Very few people know that the area between the Varuna River and Assi Ghat is called Varanas. Varanasi is an ancient Holy city in Uttar Pradesh, India. The old name of Varanasi is Kashi, and as per many historians, Varanasi is older than history; its history goes back several centuries. The City of Varanasi is famously known as the religious capital of India. The city has gone through several makeovers in the last few years after Mr. Narender Modi got elected from here as an MP. We are a local travel agent in Varanasi. The city has a lot to offer and has top places to visit in Varanasi, walking through narrow lanes, visiting several famous ghats, and many more. We are here with a list of the top things to do in Varanasi, the best places to visit in Varanasi, and the top sights in Varanasi.
Varanasi Facts
Varanasi, known as Benaras, the world’s oldest surviving city, has been a major hub of civilisation for over 3000 years. It is believed that whoever dies in Old Varanasi would undoubtedly find salvation.
Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankara, was born there. It is the city with the most river banks worldwide because it is the only location on Earth with 84 ghats.
Here are some facts to keep in mind:
Why Visit Varanasi:
- Captivating Ghats
- Fascinating and Unique Customs
- Enchanting Forts and Temples
- Enthralling Ganga Aarti Celebrations and Events
- Delicious Food
Best Time to Visit Varanasi:
Winter (November to February) is the ideal season to visit Varanasi because of the low temperatures and fresh breezes all day.
10 Must visit places in Varanasi
1) Visiting Sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi’s most important Hindu temple, is also famously known as the Golden Temple, dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganges, it is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of the lord Shiva. The meaning of Vishwanath or Vishveshwara is the Ruler of The Universe. The temple structure was constructed in 1780 by the Brave Maratha Queen, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. The best way to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple or details for foreigners visiting Kashi Vishwanath temple and Indians is to book advance Kashi Vishwanath Temple entrance tickets from the trust website. Foreigners must carry a Xerox copy of their passport, visa, and originals to enter the temple. Indians can book online darshan tickets, too, from the trust website. Indians can also go for customary darshan without an entrance ticket, but the line is usually very crowded.
Opening and Closing Time:
The temple opens at 2:30 am and closes at 10 am every day. If you plan to visit, you must know the darshan time well. The temple is open for darshan between 4 am to 11 am, 12 pm to 7 pm, and 9 pm (when the darshan is available only from outside.)
Distance from the Airport: 26kms
Pre-booking: Not NeededMeans of Transport: Taxi
Cost: ₹1000 – ₹2000, depending on the vehicle
2. Walk along the ghats OR Varanasi Walking Tour OR Varanasi Ghats Walking Tour
Since Varanasi is not a very big city, no matter where you are staying, Ghats are not very far from your stay in Varanasi. If you are looking for Quality time in Varanasi, you must go for this walking tour in Varanasi. You will find plenty of raw action at the ghats along the River the Ganges. You will be amused to see Herds of Buffalo and Cows being washed by children in the river, Teenage kids swimming in the river, intense cricket matches, people having their hair cuts, Priests or Sadhus doing meditations, Many Yogis doing Yoga at the ghats, left right and centre and people are in prayer. If you are a photographer or interested in clicking the pictures, you will get several memorable pics. You will find honest India at these ghats. Being a leading Tour Operator in Varanasi, this is one of the most exciting things to do in Varanasi.
Opening and Closing Time: Open all-day
Distance from the Airport: 26kms/28kms
Pre-booking: Not NeededMeans of Transport: Taxi
Cost: ₹550 – ₹700
3) Sunrise boat ride in Varanasi
The Ganges is the holiest river in the world. Ganges is spectacular throughout the day but a quiet, mystical place during sunrise. These are the most important places in Varanasi on your Varanasi tour. Soft pastel colours paint the sky as a few boats glide up and down the river. The boat will float you past all the different ghats and pass multiple temples along the way. You will see a small floating market in Varanasi, too. Even at sunrise, there is a lot of action-packed on the banks of the river Ganges, such as people taking their morning baths, washing loads of clothes on the bank of the river, Sadhus doing Meditations, locals practising Yoga and setting up stalls, and shops for a day of trading, in short, you will how Varanasi starts its day every morning as well similarly rest of India.
Opening and Closing Time: Starts at 5 am in summer and 6 am in winter
Distance from the Airport: 26kms
Pre-booking: Not Needed
Means of Transport: Taxi
Cost: ₹550 – ₹700
4) Experience the Aarti Ceremony or Participate in World famous Ganga Aarti in Varanasi
It is one of the must-see activities in Varanasi and must be included in every traveler’s itinerary who visits Varanasi. The Ganga Aarti ceremony happens every evening at the main ghats at the banks of The Ganges River. Suppose you want a good view of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi. In that case, you need to reach there as early as possible because later it gets crowded with more than several thousand people attending it daily, and many prefer watching it from floating boats. Aarti is an essential Hindu worship ritual involving offering prayer to the deities. In this aarti, priests offer prayer to all gods using seven things. Starting Timing of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi is around 7 pm in summer and around 6 pm in winter; it continues for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Ganga Aarti gives a goosebump to everyone attending it, and there is more purity in the air when Aarti is over.
