Vernacular Studies - Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

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Vernacular architecture is a broad and grassroot concept that encompasses fields of architectural study including aboriginal, indigenous, ancestral, rural, and ethnic architecture and is contrasted with the more intellectual architecture called polite, formal, or academic architecture.

In this blog, we will be discussing vernacular studies of Varanasi - The sacred City of India.

The city of Varanasi is known to the world over as the “sacred city” of India and is recognized as the “most ancient continuously living city of the world”. The city is unique in the architectural, artistic, and religious expressions of traditional Indian culture and is, even today a living example of this culture.

Modern scholars believe that Varanasi is around 3000 years old and is believed that it was found by Lord Shiva. The city grew as an important industrial center famous for the muslin and silk fabrics, ivory works, perfumes, and sculptures. Varanasi is also called Banaras as it was the pronunciation in Pali.

The topography of the city is averaging between 50 feet (15 m) and 70 feet (21 m) above the river. The Ganga River flows from South to North having the world-famous Ghats on its left bank.

Varanasi experiences a humid subtropical climate with large variations between summer and winter.

Varanasi is also one of India's tourist locations. Below mentioned are the top places to visit when you are in Varanasi.

1. Ganges River. Sunset view of Varanasi from the Ganges River.

2. Dasaswamedh Ghat. D

3. Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat.

4. Manikarnika Ghat - Funeral pyres burning at Manikarnika Ghat.

5. Dhamek Stupa.

6. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

7. Banaras Hindu University.

8. Ruchika Art Gallery.

9. Ramnagar Fort.

10.Shri Durga Temple

“Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, even older than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”

– Mark Twain