Immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of spirituality, history, and culture by enjoying a getaway at Varanasi with our Varanasi Darshan Packages. It is a captivating tourist destination in India that offers a unique experience to all its travelers.
The prime attraction of Varanasi is its ghats, the series of steps leading down to the river. These ghats are thronged with devotees performing rituals, taking ritualistic baths, and offering prayers. Witnessing the fervor and devotion of the people and participating in these rituals can be a deeply enriching experience for visitors.
Varanasi is also renowned for its rich cultural heritage, and exploring its narrow, labyrinthine alleys is an adventure in itself. These winding lanes are lined with bustling marketplaces, traditional shops, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Exploring these alleys provides an opportunity to interact with locals, observe their way of life, and get a taste of authentic Varanasi cuisine, which is a delightful blend of flavors and spices.
Another fascinating aspect of Varanasi is its vibrant music and arts scene. The city has been a center for classical music, dance, and folk traditions for centuries. Visitors can attend mesmerizing classical music concerts, witness captivating dance performances, or even learn traditional Indian music or dance through workshops and classes.
A unique experience that Varanasi offers is its boat rides on the Ganges River during sunrise or sunset. Floating on the sacred river, you can witness the ethereal beauty of the ghats, the vibrant colors of the sky, and the spiritual rituals being performed along the banks. These boat rides provide a serene and meditative experience, allowing visitors to soak in the tranquility and spirituality of Varanasi.
In conclusion, Varanasi tourism extends far beyond the popular sightseeing places. However, for your ease, we have hereby listed the top 4 tourist attractions which you cover with our Varanasi Darshan Packages. These are as follows:
1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Considered as the first sightseeing place to visit in Varanasi, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in Hinduism that holds immense significance among devotees from all around the world. It is built on the western bank of the sacred river Ganga and is believed to cleanse everyone’s sins whosoever takes a dip in its waters.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kashi Vishwanath Temple follows the traditional North Indian or Nagara architectural style with its Shikara, which is nearly 15.5 meters high and is covered with around 800 km of gold. The shimmering spire is a symbol of the temple's grandeur and is visible from a distance. One can also find several other smaller shrines and sanctums featuring various presiding deities within the premises.
Please note that the electronic devices including the camera and mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside and hence, must be deposited in a designated locker. Also, it is mandatory for a man and a woman to wear a dhoti kurta and saree respectively whenever heading to this temple.
2. Dashashwamedh Ghat
The next tourist attraction that needs your attention on your Varanasi tour after Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the Dashashwamedh Ghat. It is the most sacred and spiritually significant ghat within the city that attracts a multitude of pilgrims every year.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma performed a grand ten-horse sacrifice (Dashashwamedh Yajna) at this ghat, which gives it its name. It is believed that Lord Brahma himself established this ghat to welcome Lord Shiva after the sacrifice. The ghat has witnessed various historical events and has been a center of religious and cultural activities for centuries.
Dashashwamedh Ghat is most renowned for its mesmerizing Ganga Aarti ceremony, which takes place every evening. The Aarti is a devotional ritual where priests perform elaborate and synchronized prayers and offerings to the river Ganges.
Devotees gather on the steps of the ghat and witness the spectacle as the priests move oil lamps in a circular motion accompanied by chanting music, and the fragrance of incense. Overall, it is undoubtedly a captivating experience to watch.
3. Sankat Mochan Temple
Visit the Sankat Mochan Temple to seek the blessings and divine grace of Lord Hanuman - an epitome of devotion, strength, and wisdom. It is a revered Hindu temple that provides a peaceful and serene environment for people to meditate, reflect, and connect with the divine.
Nestled amidst the lush greenery, the Sankat Mochan Temple features a simple yet elegant architectural style, and its main shrine houses the idol of Lord Hanuman in a meditative posture. Daily prayers, aarti ceremonies, and the chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa create an atmosphere of devotional fervor. The temple complex also includes other deities such as Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Shiva.
