Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, is one of the oldest cities in the world. It draws pilgrims, photographers, people interested in history, and curious visitors who come to the Ganges to view the everyday activities there, stroll through its narrow streets with their old-world shops, and visit temples and familiarize themselves with important sites, all of which are situated just outside the city.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is a revered spiritual site and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The centuries-old significance of the temple is preserved, but the visitors find it easier to access the newly redeveloped temple complex (the Kashi Vishwanath Dham).
Times and Place : This temple opens extremely early (around three thirty in the morning) with the Mangala aarti, and the day-long darshan which has short ritual interruptions. The usual daytime program is the early Mangala Aarti (3:00–4:00 A.M.) and the morning and evening rituals; the complex is open all the time, beginning in the early morning and continuing into the late part of the day. The temple lies in the lanes of the old city.
Advice : Wear simple, casual clothes, queue during busy times, and use the designated entry gates. Shoes have to be taken off.
The best-known ghat to attend in the evening is Dashashwamedh, where one may observe the Ganga Aarti (prayer ceremony with lamps, music, and chanting). It is a sensual accent of a visiting Varanasi.
Times and place: Ganga Aarti is conducted only once daily during the evening at sunset; again, depending on the time of the year (in winter it is about 6:00 PM and in summer about 7:00 PM). Get here early in high season and take the best stand in the steps, or get in a boat and watch from the river.
Advice : Think of a boat to have a less busy viewpoint; little leaf lamps (diyas) can be placed on the river at the end of the rite.
Assi Ghat is the most favorite among the locals, students, and young travelers. It is an informal location for sunrise rituals, yoga, and observing the daily activities along the river.
Opening Times and Place : Assi Ghat is free to be visited full time, but the best time to visit is mornings when people are doing rituals, and boat rides in the sunrise. The aarti of Assi is typically in the morning and is different as compared to evening aarti of Dashashwamedh.
Tips : Use the area surrounding the places to walk to cafes and small shops and walk with Assi and a morning boat ride which usually begins at around 5:00-6:00 AM depending on the season.
Manikarnika is the main cremation ghat in Varanasi and a site of great religious implications to the Hindus. To the visitor, it provides a chilling, true to life, glimpse of what the locals believe about life and death.
Times and Place of Location : Manikarnika Cremation activities are 24/7. When you tend to be a non-participant, it will be safer and more respectful to visit during the day (most of the guides recommend 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM as a casual visitor). Sensitivity and local direction is required in photography and behavior.
Hint : Pay money to a local guide he/she understands the religious procedures and explain it to you, and do not disturb the practices.
Sarnath is where the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after his enlightenment. It is an easy, green complex of stupas, ruins, and a significant archeological museum, which is a popular tourist destination to pilgrims and lovers of history.
Time and Place : The Dhamek Stupa and ruins are typically visited every day, early in the morning till evening (most of the locations can be visited between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM). The Sarnath Archaeological Museum is normally open in the morning till late afternoon, but closed on one day per week (confirm locally to find out which day is closed at any given time).
BHU is a vast and old university campus that boasts of serene grounds, impressive architecture, and Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, where textiles, paintings, and local art are on display.
Timings : Bharat Kala Bhavan generally operates during the day (daytime hours are typically between 10.00 AM and 5.30 PM, but again it depends upon the season) and usually closes at certain university holidays also, so check before going. The BHU campus is a nice stroll and has a less hectic picture of the student life.
Tips : Morning weekdays are the most preferable time to avoid people. The museum has a collection that provides an in-depth insight into the artistic traditions of Banaras.
Ramnagar Fort is the 18th-century fort of the former rulers of Varanasi and has an odd museum with old cars, royal property, arms, and costumes.
Timings : The fort and the museum open about 10:00 AM and close in the middle and at the end of the afternoon (about 4:30-5:00 PM, another hour, depending on the season). It is situated on the other side of the river from the main ghats – a small ferry or boat ride from the Dashashwamedh locality.
