Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world and a
significant cultural and religious hub in India, is well-connected by rail. The
city has several important railway stations serving millions of passengers
annually. Here’s an overview of the key railway stations in Varanasi:
- ๐ 1. Varanasi Junction (BSB)
Station Code: BSB
Significance: The main and busiest railway station in
Varanasi.
Location: Cantonment area, Varanasi.
Facilities: Modern amenities, retiring rooms, waiting halls,
food courts, and book stalls.
Connectivity: Direct trains to major Indian cities like
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bangalore.
Nearby Attractions: Kashi Vishwanath Temple (5 km),
Dashashwamedh Ghat (6 km).
- ๐ 2. Manduadih Railway Station (MUV)
Station Code: MUV
Significance: Recently upgraded with modern facilities and
renamed Banaras Railway Station.
Location: Manduadih area, Varanasi.
Facilities: Clean platforms, escalators, air-conditioned
waiting areas.
Connectivity: Handles long-distance and local trains
efficiently.
Nearby Attractions: Sarnath (10 km).
- ๐ 3. Kashi Railway Station (KEI)
Station Code: KEI
Significance: Smaller station mainly serving local trains.
Location: Suburban area of Varanasi.
Facilities: Basic amenities.
Connectivity: Connects Varanasi to nearby towns and cities.
- ๐ 4. Varanasi City Railway Station (BCY)
Station Code: BCY
Significance: Serves mainly passenger and some express
trains.
Location: Nati Imli area, Varanasi.
Facilities: Limited facilities compared to Varanasi
Junction.
Connectivity: Handles trains connecting nearby towns.
- ๐ 5. Sarnath Railway Station (SRNT)
Station Code: SRNT
Significance: Located near the historic site of Sarnath, a
prominent Buddhist pilgrimage site.
Location: Sarnath, around 10 km from Varanasi city center.
Facilities: Basic amenities.
Connectivity: Limited passenger trains; mainly caters to
tourists visiting Sarnath.
- ๐ 6. Bhulanpur Railway Station (BHLP)
Station Code: BHLP
Significance: Handles some goods and passenger trains.
Location: Suburban area of Varanasi.
Facilities: Basic amenities.
Connectivity: Mainly local connectivity.
- ๐ Future Developments and Upgrades:
The Indian Railways is actively upgrading stations like
Manduadih (Banaras) and Varanasi Junction.
Focus on modern facilities, better cleanliness, and
passenger services.
- ๐บ️ How to Choose the Right Station?
Varanasi Junction (BSB): Best for major train connections.
Manduadih (MUV): Preferred for modern facilities and
cleanliness.
Kashi (KEI) & Varanasi City (BCY): For local train
travelers.
Sarnath (SRNT): For tourists visiting Sarnath.
Here's an overview of Train
Schedules, Nearby Attractions, and Station Facilities for the
key railway stations in Varanasi:
๐
1. Varanasi Junction (BSB)
๐
Train Schedules:
- To Delhi:
Shiv Ganga Express, Kashi Vishwanath Express
- To Mumbai:
Mahanagari Express, Kamayani Express
- To Kolkata:
Howrah-Varanasi Express, Sealdah-Varanasi Express
- To Chennai:
Ganga Kaveri Express
You can check real-time train
schedules and seat availability on the IRCTC website or the NTES
(National Train Enquiry System).
๐บ️
Nearby Attractions:
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple (5 km) – One of the most revered Hindu temples.
- Dashashwamedh Ghat (6 km) – Famous for Ganga Aarti.
- Banaras Hindu University (8 km) – Renowned educational institution.
๐ ️
Station Facilities:
- Retiring rooms and dormitories
- AC and non-AC waiting halls
- Food courts and kiosks
- Escalators and lifts
- Pre-paid taxi and auto services
- Wi-Fi services
๐
2. Banaras Railway Station (Manduadih - MUV)
๐
Train Schedules:
- To Delhi:
Manduadih Express
- To Mumbai:
Mahanagari Express
- To Patna:
Patna Intercity Express
๐บ️
Nearby Attractions:
- Sarnath (10 km)
– Famous Buddhist site.
- Tulsi Manas Temple (6 km) – Dedicated to Lord Rama.
- Ramnagar Fort (14 km)
– Historic fort and museum.
๐ ️
Station Facilities:
- Modern waiting lounges
- Clean platforms and escalators
- Food stalls and refreshment rooms
- Retiring rooms
- CCTV surveillance
๐
3. Varanasi City Station (BCY)
๐
Train Schedules:
- Primarily serves passenger and short-distance trains.
