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Varanasi

India's spiritual capital — Ganges ghats, evening aarti + Hindu pilgrimage

Varanasi is India's oldest continuously inhabited city + Hinduism's holiest — the Ganges ghats where pilgrims bathe + cremations happen daily. The evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the most intense religious ceremonies in the world.

Airport
Varanasi (VNS) — 22 km northwest
Age
Oldest continuously inhabited city on Earth
Sacred to
Hindus, Buddhists, Jains
Ghats
88 along the Ganges riverfront

Varanasi highlights

Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat

Every evening at sunset — the essential Varanasi experience. Best viewed from a boat.

Dawn Ganges boat ride

Departing 05:30 — bathing pilgrims in golden light. The photographer's pilgrimage.

Manikarnika + Harishchandra cremation ghats

India's most sacred cremation sites — approach with respect, no photography.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

One of Hinduism's 12 Jyotirlinga temples — recently expanded corridor. Foreigners can enter.

Sarnath

Where Buddha gave his first sermon — 10 km from Varanasi. Peaceful ruins + Ashokan pillar.

Old town walking tour

The narrow gullies (galis) hidden behind the ghats — India's most atmospheric wander.

Getting there

Varanasi Airport (VNS) has direct flights from Delhi (1h 30m), Mumbai (2h), Bangkok + Kathmandu. Train from Delhi (12h overnight).

Getting around

Cycle-rickshaw + auto-rickshaw for short trips. Boat rides on the Ganges. Old town = walking only.

Best time to visit

October-March (cool). Peak Diwali (October/November) + Dev Deepawali festivals.

Budget per day

$20-40 backpacker · $60-120 mid-range · $250+ luxury (Brijrama Palace)

Airport transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri International (VNS)

Getting out of Varanasi (VNS)

Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer

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Driver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.

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Where to stay in Varanasi

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Popular direct routes from: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kathmandu

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Where to stay in Varanasi

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Frequently asked about Varanasi

How many days do I need in Varanasi?
2-3 days — day 1 dawn boat + old town + evening Aarti, day 2 Sarnath half-day + more ghats, day 3 morning yoga + Kashi Vishwanath.
When is the best time to visit Varanasi?
October-March (cool, dry). Diwali (October/November) + Dev Deepawali festivals are peak.
Is Varanasi safe?
Generally safe — very touristy. Watch pickpockets at Aarti + around ghats. Book only reputable boat operators (fixed prices at government stands).
Is Varanasi worth visiting?
Yes if you want to see India at its most intense + spiritual. Not for the squeamish — cremations + open religious ritual are part of daily life.
How do I get to Varanasi?
Fly VNS direct from Delhi (1h 30m), Mumbai (2h), Kolkata (1h 30m). Or overnight sleeper train from Delhi (12h).