The Tulsi Manas Temple is a temple of importance in Kashi both in terms of religion and literature since this is the place where poet saint Writer Tulsidas is believed to have spent his time narrating parts of Ramcharitmanas.
Timings and Location : The temple is usually open on a daily basis with morning and evening visiting times; however, most of the visitors use this trip with the nearby Durga Kund.
Sankat Mochan Temple, the temple of Lord Hanuman, is a local and lively shrine with visitors coming to worship it on a daily basis. It is also connected to community cultural events and also community program administering trust.
Timings and Location : Sankat Mochan usually opens in the early mornings and is operating throughout the day with a brief lunch break and re-opening in the evenings though again timings and location depend on the day of the week and festivals.
Tips : On the day you do visit the temple, make sure to check the event calendar of the temple in case you are interested in rituals or music performed in the temple.
Bharat Mata Temple is a one-of-a-kind place; a relief map of India made of marble is located rather than a statue of a deity, which symbolizes the national unity and heritage.
Time and Place : To visit the temple, one can typically observe general visiting hours of the day and the temple is nearby the Gyanvapi or Durga Kund region in the old city; morning visits here are rather peaceful.
Tips : It should be supplemented by connecting with nearby attractions (Tulsi Manas and Durga Kund) to create a brief circuit in terms of culture.
This Nepalese-style woodwork and architecture is worth a visit. It is a Nepali Temple, located on the banks of Lalita Ghat, which makes an interesting comparison to the Indian temple styles of stone and brick.
Timings : The temple is available throughout most parts of the day and is found in Lalita Ghat, which is near some other historic ghats. Visits, especially in the early morning or evening, are very conducive. Take a stroll alongside the front alleys on the river, for local life and scenery of Manikarnika and the ghats along its opposite.
It is different to have a sunrise boat ride and learn the city as it comes alive: people are bathing, priests perform small rituals, and the rising sun paints the stone steps. It is the best activity recommended for first-time visitors.
Times and Place : It can be done all day and in fact sunrise (about 5:00-6:30 AM depending on the time of year) is the most ideal; the popular journeys are between Assi Ghat and Dashashwamedh or Manikarnika Ghat and take around 1-2 hours.
Tips : Wear a light jacket during colder seasons, act as assurance that the time is accurate with your boatman and negotiate prices before you board.
More important than individual places, a maze of narrow lanes, bookstores, silk stores and small temples make use of Varanasi. A heritage walk which is guided assists in deciphering history, architecture and local crafts.
Timings and Location : Walking in the early morning or late afternoon is preferable when one wants to be light and local. There are numerous guided tours that start at Assi, Godowlia, or around the complex of Kashi Vishwanath.
Although Dhamek is the largest of the Sarnath sights, other small places, such as the Chaukhandi Stupa, Ashoka Pillar remains, and old monasteries, enhance a visit to Sarnath and offer less congested space than the ghats.
Times and Place : They are part of the larger Sarnath complex and share the same opening hours as the main location. Prepare to spend a half-day touring the museum in Sarnath.
Visitors on a bus tour through the old-city circuit should include, among other places, the terracotta-red Durga Temple, sometimes known as the Monkey Temple.
Timings and Location : The temple is open all day; the most active times are morning aarti and evening aarti. It is located in Durga Kund and could easily be mixed with a visit to Tulsi Mata and Bharat Mata.
Precautions : To avoid monkeys stealing, keep them near the temple doors and locks for visitors.
The best time to visit Varanasi is from October to March when the weather is pleasant.
A 2–3 day itinerary is ideal to cover major ghats, temples, Sarnath, and a boat ride.
Varanasi is famous for Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ganga Aarti, ancient ghats, and spiritual culture.
Yes, Varanasi is generally safe. Stick to crowded areas and avoid isolated lanes late at night.
Dashashwamedh Ghat hosts the most popular and grand Ganga Aarti ceremony.
