JOURNEYS4LIFE TRAVEL

Dear Traveler, Situated on the west bank of the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh state of North India, Varanasi, also known as "Benares" or "Kashi" is mystical and captivating. As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi is a place where history and religion are fused into one. A Hindu legend passed through millennia states that Lord Shiva (the destroyer, transformer, and protector of the city) founded Varanasi five thousand years ago, though contemporary scholars believe it to be around three thousand years old. For Hindu devotees, a journey to Varanasi has the same significance as the Muslim's pilgrimage to Mecca or the Christians to Jerusalem. It is believed, that taking a bath in the holy Ganga River has the power to wash away one's sins. Due to the large distances and poverty in India, for Hindu followers, this sacred pilgrimage is often ones in a lifetime trip. What makes Varanasi even more fascinating, is that just 13 km ou

Dear Traveler, A recent trip to India inspired this blog- hope you find it useful. Fascinated by old civilizations,  Journeys4Life Travel's mission is to bring world heritage sites to life through travel. Brief History  India's history dates back to the third millennium BC when flourishing Indus civilization together with Mesopotamia,  Pharaonic Egypt and Yellow River Valley formed the Four Cradles of the Ancient Civilization. The fertile plains of Indus Valley were home to thriving major urban centers like Harappa and Mohenjo Daro  that left their mark in history. It is believed, that sometimes during the Bronze Age Hinduism came into existence and dominated the religious life of the populous until the 6th Century BC when the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama branched off from the mainstream and gave birth to Buddhism. The Great Empires of Ancient India (such as Maurya, Gupta) bloomed until the 8th Century AD when series of Muslim invasions weakened and led to the decline of