Varanasi Travel Guide: Ghats, Ganga Aarti and Sarnath

Varanasi (Kashi) is one of the world's oldest living cities and the spiritual heart of India. A visit is less about sightseeing and more about experiencing daily life on the banks of the Ganga.

Do not miss

• An early-morning boat ride on the Ganga, when the ghats glow in the first light.
• The evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the corridor leading to it.
• Sarnath, about 10 km away, where the Buddha gave his first sermon.

Practical tips

The lanes of the old city are narrow, so travel light and wear comfortable shoes. Dress modestly, agree on a boat fare before you board, and be respectful at the cremation ghats: ask before taking any photograph.

What to eat

Start the day with kachori-sabzi and jalebi, try tamatar chaat in the afternoon, and finish with a lassi or Banarasi paan.

Best time to visit

October to March has the most comfortable weather. Summers are very hot, and during the monsoon the river rises and some ghats go under water.

How to reach

Varanasi has its own airport and two major railway stations, Varanasi Junction and Banaras (Manduadih), with good connections to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and other big cities.