Exploring the holy city of Varanasi

A visit here is an incredible introduction to India’s spiritual side. We spend a memorable few days in Varanasi on our newest India tour – here’s what you can look forward to seeing and doing.

What to do in Varanasi

Explore the ghats

Varanasi sits on the banks of the Ganges, with stone steps known as ghats leading down into the water. There are 88 ghats in Varanasi. Some are used for bathing, some for sacred ceremonies, and some for cremations (Hindus believe that being cremated beside the Ganga at Varanasi breaks the cycle of rebirth and transports a person’s soul to heaven).

On our Varanasi tour, you’ll have opportunities to watch an Aarti ceremony on the ghats and to see local life unfolding during an early morning boat ride (we’ll talk more about those below). But you’ll also have some free time to explore Varanasi under your own steam – we’d highly recommend a stroll through this area, taking in all the sights and sounds at your own pace.

The entire length would take a few hours to walk, so concentrate on one particular section – your tour manager will be able to point you in the direction of some local highlights. You might find small temples or shrines along the backstreets behind the ghats, while on the riverfront you’ll see snapshots of Varanasi life (washermen hanging clothes up to dry, locals taking part in meditation and yoga).

Take a sunrise Ganges boat ride

Dawn is when Varanasi is at its most appealing. During the cooler early hours of the day, the riverside bustles with life, from sunrise prayers to morning ablutions in the sacred waters of the Ganges.

We’ll board a small boat to glide along the river, watching as the sky turns pink and gold, and the day unfolds along the ghats. We might catch a morning Aarti ceremony or see yogis performing sun salutations, while passing the cremation ghats is a poignant reminder of life and death.

If you’re visiting Varanasi during the winter months, be prepared for chilly temperatures (down to single digits). Wrap up in layers you can slowly shed as the day warms up.

Experience an Aarti ceremony

Witnessing an evening Aarti ceremony in Varanasi is an unforgettable experience. It’s a ritual that takes place every day at dusk on the riverside ghats (around 6pm in winter and 7pm in summer).

Priests gather along the riverbanks to give thanks to the goddess Ganga through choreographed prayers. There’s music and chanting, the scent of incense, the circling of lamps ablaze with fire. It’s moving and quite theatrical, and a powerful introduction to this spiritually significant city.

Spend a morning at Sarnath

The small pilgrimage town of Sarnath sits just to the north-east of Varanasi. It’s one of the most important sites in the Buddhist world – Buddha delivered his first sermon here after attaining enlightenment.

There are a number of sacred sites to explore here, including the 5th-century Chaukhandi Stupa and a collection of monasteries and temples. It’s an easy side-trip from Varanasi and well worth exploring to gain a deeper understanding of Buddhism’s history. We pay a visit on our full day in Varanasi.

More about Varanasi

Where is Varanasi?

Varanasi is in the north-east Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the River Ganges.

How to get to Varanasi

You can arrive in Varanasi by rail, road or air. The rail network can connect you to many of India’s major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai; internal flights open up additional destinations in the south, including Bangalore and Hyderabad. Long-distance buses can take you to Delhi in just over 13 hours.

On our Varanasi tour, we arrive into the city on a comfortable express train from Agra, a journey which takes around seven hours. When we leave, we’ll fly to Delhi, a short flight of just 90 minutes or so.

How long should I spend in Varanasi?

Two to three days will give you enough time to enjoy Varanasi’s key sights. Staying overnight will allow you to enjoy evening Aarti ceremonies as well as experiencing the ghats at sunrise. We’ll stay for two nights, which gives us time to explore the ghats, enjoy a Ganges boat ride, and have some free time to relax.

What is special about Varanasi?

We think what makes Varanasi so special is its spiritual roots. It’s a sacred place for so many, and getting to have a glimpse of the devotion that locals and pilgrims have is a real privilege. There really is nowhere quite like it in India – we’re delighted to be featuring it in our collection once again. Our destination expert for India, Phil, explained why he feels Varanasi is so special:

Why is Varanasi famous?

Varanasi is a spiritually significant city for Hindus – it’s said to be the holiest of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. The Ganges plays a big role in this. Bathing in its waters is said to be purifying, and its believed that cremation here breaks the cycle of reincarnation, liberating the soul.

It’s also a special place for Buddhists, who are drawn here to visit Sarnath. This small town on the outskirts of Varanasi is where the first sermon was given by Gautama Buddha after achieving enlightenment.

Is Varanasi a city?

Yes, Varanasi is a large city (82 square kilometres) with a population of well over a million people. It’s a fantastic stop to add to your India itinerary and one of the highlights of our Images of India tour.

Explore Varanasi on Images of India by Rail & the Ganges.