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Home ExploreVaranasi

Varanasi

Destination Guide

Varanasi

4.5

2-3 Days

October-March

15 Attractions

The Story

About Varanasi

Varanasi (Benaras/Kashi) is the oldest living city in the world and the spiritual capital of India. Located on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, it is one of the seven holy cities in Hinduism and draws pilgrims from across the globe. The 84 ghats lining the river are the city's soul — Dashashwamedh GhatDashashwamedh Ghat hosts the spectacular evening Ganga Aarti performed by priests with synchronized flaming lamps, while Manikarnika Ghat is the sacred cremation ground where Hindus believe moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth) is attained. The Kashi Vishwanath TempleKashi Vishwanath Temple — one of the twelve Jyotirlingas — is the most sacred Shiva temple. A sunrise boat ride on the Ganges reveals the city's ancient ghats in golden light. Varanasi is also famous for its Banarasi silk sarees, the Benaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, and the nearby Sarnath — where Buddha gave his first sermon.

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The Collection

Top Attractions

15 places

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

·4 km from city center

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is regarded as one of the most popular Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in the heart of Varanasi, the temple is a core of faith for millions of Hindus.

Ganga Aarti

·4 km from city center

Ganga Aarti

Ganga Aarti is an important ritual held on a grand scale every morning and evening on the banks of the holy Ganges. The priests perform the Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil and the priests chant the holy mantras

Dashashwamedh Ghat

·4 km from city center

Dashashwamedh Ghat

As the name suggests, it is believed that this is the place where Lord Brahma performed the Dasa Ashwamedha sacrifice. This ghat is a religious spot and many rituals are performed here.

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

·4 km from city center

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is situated by the River Assi and was built in the 1900s by the freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. It is dedicated to Lord Rama and Hanuman.

Assi Ghat

·5 km from city center

Assi Ghat

The Asi Ghat is placed at the confluence of the Rivers Assi and Ganga and is famous for the large Shiva Lingam installed under a peepal tree. It has immense religious importance and has been mentioned in the Puranas and in various legends as well.

Vishwanath Gali

·4 km from city center

Vishwanath Gali

Vishwanath Gali is famous for street shopping in Varanasi. A variety of items are sold in the bustling gali at affordable rates. One can easily find modern or traditional apparel, household items, home decor items, brass idols of deities, etc. The Gali is also well known for local snacks and sweets.

New Vishwanath Temple, BHU

·6 km from city center

New Vishwanath Temple, BHU

Situated within the campus of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva along with the sculptures of multiple Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Tulsi Manasa Temple

·4 km from city center

Tulsi Manasa Temple

Constructed in 1964, this temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and is named after the saint poet Tulsi Das. It displays the Shikhara style of architecture and exhibits various inscriptions from the Ram Charit Manas on the walls of the temple.

Durga Temple

·4 km from city center

Durga Temple

Located near the Durga Ghat on the bank of the River Ganga, Durga Temple was built in the 18th century. It houses an imposing idol of Goddess Durga and is one of the main temples in Varanasi.

Nepali temple

·4 km from city center

Nepali temple

One of the oldest temples in the city, Nepali Temple is a 19th century shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was established by the King of Nepal and is a spitting image of the Pashupatinath Temple located in Kathmandu. The traditional architecture of the structure made of stone, terracotta and wood carvings attracts visitors in large numbers.

Kedar Ghat

·4 km from city center

Kedar Ghat

Kedar Ghat is one of the oldest Ghats in Varanasi and is considered cleaner for bathing in the holy River Ganga and offering prayers to Lord Shiva at the Kedareshwar Temple. It is often visited for the beautiful surroundings and the spiritual vibe.

Batuk Bhairav Mandir

·2 km from city center

Batuk Bhairav Mandir

Famous for being a place of worship for Aghoris and Tantriks, Batuk Bhairav Mandir is considered to be of immense religious importance. The temple is dedicated to Batuk Bhairav who was an incarnation of Lord Shiva. An interesting feature of the temple is the sacred Akhand Deep which is believed to be burning for ages. The oil from this lamp is said

Banaras Hindu University

·6 km from city center

Banaras Hindu University

Established by Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916, Banaras Hindu University is a 5.3 square kilometre campus in the city. It has about 30,000 students residing in the campus and is the largest residential university in the continent. The University has a long list of notable alumni and faculty. The Indo-Gothic architecture and the sprawling lawns add to t

Gyan Vapi Well

·4 km from city center

Gyan Vapi Well

Gyan Vapi Well is a sacred well for the Hindu community located inside the premise of Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The water of the well was considered to be holier than the water of River Ganga before it was polluted by the offerings made by the pilgrims. It is said that when Aurangzeb attacked the old temple, the temple priest threw the Shivalinga in

Bharat Mata Mandir

·2 km from city center

Bharat Mata Mandir

Bharat Mata Mandir is a unique shrine dedicated to our country, Mother India. The temple does not have any deity, but a relief map of the country carved in marble. The temple was the brainchild of Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta, a freedom fighter. It was built in 1936 and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi and has ever since been the only one dedicated to a cou

Rating

4.5/ 5.0

Best TimeOctober-March

Duration2-3 Days

Attractions15

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