Varanasi Travel Guide

 
by kikili
 
  •   Varanasi
    by kikili
  • Dasaswamedh ghat
      Dasaswamedh ghat
    by mantru
  • River Ganges the heart of Varanasi
      River Ganges the heart of Varanasi
    by mantru
  • sunset
      sunset
    by mantru
  • boats near the ghat
      boats near the ghat
    by mantru
 

Explore Varanasi

Things to Do  

Visit the Kashi Vishwanatha Temple

Visit the Kashi Vishwanatha Temple, Varanasi

 vpas Says:  This is the main deity of the city of Varanasi. It is considered as one of the most sacred temples for the Hindus. Notwithstanding this great stature, the temple is maintained in the most deplorable fashion, The cleanliness is almost non existent and the devotees are jostled... 

Visit Sankat Mochan Temple

Visit Sankat Mochan Temple, Varanasi

 vpas Says:  This is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is very peaceful and simple. In the evenings they have bhajans and singing. An ideal place to sit in meditation and contemplation in this place. However on Thursdays and Saturdays, it is more crowded. 

Sankat mochan temple

Sankat mochan temple, Varanasi

 mantru Says:  Sankat Mochan Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is very popular with the local citizens. It is a place for many yearly religious as well as cultural festivals. The word "Sankat Mochan" means one who helps in removing sufferings.Every Tuesday and Saturday, thousands of... 

Durga temple

Durga temple, Varanasi

 mantru Says:  This ancient temple was constructed in the 18th century. This ancient temple has been constructed in the North Indian Nagara architectural style. This ancient temple is located at a distance of 4 kilometers from Godaulia in Varanasi, India. 

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

 mantru Says:  The Kashi-Vishwanath Temple is also known as the Golden Temple and is a popular religious tourist destination. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishveswara Shiva. The original temple is said to have been destroyed by the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb who constructed a... 

Chausathi ghat/ahalya bai ghat

Chausathi ghat/ahalya bai ghat, Varanasi

 mantru Says:  At the place of an old site of Kevelyagiri Ghat, in c. 1778 queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore made this a pucca ghat. For the first time name of a person was added after the ghat. She was also responsible for re-building the Visvesvara temle, as exists at present, in... 

Restaurants  

Small shops/ eateries and stalls: Street food
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vpas 581 reviews

You will find scores of shops all along the roads, especially close to the Vishwanathji temple. They sell samosas, jilebis, hot milk, kachoris etc. It is a must to try at least some of these. If you have a delicate stomach it is best to avoid these.

Written Feb 19, 2013

Related to:
 Food and Dining

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Nightlife  

aarti: Prayer by the ghats

aarti: Prayer by the ghats, Varanasi

 husain Says:  The prayer ceremony by the ghats of the holy river Ganges, is an impressive event. At 6pm sharp, every evening, priests ('pujaris') all in white, line up in a row, and amidst fire and chanting and the sound of bells, they perform a choreographed ceremony. A pretty impressive... 

Go To Bed Early

Go To Bed Early, Varanasi

 aukjejetty Says:  I would suggest going to bed early and get up before sunrise in the morning! It is really worth it. The sun comes up on the other side of the river so if you take the boat along at sunrise you will have a great light shining on all the ghats and buildings packed on top of... 

Transportation  

a boat ride on the river...
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husain 954 reviews
boat ride on the ganges
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As a tourist, you will probably get the boatman to take you along the ghats for a view of the various aspects of life on the ghats.
The locals and pilgrims usually use the boats for river crossings...

Updated Feb 20, 2007

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Arts and Culture
 Backpacking

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Shopping  

All over: Buy a Banarasi sari

All over: Buy a Banarasi sari, Varanasi

 vpas Says:  All over Varanasi, you will find shops selling Banarasi saris. The prices range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5000 or even more. It is better to check with a few shops before buying. There are many varieties of the sari and hence the price varies. 

Banarasi silk sarees

Banarasi silk sarees, Varanasi

 mantru Says:  The banarasi sarees the must have for all Indian women,is produced here,silk is brought from all parts of india and abroad and weaved here.The weavers pass this art from generations to generation.Pure silk is called "katan".There are a variety of sarees weaved here,most are... 

Local Customs  

Ganga aarti

Ganga aarti, Varanasi

 mantru Says:  The Ganga aarati happens every evening with pomp and show.Its a very beautiful sight,just sitting and listening makes you feel at peace.The aarati starts at 6.30 pm people fil the ghat steps to view aarati and few will take boats to view from the river side. 

puja and charity on no moon day-Amawasya

puja and charity on no moon day-Amawasya, Varanasi

 mantru Says:  On amawasya,the dark night people come in huge numbers to take bath in the ganges,also they offer money,rice vegetable to the beggars.The ghats were full of beggars who sat on the ghats spreading shawls for people to give something in charity. 

bathing in the ganges

bathing in the ganges, Varanasi

 mantru Says:  The ganges is the holiest of all the rivers in India.People come to wash off their sins by taking the holy bath. 

Warnings and Dangers  

Clean the Ganga campaign

Clean the Ganga campaign, Varanasi

 husain Says:  The Ganges is the Holiest river in India. However, it is also among the most polluted- at least when it crosses some of the bigger cities while it makes its way from the Himalayas to the sea...The Holy city of Benares, is one of the cities where the Ganges is at its most... 

The Cremation ghats

The Cremation ghats, Varanasi

 husain Says:  We were told that visiting shooting here or visiting the `burning ghats' is not the best idea... We required clearance from various people- religious and tourism department.We needed to shoot there for a last sequence, and when we finally did set out, it was somewhat... 

Off The Beaten Path  

sunset from the other bank.
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mantru 322 reviews
sunset
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If you want to get a good view and pics,go to the other side before sunset...the view is great so are the pictures.

Written Jan 31, 2009

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Favorites  

Varanasi - Benares - Kashi

Varanasi - Benares - Kashi, Varanasi

 aukjejetty Says:  The city of Varanasi or [Benares as it was called up until recently] is one of India's most sacred cities. The Hindus call it Kashi, or the City of Light. Each year over one million pilgrims come to the city, while 50,000 Brahmins live there.I am not sure what I should call... 

another beautiful sunrise...

another beautiful sunrise..., Varanasi

 husain Says:  another beautiful sunrise across the river ganga. it also meant however, that we had to wake up at 4 am to shoot it:( 

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Map of Varanasi