Spiritual, colourful and lively, these are the words people often use to describe the allure of Varanasi. The vibrant city is one of the holiest destinations in the world, attracting tourists from across the globe. From temples and ghats to museums and forts, there is plenty to explore in this city. When you plan a long trip or a weekend getaway in Varanasi, an unforgettable experience awaits you!
Now, you must be wondering what you can do in Varanasi. The right answer is a lot of things! But here we have the top 15 things to do in Varanasi India.
Also, if you are wondering about the travel plans, book a flight to Varanasi. The flight will land in Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, situated around 26 km from the city centre. From there, you can take a bus, taxi or rickshaw to your hotel.
What can be a better start to a Varanasi tour than taking a dip in the Ganges! According to Hindu religious texts, a dip in the holy waters in Varanasi can purify your soul. The city has 84 ghats leading you to the Ganges. You can visit any ghat as per your convenience to take a dip.
Every evening, during the daily aarti ceremony, thousands of lamps and lights illuminate the ghats of Varanasi. You can witness this spectacular event from the Dasawamedh Ghat, where priests chant prayers with huge brass lamps in their hands. The beautiful ritual lasts for 45 minutes, but it will be imbibed in your heart for a lifetime. It might get crowded at the ghat, so make sure to reach early to attend the aarti - just a friendly reminder!
For a quintessential Varanasi experience, it is a must to take a stroll around the mesmerising Ghats. There are over a hundred ghats in the city, offering panoramic views of the Ganges. You can enjoy a breathtaking sunset view or the holy rituals. Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, and Kedar Ghat are some of the must-visit ghats during your trip.
A visit to Jantar Mantar is enough to charm the souls of science lovers and history buffs. Built in 1737 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, the solar observatory is one of the top things to explore in Varanasi. Used to measure local time and altitude as well as the position of the sun, stars and planets in earlier times, Jantar Mantar will take you down the history lane for sure.
No travel guide to Varanasi can be complete without talking about a morning boat ride in the Ganges. Words can never be enough to describe this delightful experience that will leave an everlasting imprint on your heart. The boat ride will take you through various Ghats, ancient forts and places while providing an incredible view of this majestic river. The morning sky, chirping of birds, the sight of devotees praying and the tranquil environment will stir your soul.
A renowned Buddhist centre, Sarnath has gained the reputation of a prominent tourist attraction near Varanasi. It is the place where Lord Buddha taught about the concept of Dharma for the first time after achieving enlightenment. There is a wealth of ancient stupas and structures constructed by Ashoka and other mighty kings who followed Buddhism. Honestly, a tour to Sarnath is not only about spirituality and history but also about peace and relaxation.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is among the 12 Jyotirlingas in the world. Built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in 1780, it is undoubtedly one of the country’s most-visited temples. The then ruler of Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, covered the shrines and domes of this temple with gold - another reason why devotees visit this awe-inspiring temple. The beautiful architecture, spiritual ambience and peaceful surroundings make it an unmissable sight in the city.
As soon as you enter this iconic temple, you will feel a religious and peaceful aura like nowhere else. Dedicated to Lord Rama, the temple is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Varanasi. The white walls carved with the verses of Ramayana are the primary highlight. The outside view is equally beautiful. The temple is surrounded by lush gardens, adding more charm to this beautiful structure. To make things more exciting, there is a museum housing a vast collection of manuscripts associated with Ramayana along with other artefacts.
If you think Varanasi is home to only Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Tulsi Manas Temple, you are highly mistaken! You can find several small and large temples in every nook and corner of the city. While in Varanasi, make sure to explore as many temples and shrines as you can to make the most of your trip. Durga Temple, Annapurna Temple, Mritunjay Mahadev Temple and Baba Keenaram Sthal are just a few popular places to visit in Varanasi.
Built by Raja Balwant Singh in 1750, this fort is the epitome of Mughal style architecture. The castle has a museum with a rare collection of vintage cars and several other artefacts. Not only this, the armoury within the complex showcases a number of swords and guns from different parts of the world. If you are looking for offbeat places to visit in Varanasi, nothing can be better than the Ramnagar Fort.
Credited to its historical and religious significance, Varanasi celebrates various festivals and events throughout the year. While you can visit the city during any month, the festival months bring more splendour and glory to this place. Bharat Milap and Ramleela (October-November), Maha Shivaratri (February-March) and Buddh Purnima (April-May) are probably the most popular festivals of Varanasi. Varanasi can be crowded during these months, but trust us, it is worth a visit! Also, we will suggest you book a hotel in Varanasi well in advance if you are planning a trip during the festivals. So that you don’t have trouble finding accommodation on your trip!
Banarasi sarees are famous worldwide, but only a few know that there is a Weaver’s Village where local artisans churn out these amazing works of art. When you visit Sarai Mohana, popularly called the Weaver’s village, you will be intrigued to see the process of zari and embroidery work. Honestly, exploring this region is among the interesting activities in Varanasi.
Get closer to the cultural heritage of Varanasi at Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, located within the prestigious Banaras Hindu University. The museum was established in 1920 with Rabindra Nath Tagore as the chairman. Here, you can explore a number of paintings, sculptures and other memorabilia displaying the local history. You can also head to the art gallery filled with the impeccable work of Nicholas Roerich, a celebrated Russian artist.
Believe it or not, Varanasi is a street food paradise offering an incredible gastronomical experience. Taste the mouthwatering kachori sabzi, gorge on litti chokha, try aloo puri or relish on tamatar (tomato) chaat. And don’t forget the famous Banarasi Paan! After all, tasting it is indeed one of the best things to do in Benaras.
Is a trip without shopping even a trip? Well, we don’t think so, especially when you are in the colourful land of Varanasi. The city is filled with shops from where you can buy the famous Banarasi silk and zari sarees. You can also find shawls and carpets in illustrious fine silk material. Ornaments, bangles and idols of Hindu deities are other souvenirs you can take back home. We almost forgot! Vishwanath Lane, Thatheri Bazaar, and Godowilia are some of the top Varanasi points of interest for every shopaholic.
We hope you have noted down this list of things to do in Varanasi. Now all is left to do is packing your bags and getting ready to take a plunge into everything the city has to offer!