- Connects Varanasi with local cities like Jaunpur,
Azamgarh, and Ghazipur.
๐บ️
Nearby Attractions:
- Bharat Mata Temple (3 km) – Temple with a map of undivided India.
- Godowlia Market (4 km) – Famous for silk sarees and handicrafts.
๐ ️
Station Facilities:
- Basic waiting areas
- Food kiosks
- Ticket counters
- Limited retiring room facilities
๐
4. Kashi Railway Station (KEI)
๐
Train Schedules:
- Connects Varanasi with nearby towns and cities.
- Mostly caters to short-distance trains.
๐บ️
Nearby Attractions:
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple (7 km) – Famous for Hanuman devotees.
- Assi Ghat (8 km)
– Known for sunrise boat rides.
๐ ️
Station Facilities:
- Basic passenger amenities
- Food stalls
- Small waiting areas
๐
5. Sarnath Railway Station (SRNT)
๐
Train Schedules:
- Limited passenger trains connecting nearby cities.
- Ideal stop for tourists visiting Sarnath.
๐บ️
Nearby Attractions:
- Dhamek Stupa (1 km)
– Historic Buddhist monument.
- Sarnath Museum (1.5 km) – Houses ancient artifacts.
- Mulagandha Kuti Vihara (2 km) – A modern Buddhist temple.
๐ ️
Station Facilities:
- Basic seating arrangements
- Ticket counters
- Limited food stalls
๐
6. Bhulanpur Railway Station (BHLP)
๐
Train Schedules:
- Limited passenger and freight trains.
- Connects suburban areas of Varanasi.
๐บ️
Nearby Attractions:
- Banaras Hindu University (6 km)
- Durga Temple (7 km)
๐ ️
Station Facilities:
- Basic seating areas
- Ticket counters
๐ฒ
How to Check Live Train Status & Book Tickets?
- IRCTC Website:
irctc.co.in
- NTES (National Train Enquiry System): enquiry.indianrail.gov.in
- Mobile Apps:
IRCTC Rail Connect, NTES App
Varanasi Junction, also known as Banaras
Station (BSB), is not just a railway hub but also a historical and cultural
landmark. Here are some fascinating facts about it:
๐ฐ️
1. Historical Significance
- Established during the British colonial era,
Varanasi Junction has been a major rail hub for over a century.
- It played a crucial role in connecting northern India
to other parts of the country during colonial times.
๐
2. One of the Busiest Railway Stations in India
- Handles over 1.5 lakh passengers daily and
serves more than 240 trains every day.
- It serves as a junction point, connecting major cities
like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore.
๐ค️
3. Strategic Location
- The station is strategically located close to Kashi
Vishwanath Temple and other prominent ghats of the Ganges, making it a
key transit point for pilgrims and tourists.
- It connects North India to East and West zones
of Indian Railways.
๐
4. Architectural Design
- The station combines modern infrastructure with
classic Indian architectural elements.
- It has recently been upgraded with escalators,
digital boards, and improved waiting areas.
๐
5. Hub for Iconic Trains
- Hosts iconic trains like:
- Shiv Ganga Express (Varanasi–Delhi)
- Kashi Vishwanath Express (Varanasi–New Delhi)
- Manduadih Express (now Banaras Express)
- These trains are highly preferred by passengers due to
their punctuality and comfort.
๐
6. International Connectivity
- Varanasi Junction serves as a key gateway for
international travelers, especially Buddhist pilgrims visiting Sarnath.
- Many foreign tourists begin their Indian journey from
this station.
๐ก
7. Technological Advancements
- Equipped with free Wi-Fi services for
passengers.
- Integrated security systems with CCTV cameras ensure passenger safety.
- Real-time digital information boards provide live train
updates.
๐️
8. Passenger Amenities
- Offers retiring rooms, dormitories, AC/non-AC
waiting halls, and food plazas.
- A wide variety of food options, including regional
delicacies like Banarasi Paan and sweets, are available.
๐งณ
9. Major Tourist Gateway
- Serves as the main entry point for tourists visiting Varanasi,
Sarnath, Ramnagar Fort, and nearby historical sites.
- Acts as a transit hub for travelers heading towards Prayagraj
and Ayodhya.
๐
10. Cultural & Spiritual Importance
- Known as the Gateway to Spiritual India, the
station welcomes pilgrims from across the world.
- During festivals like Dev Deepawali and Kumbh
Mela, the station sees an extraordinary influx of devotees.
๐ฒ
Pro Tip for Travelers:
- Always check real-time train schedules on the IRCTC
app or NTES website.
- Try local snacks from station vendors while waiting for your train.
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