Various Hindu festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. The most significant festival is Hanuman Jayanti, which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman. Devotees throng the temple, offer prayers, and participate in processions and special ceremonies dedicated to Lord Hanuman during this time.
4. Ramnagar Fort and Museum
Tracing its history back to the 18th century, the Ramnagar Fort and Museum is an age-old edifice that was built by Raja Balwant Singh – the Kashi Naresh of Varanasi. It served as the official residence of the royal family of this city and continues to be their residential palace to this day. The architecture of the fort exhibits a blend of Mughal and Indian styles.
The Ramnagar Fort and Museum is made of red sandstone and features imposing walls, balconies, pavilions, and carved balconies. It has several courtyards and a beautiful temple dedicated to Ved Vyasa, the sage who wrote the epic Mahabharata. The fort offers panoramic views of the river Ganges and the city of Varanasi.
Here you can also find a museum that showcases a fascinating collection of artifacts related to the royal family of Varanasi. The museum displays vintage cars, traditional palanquins, weapons, costumes, photographs, and other belongings of the erstwhile kings. It provides insights into the rich history, culture, and lifestyle of the royal family.
One of the highlights of Ramnagar Fort is the annual Ramnagar Ramlila, which is a theatrical reenactment of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The Ramlila is performed on the fort's grounds during the Navratri festival (September/October). It is a grand event that attracts numerous visitors from Varanasi and other parts of the country.
Shopping
Shopping in Varanasi is a delightful experience as the city is renowned for its traditional crafts, exquisite textiles, and religious artifacts. You can purchase silk sarees, stone carvings, wooden crafts, brassware, and hand-knotted Banarasi carpets to bring some souvenirs back home.
In addition to all this, the city is also a hub for traditional jewelry, particularly gold and silver pieces. One can find intricately designed necklaces, earrings, bangles, and rings embedded with precious and semi-precious gemstones. The markets in Varanasi offer a mix of traditional and contemporary jewelry, and you can also find antique pieces that reflect the city's rich cultural heritage.
When shopping in Varanasi, it's advisable to explore local markets like Vishwanath Gali, Godowlia Market, and Chowk. Bargaining is common in these markets, so be prepared to negotiate prices. Additionally, make sure to check the authenticity of the products and buy from reputable sellers to ensure quality and genuineness.
Plan a guided tour to Varanasi with our Varanasi Darshan Packages to make the most of your time. We help you curate an itinerary based on your overall holiday duration. Depending on your mood, you can explore the points of interest you like the most on your Varanasi tour.
Some of the places that deserve your attention are Assi Ghat, Tulsi Manas Temple, New Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, Nepali Temple, Kedar Ghat, Batuk Bhairav Mandir, Bharat Mata Mandir, Tibetan Temple, Shivala Ghat, Alamgir Mosque, and many more.
Our team of travel experts at Varanasi Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, also assist you with customization. We don’t mind altering the Varanasi tour package of your choice as per your prerequisites. All you need to do is to just tell us what inclusions you wish to see in the package. Please fill out the Contact Us form to get in touch with us.
How to Reach Varanasi?
The closest international airport to Varanasi is the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. It is well connected to major cities in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. From the airport, you can take a private taxi from the list of top car rental companies in Varanasi to commute further to your desired location.
Another way to get down to Varanasi is via train. You can catch a train to Varanasi Junction to experience a hassle-free train journey. Several express and superfast trains connect Varanasi to the metro railheads in the country. Make sure to check the train schedules to plan everything in advance. Also, you can book the tickets either online or through the railway reservation counters.
Varanasi has a well-developed network of roads by several national and state highways. Depending on your overall holiday budget, you can board a private or state-owned bus. For your ease, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) operates regular bus services to and from Varanasi.
Last but not least, this city can also be accessed by people by water as well. There are several boat services available for river transportation from Allahabad and Patna. However, this mode of transportation is relatively slower and may not be as commonly used as air, train, or road travel.