Welcome to the Spiritual Capital of India – a place where you can experience history, culture, and spirituality under one roof! It is a popular tourist destination that impresses visitors with its unparalleled charm and aura. It’s a city that offers a unique and liberating experience to people looking to connect with their inner souls.
It’s a place that allows you to escape the maddening world by taking you on a transformative journey of mystical ghats, temples, and many other points of interest. And it’s a holy site that will surely leave a lasting impression on your heart forever, whether you’re here for the first time or multiple times. Plan a guided tour with our 1 Day Varanasi Tour Packages to explore the best of Varanasi.
Varanasi is a living tapestry of stories, traditions, and a way of life that has endured through the ages. It invites you to leave behind the notions of conventional tourism and embrace an experience that goes beyond sightseeing. So, what are you waiting for? Let it unfold its secrets to you. The top 4 tourist places to visit in Varanasi on your 1-day trip are as follows:
1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to be spiritually enlightened on your Varanasi tour. It is the first tourist attraction that tops everyone’s itinerary list whosoever enjoys a trip to this city, be it for a short or long duration.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple boasts stunning architecture with a soothing ambiance that wins people's hearts from far and wide. It is considered as one of the oldest temples in the region which traces its history as long as back to 3500 years ago. So much has happened around the temple throughout the years that many devotees feel emotionally overwhelmed whenever they plan a getaway to this location.
The best time to head to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is during the festival of Shivaratri which is generally celebrated in February or March. At this time, it receives a huge influx of visitors from all around the world, making it a peak season of the year.
2. Dashashwamedh Ghat
The holiest ghat in Varanasi, Dashashwamedh Ghat holds immense religious and historical significance. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, is said to have performed a grand ritual of ten horses at this spot, thereby giving the ghat its name. It is believed that this ritual brought prosperity and success to the city.
Dashashwamedh Ghat is renowned for its mesmerizing evening Aarti, a Hindu religious ceremony, which takes place every evening at sunset. The Aarti is performed by a group of highly skilled priests, who conduct elaborate rituals involving fire, incense, lamps, and chants. The entire ghat comes alive with the sound of drums, conch shells, and devotional songs. Witnessing the Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is a surreal experience that leaves visitors in awe of the spiritual atmosphere.
Apart from the Aarti ceremony, Dashashwamedh Ghat is also a place where people gather to take holy dips in the Ganges. It is believed that bathing in the sacred river at this ghat helps cleanse sins and attain salvation. Pilgrims and devotees can be seen immersing themselves in the river, performing rituals, and offering prayers to the rising sun. The steps leading down to the river are lined with numerous small shrines and temples, adding to the ghat's religious significance.
3. Bharat Mata Temple
Often referred to as the Temple of Mother India, the Bharat Mata Temple stands as a symbol of the nation itself, representing the spirit and unity of India.
The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 and was constructed by the renowned freedom fighter Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta. It stands tall in a six-story building and is located on the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith campus in Varanasi. The unique aspect of the Bharat Mata Temple is that instead of housing deities or idols, it showcases a giant map of India carved in marble.
Surrounding the map are various statues and sculptures representing important historical and cultural figures of India. These include prominent leaders, freedom fighters, saints, and social reformers who played a significant role in shaping the nation's history and progress. Visitors can admire the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Rani Laxmi Bai, and other renowned personalities.
4. Varanasi Fun City
If you’re up for an exciting getaway filled with fun, adventure, thrill, and entertainment, then you should plan an escapade to the Varanasi Fun City. It is an excellent recreational center for all those who wish to get rid of the scorching heat during the summer season.
Try your hand at a diverse range of rides to feel an adrenaline rush in your body. Or take a refreshing dip in the pool to play around with its waters. Or dance to the music to create some unforgettable memories with your near and dear ones. There is also a Bhoot Bangla with an on-site food court where you can stop by to satiate your little hunger pangs.
Please note that the entry fee to visit the Varanasi Fun City is different for kids and adults on weekdays and weekends due to the huge influx of visitors. Also, it is open from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM during the day and then from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the evening.
Shopping
Make sure to take some time off for shopping in Varanasi to enjoy your 1 Day Varanasi Tour Packages to the fullest! A delightful destination for shopaholics, Varanasi offers an excellent retail therapy experience to cater to people of all age groups. From high-end items to budget-friendly products, one can find everything here under one roof.
Some of the best markets to explore in Varanasi are Thatheri Bazaar, Vishwanath Lane, Godowlia Market, Golghar, Rajan Silk Market, Dal Mandi Market, Gyanvapi, Lahurabir, Banarasi Art Gallery, and Chowk and Urban Hatt.
It is recommended to brush up on your bargaining skills whenever you pay heed to the local markets of Varanasi. Several vendors try to sell their souvenirs at more than reasonable prices and negotiating with them will surely help you grab a good deal and save your hard-earned money.
The list of sightseeing places in Varanasi doesn’t end here. If you are interested and have time, you can add a few more places to your itinerary list to make the most of your time. These include Tulsi Manas Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Assi Ghat, New Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, Nepali Temple, Kedar Ghat, Batuk Bhairav Mandir, etc.
Book a 1-day Varanasi tour package with us to have a great time with your near and dear ones. We at Varanasi Tourism, take care of everyone’s varied holiday requirements and hence, design our travel packages accordingly. Our team doesn’t believe in one size fits all and this is the major reason why we don’t mind customizing the Varanasi tour package as per your choice. Please fill out the Contact Us form to get in touch with us.
How to Reach Varanasi?
The most convenient way for people to get down to Varanasi is via airways. Varanasi Airport, which is nearly 24 km away, receives frequent flights from Indian cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Kathmandu, etc., on an everyday basis. Outside the airport, you have the option of booking a private cab from the list of top car rental companies in Varanasi to commute further to your desired destination.
Another way is to catch a bus from Patna, Lucknow, Ranchi, and Gorakhpur to reach Varanasi at pocket-friendly prices. For your ease, the state government runs several air-conditioned luxury coaches from Lucknow to Varanasi as well. It takes around 6-7 hours to complete the road journey depending on the traffic conditions.
Lastly, if you like train journeys, you can enjoy a smooth and hassle-free railway traveling to either the Kashi Railway Station or Varanasi Railway Station. Both stations are considered as the main railheads of the city and hence, are frequented in large numbers. From there at the stations, you can look for local transport like an auto-rickshaw to travel within the city.