Varanasi Tours – Explore the Ghats and Traditions of Varanasi

Varanasi offers visitors an unforgettable journey into Indian Hindu culture. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, this remarkable destination will show visitors all that India has to offer.

Experience a mesmerising Aarti ceremony along the Ganges and discover its maze of narrow streets packed with temples and markets.

Time to Visit

Varanasi lies along the Ganges river, providing Hindu pilgrims a place to bathe, perform rituals and cremate their dead. Your tour guide will lead you along its ghats in the early dawn light to witness these centuries-old customs and traditions. Additionally, visit Sarnath with its monasteries and ancient stupas before enjoying an enchanting Ganga Aarti ceremony where oil lamps float downriver while young priests perform hymns in praise of gods with conch shells and bells!

Winter in Varanasi offers the ideal environment for visiting temples and taking boat rides along the River Ganges, while sunrise and dusk boat trips for Ganga Aarti ceremonies provide unique memories you won’t soon forget.

From July to September is monsoon season in Varanasi and this can be an ideal time to visit, however beware of raindrops! Your guide can advise you on making the most of your visit, and may still have great offers on accommodation and tour services available. By October when temperatures begin to change, it becomes ideal for exploring this vibrant city and all its festivals!

Things to Do

Varanasi is widely considered the spiritual capital of India. This city is famed for its holy River Ganges, epic Temples and age-old Culture and Traditions – making it an ideal location to find moksha or soul liberation. One of the top things to do in Varanasi is exploring its Ghats along the Ganges – there are 88 altogether but spend most of your time visiting some key ones like Dashashwamedh Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat.

Experience Varanasi like never before by going on a sunset boat ride along the Ganges! This truly soul-stirring experience will remain in your memory for life – ask your rower to sing some folk songs for you, making the ride all the more unforgettable!

Varanasi offers many opportunities for shopping traditional Banarasi silk clothing items. While you’ll find shops throughout the city offering these goods, Godowlia market is one of the premier destinations. Here you’ll find beautiful dupattas, sarees and other fabric pieces at very competitive prices. Additionally, don’t forget to sample local masala chai for yourself; it is truly special.

Sightseeing

Varanasi comes alive at dawn and dusk as ascetics and Hindu devotees gather along its holy riverbanks for bathing and prayers, with offerings called diyas (floating candles) illuminating its waters amidst an incredible Ganga Aarti ceremony – whether you are local or tourist, witnessing this sacred ritual is something everyone must experience! Seeing it for yourself is truly special when visiting Varanasi.

Varanasi’s most iconic attraction is Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Shiva and commonly referred to as The Golden Temple due to its distinctive golden spire. Over centuries of history has left an imprint on this holy structure, inspiring many temples around India and even internationally. Take a tour of this landmark temple and discover its rich culture, past, and how its design inspired many other structures across India and around the globe.

Explore the city’s famed food streets and picturesque alleys and markets, such as Vishwanath Gali with its selection of Hindu gods and goddesses, souvenirs, food items and religious merchandise – not forgetting Chunar Fort and Ramnagar Fort which offer cultural significance; additionally don’t miss Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum which features sculptures as well as ancient paintings and pottery!

Sarnath village provides an insight into India’s Buddhist side with monasteries and Stupas dating back centuries; visiting this sacred spot allows one to witness India’s vibrant spirituality first-hand.

Budget

Travel to Varanasi can be costly, but there are ways to lower the costs. Take advantage of discounted tours, book hostels in lesser known areas and limit shopping expenses. Book flights and hotel rooms well ahead of time and visit local markets where you can buy sarees and shawls at reasonable prices.

Varanasi (Kashi), one of the oldest living cities worldwide and an important pilgrimage site for Hinduism. Home to numerous temples as well as traditional funeral rites performed according to Hindu beliefs, Varanasi is also one of India’s premier tourism attractions.

Varanasi can best be experienced by taking a walking tour through its residential areas of old city. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with its culture, history and religious significance better as well as visit some iconic ghats such as Manikarnika and Dashashwamedh before watching Ganga Aarti at sunset.

Varanasi street food offers another great opportunity to experience its vibrant flavors, as well as gain an insight into its culinary culture. Enjoy dishes such as samosas, kachoris, paan (betel leaf) lassi and much more.