Sultan of Delhi, Feroz Shah Tughlaq, appointed Malik Sarwar, a eunuch, as governor of the region. The Delhi Sultanate was weakened by the 1398 sacking of Delhi by Timur and Malik Sarwar declared independence. Malik Sarwar and his son founded the Sharqi dynasty. During the Sharqi period the Jaunpur Sultanate was a strong military power in Northern India, and on several occasions threatened the Delhi Sultanate.

Jaunpur was then a major center of Urdu and Sufi knowledge and culture. Slowly Jaunpur flourished as an important cultural center. Jaunpur's independence came to an end in 1480, when Sikander Lodi, the Sultan of Delhi, conquered the city. The Sharqi kings attempted for several years to retake the city, but ultimately failed. Though the Jaunpur Kingdom did not last long yet it left its mark, particularly, in realms of culture and music. The period saw the construction of many great and beautiful buildings.

Although many of the Sharqi monuments were destroyed when the Lodis took the city, several important mosques still remain. The most important one of them are the Atala Masjid, Jama Masjid and the Lal Darwaza Masjid. The Jaunpur mosques display a unique architectural style, combining traditional Hindu and Muslim motifs with purely original elements. The old bridge over the Gomti River dates back to year 1564 AD.

Kaushambi
Kaushambi has been a great center of Buddhist culture and heritage. In ancient times Kaushambi was an important seat of Buddhist learning and the remains of various monuments bear testimony to this fact. The capital of the ancient

Matsya kingdom was in Kaushambi during the time of Lord Buddha. It is about 57 km away from modern Allahabad. In ancient times it was known as Kosam. Kaushambi, which is reminiscent of Buddhist culture, is now into ruins but lot can be read into the great past of the place. The 6 km expanse of Parikshit's fort is now extinct. In the 4 BC, the great Mauryan emperor, Ashoka, had built two pillars in Kaushambi. One of these pillars now is in Allahabad fort and the other is in a dilapidated condition in Kaushambi. In Buddhist scriptures and ancient Indian literature we find mention of a Buddhist Vihara (Ghositaram Vihara) but unfortunately no trace of the Ghositaram Vihara is present now.

Vindhyachal
Vindhyachal is an important attraction around Varanasi. Vindhyachal is one of most important Shaktipeeths. It is believed that Goddess Durga had established herself here after having killed the demon king Mahishasura. Thus, Goddess Durga is also known by the name of Vindhyavasini in this area. In the latter years, the goddess had also defeated Shumbha and Nishumbha. Apart from its Mythological relevance, Vindhyachal is known for its beautiful natural surroundings. Sitakund is one of the popular attractions at Vindhyachal. It is said that when Sri Ram, Sita and Lakshman were returning home after their exile, Sita became very thirsty at this place. Since water was not easily available, Lakshman pierced an arrow and immediately a fountain of water came out. In memory of Ram, Sita and Lakshman and Goddess Durga a temple was constructed. One can quench his/her thirst here at the Sitakund. After climbing 48 steps to the Sita Kund the track leads to another low hillock, where the Ashtabhuja Temple is situated. Near to the Ashtabhuja temple, there is another cave temple with a narrow path. The cave roof is so low that one has to bow down to have a glimpse of the subterranean Goddess Kali. Besides these temples there are many more temples at Vindhyachal. There are also the Brahmakund and Agastyakund whose waters are very sacred and it is believed that bathing in these water can relieve one of his/her sins. Besides, there is also an Ashram of Anandamayee Ma.