Opening and Closing Time: 7 pm to 8 pm in summer and 6 pm to 7 pm in winter
Distance from the Airport: 26kms
Pre-booking: Not NeededMeans of Transport: Taxi
Cost: ₹550 – ₹700
5) Visit the Burning Ghat in Varanasi or Manikarnika ghat tour
Most of the ghats of Kaashi place are incredibly interesting, But the Burning Ghat or Manikarnika Ghat is unique. Here, people come to stay in the hospice when they are dying. The cremations of bodies, funerals, and other ceremonies happen on the banks of the Ganges at this Ghat. It is a famous belief in Hinduism that if you die or your body is cremated in Varanasi, then you will go directly to heaven. You can pass through the Ghat, observe, and even take a few photos as a tourist. Remember that people are here to say farewell to their loved ones, so make sure you act respectfully with and without your camera. Beware of the people who will offer you a ‘free’ guided tour before trying to force you to donate.
Opening and Closing Time: Open all day
Distance from the Airport: 26kms
Pre-booking: Not NeededMeans of Transport: Taxi
Cost: ₹1500 – ₹1800, depending on the shuttle
6) Sarnath Day Trip from Varanasi
Sarnath is another important tourist destination, almost 10 km from Varanasi, and one of the famous day trips from Varanasi. In Sarnath, Lord Buddha preached his sermon or dharma to his first five disciples after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya under the sacred Bodhi Tree. In Sarnath, visit the holy Dhamek Stupa – the most visited and known as the most important Buddhist shrine in the world. Later, visit museums, Thai temples, and the Main temple; these are places to visit Varanasi in Sarnath.
Museum Opening and Closing Time: 9 am to 6 pm
Distance from the Airport: 25kms
Pre-booking: Not NeededMeans of Transport: Taxi
Cost: ₹1100 – ₹2200, depending on the shuttle
7) Visit Nepali Temple in Varanasi
Nepali temple, Pashupatinath Mahadev Mandir, also known as the Nepali Mandir, is a Hindu Temple dedicated to lord Shiva. Pashupatinath Mandir in Varanasi is made of wood, called Kanthwala Temple; ‘Kanthwala’ means ‘Wooden’. This temple is the best example of the Nepali Style of Architecture in India; the materials used to build it are terracotta, wood, and stone. The construction of the Nepali Pashupatinath temple in Varanasi started in the Late Rana Bahadur Shah, the King of Nepal, when he was in exile in Varanasi. Later, after 20 years, it was completed by his son Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah Dev. Nepali Temple is situated at Lalita Ghat in Varanasi. This is one of the essential things to do in Varanasi.
Opening and Closing Time: Open all day
Distance from the Airport: 26kms
Pre-booking: Not NeededMeans of Transport: Taxi
Cost: ₹1000 – ₹1200, depending on the shuttle.
8) Try the street food in Varanasi
Besides Spiritual tourism in Varanasi, it is also famous for Street foods. You will have several varieties of street food options available. Try Lassi at Blue Lassi, which can be found easily. Try delicious chat at Deena Chat Bhandar; Varanasi is famous for Kullad Chai. You will find a small chai shop with tasty chai; try delicious Samosa and Longlata sweet from corner shops in Varanasi; try the famous Mouth-watering Rabri sweet in Varanasi. Varanasi is heaven for food lovers and the perfect destination for food bloggers.
Opening and Closing Time: Open all day
Distance from the Airport: 26kms
Pre-booking: Not NeededMeans of Transport: Taxi
Cost: ₹1000 – ₹1200, depending on the vehicle you choose
9. Shopping in Varanasi’s Local Market
The best places to visit in Varanasi on a free day or evening is shopping. The city is well known for its elaborate gems and silk saris. Go to the neighbourhood market to purchase many interesting goods. This lovely location is where you must buy exquisite zari or threadwork saris with their wonderful floral patterns.
The local market is brimming with exquisite quality silk, and in addition to saris, one may get shawls, carpets, bangles, stone inlay work, and idols of Buddhist or Hindu deities. The primary shopping destinations in this city are Godowilia, Chowk, Thateri Bazaar, and Vishwanath Lane.
Opening and Closing Time: 10 am to 8 pm
Distance from the Airport: 25kms
Pre-booking: Not Needed
Means of Transport: Taxi
Cost: ₹1000 – ₹1200
10. Visit Weaver’s Village
The weaver’s village, also known as Sarai Mohana, is among the top unusual activities in Kaasi place. Locals throng there, producing some of India’s most exquisite Banarasi silk sarees. Their work is highly renowned for various features, including zari (gold and silver brocade), embroidery, and cans of saris, which are finished in a matter of days to months.
These sarees are an integral part of the city’s culture and are globally recognized. Therefore, remember to purchase a dazzling silk sari from Sarai Mohana as a keepsake of your journey to Varanasi, which you can wear to your forthcoming festival celebration or marriage ceremony.
Opening and Closing Time: 9 am to 9 pm
Distance from the Airport: 27kms
Pre-booking: Not NeededMeans of Transport: Taxi
Cost: ₹1000 – ₹1200, depending on the cab type
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Ghum India Ghum team.
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